West Coast Guide
We are so happy to introduce you to RWU, hopefully your future home away from home. By exploring this site, you should be able to get a sense of the lifestyle and educational experience of this next, exciting chapter of your life.
Where is RWU?
RWU’s location in Rhode Island puts us in the heart of New England, a historic area of the country that includes Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut
We enjoy four very distinct seasons
Easy and close access to all types of terrain and settings:
- beaches and lakes for watersports
- nature parks and trails for hiking and biking
- major cities with vibrant cultures, and tons to explore
- Providence, at about 30 minutes northwest of the Bristol campus, and Boston, about an hour north, are the closest major cities
- New York City is approximately 3.5 hours south, and accessible directly via bus, train, and air
✈️ Getting to RWU
Flights to T.F. Green Airport (PVD) currently available from locations including:
- Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, California
- Seattle and Spokane, Washington
- Portland, Oregon
And we offer a $1,500 Travel Grant for students outside of the U.S. northeast.
⚓ Experience RWU
Our University has just over 7,000 total students, approximately 4,200 of whom are full-time undergraduates on our primarily residential, suburban campus in Bristol. Our education is centered around hands-on learning in which students engage in experiential, real-world projects done in conjunction with community partners. Learn more about RWU during one of our Live Stream Information Sessions weekdays at 2 and 5 p.m. EST and Saturdays at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. EST.
Take a Virtual Campus Tour
We have numerous options available for you to see campus virtually. A live guided virtual tour, a recorded session with student Melissa Rodriguez, and our virtual campus tour.
Academic Offerings
With over 45 majors and more than 70 minors, we have the right program to fit your passion and prepare you for success.
⛵ Explore Bristol
The historic town that RWU calls home is filled with unique shops, waterfront dining, miles of waterfront and bike paths, and Colt State Park close by. Check out this video to see the town.
Admission Process
At RWU, we welcome interest from new students who have the passion and drive to solve problems for the community and the world. We're test-optional, and do a holistic review of every individual application. This means that we look at each and every piece of information, accomplishment, and involvement - and always in the context of your personal, school, and local environment. You are SO much more than just a test score.
Scholarships are based on many factors - both academic and extracurricular. Strong high school grades, a rigorous curriculum, and a long-term commitment to an activity like a part-time job, sport, club, etc. are all taken into consideration for students to qualify for up to $24,000 in merit scholarship awards. Ask about our new $1,500 Travel Grant for enrolling 2020 students outside of the U.S. northeast. No additional application is required.