Performance-Based Admission Program

Performance Based Admission (PBA) is a program for individuals who are looking to transition to, or back to, higher education. To be eligible for this program, applicants will have earned their high school diploma or GED, have been away from high school or college for a minimum of five years, and have earned a limited amount or no college credit. The program allows for flexibility of admission requirements.

Rhode Island College is a member of The Common Application group. Applicants must submit the following materials to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by June 1 for fall semester enrollment and November 15 for spring semester enrollment:

1.    A completed application accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee.  Students may apply online at www.commonapp.org.

2.    Official copies of high school transcripts.

3.    Scores on the High School General Educational Development (GED) tests (if the candidate has not earned a traditional high school diploma).

4.    An interview.

Each student who is accepted into the PBA Program will develop a special plan of study with the program advisor before the beginning of the first semester of classes. The plan of study will specify any special condition (e.g., remedial courses in mathematics or English-language courses), a schedule for ongoing consultation with an advisor and a specific six-course program, which will include the college writing course, three General Education Distribution courses and two other elective courses. Students must complete the six-course program with a minimum GPA of 2.0 to be allowed to continue their studies. Upon successful completion of the plan of study, students will be continued as degree candidates without condition. 

Adult students whose primary language is not English may also be accepted into the college through this program and may be required to complete one or more English as a Second Language (ESL) courses before undertaking the regular six courses in the PBA Program

Students who do not make satisfactory progress will be dismissed from the college. Appeals of dismissal decisions can be made to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.