My daughter is having the most difficult time deciding between Holy Cross and Providence College. We have visited both schools and have attended both accepted students days. My husband and I both attended PC but we truly want her to pick the school that will make her the most happy. The cost is essentially the same at both schools. My daughter is undecided in her major. What is most important to her is that the school is a welcoming community that will provide her with both academic and social opportunities. Can anyone offer any good advice or anecdotes that can help her choose?
Does either college have stronger programs or better offerings in the majors she is more likely to eventually choose?
My guess is that the two schools attract similar students. Let your daughter make her choice.
Annie Duke, one of the winningest pro poker players, wrote a book titled “How to Decide” as a follow-on to her book “Thinking in Bets”. In the former book there is one section that has stuck with me
You might get accepted to two colleges at the top of your list or find two amazing homes on your house hunt or get two different dream-job offers. Then you agonize over which option to choose, trying to distinguish the small differences between two or more great choices. You find yourself endlessly researching each option, coming up with additional criteria, asking for more and more people’s opinions, wavering back and forth trying to figure out which is the “right” choice.
So, here’s a weird little thought experiment: What if, instead of choosing between Paris and Rome, you were choosing between a vacation in Paris and a vacation at a trout cannery? Would you have trouble or experience any anxiety making that choice?
I’m assuming the answer is no.
When a decision is hard, that means it’s easy. The very thing that slows you down-having multiple options that are very close in quality is actually a signal that you can go fast, because this tells you that whichever option you choose, you can’t possibly be that wrong, since both options have similar upside and downside potential.
My D19 was at a similar situation and struggling with making her final choice. I don;t know how much this helped but we told her.
- There is no wrong decision, you have 2 great choices
- The choice is yours, don’t worry about the opinions of your friends or us.
- Wherever you choose own the decision. No Regrets!!
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One of the biggest strengths of Holy Cross is the community aspect. The student body is extremely friendly, supportive and close knit. Holy Cross has one of the strongest and engaged alumni network as well.
I have a current sophomore at Providence and an incoming freshman. We also toured Holy Cross and know a lot about the school - many friends and family are alums and we live nearby.
Both great choices.
I would say that academically HC is higher ranking and more academically rigorous. That’s not to say that PC isn’t rigorous but the word on the street is that the HC students “work really hard”
IMHO, PC has more of a social and athletic scene than HC. Legit basketball (Sweet 16 this year) and phenomenal hockey program, among others, and this past year, the students had a BLAST getting behind the sports. It’s nice because it’s a good bonding experience for the students. PC also has tons of activities (intramurals, clubs) that appeal to all different types of interests. PC’s alumni network has also been really phenomenal for internships, etc., and I’d probably rank it alongside HC’s in the New England area.
In terms of the student experience at Providence, we’ve found it welcoming. They live on campus for the first three years and then go off campus for senior year. Eaton Street is still a thing and to say that it’s a vibrant off-campus environment would be an understatement. This past weekend was Golf Party and I think there must have been 1000 kids there.
The other thing I’d look at is Worcester vs. Providence. Both good cities - what does she like to do?
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