VISIT TO UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

​The University of Rhode Island, in Wakefield, claims to have “the most beautiful campus on the coast”. Over half of the 14,000 undergraduates are from out of state.
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As with most state universities, many majors are offered. Nursing, pharmacy, and engineering are the most competitive and students need to apply early. The average GPA for pharmacy is 4.1, with average ACT 29. The ability to transfer into pharm or nursing, once enrolled, is minimal.

On the other hand, programs that are eager to get more students include journalism, communications and fine arts.

There is a 5-year international engineering program, offering a dual degree in engineering and a foreign language. The 4th year is abroad and includes an internship.

Two farms are located right off the campus, one for animals and one for horticulture. Medicinal gardens have over 200 medicinal plants that pharmacy students study.

Juniors and seniors definitely get the best of the residence opportunities and can live off campus at Narragansett in rented beach houses. On campus, every major has its own living and learning community.
Lots of support is provided for career selection and internships, starting with freshmen. The Freshman Experience course deals with career selection.

Applicants having SATs in the upper 1200s, CR + MA, and / or GPA 3.8 can get a $13,500 merit award, to help offset the $44,000 cost of attendance.
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Basketball and football are big student events. Amtrak is 1 mile from campus, offering access to New York and Boston.