I’ve recently been accepted to their FAV program (yay!), but after seeing the other students’ work and portfolios online, I feel I have no idea how I was even considered.
Like, there are hundreds of people in the same age range as me, but they’re already producing god-like work that completely obliterates anything I could do. I realize that this is a top art school, but still.
Basically, I feel overwhelmed by the amount of talent and competition here. Anyone have a similar problem like I do, or have advice about how to deal with this? 
@coolpeaches, I didn’t see this until just now. I don’t know RISD well, but hope to after my son is accepted next year :).
High-end schools like RISD accept students who they think will succeed at their school. A son of mine surprised many when he was accepted to Yale; he’s thriving there.
Good luck.
You were chosen because RISD believes you have the ability to complete a four-year degree program. Focus on yourself and your work. Don’t worry about other students.
Hello–we are waiting for my daughter’s RISD decision. She did their six-week pre-college program and loved it, but it was stressful and a great deal of work and responsibility, even though it was just pre-college. We are pretty familiar with RISD’s program. Maybe I’m just tired or not using my brain? What is their “FAV” program you reference? Fashion?" Little confused.
@SwimMomRuns2 – Hi, SwimMom. My daughter is also waiting on her RISD decision and also did the 6-week pre-college program. Sounds as if they had very similar experiences. After speaking with many RISD people, I believe the summer program is an attempt to show summer students how grueling and intense the foundation year and beyond will be. My daughter averaged about 4 hours of sleep, pulling many all-nighters. She had a blast, learned a tremendous amount and returned home more determined than ever to pursue a dedicated art school. But the experience did take a toll because it was so intense. Is your daughter seriously considering other art schools? Although she has been accepted to all of the dedicated art schools to which she applied (am sure you are familiar with the usual suspects in the Northeast), pretty sure it is down to Pratt and RISD. Any thoughts will be much appreciated.
@SwimMomRuns2 just in case you haven’t gotten an answer yet, FAV is “Film/Animation/Video”. RISD is one of the best. But pretty sure you aren’t accepted to a particular major but rather to the foundation program - you don’t declare until end of freshman year. And it’s not at all unusual for a student to declare a major in something other than what he/she was originally planning to pursue. Or to enter really not even knowing what you want to do. The foundation program in all these schools is a year of intense exploration as well as training, and RISD’s Winter Session in particular really allows the students to try out something completely different. Even the arch. students take the same foundation classes as everyone else.
Hope everyone’s kid gets in this year. We were “there” last year so can relate. My D1 didn’t get in (the only school that turned her down) but she had some wonderful choices among her remaining schools and is now really enjoying herself at Pratt. She believes in retrospect that it’s a much better fit for her so everything worked out for the best.
Good luck to all!