About

See what students say:

Academics

Roger Williams University is a "fairly small" private school in a suburban Rhode Island community "right on the water overlooking Mount Hope Bay" where the view "can't be beat." There's a nationally renowned program in marine biology, as well as a very demanding architecture program. Beyond the classroom, there are "endless opportunities" for "hands-on" undergraduate research and study abroad. Some students say the administration is "top notch." Others charge that "registration is a complete pain" and call management "extremely, unnecessarily bureaucratic." The faculty is generally "wonderful," "except for one or two who are just boring." Most RWU professors are "always trying to engage students" and are "approachable." "If they can't teach it to you in class, they will try something different outside of class," one student explains. Classes are small and intimate, too. "I like being in small classes where the professor is on a first-name basis with every student," says an English literature major. "This school isn't a Harvard or a Caltech," concludes a biology major, "but it seems to serve its place in the education pecking order fairly well."

Student Body

Nearly 80 percent of the student body ventures to Roger Williams from out-of-state. "The typical student comes from a suburban New England town" or from the mid-Atlantic region. Many students note that RWU stands for "Rich White Underachievers." "The parking lot is full of BMWs and Volvos" and there is definitely a contingent of "astronomically rich" kids, but "there are many middle-class students" as well. These students "are usually preppy" and "dress fashionably." The architecture students consider themselves "a different breed from most of the students on campus" but virtually everyone comes "from the same mold." It's "a sea" of white "but very tan" students. "I grew up in affluent suburban Connecticut and when I got here I was like 'Wow, it's not very diverse here at all.'" To be sure, "minority students are fully accepted into the college community." It's just there aren't many of them. "It's so homogeneous here, it hurts."

Campus Life

RWU's "breathtaking" campus is "well kept" and "the new buildings are gorgeous." "The food is incredible." "It's healthier than most food at other schools," too. Residence halls are "run down" and "filthy" or "very homey and cozy," presumably depending on where you live. Socially, Roger Williams is "a plethora of fun," where "intramural sports are incredibly popular." "There are nightly programs and guest lectures on campus." A few times each year, the old gym becomes "a nightclub with a theme." There are "tons" of activities-everything from squirrel watching to kayaking. Thanks to the "amazing waterfront location," "many students spend a great deal of time on or near the water." "Choosing not to be a part of [the party] scene does not condemn you to social death," either. However, "a lot of students frequent the local bars not necessarily to party or get drunk, but to be social." Off campus, nearby Providence and Newport are "very popular for evening activities" and "it's a reasonably decent drive up to Boston."

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Amanda Marsili
Dean of Admission

Address
Office of Admission
One Old Ferry Road
Bristol, RI 02809

Phone
401-254-3500

Email
admit@rwu.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Recreation Center
Library
Dining Commons
Marine Science Wet Lab
Bookstore
Students are taken to any specific place they would also like to see. Residence Halls are available for viewing with permission from occupants at certain points in the year.

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Downtown Bristol - Hope Street Shopping
Waterfront Dining
Local Galleries
East Bay Bike Path
Colt State Park
20 minutes from Newport/Providence RI 1 hour from Boston, MA

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Mon-Fri, Saturdays (August thru April)
8:30-4:30
401-254-3500

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Monday through Friday at 9 a.m., *11:30 a.m., *2 p.m. Saturdays at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. Sundays (No information session offered, tours only) at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. *While we encourage accepted students to visit campus at the time that works best for you and your family, we have tailored the 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. information session times for accepted students. Please note: Prospective students are welcome as well, if one of these times works better.
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
8:30-4:30

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Advance Notice
1 week

Contact Email Address for Visit
admit@rwu.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Transportation methods are evaulated per request.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From Boston, Massachusetts: Take Route 93 South to Route 24 South to Fall River. From Route 24 bear right onto Route 195 West to Exit 8A (Tiverton/Newport RI) where you will continue on Route 24 South for approximately seven miles. Take Mt. Hope Bridge/Bristol exit. Bear right up hill and across Mt. Hope Bridge. The University is just after the bridge on the right. From Massachusetts and points north: Take Route 128 South (also called 95) toward Rhode Island. Travel south on Route 95 to Route 195 East toward Cape Cod. Take Route 195 East to Massachusetts Exit 2 (Warren/Newport RI, Route 136 South). Follow 136 South for approximately nine miles. Campus is on your left; make a U-turn, just before Mt. Hope Bridge, to main entrance. From Albany, New York and points west: Take Route 87 to Route 90 East (Mass Turnpike). Take Route 146 South to Route 95 South to Providence, Rhode Island. Take Route 195 East to Massachusetts Exit 2 (Warren/Newport RI, Route 136 South). Follow 136 South for approximately nine miles. Campus is on your left; make a U-turn, just before Mt. Hope Bridge, to main entrance. From New York City and points south: Take Route 95 North to Providence, Rhode Island. Take Route 195 East to Massachusetts Exit 2 (Warren/Newport RI, Route 136 South). Follow 136 South for approximately nine miles. Campus is on your left; make a U-turn, just before Mt. Hope Bridge, to main entrance.

Admissions

Applicants: 8,238
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average HS GPA: 3.42







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