...you'll love it when the sun is shining."

I heard that when I visited Providence College for the first time as a high school junior. It was absolutely pouring outside, but my tour guide was still in incredibly high spirits. And even though it rained the next two times I visited PC, I already loved it- I didn't even need the sun! That was nearly 10 years ago, and now here I am working for the Office of Admission at Providence College...

I spoke those words today to about 50 high school juniors and parents at a Group Information Session on campus; many of these students were visiting campus for the first time, and I hope that they enjoyed their experience, despite the raindrops they had to dodge during their campus tour. Hopefully, they were able to look beyond the weather and see all of the great opportunities offered here at PC.

But these words also have meaning for our invited students, seniors who have visited campus multiple times (in many different types of weather!). If you are an invited student, you are coming to the point where you will make your college decision. You have likely received acceptance letters from a number of different colleges and universities, and are considering the different aspects of each school as you go about making your decision. And now the question many students have is, "How do I decide?"

Well, there are certainly a number of factors you and your family need to consider: academic programs, availability of majors, campus environment, student activities, location, size, financial aid/scholarship information, athletics, grad school/career preparation services, internship and study abroad opportunities and I'm sure many other factors that will vary by individual student.

But it is also important to find the environment you feel most comfortable in... Whether it's a small school or a large school, a rural or urban environment, you want to select the school where you can most see yourself living for the next four years. That's why visiting campus and meeting current students and staff members are so important when making your decision... that "feeling" you'll get on one campus that you won't get on others might not be explainable, but it can help you decide which school is truly the right fit for you.

So, visit us at PC and visit your other choices again, if you can. Take another campus tour. Shadow a current student and sit in on class through the Day Visit program. Join your potential future classmates at Family Day. Or just come to campus and walk around on your own. How do you feel on each campus that you visit? Can you see yourself there? Talk to current students... can you see yourself as one of them?

It's a tough decision to make for many students, I know... and no college or university is perfect. But, if you can find the place that you feel the most comfortable, the place that shines the brightest of all the schools you visited even when it's raining outside, you'll have found the place that will become your "home" for the next four years.

I wish all of you the best of luck in making your decision over the next several weeks... Obviously, I hope you decide that Providence College is the place for you but if not, I certainly wish you the best at whatever college or university you decide to attend. If we can answer any final questions as you narrow down your choices, please don't hesitate to be in touch with our office. And again, take the time to come visit again... even if it's raining. And if you like it in the rain, I'm pretty sure you'll really love it when the sun is shining.

Best wishes and good luck,
Scott