<p>While there are certainly many greats things about Providence, there are a few things my S wish he had known before he went. In case it would be helpful, here are some things we did not know or fully realize</p>
<p>-Western Civ - there are a lot of good things to say about this course, which is required for all students and takes place over 2 years, 5 days a week. You will read the classics, and learn a great deal. However, the work load is really substantial - you will be reading approx 15 books per semester. This is fine, but the credits do not transfer to many, perhaps most, other schools. This plays no small part in the transfer decisions of many students. Once you've put in all of that work, you're going to stay whether you like it or not, rather than lose the credits. </p>
<p>-The neighborhood - the school is in a lousy part of town. Crimes against students off-campus are a problem. The bus, which stops right on campus, sounds great, until you take it. Safety is a concern. </p>
<p>-on campus activities - pretty non-existent. If you are not into bars and/or house parties and/or drinking, it will be a challenge to find things to do and people to hang out with.</p>
<p>-the food - not just a little bad, really bad. The only decent food is not available on the meal plan, which means spending even more than you are already spending. </p>
<p>Again, it's not all bad by any means. Just info which may be helpful.</p>
<p>Sounds like your S is ambivalent about his expereince. I’ve heard both sides-- kids who LOVE it and those who thought too small, too much Western Civ, etc… Maybe offering a Gap yr or comm college semester to your son is worth it. At least challenge him with the idea. Especially at $47K+ a year. </p>
<p>I did my comm college & transferred to Cornell (on my own dime). My H started at Fairfield & transferred to Univ. West VA. – dirt cheap routes & we cherish them. S is at Villanova, we challenge him to the value of this $49K BS all the time. Frankly, I don’t believe the value is there. </p>
<p>I like PC, & thinking of it for no# 2 but no guarentees. $45- $50K = $200K. There’s no printing press here. # 2 gets understands our position— and talks about scholarship all the time & state schools. New reality.</p>
<p>nj, thank you for your kind concern, but he is actually not ambivalent - really was unhappy and transferred to another 4 year school. All the best to you and yours in your search :)</p>
<p>Opt 25: Sorry your son didn’t find his niche at PC. My daughter will be a junior there this fall and loves it! You are correct; PC is not for everyone, but then what college is? FWIW, I totally agree with you about the Western Civ class. My daughter is not very interested in history so I was sure she would hate this class and do poorly. She surprised me however, and while it wasn’t her favorite class, she does admit she learned quite a bit. The college has recently decided to revamp the Western Civ class, so changes are in the air. Agree with you about the transfer credits, though. D says transferring after you have taken 10 credits of a subject freshman year that probably won’t transfer to your new school is a dealbreaker for some kids.
The immediate area outside PC is a bit sketchy, I admit, but D takes the RIPTA on a regular basis with friends and says she never feels unsafe. As for the food, D says the nights they serve Buffalo chicken wraps, the line is out the door. No complaints about food from my picky eater. Friends from other colleges have visited her and commented how the food is much better than at their school. To each his own, I guess.
D has found no shortage of things to do at PC. She is involved in several clubs, goes into Providence with her friends, occasionally goes up to Boston to see friends, does classwork, hangs out with friends and goes to the gym. She is a regular at the PC home games at the Dunkin Donuts Center and is actively involved in one of the schools many volunteer programs. Doesn’t leave her much time for anything else!
Just my .02 cents so that others can see a different point of view! As you said, not all bad by any means. I hope your son made a smooth transition to his new school and loves it there!</p>
<p>Thanks for adding your point of view to this thread Peachy. My D is about to start as a freshman at PC and is very excited, esp. after her registration day last week. She met a lot of fellow science majors and is really looking forward to getting involved in campus life and becoming a season ticket holder for basketball!
Through the college decision process we talked to many current PC students and a fair number of alumni (work associates, people around town etc.) The sense I had regarding DWC is that there is this dislike going through it due to the sheer volume of work, but a profound appreciation for what the course teaches you going forward. Most alumni seem to find a big benefit in it, no matter the major. I hope my D finds that to be true.
I can certainly appreciate the frustration of someone who finds that PC is not the right school for them and then to have troubles transferring the credits.</p>