PC: The Big Picture
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 Academic Life
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.
PC's Student Body
PC students can be very similar to each other in appearance, but after graduating from PC I can say that they are all very different in personality. Most students wear the typical jeans and t-shirt to class, though some do dress up and others show up in their penguin pj pants and pj t-shirt, complete with slippers. Students tend to be from upper-middle class backgrounds. Political awareness groups have sprouted on campus due to the recent campaigns- PC Dems and PC Republicans both exist and host a plethora of activities. PC has a ton of clubs and organizations, so there really is something for everyone.
PC Student Activities + Social Life
Sports are popular on campus, as well as intramurals. My favorite guest speaker was the real Coach Boone (of "Remember the Titans" fame). It is not uncommon that roommates randomly paired for freshman year will live together all 4 years- the woman who pairs roommates does that good of a job. Civ Scream is a popular event on campus that takes place twice a year the night before the civ final. Streaking and general debauchery are usually involved, though nothing ever gets violent and no one has gotten seriously hurt. Students go out on weekends, including Thursday nights. Those who don't drink have no problem having a good time, though most students choose to frequent one of the many bars surrounding the PC area. Greek life does not exist at PC, but other clubs/orgs take the place of Greek life. Off campus there are many things to do- ice skating downtown in the winter, the many theaters, the huge mall, restaurants, shopping, concerts, etc.
PC Naked Truth
Parietals can be a pain during freshman and sophomore years. Fire codes are a little annoying, but it makes sense due to the huge fire PC had in the 70s.
I transferred to PC in the middle of my freshman year, and it was the best decision I could have made. I love PC, and I will miss it dearly. I made some great friends there and had an awesome time, and I cannot imagine having gone through college not being there.
Just a word of advice- get out there and meet people, whether it be joining a club or going down your hallway introducing yourself when you first get to school. Have fun!
