I’m only going to be a junior in high school, but this summer I’ve been looking a lot into colleges as I’m super excited. I’m from New York and I’ve lived here my whole life (and hated it my whole life) but my parents are moving down to South Carolina once I graduate high school, leaving them pressuring me to go down south for school. I’ve looked at schools in the south (UNC, USC, Wake Forest, Coastal Carolina, NC State) but for some reason, I really want to go to college in Rhode Island. I have some friends and family there, and every time I visit, I fall more in love with it. I love the people, the location, the beach, and the general feel of it. I’ve looked into Salve Regina, Brown (I have a cousin starting there in the fall) Roger Williams, and Providence College (my mom went there), but I still really really like URI. I’ve driven past it a few times, but I’m officially going to visit in the fall. When I told my parents I was interested in URI, they didn’t seem too keen on the idea. My mom told me that when she was at PC, her friends from RI would scoff at those who went to URI because it was apparently very easy to get into. My parents then told me they want me to go to a more academically rigorous school (I’m a 90/92 student). But that’s not really what I want, I don’t really want to go to an Ivy or anything, and I’m not so sure I have the grades for one. I love the school spirit that URI seems to have, I love how close it is to the beach, the campus looks beautiful, and it’s actually appealing to me that most people who go there are from RI. So I’m not really sure what to do. It’s reputation doesn’t really matter to me, but it sure does to my parents. I’m looking to major in psychology or marine biology. URI is pretty pricey out of state, so is it worth it? I’d appreciate hearing any experience people have with the school 
Your parents are correct in saying that URI is not particularly selective, but I believe they have pretty decent marine programs. Not sure it’d be worth it OOS unless you received merit, though. Do they give merit to OOS students?
Every public flagship university can provide an excellent education for students who seek it. Qwerty568 is correct that URI’s best-known academic departments are connected to Marine Science, but other departments are perfectly fine. One other possibility, if you like URI, which might be a compromise with your parents is Delaware. It’s another small, liberal state - one of the original 13 colonies - and Newark is a very pleasant college town with easy access to Delaware’s Atlantic beaches. Delaware is a very popular destination for students in NJ and PA, who like the fact that it is smaller than Penn State or Rutgers. I’m not sure what the price difference is. What is URI’s in-state ratio? Given how small RI is, and how many students are attracted to New England for colleges, I would have expected it to have plenty of out-of-state students.
@Qwerty586 I’ve been trying to figure that out, and from what I’ve seen, I believe they do.
@woogzmama I didnt even think of Delaware, thank you!! And according to their website, 59% of students in-state, while 41% of students. are out-of-state. I’ve also heard that their marine science programs are pretty good, so if I do go there, that’s what I’ll most likely major in.
I know this is a thread about URI (which certainly is a perfectly fine school), but if you’re interested in the Marine sciences, why not look at UNC Wilmington? Plenty of the pros that you like in RI, but not nearly as chilly. Plus, it would be a great compromise for your parents. It’s also an academic equal to Delaware (which may have a lot of NY students in addition to NJ and PA).
Not to turn you off but in my town in RI URI is considered not that great of a school but it is slowly redeeming itself.Each year more and more people from my school go there but the most well known colleges in Rhode Island are definitely PC and Brown.URI is best known for it’s marine biology,pharmacy and nursing programs.It seems like a decent college and recently was the first college to build a freestanding LGBT center which is pretty cool.
@LBad96 I’m definitely going to look into UNCW, as I’ve been vacationing very close to there for years now! Thanks for the suggestion
No disrespect, but this sounds like a 16 year old girl with an irrational crush on a particular state instead of a boy. There is nothing so special about Rhode Island, or URI, that warrants focusing exclusively on them. The attributes you seek are available in many places. I think a bigger concern for you to address is value. You mentioned that URI is pricey for OOS, which indicates to me that cost is an issue for you and your family. Barring significant merit aid, you’re looking at spending over $160,000 for a degree in marine biology, not an especially high paying field. You might want to look deeper into your instate options. If you are a SC resident (check on how to establish instate residency), you might want to consider Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston, Clemson, and USC. All are well respected, and very affordable instate. If you’re “stuck” as a NY resident, consider Stony Brook.
@Chardo sorry to say, but Coastal Carolina is not very well-respected at all. Perhaps for marine bio, but not in general.
I live in RI and URI isn’t considered very good. It also doesn’t have the best surroundings. I’ve taken a few classes there and wasn’t impressed, especially for the price. That being said, it’s perfectly fine and will get you where you need to go.