Admissions

Salve Regina University welcomes applications for undergraduate admission regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, handicap, national origin or financial condition. Admission is competitive and based primarily on academic promise as indicated by secondary school performance, recommendations, writing ability and extracurricular involvement. The submission of standardized test scores (SAT, ACT) is optional and students who do not submit scores will not be disadvantaged in the review process. Admissions decisions may also consider individual experiences and particular circumstances unique to each student.

Campus Visits: We invite prospective students and their families to visit Newport and see the Salve Regina campus firsthand. The schedule of student-guided tours, information sessions and open house dates is available online at salve.edu/visit or by contacting the Admissions Office at 401-341-2908 or admissions@salve.edu.

First-Year Admissions

Salve is a member of the Common Application and students should apply online at commonapp.org. A non-refundable application fee of $50 (or official fee-waiver request) must accompany the application followed by required supporting documents (see Admissions Requirements). The University offers several admission plans and application deadlines for first-year students:

September Admission

  • November 1 – Deadline for Early Decision (binding), Early Action I (non-binding) and all nursing candidates. Applicants should submit all supporting documents by November 15 to receive a decision by January 1.
  • January 5 – Deadline for Early Action II (non-binding). Applicants should submit all supporting documents by February 1 to receive a decision by February 15.
  • February 1 – Regular Decision deadline. Applicants should submit all supporting documents by February 15 to receive a decision by April 1.

January Admission

  • December 1 – Application deadline. Applicants should submit all supporting documents as soon as possible to receive a decision in early January.

Admissions Requirements

Candidates for admission must submit the following unless a waiver is obtained from the Dean of Admissions:

  • A Common Application and non-refundable application fee. Students seeking to waive the fee for financial reasons should consult their school counselor.
  • Official transcripts for all secondary and post-secondary school coursework.
  • School counselor evaluation letter.
  • Teacher recommendation (preferably from an academic subject).
  • The submission of standardized test scores (SAT, ACT) is optional.  Students who do not submit scores will not be disadvantaged in the review process.
  • Applicants for dance are required to audition.
  • Applicants for music are required to audition.
  • Applicants for nursing must apply by the November 1 Early Action I or Early Decision deadline.
  • Applicants for studio art must submit a portfolio.
  • Applicants for theatre arts are required to audition.
  • Students whose first language is not English must submit results from TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or other recognized test of English proficiency (see salve.edu/English-proficiency).
  • Transfer students must submit official transcripts of all college and university coursework and College Report (see Transfer Admissions).

Candidates for admission must provide evidence that they have completed or anticipate completing a level of education equivalent to four years of high school. We recommend a rigorous college preparatory program that includes English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language. Candidates for nursing should successfully complete advanced-level laboratory sciences. Offers of admission are contingent upon successful completion of current coursework and the understanding that students will continue to uphold character becoming of a Salve Regina student according to the university code of conduct.

Early Decision

First-year applicants for September who are certain that Salve Regina is their first-choice university are strongly encouraged to apply for Early Decision (November 1). Students who submit all supporting documents by November 15 will be notified by December 15. Since Early Decision is binding, you must complete the Early Decision Agreement in your Common Application account. Any student admitted for Early Decision must commit to Salve Regina by submitting a non-refundable enrollment deposit and withdrawing any remaining applications to other schools by January 15. Students who are deferred at Early Decision will be considered for admission with regular decision applicants and should submit updated transcripts with their mid-year grades. A deferral decision releases the applicant from the binding Early Decision agreement.

Early Action and Nursing Applicants

First-year applicants for September who are ready to start their college applications at the beginning of senior year are encouraged to apply for Early Action (EA). Early Action is non-binding, and there are two rounds for consideration. Under EA I, students must apply by November 1 and submit all supporting documents by November 15 to be notified by January 1. Under EA II, students must apply by January 5 and submit all supporting documents by mid-January to receive an early notification. Students who are deferred at Early Action will be considered for admission with regular decision applicants and should submit updated transcripts with their most current grades.

Candidates for nursing must apply by the November 1 Early Action I or Early Decision deadline and have all supporting documents submitted by November 15 to receive a decision by January 1. Students who are not admitted to nursing may be offered admission to another major at the University (see below, Candidates for Nursing).

International Students

The University's international community includes international non-citizens who need a visa to enter the country as well as U.S. citizens living overseas.  Both bring a global perspective that is valued on campus and the application fee can be waived upon request.

International students apply for admission by following the same instructions, deadlines and required supporting documents as first-year and transfer applicants (candidates for January admission should complete their applications by November 1 to allow enough time for evaluation and visa processing). Students whose first language is not English must submit results from TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or other recognized test of English proficiency. Any transcripts, recommendations, certificates and national examination results that are not in English must be accompanied by an official translation. A detailed description of admission requirements is available online. 

Students who accept an offer of admission are required to submit an enrollment deposit. For international non-citizens, the deposit also starts the process for a student visa beginning with a Financial Certification to document their resources to cover university expenses (minus any scholarships).  Once the Financial Certification is complete, the University issues a Form I-20 (Certification of Eligibility) which is necessary to schedule a visa interview.  See process.

Transfer Students

Transfer students apply for admission by following the same instructions, deadlines and required supporting documents as first-year applicants.  In addition, transfer applicants must submit official transcripts for all their college-level work and a College Report from each institution they attended. The College Report attests to academic and disciplinary standing, and the student’s eligibility to continue at a prior institution. Transfer applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; however, candidates for January admission are advised to apply by December 1 to allow enough time for evaluation and consideration for housing and financial aid.

Transfer students are welcome to apply for any academic program but nursing, which is a direct entry program for first-year students only.  Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT) are optional but recommended for students applying for the education programs. Education students must gain admission to the University and meet Rhode Island Department of Education requirements for certification in order to continue in the education program.

Transfer credit is awarded to matriculating students based on official transcripts received from regionally accredited postsecondary institutions. Qualifying grades at the undergraduate level are "C" or above. Grades of C- or lower, P, or S are non-transferable. Some exceptions may be considered if grading policies were changed in response to the COVID pandemic. Courses must be comparable to offerings at Salve Regina and not duplicate other courses accepted for credit. Final determination of transfer credit is made by the registrar and department chairs. A formal transfer credit evaluation is completed for every admitted transfer student and sent via email within two weeks of acceptance. The University has articulation agreements with a number of two-year colleges.  Students should consult the transfer admissions counselor for further information at 401-341-2908, transfer@salve.edu or online.

Transfer students must complete at least 30 academic credits at the University and meet graduation requirements to receive a degree. Students who were not accepted to Salve Regina as first-year students are required to complete one full-time semester of college work before reapplying as a transfer student.

On-campus housing for the September semester is based on availability with priority given to transfer students who deposit by May 1.  For the January semester, housing is assigned on a space-available basis. While living on campus has many benefits, some students (particularly juniors and seniors) enjoy off campus living in the surrounding communities of Newport and Middletown. The Office of Residence Life can provide information on both on- and off-campus living opportunities and can assist in pursuing either option. For more information, please call 401-341-2210 or email residencelife@salve.edu.

Admission Requirements for Special Programs

Candidates for Nursing

Applications for nursing are due by November 1 (Early Action I or Early Decision).  All required supporting documents must be submitted by November 15 to receive a decision by January 1.  Submission of standardized test scores (SAT, ACT) is optional and applicants for nursing who do not submit scores will not be disadvantaged in the review process. Nursing candidates are expected to have successfully completed advanced-level laboratory sciences and meet admissions standards set by the Rodgers Family Department of Nursing. Applications are due by the November 1 Early Action I or Early Decision deadline and all required supporting documents must be submitted by November 15 to receive a decision by January 1. Candidates will be evaluated for admission to the University and to the nursing program at the time of application. Admission is highly selective due to the limited number of spaces in the program. Nursing is a direct entry program and not available to transfer students or students who matriculate to Salve in another major (including undeclared/exploratory).

Candidates for Education

The submission of standardized test scores (SAT, ACT) is optional and applicants for education who do not submit scores will not be disadvantaged in the review process. Admission to the education program is considered provisional until the second semester of sophomore year, when students formally apply to the education major of their choice. To gain formal admission to an education major, students must have a cumulative college grade point average of 2.75 or higher, grades of C or higher in all education courses and meet testing requirements as required by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Candidates for Dance

Students applying for the B.A. in dance must audition as part of the application process. In-person auditions are preferred; however, arrangements must be made to submit a recorded audition when an in-person audition is impractical. Audition dates, details and instructions are available online.

Candidates for Studio Art

Students applying for the B.A. in Studio Art must submit a portfolio as part of their application process. Portfolios may contain various media and should be uploaded through the applicant’s Student Status Page. A document that describes each piece in the portfolio should be included.

Homeschooled Students

Homeschooled students apply for admission by following the same instructions, deadlines and required supporting documents described above.  The admissions committee reviews every homeschooled applicant carefully with the understanding that each will have followed a plan of study that is unique.  Home-schooled applicants must submit a transcript and school profile when following a prescribed curriculum. In cases where that is not available, applicants may submit a copy of all course descriptions and a portfolio of work.

Second Degree Students

Students who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree and wish to pursue a second baccalaureate degree at Salve Regina should follow the application procedures for transfer students. These students must complete prerequisites and required courses in their major, the core curriculum requirements in religious studies and complete a minimum of 30 credits in residence to receive a Salve degree. International students should follow the application procedures found under International Admissions, including English proficiency and financial certification requirements.

Deferred Admission

Students who are accepted to the University may defer their enrollment for up to one year by completing the online deferral form. When deferred students are ready to enroll, they are expected to complete the Reactivation of Admission form well before the term they plan to enter: December 1 for the spring (January) semester or April 1 for the fall (September) semester. Students who take college level coursework after deferring will be required to submit an official college transcript and College Report in order to be re-evaluated for the semester they plan to enroll. Note: New information could change an admission decision, financial aid or merit scholarship status. Students are generally not able to defer their acceptance to the nursing program.

Reactivation of Application

Students who previously applied to the University are welcome to be reconsidered by completing the online Reactivation of Application form. In addition to any previously received documents, students must submit a final high school transcript indicating their date of graduation. If students have enrolled in credit-bearing courses at another college or university, they must also submit official college transcript(s) and College Report form at the time of reactivation. Note: New information may change an admission decision, financial aid or merit scholarship status. Students who were accepted for nursing but completed college coursework elsewhere are not eligible to reactivate their acceptance to the nursing program.

Readmission

The Admissions Office will keep student applications and supporting documents on file for at least two years. Students who have previously attended the University and wish to reactivate their enrollment must contact the Office of Admissions and submit a Reactivation of Application form and any required documentation (see above).

Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, CLEP and Dual Enrollment

The University has established policies for awarding advanced standing credit to students who meet certain criteria. The chair of each academic department determines the number of credits and the placement of students who submit requests for advanced standing. Specific requirements for transfer and dual enrollment may be found in the Academic Policies section of this catalog. A detailed listing of credits granted and acceptable test scores for advanced standing can be found online.