Not for the faint of heart

Introduction
I chose Providence for one main reason, the money they gave me. Nothing else. Luckily I hit the jackpot cause I really couldn't imagine being anywhere else. Growing up in Catholic school my entire life I am sure made the transition easier and conversely kids who have not had the Catholic school experience or are not Catholic might find it a bit overwhelming. Bottom line, if you are not willing to study alot and drink alot, this might not be the place for you.

Campus Life and Social Life
For the majority of students at PC, social life consists of two things, sports and drinking. If you are not a student athlete, odds are you play intramural sports (I believe PC is somewhere on the US News' 'Everyone plays intramural sports' list). That being said, the majority of students spend their social time drinking. On campus and off campus, over 21 and under 21, Providence does not discriminate. With a pretty decent bar scene for a school in the middle of a ghetto and plenty of houses or apartments if you're not the bar type, Providence has alot to offer in terms of that. Additionally, nearly no one goes home on weekends, so if a suitcase school is what you are looking for Providence is not it. Sports are popular here, alot of students do attend games and the school competes in the BIG EAST, but not nearly as all-encompassing as at a big state school. Advertisement
Academics
If you have done any research about PC, you have probably heard all about CIV. Development of Western Civilization, and if you do choose PC, you will become VERY intimately acquainted with it, and most likely you will not be happy about it. CIV is a 20 credit, 4 semester long course, mandatory for all freshmen and sophomores, that covers art, literature, history, theology, and philosophy in the western world from the dawn of man to about last week. You will hate every second of it while in it but, in a strange way miss it when it is over. Most class sizes are about 15-20: 1 and there are no TAs, all classes are taught by professors. All of which, in my experience, are very knowledgeable and accessible. Best concentrations are in the sciences or business, but as a liberal arts school, the curriculum as a whole is very strong. Most classes, while not impossible, will not be able to be passed the way you coasted through high school, work will have to be put in, but you will see the results.

Student Body
As you have probably heard, PC is not the most diverse school in the world, but it does not claim to be. While strides are being made to remedy that, you will still see a large majority of white, upper middle class, Catholic kids walking around campus. If you are okay with that or that is even something you are looking for, then PC will be the experience of a lifetime, that you can be sure of.

In Closing...
PC really is an excellent school, and getting better. If a fast paced, work hard play hard lifestyle is what you are looking for in a college, but would also like some sort of religious or spiritual presence than PC is the place for you.