Providence College

Date: Dec 31 2004
Major: Finance (This Major's Salary over time)
When applying to schools, I had really no idea what I was looking for. As I was a bit scared of the prospect, I chose PC because as walking around on tours and at Family Day, people were very friendly and I felt like I could fit in. It was the absolute right decision. My four years at PC were amazing, and although I am happy with my current job and place in life, I would do it all over again in a second.

As far as academics go, it has a good reputation that is getting better every year. In my opinion, that is because the school has such a good reputation of being an all around great place and therefore, attracts more applicants and can then be more selective. I don't neccessarily believe that the academic criteria correspond to the reputation, as I got through my 4 years doing very minimal work. I think that CIV is a great course that really helped my general knowledge and thought process. It is a bit Catholic slanted, but I don't agree that you have to have a broad knowledge of Catholism going in if you read everything assigned. And that shouldn't be an argument against the school - it is a Catholic school, and everyone applying and attending knew that going in.

As for the social scene - i could not have asked for a better experience. I met my best friends there and they are girls I will be friends with for the rest of my life. There is a lot of drinking, but that is to be expected. Thats the reputation that college has, its the only time in your life that you're allowed to go to keg parties and not remember the night before, without being labeled as having one problem or another. And yes, the student body is very homogeneous, but I believe that is what fosters the atmosphere of friendliness and welcomeness, as everyone feels comfortable with one another. Im not advocating that it should stay that way or is realistic in acclaimating students to the way of the "real world" but just commenting on the way it IS. And again, its not exactly hidden. The student body demographics are contained on the website, and can be clearly noticed on a quick walk around campus or a visit to ray cafeteria. Clearly the school should do something to attract a more diverse group of students, but I don't think its appropriate for students to know what they are getting into and then complain about it once they're there.

My experience at Providence was more than I ever expected it to be. I had by far the best four years of my life and believe that it is an incredible opportunity and if you are lucky enough to have the chance to go, jump at it.