Providence College Top Questions

The school offers a great sense of community, and when there is a strong sense of community you are able to excel in your academics and extra circular activities. Friars are Family.

We have this amazing, familiar family that truly brings a feeling of community. The campus is small and beautiful, and its location is great; Providence is a lively, colorful city. Essentially my school is "the little school that could." We're small but very capable, with a rigorous curriculum that instills in us a great liberal arts education. We are a proud, spirited school. I love that students actually go to the school events; we like spending time with each other.

My overall opinion of Providence College is a positive one. The people are genuine, the professors are there for their students, and there is a lot going on. It's a perfect place for people looking for a small campus, in a large city. The sports teams are very talented, but school spirit isn't as strong as I would like it to be. It isn't a "suitcase school;" people stay on campus during weekends. The facilities are beautiful as well. The biggest complaint is that there isn't enough study space.

PC is, overall, a solid school. It has a small, cozy, friendly campus, but a big school feel when it comes to academics and athletics. The social scene is very solid, and there actually is something to do for every type of person. The Dominican, Catholic tradition is not too overbearing, and actually provides a nice sense of morality. Parietals and civ suck, but obviously not too badly because students keep coming back. I always joke that PC is the only place where you can go to church at 10:30 on a Sunday night and see that kid who was doing WHATEVER craziness on Friday and Saturday night praying. Providence is a pretty decent college city. You don't really need to leave campus all that often, but when you do, you can find something to do in Providence. There are tons of restaurants, the mall is solid, and Waterfire is a fall/spring favorite. Basketball is obviously the biggest sport, and the games totally give you something to look forward to all winter. Overall, PC's strengths overshadow its weaknesses. Pretty much everybody loves it here, plain and simple.

The best thing about PC is the size. Each class is about 1000 students or a little under which is a great size- it's big enough to avoid the people you'd rather not see but small enough to feel like you know everyone around. Providence students can definitely be described as partiers but there is no question they also get their work done during the week. I think PC has a respected reputation as a leading school in the North East as well as one of the major Catholic schools in the country. Despite a great reputation and good students, I think the administration is often overwhelmed and not capable of dealing with the issues that arise on a college campus. Many of the rules on campus, like parietals, are outdated and just ineffective. Strange enough, PC is a "wet campus" and does have a pretty sweet bar called McPhail's. There are also a number of other bars all within walking distance from the school. Overall, the city is offers a lot to do and if you don't think so, Boston is under an hour away.

The school is a nice size you see the same people you like to hang out with everyday, but there are also new people to meet. I spend most of my time on campus probably in the cafeteria or in my dorm room. To see school pride you have to go to one of the basketball games, that is where most of the students go because basketball is very popular at our school.

Best thing about PC? The atmosphere. Professors know their students by name (small class sizes help) and the school's president works out in the student gym, eats in the dining hall, and is always seen on campus, so students are able to easily connect with administration. Students love Friar Town. One thing I'd change is the food. It's good at first, but after a semester, it's old and you crave something new. I was on a meal plan for the 3.5 years I was at PC, and by the end I dreaded going to meals at Ray. Most frequent student complaints revolve around the food. Size-wise, PC is just right. 3800 students is the perfect number (or was, for me) because you see new people all the time but can still say hi to 4 or 5 people you know on your way to class. Providence is a great college city, because it's technically a city, so there's a lot going on, but it's small, so it's easy to find your way around and isn't overwhelming. Plus, Providence is an hour from Boston and about 3 hours from NYC.

PC is a great size if you like to know all of the faces around you. It has a very large community feel, and the majority of the people are very friendly. Sports are a big deal, especially mens basketball and hockey. There is a very large bar culture at PC that makes every night of the week interesting. If you tell people that you go to PC, they generally assume that you are a very social person that likes to party and have a good time, but also has a strong sense of character and is well educated. Since PC is a Catholic College run by the Dominican Friars, there is a strong religious representation around campus. The College does not shun other faiths, and has a very welcoming attitude towards sharing faith with the campus community. The PC campus is always improving. There is a great gym, coffee shop, and they are working on a better student center. The housing is pretty good once you get to be a junior and senior, but freshman and sophomore year it is the luck of the draw. PC was the best four years of my life. There is a lot of support and guidance from faculty, and you will find yourself keeping in touch with your professors long after you have taken their courses and graduation.

PC is a small, Catholic and DOMINICAN school. The administration makes a point of not shying away from the schools Dominican roots. So, at the heart of everything you find a focus on truth, morality and Catholicism. Everyone is extremely friendly and wants to see you succeeed. As an a new alumnae, Class of 2008, I have been so impressed by how many people in the administration as well as the alumni network have offered to help me find a job. Providence is a fun city to go to college in... maybe not live forever. but definitely fun for 4 years.

PC is the perfect size. It now has a gorgeous gym with great hours. Ray Hall cafe's food is getting better. There are more choices, even a vegetarian section. Slavin and Jazzmans are great places to study, hang out, and get food. PC has a great location where you can take the public bus (RIPTA) pretty much anywhere for FREE is you use your PC id card. The library is a bit small, but they are re-doing it this summer. I made great friends. Everyone knows PC and everyone who graduates PC has had an amazing 4 years and would do anything to go back.