The University of Rhode Island has several interesting programs, including international business and international engineering, both of which offer students the opportunity for paid internships abroad. They also have a very competitive 6-year pharmacy program – the president of CVS is a generous URI alum who funded the program’s new building – and two working farms help pre-vet students gain real-life experience.
URI also has strong biology and ocean engineering programs – Dr. Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic, teaches undergraduates in this program. Nursing and kinesiology are also strong programs; students interested in all of these should apply by the early December 1 deadline to ensure strongest scholarship consideration.
A little over half of URI’s 13,000 undergrads live on campus; 14 of the 24 residence halls are living/learning communities exclusively for freshmen. Students on the meal plan must not only swipe their student ID to enter the dining halls – they also need to scan their palm! About 13% of students join fraternities or sororities and many move into Greek housing their sophomore year.
The new athletic facility for students opened in 2013; Division I athletes still use the older athletic center on the far side of campus. School spirit is strong here (Go Rams!) and athletes have academic support.
Interestingly, URI has an LGBTQ minor and is working on being first campus with a free- standing LGBTQ Center.
About half the classes have 30 students or less but you should expect to take at least a few courses with lecture class sizes of about 200-300 students. The Honors College accepts students with about a 3.3 high school GPA, and gives students the opportunity for smaller classes and merit scholarships.
There are no kosher options but there is a strong Hillel and an active Jewish community at URI. The campus felt traditional and would be a good option for a B/B- student looking for school spirit. You can see it for yourself at URI’s quad cam!
Admissions stats: Middle 50% SAT Critical Reading 470-570; Math 490-590; Writing 480-570.
Click here to see all of my photos from my visit to the University of Rhode Island.