Providence College

Outcomes should be the focus. Let's be real. If you want to be plugged into the top Colleges, (whatever US NEWS publishes on their rankings), and you don't have the lineage, (i.e. Chote, Phillips, St. Paul, etc.), you'd better be a Valedictorian with 40k hrs worth of public service, captain of the soccer, or football team, NHS, Class President, etc. or give it up on the first round.

Go to your second or third choice and transfer...., but what is this really about? Success? Money? Prestige? Parents? Bragging to your lame friends from your High School? I am not a font of wisdom, but I believe that the student should fit the school and the school should fit the student, both during and after those precious 4, (last I checked), years.

Could I have pushed myself more when I was 11-17? Yes. Could I have matriculated into a "better school"? Probably. Would I have benefited from the "presitge" of a bigger name school, (H, P, D, Y, LESSER IVY'S W, A, B, etc.) If I pushed myself.

The question remains; what did my college do for me? Well, Providence College is not a trade school, per se. Their "trade" is critical thinking, which is the foundation of Liberal Arts, so any impact on my "success" is indirect. In my case, although the pace seemed glacial, the influence of my undergraduate experience is undeniable. I love what I am doing, and I frequently call upon the intimate teachings of those so ever flighting four years.

Don't get caught up in the hype! Whether you can afford, or get into the college of your choice, in the scheme of things, it doesn't really matter, (ok, the connections of the Skull and Bones seem to work out pretty well).Aside from hooking up with the Vice Prince of Quatar, and chumming with your father's crew-mate's son at Yale, the "top" schools may not be for your. Hang Loose, and go with it.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000