First-Year Student Next Steps
Find key dates and deadlines for what you need to do as an incoming RISD student, as well as info about course registration and transferring credits.
First-year events and webinars
For a closer look at RISD, join us in Providence for one of our Admitted Students Day events—this year they’re on April 10 and April 17—where you can visit studios, tour residence halls, hear from current students, and more.
We also offer a variety of webinars for admitted students and their families. These online information sessions give you a window into student life, introduce you to academic and other resources, and let you ask any questions you may have about the RISD experience.
Dates and deadlines
We will update this page over the coming months with additional deadlines and tasks. Please contact welcome@risd.edu with questions or concerns. The dates and deadlines below are for all new first year students arriving on-campus for Fall 2026.
Required tasks that are marked with a (P) need to be completed in the incoming student portal. All tasks are required unless otherwise noted.
If you are a student with an F-1 Visa status, please see our International Student Information.
If you are an incoming transfer student, please visit Transfer Student Next Steps.
If you are considering deferring your admission, please review our deferral policy.
December 2025
DEC 10
Early decision student notification
January 2026
JAN 12
Deadline for Early Decision students to submit $500 enrollment deposit (non-refundable)
Submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $500 to reserve your space. (This deposit will be applied to your first tuition bill.) To pay by credit card or debit card, please use the link below to go to our secure online site. In order to access the deposit link, you will need to log into your applicant status portal.
March 2026
MID-MARCH
Regular decision student notification
MID-MARCH
Register for info sessions and on-campus Admitted Students Day events
LATE MARCH
Brown | RISD Dual Degree (BRDD) acceptance notification
April 2026
APR 10
Admitted Students Day
APR 17
Admitted Students Day
May 2026
EARLY MAY
Students receive RISD credentials
Students who submit their deposit after May 15 will receive their credentials within 5 business days.
MAY 1
Deadline for Regular Decision students to submit $500 enrollment deposit (non-refundable)
Submit a nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $500 to reserve your space. (This deposit will be applied to your first tuition bill.) To pay by credit card or debit card, please use the link below to go to our secure online site. In order to access the deposit link, you will need to log into your applicant status portal.
MAY 4
Housing application and other forms open
The housing portal is your one stop location for accessing a wide variety of forms, applications and information related to housing and dining at RISD. This is where you will create your housing profile, let us know your residence hall preference and create a resident profile to help match you with potential roommates.
Learn more about Residence Life to find answers to your questions about applying for housing, selecting your room, general residence policies and more, as well as how to use our online housing portal.
Please note, if you need a change or an accommodation for your housing on campus due to a medical reason, please review the medical accommodation guidelines and timeline. Contact Disability Support Services with questions.
MAY 25
Optional residency requirement waiver and medical housing accommodation requests due
If you are a student in need of an accommodation or believe you are eligible to waive the residency requirement, visit Residence Life for deadlines and more information related to the Medical Housing Accommodation Request and Residency Waiver.
June 2026
JUN 1
Housing application due in order to receive housing selection timeslot
Visit Residence Life to find answers to your questions about applying for housing, selecting your room, general residence policies and more, as well as how to use our online housing portal.
JUN 3
Housing selection times sent to students with completed housing applications
Visit Residence Life to find answers to your questions about applying for housing, selecting your room, general residence policies and more, as well as how to use our online housing portal.
JUN 9–12
Room selection for first-year students
Visit Residence Life to find answers to your questions about applying for housing, selecting your room, general residence policies and more, as well as how to use our online housing portal.
JUN 15
Room assignments issued to students who did not select housing
Visit Residence Life to find answers to your questions about applying for housing, selecting your room, general residence policies and more, as well as how to use our online housing portal.
July 2026
JUL 1
Deadline to accept or decline your financial aid
Review your financial aid package and accept or decline in Workday.
JUL 1
Online orientation begins
Complete your RISD Blueprint Online Orientation prior to joining us on campus.
JUL 1
High school transcripts due
If your school submits transcripts electronically, please have yours delivered to admissions@risd.edu.
If you applied through the Common Application, your school may submit them using the transcript upload feature.
EARLY JULY
Fall billing notification sent
MID-JULY
Incoming student forms due (P)
Complete in the incoming student portal.
MID-JULY
Update personal information in Workday
Login with your RISD credentials to update your personal information in Workday.
JUL 24
Health forms due
Health Services requires all new students to submit health forms. Your registration is not considered complete until we receive your completed and signed health forms.
August 2026
AUG 1
Fall tuition bill (P) and optional health insurance waiver due
Complete in the incoming student portal.
Visit University Health Plans to review your coverage plan or to opt-out of health insurance.
AUG 5
ID photos due (P)
Complete in the incoming student portal.
AUG 19
First-Generation College Student Pre-Orientation Program (FGC POP) move-in
Visit Residence Life to find answers to your questions about applying for housing, selecting your room, general residence policies and more, as well as how to use our online housing portal.
AUG 19
FGC POP Program Start
Also known as FGC POP, our summer program for first-gen students lays the foundation for what to expect academically and socially during your first year at RISD.
September 2026
SEP 2
BRDD move-in
Visit Residence Life to find answers to your questions about applying for housing, selecting your room, general residence policies and more, as well as how to use our online housing portal.
SEP 3
International student move-in
Visit Residence Life to find answers to your questions about applying for housing, selecting your room, general residence policies and more, as well as how to use our online housing portal.
SEP 3-5
International student orientation
At International Student Orientation, new and incoming international students will learn about available resources and support at RISD, and other important information to assist in your transition to living and studying in the United States.Learn more about our Orientation programs
SEP 6
New student move-in
Visit Residence Life to find answers to your questions about applying for housing, selecting your room, general residence policies and more, as well as how to use our online housing portal.
SEP 6-8
New student orientation
Designed for all incoming first-year, transfer, international and graduate students, New Student Orientation provides information about campus resources and introduces you to faculty, student leaders, and your peers.
SEP 9
First day of classes
Courses and credits
During your first year, you and your incoming peers will all take the three core studios in our Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS) program. Learn more about EFS, as well as how to transfer any qualifying credits you received prior to RISD.
Courses and credits
During your first year, you and your incoming peers will all take the three core studios in our Experimental and Foundation Studies (EFS) program. Learn more about EFS, as well as how to transfer any qualifying credits you received prior to RISD.
Courses and credits