<p>Just generally, in regards to basic academics and social life of the three: which is the all around best. I understand it varies from person to person, but I'd appreciate thoughts. Thanks!</p>
<p>Holy Cross is by far easily the best of the three followed by Providence and then Stonehill. If you look at rankings at US News & World Reports as well as the Princeton Review they both confirm this.</p>
<p>Academically Holy Cross is the best however I personally love Stonehill. It depends what is important to you.</p>
<p>Stonehill14 - Do you presently go to Stonehill?</p>
<p>Stonehill was no.1 in Baccalaureate Colleges catagory for years but they were offered a chance to switch catagories and they did. It’s a bigger pond, LAC’s, so the small college dropped a bit. It did however get into US News “up and coming colleges” which is a good thing if the ratings matter to you. It also has a lot of nice programs and study abroad opportunities.
My daughters looked at all 3 and loved them all, Providence third. The atmosphere is a bit different at each and rules about merit and aid. For instance, if you want to study abroad, Stonehill lets you use your merit award, Providence doesn’t. Holy Cross says you have to go for the full year, the others don’t. Holy Cross doesn’t give merit but meets full need. For some, that would make it better or worse.
This might not matter to you, but there are other things that you might like to look at.</p>
<p>HC is ranked #35 on US News & World Reports and Stonehill is #112. Providence is not
ranked on the national rankings list so hard to compare.</p>
<p>Princeton Review Academic Rating:</p>
<p>Holy Cross 98
Stonehill 90
Providence 80</p>
<p>I posted this in the PC thread:</p>
<p>Stonehill is working on getting AACSB accreditation for its business program. I’m a business student there. There are a wide range of business classes offered that are challenging and interesting. Not sure about PC but Holy Cross doesn’t have a business program (I believe).</p>
<p>I’m also an athlete at Stonehill. Most of my friends are too. We enjoy competing in the NE-10 conference and it’s a nice balance between athletics, academics, and having a good time.</p>
<p>PC is in the Big East conference with other schools like Syracuse and Villanova. It’s bigger than Stonehill and therefore has more fans than participating athletes.</p>
<p>I’ve been to all three schools. HC has older-looking buildings and is situated on a hill in Worcester. I know some students live across the street in houses. Much more of an urban setting than Stonehill. I’m assuming they have challenging classes and great programs, but they also enjoy partying on the weekends.</p>
<p>PC also has a much more urban setting than Stonehill. I visited someone who lived in a townhouse off campus. Didn’t see the campus, just a bar down the road.</p>
<p>I know most people live on campus at Stonehill. Currently building a new five story dorm next to my current dorm, and just opened a nice science building that I only occasionally visit for Dunkin’ Donuts coffee (science students probably find more use for it).</p>
<p>It’s also ranked by Princeton Review for having a top study abroad program (I know a lot of people who have studied abroad and loved it) and for other things like happiest students (not sure how you can measure such a thing).</p>
<p>I enjoy visiting other schools like HC and PC, but it’s nice coming home to the Hill.</p>
<p>Sorry, but this is like comparing Williams to Bucknell or Gettysburg. Obviously, Holy Cross is the best school.</p>
<p>Sorry, but that is a rather elitist view of the college selection process. Important to remember when looking at US News and similar ranking systems is that much of the ultimate “number” is based on peer review. Obviously, a larger, older school would have more clout in that department than Stonehill, a 60-year-old school with only 2450 students. </p>
<p>Perhaps you should look at factors that will be more important once you get past the “applying to college” phase and into the “graduating from college and getting a job” phase. Stonehill has a great reputation with employers, an incredible graduation rate, and provides great opportunities for undergraduate students while they are there. </p>
<p>Breaking the college selection process down to an arbitrary number will prove ineffective in the long run.</p>
<p>If anyone has any questions about Stonehill and the programs/opportunities at the school, please email me. I am a current Stonehill student and am extremely glad that I CHOSE not to attend Holy Cross and Providence, among others.</p>
<p>I don’t think a lot of people realize how young Stonehill is. I hadn’t when we first went.</p>
<p>stonehillstudent- very mature and well written post. My D chose HC over StoneHill and PC
Didnt even apply there, just disliked the vibe). I think the point about it being a young campus is a good one.</p>
<p>Stonehill
Founded 1948 (62 years old)
Endowment $162M
Students: 2347</p>
<p>Holy Cross
Founded 1843 (167 years old)
Endowment: $490M
Students: 2817</p>