Admission

Office of Admission
Phone: 401.865.2535
Toll-Free: 800.721.6444
Location: Harkins Hall 103

The admission requirements and procedures are designed to help the College select those applicants best qualified to benefit from the educational opportunities at Providence College. The College welcomes applicants who evidence thorough scholastic preparation, good character, intellectual curiosity, and motivational purpose both in and outside of school. 

Admission to Providence College is competitive. Entering classes consist of approximately 1,200 students selected from a pool that averages over 12,500 applicants. In general, all applicants are encouraged to broaden their reading outside of class and to take every opportunity to develop their competence in writing. Applicants who cannot demonstrate competence in written English will be at a distinct disadvantage in the competition for admission.

First-Year Admission Requirements

1. Application and Notification
Applicants to Providence College must complete the Common Application and forms, and submit the $65 application fee. Students have the option of paying the application fee by credit card or by e-check. Applicants who require an application fee waiver may request one through the Common Application.

The application deadlines for first-year admission are as follows:

Providence College exclusively uses the online Common Application and the College is unable to accept paper or offline applications for any reason, including if a student has maximized the number of available submissions established by the Common Application.

Applicants must submit a non-refundable enrollment fee before the designated deadline to confirm enrollment. Late applicants for any deadline will be considered on the basis of availability of classroom and residence hall space.

Providence College provides updates during the course of the admission process to applicants via e-mail. Therefore, it is important that applicants provide the College with an e-mail address that will be active throughout the application process.

2. Secondary School Report and Transcript(s)
The school or college counselor’s assessment of the applicant’s character and accomplishments, and an official transcript of the secondary school record, should be forwarded to the College; the secondary school transcript should consist of courses of a substantive college-preparatory nature. Individual cases may vary, but it is highly recommended that at a minimum an applicant complete four years of English, four years of mathematics, three years of social studies, three years of one world language, and three years of science, with at least two laboratory courses. Students who are most successful have completed four years of the five core subjects (English, mathematics, science, history, and world language), and have challenged themselves by selecting and completing honors and advanced placement courses offered at their high school. Providence College does not admit students who have a GED instead of a high school diploma. Students with a GED are only allowed to transfer after obtaining an associate degree.

Applicants planning to major in the disciplines of science or mathematics will be at a distinct disadvantage if they have not taken four years of math and science during their high school studies. Students considering a major in the sciences should complete at least pre-calculus, and preferably calculus, at an advanced level along with four years of science, including biology, chemistry, and physics, and another upper-level lab science. Students who declare a major in the School of Business must complete pre-calculus as a prerequisite to enter as a business major.

Students are required to submit transcripts for all academic coursework they have attempted or completed and are not allowed to forfeit any semesters of enrollment.

3. Recommendations
Applicants may send additional optional letters of recommendation from a teacher, coach, employer, or someone who knows them well.

4. SAT or ACT Examinations
Submission of standardized test scores is optional. The review for admission at Providence College focuses on the applicant’s high-school performance, involvement, recommendations, and other application materials, rather than standardized test results. The applicant, therefore, may decide whether or not to submit standardized test results with other application materials. Applicants who choose not to submit SAT or ACT test scores will not be penalized in the review for admission. While submission of SAT or ACT test scores are not required for admission to the College, students who declare teacher education majors are required by the state of Rhode Island to pass the SAT or ACT at a specific level in order to be eligible for state certification upon completion of their degree. For additional information and test requirements please visit Education Programs . For additional details about the test-optional policy please visit https://admission.providence.edu/apply/standardized-testing/.

5. Academic and Disciplinary Standing
Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at their current institution. Providence College reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission if we learn of behavior that brings into question an admitted student’s honesty, maturity, or good moral character, or that would otherwise have caused us to not have extended an offer of admission.

Early Decision

Students who have identified Providence College as their first choice may apply at our Early Decision deadlines of November 1 (Early Decision I) or January 15 (Early Decision II). Early Decision is a binding agreement, which means that students who are admitted to the College through this program are expected to withdraw their applications to all other colleges and attend Providence College. Students who have previously applied Early Action and are still being considered for admission have the option to change to Early Decision II.

Early Decision I applicants will receive one of three decisions: they may be admitted to PC, or they may be deferred, or they may be denied admission. Students who are deferred will be released from the Early Decision agreement and will be reconsidered in March. A deny at the Early Decision stage is a final decision, and students who are denied are not eligible to reapply at the Regular Decision deadline.

Early Decision II applicants may be admitted, they may be placed on the waitlist or they may be denied admission. All students who are placed on the waitlist are released from the Early Decision agreement. Those who opt to remain on the waitlist will receive regular waitlist updates via email as the admission office assesses enrollment goals. A deny at the Early Decision II stage is a final decision.

Early Action

Well-qualified applicants are encouraged to apply as Early Action candidates in order to receive notification of a decision by early January. To be considered under this program, applications must be received by November 1. Early Action decisions are based on school records at the end of the junior year, senior-year course schedule, and SAT or ACT test results if submitted, in addition to the other pieces of the Common Application.

The Committee on Admission will respond to applicants not accepted under the Early Action Program in the following manner:

1. Those for whom a favorable decision may still be possible will be deferred to the regular applicant group to be reconsidered in March. If Providence College emerges as a top choice, students who are deferred in the Early Action pool may change to Early Decision II.
2. Remaining applicants will be notified of a final negative decision immediately, an approach which benefits those applicants who might wish to pursue alternative application plans. Applicants who are denied admission at the Early Action stage may not reapply at Regular Decision or change to Early Decision II.

Regular Decision

Applying at the Regular Decision deadline is an opportunity for students to present a more complete application to the Committee on Admission. Students who would like the Committee to consider their first semester or trimester in the senior year as part of the application, or test scores taken after the early deadlines, are encouraged to apply at the Regular Decision deadline. Regular Decision applicants will receive one of three decisions; they may be admitted, placed on the waitlist, or they may be denied admission. Students who opt to remain on the waitlist will receive regular waitlist updates via e-mail as the admission office assesses enrollment goals.

For information about merit scholarships, financial aid, and need-based scholarships please reference the Financial Aid and Scholarships  section of the catalog.

Transfer Admission Requirements

Students who have earned at least 9 transferable credits after graduating from high school may apply for admission as a transfer student. Students who earned an associate’s degree in a dual enrollment program while simultaneously earning a high school diploma must apply as first-year students and are still subject to the College’s eight semester residency requirement. Transfer applicants are encouraged to achieve a B average in their prior college work to be competitive for admission. Transfer credit toward undergraduate degrees will be granted for approved academic work with a grade of C or better at a fully accredited institution. Providence College does not enroll under any status a student who is not in good academic and disciplinary standing at a previous institution. Students seeking admission from two-year colleges and who have graduated from high school are normally encouraged to complete requirements for the associate degree prior to transfer but are not required to do so. All students who have earned a GED are required to complete an associate degree to be eligible to apply for transfer. Applicants who had applied to Providence College as a first-year student, but were not granted admission, are required to complete one full year of college course work in a full-time status before reapplying as a transfer student.

1. Application
Students who wish to apply for transfer to Providence College must complete the Common Application, and submit the $65 application fee. The transfer application fee will be waived for transfer applicants who applied to the College in the past. Students have the option of paying the application fee by credit card or by e-check. Applicants who require an application fee waiver may request one through the Common Application.

The application deadlines for transfer admission are as follows:

Adherence to these deadlines allows full consideration by the Committee on Admission, evaluation of course work for transfer credit, and a review for campus housing and financial aid. Late applications for any deadline will be considered on the basis of availability of classroom and residence hall space.

2. College Report
The College Report may be found at www.commonapp.org. Transfer applicants must print the form and submit it to the college official who has access to academic and disciplinary records at the current or most recently attended college. The completed form should then be sent to Providence College. Providence College will not review an application without this report.

Transfer applicants must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at their current institution. Providence College reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission if we learn of behavior that brings into question an admitted student’s honesty, maturity, or good moral character, or that would otherwise have caused us to not have extended an offer of admission.

3. Official Transcripts
Transfer applicants must request that the final official high school transcript and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended be sent to Providence College. If transfer applicants have course work in progress at the time of application, a transcript that documents all course work completed to date should be sent. Students are required to submit transcripts for all academic coursework they have attempted or completed and are not allowed to forfeit any semesters of enrollment.

4. Personal Statement
The essay will be used to evaluate writing skills and to learn student intentions for entering the transfer process.

5. Recommendations
Transfer applicants are welcome to submit letters of recommendation; however, they are optional.

6. Syllabi
Students are required to send course descriptions or class syllabi to syllabi@providence.edu for transfer credit evaluation. The evaluation must be completed before an admission decision.

7. Notification
Transfer applicants for the spring semester receive notification on a rolling basis two to four weeks after receipt of the completed application beginning November 1. Candidates for the fall semester receive notification beginning mid to late April. After that, notification will be sent four weeks after all application materials are received.

8. SAT or ACT Examinations
Submission of standardized test scores is optional. The academic review for transfer admission at Providence College focuses on the applicant’s high school and college-level performance, essay, disciplinary standing, and recommendations, if submitted, rather than standardized test results. The applicant, therefore, may decide whether or not to submit standardized test results with other application materials. Students who choose not to submit SAT or ACT test scores will not be penalized in the review for admission. While submission of SAT or ACT test scores are not required for admission to the College, students who declare teacher education majors are required by the state of Rhode Island to pass the SAT or ACT at a specific level in order to be eligible for state certification upon completion of their degree. For additional information and test requirements please visit Education Programs . For additional details about the test-optional policy please visit https://admission.providence.edu/apply/standardized-testing/.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 60 hours of transfer credit may be accepted toward the undergraduate degree. Students who have earned 60 credits through transfer course work may enroll in additional transfer courses (e.g. a summer course) only with approval from the Associate Provost for Academic Policy and Mission Support. To be eligible for a degree, transfer students must complete the final two years in full-time attendance at Providence College and earn at least 50 percent of their major credits with Providence College course work.

Ordinarily, the College accepts transfer credits for courses taken at another accredited institution in which students have earned grades of “C” or better; however, grades received in course work completed at other institutions are not computed in a student’s grade point average at Providence College. Only grades earned at Providence College or through its approved affiliate semester programs are computed in the student’s grade point average.

Relevant information regarding course work from other institutions (e.g., course descriptions and/or syllabi) is reviewed by the appropriate academic department or program to determine existing Providence College course equivalents if any. Approved transfer courses are identified on the College’s transcripts with the Providence College course equivalent. In the event that an exact match in the College’s curriculum does not exist, the College may award elective credit.

Applicants accepted as transfer students are responsible for understanding how their transfer credits fit into their academic program requirements. Students should consult with their faculty advisor and/or the Student Success Center if they have questions regarding the applicability of transfer course work toward their degree.

After initial matriculation at Providence College, students may seek permission to enroll in courses at other institutions in fulfillment of their major, minor, or certificate program requirements. Written authorization from the Student Success Center is required in advance of any such enrollment. Credits earned at other institutions through summer school or intersession courses may be approved only for the purpose of rectifying deficiencies in credit hours earned or fulfilling specific program requirements as authorized, not for the purpose of accelerating the advancement of graduation class year status.

Students who have earned transfer credits with specific Providence College equivalencies may not enroll in the same course and receive additional credit. In adherence to the College’s course-repeat policy (see Office of the Registrar ), credits may only be earned for the most recent course attempt. Thus, the original transfer credit will remain on the official transcript, but may not be counted toward the student’s earned credit hours or grade point average.

Official transcripts listing all transfer coursework from the accredited institutions must be forwarded to the Office of Admission.

College credits earned through advanced placement or dual enrollment while in high school will be noted as such on the academic record following appropriate approval by the Associate Provost for Academic Policy and Mission Support.

Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate/High School-College Dual Enrollment/A-Levels: Cambridge International Exams

The College participates in the Advanced Placement Program administered by the College Entrance Examination Board. Students who demonstrate superior performance in the Advanced Placement Examination (a score of 4 or 5) will be awarded Advanced Placement credit. See the Advanced Placement (AP) Equivalency Chart  for more specific information concerning the placement of AP courses within the academic program.

Providence College recognizes credit earned through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Exam Chart , an internationally recognized curriculum and examination program. Of the two IB examination levels (Higher Level and Standard Level), the College recognizes the Higher Level examinations where a score of 5, 6, or 7 has been achieved. Each successfully passed examination in the Higher Level of the IB program will earn three credits. Official documentation of each successfully completed examination with the conditions noted must be submitted to the Office of Admission prior to a student’s matriculation at the College.

Students who successfully complete dual enrollment courses at accredited institutions should submit an official college transcript to the Office of Admission by August 1. Credit for dual enrollment courses is ordinarily not awarded for courses required for high school graduation. Students taught college-level courses by high school faculty are not eligible for credit in those courses, but are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement Examinations in order to be considered for credit. To be eligible for dual-enrolled credit, courses must be taken on the college campus and/or taught by a college or university faculty member of record. The Office of the Provost reserves the right to determine whether courses are taken from a college or university by incoming students while in high school may be accepted as transfer credits. Final approval of dual enrollment course credits will be made by the associate provost for academic policy and mission support. Students who wish to obtain academic credit for dual enrollment courses should plan to meet with the associate provost during their first semester at Providence College.

Providence College accepts select University of Cambridge International Advanced Level examinations. Students earning grades of A, B, or C on the A-Level exams may be eligible to earn transfer credit. A-Level exams will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic department or designee. Providence College will not award transfer credit for AS or O-level exams. An official transcript with the course syllabi should be sent to the Office of Admission for review.

Students who are granted Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), dual enrollment, or A-Levels: Cambridge International Exams credit are still required to complete the College’s full-time, eight-semester requirement. (See Academic Policies , General Degree Requirements, Number 6.)

International Students & Scholars

Applications from international students are considered for full-time degree programs beginning in the fall semester. International students must take necessary steps to assure that a complete application including official transcripts, official test scores, letters of recommendation, certificate of finances, and the PC supplement are forwarded to the Office of Admission by the designated deadlines. Transcripts from non-English-speaking countries must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

While individual circumstances may vary, international students whose native language is not English are normally expected to present results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test (DET). For information regarding administration of these exams, please contact the coordinator of international admission in the Office of Admission.

Providence College provides academic merit-based, athletic scholarships, and a limited amount of need-based financial assistance to international students each year. Merit-based scholarships are awarded by the Committee on Scholarships to students whose application for admission displays outstanding academic credentials. 

Students seeking consideration for need-based financial assistance are required to submit the CSS Profile along with all supporting bank statements (no more than 3 months old) at the time they apply for admission. Candidates will be considered for admission and institutional need-based financial assistance based upon a review of the academic qualifications, financial need, and availability of student aid resources.

Please note that international students who do not plan to apply for need-based financial assistance are still required to submit the International Student Certification of Finances form and supporting bank statements with their application for admission. Providence College utilizes a need-aware admission policy for international students. Those students who demonstrate that they can afford the cost of attendance will be given preference in the evaluation process.

Providence College is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State to enroll non-immigrant students. Admitted undergraduate international applicants are issued an F-1 student visa for study at the College. In order to be issued an F-1 visa, admitted international applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: letter of admission to the College, evidence of financial funds to support all educational and living expenses in the U.S., payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee, evidence of English proficiency, and possession of the Form I-20. The Form I-20 is issued by Providence College and mailed to the student once Providence College receives the Enrollment Response Form and other necessary financial documentation. The student must have the Form I-20 prior to making the consular appointment to receive the visa stamp.

International students are required to have obtained appropriate immigration status from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services prior to the start of school.

The Director of International Student Success in the Center for Global Education, and the Student Success Center provide advising services to international students and visiting scholars with respect to immigration and visa matters, work permission, orientation, cultural adjustment, and personal concerns. The Directors serve as a liaison for international students with other campus offices, faculty, and administrative staff, and sponsors various social and cultural activities throughout the year. A mandatory Welcome Program is held prior to the start of the Fall semester to help new incoming international students with cultural and social integration to the U.S. and to the academic expectations of Providence College.

Admission for Home-Schooled Students

Providence College welcomes applications from individuals who have proof of graduation from a home-schooled program. As with the requirements for applicants from public or private schools, the submission of standardized test scores is optional.

If home-schooled applicants follow a prescribed curriculum, evidence of course work completed will need to be submitted. If not associated with a particular program or institution, the applicant is encouraged to submit a descriptive résumé that outlines the student’s high school work, level of challenge, and depth and breadth of curriculum.

For additional information please visit https://admission.providence.edu/apply/home-schooled-students/.

Early Admission

Although the College believes that most students benefit from four years of secondary education, early admission may be approved for outstanding candidates who have completed less than the traditional sequence of requirements. Students who will have demonstrated superior achievement upon completion of three years of secondary education and who have exhausted the advanced courses in their secondary school program may apply for early admission in the same manner as those students who will have completed four years of secondary education before enrolling at Providence College. In addition, early admission applicants must be recommended by their high school principal or guidance counselor on the basis of academic potential and emotional maturity. An admission interview is required.

Deferred Enrollment

It is possible for admitted students to defer enrollment for up to one year. Students wishing to defer admission should contact the Office of Admission before August 1. Students whose requests are approved will be informed that they may not enroll in a post-graduate program or as a matriculated student at another institution. During the deferral year, however, students may earn a maximum of eight college credits. For purposes of determining whether credits taken during the deferral year may be counted among the credits required to graduate from Providence College, our Transfer Credit Policy will apply. 

Students granted a deferral still are expected to submit the non-refundable enrollment fee by the appropriate deadline to secure their place in the class, and (if applicable) their merit scholarship, for the following academic year. It is important to note that financial aid packages may also be modified for the following academic year. Students must re-apply each year for need-based financial aid and submit the CSS Profile and FAFSA by the deadlines published on our website.

Readmission and Reinstatement

Students who voluntarily withdraw from the College and who wish to reapply for admission should begin the process by contacting the Student Success Center. For additional information, please refer to the Academic Policies  section of this catalog. Students who are dismissed for academic reasons may petition the Committee on Academic Status for reinstatement to the College as outlined in the Academic Policies  section of this catalog.

Non-Degree/Special Student Status

Special student status is reserved for those persons who are not baccalaureate degree candidates at the College but who wish to select one or more courses for academic credit for which they are qualified and can demonstrate special need. One must have held a high school diploma for at least two years to be eligible to apply. Applicants from other colleges and universities must present evidence of good academic and disciplinary standing. Attendance at Providence College as a special student is on a non-degree, non-matriculated status only. Special students are not eligible for campus housing or financial aid. Enrollment is normally for one semester only. A maximum of 12 credits earned in special student status may be applied toward degree requirements.

Applications for consideration as a special student are available from the Office of Admission. Applications and supporting credentials should be submitted by August 15 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester.

Veterans’ Deployment and Readmission Policy

Under the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, a student who is called to active duty in the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard or Reserve for a period of more than 30 days is entitled to re-enroll in the same program, with the same enrollment status, number of credits, and academic standing as when they were last in attendance at Providence College.

Readmission is allowed provided the student meets the following requirements:

• the cumulative length of the student’s absences from the college because of service on active duty does not exceed five years (which period may be extended in certain cases, as provided by statute);
• the student notifies the college upon completion of service that they intend to re-enroll at the college; and
• the student has not been discharged from the Armed Forces with a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge.