Providence College
Providence, RI, USA

Reviews

Providence College

Emily from Morris Plains, NJ

researching this school
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The overall physical appearance of the school is lovely. The school body seems friendly, the guide on my visit seemed very knowledgable. The atmosphere seems to have an open, fun social setting and good school spirit.
Academic Rigor
Providence College isn't as selective as other schools but I've heard that the rigor of the courses varies and also depends on one's willingness to actively learn.
Dorm Life
The dorms seemed clean and a relatively normal size when I visited. Nothing really special.
Food and Dining
The food was good, with plenty of options and choices.
Campus Safety
The surrounding area is very safe and student friendly.

Meg

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
PC has the best environment I have ever seen! The students and faculty are excited to be there and have a genuine interest in education. The classes are challenging and fair.
Tips for prospective students
If you get in, go to PC!!! There are all types of people here from all different backgrounds. Even though it is a Catholic school don't be intimidated. I am an agnostic atheist and I still love being at PC.
Academic Rigor
Classes can be challenging but professors are fair in grading and you learn a lot!
Dorm Life
The rooms aren't huge but the living options are good. The RAs in general are really nice and good at the job (i.e. if theres a broken toilet they get it fixed quickly and they don't snoop around in your dorm rooms!)
Food and Dining
I love the food there, honestly. I am a super picky eater and this is one of the reasons I chose PC. There are two dining halls, and most of your meals you will eat in Ray. Ray is a buffett with fresh cooked food like pasta, mashed potatoes, grilled cheese, chicken, french fries, pizza and handmade sandwiches. Every day the main corse changes but the staple foods (cereal, salad bar, ice-cream machine, chicken pasta, etc.) stay the same. There is always plenty to eat and THE BEST DESERTS!!
What to do for fun
The Providence Place mall is a short bus ride away and the bus will pick you up right from campus and PC students ride the bus for free! There are a number of nightclubs in the area and there are lots of parties in the houses surrounding campus on the weekends. Tons of campus events and a spring concert every year.
Bang for the buck
I love PC but the cost is pretty ridiculous. Get ready to pay a lot.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Every freshman and sophomore has to take the Development of Western Civilization (or civ) corse, which is pretty intense (class meets every day and it has more weight on your GPA than any other class). Anyway, on everyone takes the civ final exam in the same day, always a monday before all other exams. The night before campus goes crazy in an event called Civ Scream. As much as the administration hates it it cannot be stopped. Streaking, flaming towels and fireworks are all to be expected, but don't worry, no one gets hurt!
Clubs and Activities
Anything and everything. If you can think of a club idea that they don't already have (which is difficult) get a few friends together and tell SAIL (they're in charge of clubs) and you can make it. Its that easy
Campus Safety
On campus is completely safe. I've walked around campus alone at two in the morning and it's never an issue. I cannot say the same about off campus. Many parties are thrown in the residential area around campus. Upperclassmen generally rent these houses and throw parties which underclassmen attend. Whenever you go off campus keep a friend with you, I've known many people to get mugged in the surrounding areas on their way to/from a party.

Mac

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Excellent school with a beautiful campus and great people.
Classes are tough with a good deal of work, but people are there to support you.
So pleased to have applied and been accepted. Great place!
Tips for prospective students
Academics need to come first. Time management is everything! Stay on top of your work.
Academic Rigor
Classes are top notch and can be tough. The profs are happy to help if they know you are trying. Gotta be in every class, every time it meets. Stay focused!
Dorm Life
Dorm life is crowded and a little noisy. I have gotten used to going to the library to do my work.. My roommates are great and I have met some really nice people.
Food and Dining
Good food and some healthy choices. Wish more fresh fruit and vegetables were available. Widh my mom cooked here!
What to do for fun
Be open to new things, meet new people, and participate in events to get to know your college, the students, the staff and your new community. Take advantqge of opportunities to grow. Be a part of it all!
Bang for the buck
College is expensive so be sure you have the right reasons for coming to Providence. Make a plan and work your plan to be the best you can be!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Love that Sunday Mass can be attended at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday night! Love to sleep in on Sundays!
Great for these types of students
Providence is great for the serious student who is willing to go above and beyond to get the best education possible.
Clubs and Activities
Flag football is really all I have had time for! Classes and homework first! I do hope to play intramural softball in the Spring
Greek Life
No clue! No time as a freshman!
Campus Safety
Well lit campus, always people around including security. Stay on campus though cuz the city itself can be a little rough.

Emily from Massachusetts

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Providence College is a small, Catholic institution in Providence, Rhode Island. It has great academics that feature a core liberal arts education for all majors. Providence also has the excitement of Division I sports and access to a big city.
Tips for prospective students
Definitely go visit campus and get a tour. Providence's tour guides are students who give the best college tour you will go on.
Academic Rigor
Providence College has small classes, great professors, and for the extra challenge, its Liberal Arts Honors Program.
Dorm Life
The dorms are gradually being updated. There are a variety of living options on campus: traditional dorms, suites, and apartments.
Food and Dining
As a smaller school, there are only a few dining areas on campus. The main dining hall is acceptable but not exceptional. However, the restaurant scene in the city of Providence is incredible.
What to do for fun
There are a lot of different clubs at Providence. Intramural sports are a big part of campus life. The city of Providence is only a 5 minute bus ride away and there students can go to the Providence Place mall, restaurants, Thayer Street, and other entertainments the city has to offer.
Bang for the buck
Providence College is not a cheap school. However, the education that you will receive here is worth every penny, especially if you can qualify for financial aid or a scholarship.
Clubs and Activities
For a small college, PC has a wide variety of clubs and activities for students to participate in. Students can get involved in music, arts, sports, and other types of activities.
Greek Life
There is no Greek life at Providence College.
Campus Safety
The safety officers at Providence are very helpful and friendly.

Nathan from Baltimore, MD

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Academic Rigor
The Rigor keeps moving
Dorm Life
Dorm life is great
Food and Dining
The food here is great

Kristal from Swampscott, MA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Love the environment of the school. Always something going on and you can become very involved on campus. The school has a cozy feeling.
Tips for prospective students
The school looks for a lot of community service and academics. Don't worry so much about SAT's since this is a test-optional school.
Academic Rigor
The hardest part as a freshman/sophomore is the Development of Western Civilization program. You take it for two years and it has more weight on your GPA than other classes. Focuses on history, theology, and philosophy all in one. The reading load can get overwhelming.
Dorm Life
The dorms are well-maintained.
Food and Dining
The food is a lot better than most schools. Always a lot of variety and the dining staff try to make things fun with cupcake bars, grilled cheese stations, brunches till 1:45 on the weekends, etc.
What to do for fun
Always something to do on campus. You'll never be bored. Downtown is only 10 minutes away and there are awesome restaurants. Thayer St is a great place for college students. Tons of stores and places to visit.
Greek Life
No Greek Life here

Trevor from Providence, RI

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
This college is the premiere place to learn how to think critically and write proficiently. PC creates opportunities for their students through a well-connected Alumni network that is deeply concerned for the welfare of current students and recent graduates. It is a medium size college with a family-like atmosphere that from my experience exists nowhere else.
Tips for prospective students
The college does not require interviews, but if your school brings in a representative from PC Office of Admissions, it would be wise to attend such a session so the admissions counselor has an association between your name and face when perusing your application. Applying by the Early Action deadline greatly increases the chances of winning a merit-based scholarship, and in recent years the number of available scholarships have increased considerably. Take advantage of campus tours or a day visit with our Admissions Ambassadors.
Academic Rigor
Beginning with the current Class of 2016, the college's core curriculum has been revamped to allow each student more flexibility in how they transform themselves through their education. The core is rigorous, but reasonable as long as students keep up with reading. There are a diverse range of majors throughout arts/sciences and business, including unique majors such as Global Studies and Public and Community Service.
Dorm Life
The college dorms are comfortable and safe ranging from traditional housing to apartments and suites. Traditional dorms include singles, doubles, triples, and quads. Apartments/suites are either four or six people, with the option to overcrowd by one. Freshman dorm life is exactly what it should be, don't worry!
Food and Dining
Since I was a freshman in 2009, food services have improved considerably. The traditional, buffet style dining hall offers rotating meals at several stations, along with always having the staples such as grilled cheese, grilled chicken, hamburgers w/fries, create-your-own pasta dish, and sandwiches. Soy milk is readily available, and the coffee and tea stations are very good. Yes, there are to-go cups. If you have very little time between classes, you can elect to get a pre-made to-go meal instead of going into the dining hall. Regarding the a la carte dining hall, stations include: grill, Mexican cuisine, pizza, sandwiches, and sushi. As of this fall, Dunkin' Donuts has arrived on-campus!
What to do for fun
This is a very subjective question, and I will in the best way to appeal to all my readers. Providence is a richly diverse city full of things to do, from visiting Providence Place Mall to eating Italian food on historic Federal Hill to catching the Brown University scene on College Hill and Thayer St. The college puts on great programming that ranges from laser tag to movie nights to theme nights at the on-campus bar to trivia nights. There are a number of clubs and organizations that put on great events influenced by their area of interest. If one is looking to have fun off-campus (but not too far) look no farther than the off-campus apartments nearby. There are many options for dancing, meeting people, and various other activities at house parties. The surrounding neighborhood has all the services expected, and we are quite close to Amtrak and Walmart. PC students get free use of RIPTA buses, the principal public transportation in Rhode Island.
Bang for the buck
The tuition has certainly increased in recent years, but the college is compensating by increasing opportunities for merit and need-based scholarships. PC offers a liberal arts education which becomes very valuable when combined with such areas as business and science. From the perspective of the education paying for itself later, given the respect that the name Providence College carries, expect great things provided you're willing to work for them.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Each spring, on the evening before final exams for Development of Western Civilization, (core curriculum staple) students gather on the upper quad for Civ Scream, where students gather en masse to vent their exhaustion from studying by being a part of or simply watching a number of hi-jinks and stunts. Get there early, bring a folding chair or stool, or watch from the surrounding buildings with binoculars. After all, some sights certainly are not worth missing...
Great for these types of students
At its worst, Providence College is criticized for mostly having one-dimensional, preppy white students. This has changed in recent years, and the increase of diversity at PC has been a welcome change. The Unity Center in the student union (Slavin Center) recently opened, and we have a rich presence of international students from all over the world. The Campus Ministry Center offers a wonderful place for amicable, service-minded students to find opportunities to share their talents and meet friends. The free food makes this venue a popular place to study.
Clubs and Activities
The clubs are numerous and are quite popular. Meetings are typically once a week depending on the club, with each club putting on one major event at least once per semester. Check out the Campus Ministry Open House and General Involvement Fair to find your place on-campus.
Greek Life
There are no fraternities and sororities at Providence College. It is Catholic college administered by the Dominican Order.
Campus Safety
PC security officers are competent and respectful. Should any incidents occur off-campus, we are immediately notified via e-mail. The blue light system is used here, and there is an escort service provided should students wish to feel safe when walking back to their dorm at night. The Office of Safety and Security never closes, and their service is discrete and prompt.

Anonymous from Lakeville, MA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
PC is strong not only in sports, but also academics. There is a lot of effort put into ensuring that the campus is safe as well as beautiful. There's a very strong sense of community and belonging throughout the school.
Tips for prospective students
Apply early action if you can. It's non-binding and you'll know if you're accepted in January.
Although PC is a Catholic school, being Catholic is not a requirement and there is no pressure to participate in religious activities on campus.
Have fun! There are a lot of activities sponsored by various clubs on the weekends and most of them are free.
Academic Rigor
PC has a very strong when it comes to the humanities majors, so if you're looking to study history or English, this is definitely a school you should check out. Everyone is required to take Development of Western Civilization. It's a mixture of history, literature, theology, and philosophy and is taught be multiple professors. There's a lot of reading involved, but the class in general is very intriguing and thought-provoking. Furthermore, as a biology major, I can proudly say that I am impressed with the biology department here. The professors are knowledgeable and are always willing to put in the extra time to help a student.
Dorm Life
There's nothing truly special about the dorms (at least the freshmen ones). They are the traditional rooms. Bed, desk, bulletin board and closet/bureau are provided. However, I must add that the top floors of McVinney have some of the best views in Providence.
Food and Dining
The food is definitely better than the high school cafeteria. There are two cafeterias on campus. Between the two, there's a lot of choices.
What to do for fun
The bus stop is right outside the the entrance to the school and all PC students ride for free. The Providence Place Mall is about a ten minute bus ride from campus. There is a shuttle to Thayer St, where there are a lot of shops and restaurants. It's also fun to walk around the Brown University campus with a PC sweatshirt on and watch all the students give you strange looks. Furthermore, there are dozens of clubs on campus which are always holding events throughout the week. Finally, PC is well known for athletics. They are a Division 1 school, so all the sports are very competitive. The only sport students have to pay to attend is men's basketball, which is played at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. If you're not a Division 1 athlete (like most of the students), there are tons of intramurals (from inner-tube water polo to softball).
Bang for the buck
Since it is a private college, the tuition is a bit higher than at a state school; however, the class sizes are small so each student can have more individual attention from the professors. Also, there are a lot of services that are added into the tuition including bus fare.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There are tunnels under the buildings on lower campus because it was formerly a mental hospital. They're closed off now due to the ceilings collapsing.
Clubs and Activities
There are dozens of clubs and organizations on campus including Outdoor Adventure Club, Colleges Against Cancer, Ballroom Dancing, and more. The Campus Ministry also organizes activities and clubs such as retreats and Hospital Outreach.
Greek Life
Non-existent
Campus Safety
The PC campus is very different than the neighborhood in which it resides. All of the walkways are well-lit and I feel very safe on the campus. However, off-campus is a different story. Never go anywhere at night alone.