Rhode Island School of Design 2025-26 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide  

Rhode Island School of Design 2025-26 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 650 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why, Community

The Brown|RISD Dual Degree Program (BRDD) 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? (650 words)

This prompt is a doozy: It asks you to explore why you’ve chosen the BRDD program, how you will integrate the different learning experiences at Brown and RISD, and how you will contribute to the interdisciplinary work happening in the Dual Degree community. Overwhelmed yet? Fear not—we are here to help you. Start by splitting the question into its distinct pieces and attack each one separately. First, what attracted you to the BRDD program? What is your experience or interest in experimental, immersive art and design? What appeals to you about Brown’s wide-ranging curricula? Second, think about how you will integrate the courses, skills, and extracurricular opportunities of both institutions. Research is your friend here. What kind of educational experience are you hoping to have? What are you envisioning for your future career? Do you intend to pursue a major in Furniture Design as well as a concentration in Modern Culture and Media to eventually open your own furniture business? Will you propose an independent concentration to complement your major in Sculpture? How will you synthesize the content, methods, and skills from these two distinct programs? How do you see them working together in your studies and future career?

Finally, write about your own commitment to interdisciplinary work and how you will contribute to this Dual Degree community. Maybe you’re already merging your love of Illustration with Computer Science to design skins for Fortnite. How do you intend to continue working across disciplines? How will your interdisciplinary ideas contribute to your cohort? Imagine ways you could  partner with other students on projects. What do you imagine for your capstone? With 650 words, this prompt is as long as your Common App essay, so you have plenty of space in which to answer all these questions with appropriate research, detail, and personal narrative. Your goals don’t have to be concrete yet; you just need to reflect honestly on what you’re hoping to gain from this unique Dual Degree experience.