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    BELL: Rhode Island
    In-person Program

    BELL: Rhode Island

    by Brown Pre-College Programs

    BELL: Rhode Island combines environmental science fieldwork with leadership workshops, helping students develop an Action Plan for change in their home community.

    Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:SSSean Stevens

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    BELL Rhode Island at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Completing grades 10–12

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 16-18

    Location / Region

    Providence, Rhode Island, United States

    Cost

    $6,274

    Duration

    12 days

    Format

    In-person

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    Environmental ScienceGeography
    Accommodation: Residence halls; shared bathrooms
    Meals: Three meals daily
    Certificate / Outcome: Digital certificate; Course Performance Report
    Campus experience: Dedicated BELL living and learning community
    Daily sessions: 2-hour morning; 3-hour afternoon; evening program
    Main project: Community Action Plan and presentation
    Staff support: On-site support and supervision, 24 hours

    BELL Rhode Island summary

    BELL connects environmental science and sustainability with socially responsible leadership. Students combine classroom study with course-specific field visits.

    The main practical outcome is an Action Plan addressing an issue in your home community, developed with instructor and peer support.

    The experience suits students who enjoy learning outdoors and contributing to a close community; shared tasks, evening activities and reduced phone use are part of the commitment.

    What is BELL: Rhode Island?

    BELL: Rhode Island is Brown University’s environmental science and leadership program, combining academic study with direct observation of ecosystems and sustainability challenges. Students select one course and learn through lectures, group discussions and field visits across Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts.

    The experience centers on a dedicated living and learning community, with workshops, reflection and shared responsibilities extending beyond class. With support from instructors and peers, each student develops an Action Plan for a feasible project addressing an issue in their home community.

    Why Succeed highlights BELL Rhode Island

    • Course-specific field visits connect environmental concepts with real landscapes, food systems and conservation settings.

    • The Action Plan turns subject interest into a feasible community project rather than ending with classroom discussion.

    • Shared community tasks and leadership workshops give students repeated opportunities to practice responsibility.

    • A Course Performance Report provides instructor feedback alongside completion recognition.

    Who is BELL Rhode Island for?

    Best for

    Students who want to connect environmental study with community leadership and enjoy outdoor learning, collaboration and shared responsibilities.

    Not ideal if

    You need predictable free time for another course or prefer a classroom-only experience with unrestricted phone use.

    Is BELL Rhode Island worth it?

    BELL can be a strong choice if you want environmental learning that leads to a practical community project. Field visits, guided reflection and the Action Plan give you concrete experiences to discuss and build on afterward.

    The residential fee is substantial, and travel adds to the family budget. The program is non-credit, requires a full-day commitment and provides no special route into Brown undergraduate admission, so its value depends on your interest in the learning itself.

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    Cost and what is included

    $6,274; includes Selected course instruction and Action Plan workshops., Brown University residence hall accommodation., Three meals daily, including off-campus program meals., Program activities and excursions., Transportation to and from program site visits., Access to fitness, athletic and aquatics centers., On-site staff support and supervision., Completion certificate and Course Performance Report for successful students..

    Accommodation

    Residence halls; shared bathrooms

    Meals

    Three meals daily

    Supervision or safety information

    Program staff live on site and provide support and supervision around the clock. Students remain with the group during lessons and community activities and check in with residential staff at 10 p.m.

    Provider details

    Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    12 days; Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

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    How much preparation does BELL Rhode Island need?

    Effort level

    High immersion, with moderate physical activity on some days.

    Best started

    Allow several weeks for application materials and travel planning, then begin Canvas pre-work two weeks before your session.

    Main challenge

    Sustaining participation while adapting to communal living and reduced phone use.

    Typical preparation

    • Gather your current and previous academic-year grades and draft an original 250–500-word application essay.

    • Arrange a recommendation if you choose to submit one; Brown strongly suggests it for BELL applicants.

    • Review the packing list for waterproof clothing, sturdy shoes, bedding and a device for Action Plan research.

    • Complete the course orientation and pre-work in Canvas, and agree on a family communication plan before arrival.

    Useful if

    You want to turn environmental curiosity into a realistic community project.

    What do students do on BELL Rhode Island?

    You study one environmental course while participating in BELL’s shared community life. Classroom learning and field visits feed into an Action Plan that you develop and present with support from instructors and peers.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Complete Canvas orientation and pre-work before arriving.

    2. 2

      Join the arrival orientation and meet your BELL community.

    3. 3

      Attend lessons, discussions and field visits for your selected course.

    4. 4

      Contribute to daily community tasks and take part in leadership workshops.

    5. 5

      Develop a feasible Action Plan addressing an issue in your home community.

    6. 6

      Present your Action Plan on the final program day.

    BELL Rhode Island dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Application deadline

    15 May 2026

    Extended 2026 Brown Pre-College deadline; 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

    Reference date

    BELL: Rhode Island — Session 2AL

    21 June-2 July 2026

    Arrival and departure days are included.

    Reference date

    BELL: Rhode Island — Session 2BL

    5-16 July 2026

    Arrival and departure days are included.

    Reference date

    Applications open

    14 January 2026

    2026 Brown Pre-College application cycle.

    Reference date

    Pre-departure orientation

    12 April 2026

    Required online family session at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.

    Reference date

    Final admission decisions

    22 May 2026

    Brown Pre-College notification milestone.

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Completing grades 10–12.

    • Ages 16–18 by 14 June 2026.

    • Strong English language proficiency.

    • Meet any prerequisites for your selected course.

    • Obtain Brown Pre-College admission, then enroll separately.

    • Attend every program day, lesson, site visit and evening workshop.

    How much does BELL Rhode Island cost?

    Residential program fee

    $6,274 — 2026 total for the 12-day program.

    Funding or discounts

    • Application fee: $80 — Non-refundable; qualifying applicants can request a waiver.
    • Enrollment deposit: $500 — Non-refundable deposit required before course enrollment.
    • Sibley Scholarship: Need-based aid — Variable awards for eligible applicants; a separate application is required.
    • Conditional insurance charge: $80 — Required for international students and U.S. students without adequate insurance.

    What's included

    Selected course instruction and Action Plan workshops., Brown University residence hall accommodation., Three meals daily, including off-campus program meals., Program activities and excursions., Transportation to and from program site visits., Access to fitness, athletic and aquatics centers., On-site staff support and supervision., Completion certificate and Course Performance Report for successful students.

    How to apply to BELL Rhode Island

    1. 1

      Create one account in the Brown Pre-College Student Portal.

    2. 2

      Complete the application form and submit an original 250–500-word essay.

    3. 3

      Upload current and previous academic-year grades in English, plus any required language-test results.

    4. 4

      Submit Brown’s recommendation form if you elect to include a recommendation.

    5. 5

      Pay the $80 application fee or request an eligible fee waiver.

    6. 6

      Monitor the portal and your email for missing-material requests and the admission decision.

    7. 7

      After admission, review BELL course requirements, submit the $500 deposit and enroll separately.

    8. 8

      Complete enrolled-student forms, payment, orientation and Canvas pre-work.

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    What does BELL Rhode Island cover?

    The program covers the following focus areas.

    Climate, Conservation, and Community

    Explore environmental issues through lessons, conservation visits, a guest speaker and observation of local landscapes.

    Digging Into RI’s Food Systems

    Investigate food systems through farm visits, a dining-services tour and community-based learning.

    Geological, Recent and Modern Climate Change

    Examine climate change through coastal erosion, geological mapping, renewable energy and site-based study.

    Leadership and Action Planning

    Use workshops, peer discussion and reflection to develop a feasible environmental project for your home community.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    What is a typical day on BELL Rhode Island?

    A typical day during the program.

    Breakfast and community tasks

    Breakfast runs until 9 a.m., followed by shared community tasks.

    Morning study

    A two-hour session includes course lessons or field-based learning.

    Lunch and afternoon

    Lunch and solo reflection precede the three-hour afternoon session from 2–5 p.m.

    Evening and curfew

    Dinner and recreation precede the 7:45–9 p.m. evening program and 10 p.m. check-in.

    Who teaches on BELL Rhode Island?

    Instructors and peers support students as they develop their Action Plans. Named course instructors include Eben (Blake) Hodgin for climate-change fieldwork and Cassidee Jones, Farm Fresh Rhode Island’s Community Education Manager, for food-systems study.

    Jane Winograd is listed as program director and Associate Director of Pre-College Programs and Environmental Studies.

    Where do students stay on BELL Rhode Island?

    Residential plan

    • Dedicated BELL housing: Stay in a Brown residence hall, in a private room or with up to two roommates.
    • Meals: Three meals daily are provided, including meals during off-campus activities.
    • Staff and nightly check-in: On-site staff provide 24-hour support, with a required 10 p.m. residential check-in.
    • Room facilities: Rooms include furniture, Wi-Fi and cooling; residence halls have laundry facilities.

    Rooms have shared bathrooms; students bring their own extra-long twin bedding, pillows and towels.

    What happens after BELL Rhode Island?

    After completing this program, participants often pursue:

    Develop an Action Plan for a feasible home-community project.

    Present your plan to the BELL community and visiting families.

    Receive an instructor Course Performance Report.

    Earn a digital Certificate of Completion after successful participation.

    Apply new environmental and leadership knowledge to local issues.

    BELL is non-credit and provides no special pathway into Brown undergraduate admission.

    Where does BELL Rhode Island take place?

    BELL is based at Brown University in Providence, with course-dependent visits across Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts; arrival takes place at Machado House, 87 Prospect Street. T.F. Green International Airport is the closest airport, while Boston Logan is accessible from Providence by bus or train.

    Families arrange transportation to and from campus; transportation for program site visits is provided.

    BELL Rhode Island FAQs

    Students choose an environmental science or sustainability course and combine classroom lessons with field visits. The 2026 itinerary names Climate, Conservation, and Community; Digging Into RI’s Food Systems; and Geological, Recent and Modern Climate Change.

    It is a feasible project addressing an issue in the student's home community. Instructors, peers and workshops help students develop the plan, which they present on departure day.

    Students stay in Brown University residence halls, in a private room or with up to two roommates, with shared bathrooms. Three meals are provided each day, and housing and meals on and off campus are included in the program fee.

    Program staff live on site and provide support and supervision around the clock. Students remain with the group during lessons and community activities and check in with residential staff at 10 p.m.

    Additional coursework is not feasible during the program. Free time is limited to one or two hours dispersed through the day and does not follow a predictable schedule.

    Successful students receive a Course Performance Report and a digital Certificate of Completion. BELL is non-credit, and students must attend every program day to qualify for completion materials.

    Phones must be secured and put away during lessons and activities unless needed for the lesson. Students still have opportunities to contact family, and families receive the program phone contact details.

    Brown states that Pre-College is not a prospecting program for undergraduate admissions. Its educational value lies in exploring a subject and demonstrating interest, rather than receiving an admissions advantage.

    Alternatives to BELL Rhode Island

    Compare BELL with other environmental and science programs, choosing between subject depth, research focus and broader scientific exploration.

    Alternatives to BELL Rhode Island

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    Sean Stevens

    Content reviewed by

    Sean Stevens

    Co-founder, Succeed | Founder, Immerse Education (2012–2026)

    Sean works at the intersection of academic enrichment, program quality and university preparation, with expertise in evaluating pre-university experiences for ambitious secondary school students.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Sibley Scholarships | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL): Rhode Island | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Brown Environmental Leadership Lab: Rhode Island | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Fee Waivers | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Admissions Decisions | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
    • Visa and Immigration Related Procedures: Frequently Asked Questions
    • 2026 Program Costs: Breakdown of Fees
    • Pre-College Program | Brown University

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)

    • Official program page checked

    • Session dates cross-checked

    • Eligibility requirements reviewed

    • Residential fee verified

    • Application requirements reviewed

    • Scholarship conditions checked

    • Housing and meals reviewed

    • Supervision policies reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.