QUICK ANSWER
A RISD student’s first year is more structured than most families expect. First-years live together in the First Year Area, follow the shared Experimental and Foundation Studies programme, take a required five-week Wintersession, and declare a major in spring.
Two recent changes matter for 2027 applicants: Wintersession is no longer required after the first year, and since fall 2026 about 30 first-years each year can spend their first semester in Florence, Italy, studying a foundation curriculum modelled on RISD’s own.
Most descriptions of RISD campus life talk about intensity and late nights. That is real, but it is not the most useful thing to know before arriving. The first year follows a clear shape, and knowing that shape helps a Korean student prepare for each stage. This guide describes the year as RISD currently organises it, using RISD’s published information.
BLOCK A · CAMPUS LIFE
RISD in Numbers
| Measure | Figure | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Degree-seeking undergraduates | 2,253 | Fall 2026 |
| International undergraduates | 33% | Fall 2025 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 8:1 | Fall 2025 |
| Average undergraduate class size | 15 | Fall 2025 |
| First-year to sophomore retention | 93% | Fall 2025 |
| Six-year graduation rate | 92% | Fall 2025 |
From RISD’s “About” page, checked October 2026. RISD gives 2,577 students from 60 countries as its overall figure.
A third of undergraduates are international, so Korean students are part of a large international community rather than a small minority. Classes are small, which means each student is seen and heard in critique — an advantage, and a reason to prepare to speak in English from the first week.
BLOCK B · CAMPUS LIFE
The Shape of the First Year
| Period | What happens | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Experimental and Foundation Studies: Drawing, Design and Spatial Dynamics studios, plus liberal arts courses | Stamina for long studio days; materials budget |
| Wintersession (January) | Five-week term; required in the first year | Use it to test a possible major |
| Spring semester | Foundation studios continue; major declared in a designated period | Visit departments and talk to upper-year students |
| After first year | Wintersession becomes optional; BFA requires 120 credits | Plan winter breaks and credits with an advisor |
From RISD admissions and Registrar pages and RISD’s 2025 Wintersession policy change.
A RISD student quoted in 2025 called first-year Wintersession “really the only chance they get to test out a major.” Treat it that way: choose a course in a field you are considering, not one you already know. For how the foundation year compares with other schools, see our foundation year guide.
BLOCK C · CAMPUS LIFE
Where First-Years Live
All first-year students live in the First Year Area, a group of residence halls known as the Quad: East, Homer, Nickerson and North Halls. Rooms are singles, doubles or triples, and first-year dining is in the Met, with unlimited access. Living together matters at RISD: studio projects often continue after class, and the people on your floor become your first critique partners.
NEW SINCE 2026: FIRST YEAR IN FLORENCE
RISD now admits a group of about 30 first-years directly to a first semester in Florence. The programme is modelled on Experimental and Foundation Studies, with RISD faculty teaching Drawing, Design and Spatial Dynamics in consecutive four-week segments, and liberal arts courses in person. Tuition and room charges are the same as in Providence, but meals are not included.
For Korean applicants: students must be 18 by the start of the Florence semester and must obtain an Italian student visa before departure. Fall students finish in December and join Wintersession in Providence. Regular Decision applicants are notified about Florence in mid-March 2027.
BLOCK D · CAMPUS LIFE
Critique, the Museum and Daily Resources
| Resource | What it means for students |
|---|---|
| Critiques | Regular presentations of work to faculty and peers; students explain choices out loud, in English |
| RISD Museum | Free with a RISD ID; also free to the public on Sundays and Thursday evenings |
| Small classes | Average class size of 15 means every student takes part in discussion |
| Providence | A compact city; Boston and New York are reachable by train for weekend visits |
For most Korean students, the main adjustment is not the workload but the critique. In Korea, preparation often centres on finished technical work; at RISD, students are asked why they made each decision. Practising short spoken explanations of your own work — in English, before arrival — is one of the most useful things you can do. We cover the city itself in why RISD’s location matters.
BLOCK E · CAMPUS LIFE
How to Prepare Before Arriving
- Practise speaking about your work in English. Two or three sentences per piece: what you made, why, and what you would change.
- Keep drawing from observation. Drawing is one of the three foundation studios, and RISD’s admissions guidance already favours it.
- Decide early about Florence. If you are interested, check the age rule and the Italian visa timeline as soon as you are admitted.
- Budget for materials and food. Studio supplies add up, and Florence students also buy their own meals.
- Use the first Wintersession to explore. It is the most direct way to test a major before the spring declaration.
BLOCK F · CAMPUS LIFE
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all RISD first-years live on campus?
RISD states that all first-year students live in the First Year Area community, a group of halls known as the Quad.
Is Wintersession still required?
Yes in the first year. Since RISD’s 2025 policy change, it is optional after the first year, and the BFA requires 120 credits.
Can international students join First Year in Florence?
Yes, if they meet the conditions: they must be 18 by the start of the Florence semester and obtain an Italian student visa before departure.
How many international students are at RISD?
RISD reports that 33% of undergraduates were international in fall 2025.
Does RISD have an admissions “home test”?
No. First-year applicants submit a Common App, essay, recommendation, transcripts and a 12–20 piece portfolio. Older guides that mention RISD home tests are out of date.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for RISD and other U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students, 68 of them at RISD. We help admitted students prepare for critique in English as well as for admission. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
Figures from RISD’s About page; housing from RISD Residence Life; Florence details from RISD Admissions; Wintersession change reported in February 2025; museum admission from the RISD Museum, all checked October 2026. If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: How Hard Is RISD? · RISD by Department · Foundation Year · RISD vs Parsons Campus Life · Four-Year RISD Cost · Royal Blue Results