It is not too late to apply for Fall semester! The transfer application deadline is April 1^st. Here is a link to our online Rapid Application. This is the easiest way to apply, and you can contact me to discuss which documents you will be required to submit.

I look forward to seeing everyone on the road and on campus!

RWU students are presently taking their final exams while some have already begun their Christmas break. We will miss all of our students during this time especially many of our own Student Admission Assistants who will be going overseas to study this spring. They will be studying in Ireland, Spain, Australia, and Scotland etc.

So….at this time….The Admission staff wishes to extend to you and your families a wonderful holiday season. Stay safe and enjoy your time off from work and school. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

Last time I blogged I was busy on the road visiting your high schools and meeting with your guidance counselor!

I happy to say that our last admission representative just finished their travels this week and we are all excited to be back in the office reading our Early Action applicants. It seems like it was just yesterday that the staff was just prepping for the road.

We have received record number of applications for our Early Action applicant pool and our goal is to start mailing out decisions by the week of December 17^th 2012. Contact us at 401-254-3500 or admit@rwu.edu if you have any questions about your Early Action application.

Early Action deadlines have passed, but don’t worry you can still apply as a Regular Decision applicant. Make sure you submit your application by February 1^st 2012. Apply

Beginning December 3^rd through March 15th we are changing our campus tour times for Monday-Friday. We will be offering tours at 9:00am and 12:30pm. There are a few exceptions so please visit our campus tour site to register for a tour.

Enjoy your holiday season!

Best,

Eric Schmigle

Roger Williams University Office of Admission

If you still want to apply Early Action and haven’t gotten your application in yet DON’T WORRY! We have an Early Action 2 deadline that has been moved back to November 19^th due to Hurricane Sandy.

If you’ve already been to campus and are looking for more ways to connect with RWU, make sure to check out our Facebook page and follow us on twitter (@myrwu or @RWU_Travis)!

My travels took me to the northern, southern, eastern and western hemispheres and during my trip to Ecuador my travels took me to both the Northern and Southern hemispheres at the same time as I had the opportunity to stand on the equator and even to test the power of the earth’s rotation with a few science experiments. In Singapore, I was able to experience reverse bungee jumping in Clark Quay, a ride I agreed to go on before learning that it not only shot up but also spun on the way back down, and in Malaysia I was able to experience the Batu Caves where we were able to take in the beautiful scenery, while getting so close to wild monkeys that we were warned to tuck in any loose personal items as monkey muggings were a real concern.

But more than the amazing places I am able to visit, what truly stands out from my travels every fall and spring are the people I meet. The most memorable things to me are always the experiences I am able to have with people who are warm enough to go out of their way to share their cultures with me. Unforgettable to me is the English teacher in Shanghai, China who took me to the Bund and helped me experience a little bit of the Mid-Autumn festival, and the family of one of our current students in Panama who opened up their home to me for a truly lovely dinner, complete with some of the best ceviche I have ever had, or the Japanese ambassador interested in our programs who shared a traditional Japanese meal with me.

Hong Kong Harbor view from the Victoria Shanghai Academy

Beijing, China. In front of the Birds Nest from the 2008 Olympic Games

Each of the over 50 schools I visited and the hundreds of students and families I met were distinctive, as each had their own reason for wanting to make Roger Williams University their home, whether it was one of our 43 academic majors that they had previously researched, our beautiful oceanfront campus they had seen or visited, or one of our many clubs, organizations and athletic teams from equestrian and tennis to sailing and soccer. So I want to take the time to say thank you to everybody that helped to make my trip what it was! But the most rewarding part of travel season is still yet to come and that is when I am able to see the students and families I have met on the road again, only this time right here at RWU!

Just a few weeks ago we had our first Fall Open House!  If you were unable to attend our September Open House don’t sweat it because we have one coming up on Sunday, October 28^th from 9:00am-1:00pm.  During our Open House you will have an opportunity to meet with our dedicated faculty, admissions and financial aid counselors, coaches from our 20 varsity sports, clubs and organizations, current students, and even tour our beautiful Bristol campus. 

Next weekend is our Homecoming and Family Weekend!  This takes place every October and is always well attended by our current students, parents and alums.  The weekend includes Athletic Events, Alumni Events, Casino Night, Midnight Madness, Homecoming King and Queen Coronation, Homecoming Luncheon, Family Information Sessions, Saturday Night Comedy Show, Autumn Festival and much more. 

I am looking forward to Homecoming because we are going to have our first Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony.  The first class of the Hall of Fame will include Ed Randolph ’82 (Men’s Basketball), Sharon Castelli ’86 (Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Softball), Matt Walby ’94 (Equestrian), Stuart Hulke ’00 (Men’s Soccer), the 1999 Men’s Soccer team, Ray Cordeiro (Baseball) and Dave Kemmy (Wrestling).  Go Hawks

Lastly, feel free to contact our Undergraduate Admissions office at 800-458-7144 or email us at admit@rwu.edu if you have any questions, concerns or would like to schedule a time to visit our campus!

Throughout the summer many offices on campus have been planning various programs for our incoming and returning students. Our entire freshman class will be participating in our fantastic and exciting 5^th annual Community Connections program !!!!

Community Connections 2012

On August 27, 2012, approximately 1,200 members of the RWU community – including incoming students, current students, staff, and faculty – will represent the University in the local community during our 5^th annual Community Connections program.  Approximately 75 community-based, non-profit organizations will benefit from the energy and talent of RWU students, faculty and staff.  Organizations may include nursing homes, park and recreation departments, schools, churches, and historic sites.

The Admission staff wishes everyone a wonderful and successful school year.  Please stop in the Admission office to say hi and if we can assist you in anyway don’t hesitate to ask…….

When planning your “Rhode Trip,” you might consider mapping out stops at each of the schools in the area you are interested in while making time in between each stop to enjoy all that little rhody has to offer during the summer months. The beaches are a must when visiting R.I. and the summer events here are another reason to visit entirely on their own.

To make sure you get the most out of your trip make sure to plan ahead! Don’t forget to call each Office of Admission at the schools you plan to visit to schedule your tour before you arrive. It’s also important to be organized and brainstorm some questions that you want to have answered at each of your campus visits. Create a checklist – something to keep you busy on your drive to RI – of the top 5-10 things you are looking for in a college and bring a folder to take home information from each individual visit. Finally, while we are all in summer mode now, the fall will be here before we know it. It’s important that you collect information on application requirements and deadlines at each school.

To plan your visit to RWU you can call our office at 401-254-3500 or make a reservation right online! We offer 4 tours per day Monday-Friday @ 9am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 2:00pm. We will begin to offer tours on Saturdays on August 13th @ 10:00am and 12:00pm. We are only 20 minutes from Newport, so don’t forget to give yourself some time to sight see!

Hope to see you on campus soon!

Fresh from the press…hear it in their words….

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VISIT RWU THIS SUMMER???

Jess L.  - You should visit RWU because it’s important to get a feel for the campus and the facilities. You will also have a chance to talk to faculty, staff and other students.

Lisseth S. – I think you should visit because of the diverse programs we offer and our location. The class ratios are really good here – this is a school where the professor can get to know you and you are not a number.

Kevin M. – It is amazing to visit RWU in the summer. You can walk behind GHH and see the bay and then walk down to the dock. It’s the perfect climate in the summer – not too hot with a cool breeze.

Tania H. – There is a great view of the bay, it’s beautiful and the weather is nice! We have different programs running over the summer like middle school camps and Orientation so there is a lot going on. Also, the people working in Admissions are really friendly and bubbly!

Muath A. – Summer is a great time to visit because you can see everything. The campus is wide open to explore and we have nice weather! Check out the Rec Center, GHH, the library, a residence hall and stop by Admissions.

Sarah B. – Visit RWU – we are right on the bay! You can get a great feel for the school in the summer. You will see what it’s like to be at mid-sized liberal arts school and be able to figure out exactly what you’re looking for in a college.

Marcela R. – You should come – the weather is really good so take advantage of it! There are a lot of summer camps at RWU so there is always something going on.

AND! WHAT SHOULD THEY DO IN THE AREA???

Jess L. – In Bristol, eat at Quito’s or the Beehive and definitely check out Colt State Park.

Lisseth S. – Downtown Bristol is a beautiful place to relax and hang out. Go to the Beehive, Colt State Park, and up on 136 is Eskimo King (250 flavors of ice cream – everyone has to go there at least once!) and in Newport go to the beaches. Even though Bristol is a small town it is close to everything.

Kevin M. – In Bristol, go to Colt State Park, Sip N Dip, Ricotti’s, the Wrap Shack, Aidan’s or Quito’s.

Tania H. – Definitely go to Newport and Portsmouth. In Newport you can take advantage of the ferries or  go to a jazz concert. In Bristol we have the 4^th of July parade! The Orientation Advisors make a float for the parade every year and were featured on the local news last night.

Muath A. – In Bristol you should walk on the 18 mile bike path. In Newport there is a lot going on. America’s cup will be here and there are concerts every day from 6-10pm.

Sarah B. – My top pick is Newport. It is a summer town and there are lots of boutiques to shop in and restaurants. There is a lot going on!

Marcela R.– Take the time to visit Newport. One of my favorite restaurants is 41 North. It’s upscale and feels like you’re in a different country. You can sit and watch the yachts go by and on the weekends it turns into a lounge with DJ’s playing. Also go to the Landing and if you want to do more touristy things see Cliff Walk.

Now that you’ve heard from our students I think you know what you need to do. Come visit Roger Williams University! Give us a call at (401) 254-3500 or schedule a tour online. We are waiting for you!

If you cannot get enough of the beautiful coastline of Rhode Island I recommend traveling only 30 minutes up the road to Newport, RI.

Newport has its own feel with fine dining, shopping on Thames Street and scenic walking tours of historic mansions. If you feel adventurous you can always make reservations on one of the many sailboats that offer tours of Newport Harbor and Narragansett Bay.

Lastly, when leaving RI and if time allows I recommend visiting Providence, RI. Providence has its own shopping on Thayer Street,Federal Hill for Italian food dining and WaterFire which I always take advantage of over the summer.

PS. Visit our campus visit page to sign up for a student guided campus tour!!

Newport Rhode Island sunset