Providence College Top Questions

Providence College, a liberal arts Catholic institution, has small classes, and the professors almost always know their students by name. Students at PC value their education, and study fairly often. All professors have office hours, and are available to their students. The most unique class I've taken is Introduction to Acting. It was a nice change to usual curriculum. I'm a Creative Writing major, and a Studio Art minor. I plan on studying abroad junior year, which many students opt to do. The Career Services department is very helpful in helping students find jobs and internships. Providence College emphasizes learning as a means of finding one's passion and purpose.

So far, all of my classes (with the exception of Civ) have been very small and intimate. You definitely will be known and acknowledged in class. I've had some mediocre professors and some really good professors, but not bad ones. PC students definitely have that "work hard play hard" attitude. They go out on weeknights, but not until the civ readings are done. Classes are challenging, but not unbearable, and there are a lot of resources to help you out. The Office of Academic Studies offers tutors, and professors make themselves available outside of class for help. Civ is totally the center of academics for freshmen and sophomores, and while it seems awful, it really isn't all that bad. Everybody is in it together, so it kind of provides a bond between the entire class. Depending on your team and professors, it can be really easy or really tough. I won't lie: it can sometimes really SUCK, but what I'll remember about PC is not how much I'll hate civ.

PC's students take four classes per semester their first two years and five classes per semester the final two years. Freshman and sophomores must take Development Of Western Civilization, known as just CIV, for their first 4 semesters at PC. This class is 50 minutes, everyday, worth 5 credits. Some sections are easy and could make if seem like a student only has 3 classes but other sections are extremely hard and can be a real GPA killer since it is weighted as close to 2 classes. The course is a great idea, but in many cases, students are just forced to memorize facts and spit them out on an exam. Additionally, each student needs to take a certain number of classes in theology, philosophy, art and science. I think these "core classes" are good for students because it gives them a well-rounded education.

The classes are small enough that the professors learn your name. It really depends on your level of dedication to the class whether you talk with the professor a lot and ask questions, that is how you get the most out of it.

Professors try to get to know you. It's common that they will recognize you outside of class and say hello, and most professors give out their home and cell phone numbers and are more than willing to meet students outside of classtime for help. Class participation is very common in classes because the average class size is 20. I had an Italian class (my minor) of 5, so the entire class was participation and we all got to know each other really well. PC has a lot of core requirements, so my advice would be to definitely get them done early if you can. Otherwise, they'll haunt you in your senior year as you try to take easy classes for your last semester and you end up taking Biology and whatnot. PC has a great career center and a shadowing program for winter break, which students should take advantage of more than they do- I participated twice and got some really good information about careers.

Be prepared to work hard in all of your courses. You are required to take the development of western civilization for the first two years five days a week. The earlier sessions of that class are generally the easiest, however you would need to wake up at an earlier hour. That is probably the largest class you will have at PC (about 100 students in a lecture). There are a lot of other core requirements on top of CIV, and that needs to be looked at as an incoming student if you are considering double majoring. Class participation is very common, and professors know everyone by name. You are definitely not just a number at PC. The Education department at PC is like a family. The professors support you in everything you do and always have their doors open for you to pop in. By the time you are a senior you will find yourself just as sad to leave the Education department as you will to leave your friends and the school. PC has a nice balance of developing careers as well as giving you the opportunity to learn for the sake of learning. Since you have to take so many core requirements, you may find that you are interested in something that you never thought you would be interested in. PC is also very supportive of study abroad opportunities. I went abroad to Spain and was able to take a theology course designed just for Providence College students when I was there. While PC wants their students to expand their education overseas, they don't just hand it to you. You can't go unless you maintain a specific GPA, have your core requirements planned out so that you can graduate on time, and you have to take five courses while abroad that are pre-approved by the Dean for transfer credit back to PC. PC requires organization and planning if you want to go abroad. It is not something you can decide a semester before you leave.

Teachers are extremely accessible to thier students. The honors program is a great option for students who are looking at IVY League schools. Not only do you get a scholarship, but you get the top professors from each department.

Education program is well known. The department needs to work more on helping students who are confused about what requirements they need to teach out of the state of Rhode Island. Some professors want to know you and set up outside activities. The CIV program is awful and brought down my average tremendously. I think it is ridiculous how on top of that you also need to take 2 more theology classes and philosophy classes.

I've had classes on either end of the spectrum, with some extremely difficult classes and others that felt easier than high school. The difficulty level generally depends on the professor. However, I will say that registration at PC is one of the biggest complaints, as students are required to wake up at the crack of dawn to punch in their registration number at 7:00 AM on the dot along with every other student in their class. This results in the computer system freezing up altogether as 1,000 students simultaneously attempt to log into the system, which is pretty much the dumbest idea PC has come up with. I've had multiple friends who have been locked out of the system for literally 45 minutes, only to emerge with none of the classes that they needed or wanted to take. The system is stressful, primitive and a downright waste of time.

Small classes, great professors. I loved all of my major classes, but liberal arts school so I had to take some classes I did not enjoy with professors who may not be the best at the school. They are always willing to help you out though, and give you extra help or advice whenever and whereever. I still e-mail many of my teachers throughout my four years on a first name basis. I love elementary education and so many of the professors have first hand experience on the topic.