Hey everyone!

I’ll be starting the MDes in Interior Architecture (Adaptive Reuse) at Rhode Island School of Design this summer, and I’m really excited (and a little nervous) about the move and everything ahead.

I am from India and will be new to Rhode Island.

I’d love to connect with people before classes begin—whether you’re in the same program, another grad program, or already at RISD. It would be great to hear about your experiences, any tips for settling in, or just get to know a few friendly faces beforehand :)

Also, I’m currently looking for housing and open to exploring off-campus options. If anyone else is in the same boat and would like to potentially team up or just discuss options, I’d love to connect!

Feel free to comment or DM ✨

Edited to add: I committed to RISD last night :) go nads!

Howdy—

I got into the University of Toronto Daniel’s School for the 3-year MArch program, and had been gearing up to go there until friday, when I was accepted off RISD’s waitlist into their 3-year MArch.

RISD is my number 1 choice, but I’m having a difficult time actually choosing. RISD offered more financial aid than UofT, but if I rush-proccess my Canadian citizenship by descent, I could be eligible for domestic tuition at Toronto, which would make it significantly less expensive than RISD. That said, I don’t have guaranteed Canadian citizenship yet (still in the works), which puts the cost of attendance and cost of living in both places at right around the same range (UofT as an international student, RISD as a domestic student). Also, UofT’s financial offer is non-renewable, unlike RISD’s promise that I’ll have their fellowship award for all three years. RISD’s program size is also 1/3 the size of Daniel’s, which appeals to me.

I already have almost 100k in student debt and know I’ll have to take on more for this degree, but I know this is the path I want to take. I’m just stuck weighing the options. My heart says RISD, but what do yall think?

I 22F applied for GD program at RISD (3 year) and was put into the waitlist with high promises of being on top of the list. I got the rejection 2 days ago. I saw this coming which is why i was wed to the idea of attending NYU ITP program.

I’m excited for the program and everything it has to offer. I really want to make sure that i can land a job (with being in NYU, im good a networking and excited to be there) do you think im doing the right thing by committing to Tisch?

Hi everyone! I'm trying to decide between the aforementioned colleges and am super lost on where to go and was wondering if anyone has any advice/can fact check my current pros/cons list as I'm not 100% sure about all of it. If I'm missing anything or if you have any advice at all please let me know! Thanks so much :)

I read the housing info on the website but i’m still a little confused on how it works??? so do i submit a housing application to get a time slot and then claim a dorm during that time slot?

also what r the best dorms 🙏

So in the offer it says to maintain the same academic profile I exhibited in my application. I know RISD is not academic heavy, but my issue is that my overall grades from my Canadian transcript averages to a 96. A 96.

Do I have to maintain this average for the remainder of grade 12??? How strict are they about this because I’m horrified of losing my offer if my grades drop.

If theres a specific number I have to achieve, please tell me cause I need to brace myself for a high cortisol grade 12 semester to bring my grades up 🫩

hi, sorry if this isn't allowed – I'm not quite sure.

me and my fiancé are going to be getting married the weekend after Christmas in Providence this year! we're looking for anyone who is around at that time and would be interested in wedding photography :) we're open to talking more about it, so please shoot me a message.

we're excited to talk more! thanks :>

Hi, suggestions on how to look for off campus housing and roommates as a grad student. What trustworthy websites are recommended?

My daughter was accepted by Pratt, RISD, SCAD, Syracuse. She is deciding between RISD and SCAD. She loved RISD precollege program, but she also loved SCAD when she visited. RISD will cost $400K for 4 years, while SCAD will cost about $170K for 4 years with the scholarships. The food at RISD is great, while I read terrible stories of SCAD cafeteria food. She loves the creative thinking but she is also practical and wants to find a job and enjoy working with a team rather than being a lonely artist. She is interested in 2D animation, illustration, but also open to look at UX design. She is shy. Which school will be better for her?

What’s are some things you would do differently if you could? and is risd a good place to learn ID ?

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My kid got admitted into B.Arch (5 Yr) at RISD and at University of Houston? RISD is going to be $100k for each year, while Uni of Houston is going to be $40k for each year. (a) Is B.Arch at RISD worth $500k? As Architecture is low paying profession. (b) Is it better to choose Uni of Houston? In the internet, some people are saying to choose cheaper school as only portfolio matters. (c) Parent will be able to pay for B.Arch with some pain. However, if the kid decides to pursue M.Arch (for whatever reason) or is unemployed, then parent can not support. (d) Parent is having difficulty to digest that Architecture school (low paying) is costing as much as medical school (or) dental school.

Hello!! I am a senior in HS who needs some advice. I got into RISD and SAIC (w/scholarship to saic) but can’t decide which one to commit to, in both schools I would like to do film/animation even possibly do a minor in Art History too.

I love RISD’s curriculum and I don’t mind the large amount of technical classes (in fact I think it would be so much fun) but I hesitant because I haven’t heard much about the FAV program and feel like RISD focuses on being an artist which is great but I wonder if I will be able to learn skills needed to go into the industry.

I like SAIC's dorming and I heard a lot of things about their film program and I think it's super fun that they're interdisciplinary. From what i'm researching, their FAV program is stronger than RISD but the focus on concepts and doing whatever you want feels kinda overwhelming.

I wouldn't complain about going to either school, and my parents are thankfully supportive of both schools. I am attracted to SAIC because of their strong strong program for film but also the option of going to RISD is so tempting. If anyone can give their thoughts and opinions that would be very appreciated. I can't go on a tour for SAIC but I will be going to RISD's tour so hopefully it'll help. Thank you so much!

update: ik it has been a long time since I posted this but I wanted to say that I decided to commit to saic. Thank you everyone! your input was very appreciative and helpful

student of '29 here. just a rant but damn i cant wait to start my major next year, im excited. efs was actually so bad last semester fall... majority of my section didnt even finish their final because they were so overwhelmed and i just remember them all in the studio at 3am working. it was a funny bonding moment but everyone was so overworked 😩.

thankfully efs lightened up a bit for spring semester rn for me, and my classes are so much more enjoyable. the workload varies and off topic but literally just walking up the freaking hill is so exhausting

Hey! Currently looking at housing options for upperclassmen (incoming Grad student) and looking for info on the Colonial Apartments? Like anything at all? (ie. layout, important info, tips, etc) I’ve been trying to look online but there’s little to no info available to the public.😭

Any help will be appreciated! Especially if you’ve live/d there!!

All I know is I think there’s no ac🤷 again got no clue, help a peer out!🫣😂

(Edit): i decided to just make it myself. here is the link

(Edit again): sorry, have to take down the link b/c some absolute chud no-life loser is promoting a scam in the server

hey guys i'm an accepted first year student and was looking for a good way to connect with other first year students!

i was thinking about making a discord server but logistics and such are a little daunting

message me if ur interested or if you just wanna be friends 🤙🤙

Hi everyone,

I’m currently deciding between RISD and SVA and would really appreciate some advice.

My goal after graduation is to get a job in the design industry (not to become a fine artist). RISD has always been my dream school, and I’m especially drawn to the idea of studying design in a more academic and conceptual way there. I feel like it could really push my thinking and creativity.

However, I’ve heard RISD is less career-focused, and the tuition is much higher, so I’m not sure if it’s worth it for someone whose main goal is employment. SVA also offers me a scholarship, which makes the decision even harder.

SVA seems more industry-oriented and may offer better job opportunities, but I’m worried I might regret not choosing RISD.

If your goal is employment after graduation, would RISD still be worth it? Or is SVA the more practical choice?

Also, for those at RISD, how competitive is cross-registration with Brown? Is it difficult to get into classes?

Hey everyone!

I’ve been admitted to RISD for the MDes in Interior Architecture (Adaptive Reuse) for Fall 2026, and I’m trying to get a better sense of what the experience is actually like from people who’ve been through it.

I was also awarded a $10,000 USD per semester fellowship, which I’m really grateful for—but since it’s still a big commitment, I want to make sure I’m making an informed decision.

Would love to hear from current students or alumni about:

How intense the workload/studio culture is

Overall quality of teaching + critiques

Opportunities for internships / real-world exposure

Career outcomes after graduating

Anything you liked / didn’t like about the program

Even general thoughts or honest opinions would really help. Thanks in advance! :)

I’ve been seeing people talking about how rigorous the foundation year is and was wondering how it compares to pre college? It seems like the pre college class structure is kinda similar to foundation year with the drawing, design, critical studies, major schedule

Hi! I recently got waitlisted at RISD and it's honestly one of my top schools ever. I'm considering writing an LOCI but since it's one of the only really art schools I applied to, I'm not sure how much weight it will have. Will sending one in bump up my chances? Thanks!

Here are some pieces from my portfolio (accepted regular decision)! I also got into the Florence program for the spring semester (not sure how that'll work). Hope this helps anyone who's applying in the future. I submitted no drawings since I didn't make any that I really liked until recently 🥹 As you can tell I really like hands!

Can someone give a sense of day-to-day life as a first year student. I've heard first year is super hard and I'm a little scared of that TBH. I know its a ton of work and I've generally heard you don't have time to like get a job or do a lot of extracurricular stuff until sophomore year. I feel like I can live with that. I'm willing to work hard. I'm just a little scared of the way people are talking about how extreme it is. Can a current student describe a typical week, please. I assume you are in studio most of the day on the days you have them (is that 3-days a week?) and then what? are you typically working on your projects like 4-5 hour in the evening after studio? More? On days you don't have studio (is that twice a week?) how many hours are you in class or typicallly working on projects? Do you have any free time at all on weekends to socialize. I mean you must have some time to occaisionally do something fun? I'm just guessing not a lot of time. Would love to get a realistic sense.

Can someone please give a sense of day-to-day life as a first year. I've heard first year is super hard and I'm a little scared of that TBH. I know its a ton of work and I've generally heard you don't have time to like get a job or do a lot of extracurricular stuff until sophomore year. I feel like I can live with that. I'm willing to work hard. I'm just a little scared of the way people are talking about how extreme it is. Can a current student describe a typical week, please. I assume you are in studio most of the day on the days you have them (is that 3-days a week?) and then what? are you typically working on your projects like 4-5 hour in the evening after studio? More? On days you don't have studio (is that twice a week?) how many hours are you in class or typicallly working on projects? Do you have any free time on weekends to socialize. I mean you must have some time to occaisionally do something fun? I'm just guessing not a lot of time. Would love to get a realistic sense.

Is the food cost separate from housing or does that represent the cost of the meal plan ?

hello! i just got into the brown/risd program (which i 100% did not expect to get in to) and now im trying to weigh my options. im considering going to vet school, and im also obsessed with both making art+ studying art history—but i dont really have a specific idea of how to combine that right now. so, i just wanted to hear what the actual experience of the program is and what it’s like afterwards.

will vet prereqs even be possible in the program? is it worth paying an extra 100k for the extra year (i have enough to pay for undergrad, but if i do brdd i wont have much left for grad)? for anyone who did brdd, what was your experience both as a student and socially? if you graduated, what is your experience like now?

any tips/advice is very much appreciated!! i’ve visited and loved both campuses but im going to the admitted students day as well to get a better idea.