Students accepted into the Dual Degree Program will be enrolled in both Brown and RISD and will be required to complete existing degree requirements for both institutions.
Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program
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Application Supplement
In addition to applying to both Brown and RISD separately, students who are interested in the Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program must also complete a separate application supplement for the program itself. All applicants must respond to the following prompt:
The Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program draws on the complementary strengths of Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to provide students with the opportunity to explore and engage with diverse spheres of academic and creative inquiry.
Considering your understanding of the academic programs at Brown and RISD, describe how and why the specific blend of RISD's experimental, immersive art and design program and Brown's wide-ranging courses and curricula could constitute an optimal undergraduate education for you. Reflect on how you might integrate or synthesize content, approaches, and methods from these two distinct learning experiences.
Additionally, how might you contribute to the Dual Degree community and its commitment to interdisciplinary work?
- Students who plan to apply Early Decision to either institution must submit their Brown|RISD Dual Degree application supplement with the application for the school to which they're applying Early Decision in addition to the institution to which they're applying Regular Decision.
- The Brown|RISD Dual Degree supplemental essay should be the same essay submitted to both institutions.
Early Decision
Applicants may choose to apply to either Brown or RISD under their respective Early Decision Programs, with the understanding that if they are admitted via Early Decision, they agree to matriculate regardless of the outcome of their applications to the other institution and the Dual Degree Program. If admitted through the Early Decision Process to either Brown or to RISD, the applicant is permitted to apply to the other institution through the Regular Decision application process. In mid-March of the application year, the Dual Degree Admission Committee will convene to discuss the applications of any Regular Decision applicants to the Program, and the applications of any Early Decision applicants who have been admitted or deferred. Final decisions will be released in late March or early April on Brown's regular decision notification date.
Portfolio Submission
AP and IB credits
For Brown|RISD Dual Degree students, AP or IB exam scores cannot accelerate graduation. AP or IB credits may be applied toward fulfilling certain distribution requirements at RISD and may earn placement credit to enroll in higher-level courses and/or to satisfy concentration requirements at Brown.
Deadlines
Timeline for the 2025-26 Admissions Process
November 1: Early Decision application deadline for Brown
November 3: Early Decision application deadline for RISD
Mid-December: Early Decisions communicated by both Brown and RISD
January 5: Regular Decision application deadline for Brown
January 20: Regular Decision application deadline for RISD
By early April: Dual Degree final decisions communicated (with Brown decision letter)
May 1: Commitment deadline for BRDD Program
Class Size
The number of dual degree students admitted is strictly limited. We seek to enroll a class of 15 students each year.
Considerations
- Students can not transfer into the Dual Degree Program, nor can they apply to it after they have matriculated to Brown or RISD.
- Not all combinations of majors at RISD and Brown may be possible because of the rigorous demands of the Dual Degree Program.
- The following are not available with the Dual Degree Program: Brown’s Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME) and RISD's Architecture major.
Additional Admission Information
All immigration, student visa, employment authorization, and Social Security Administration issues are handled through Brown’s Office of International Student & Scholar Services (OISSS).
Prospective applicants and families visiting Providence are encouraged to tour each campus. Additionally, each fall BRDD leadership works with Admissions officers from both Brown and RISD to offer virtual information sessions for prospective applicants.
All tuition and financial aid for Dual Degree students will be figured at Brown rates for the duration of the program. Students enrolled in the program must pay no fewer than ten semesters of Brown tuition.