Transferring to Providence College: A Comprehensive Guide

Providence College (PC) welcomes transfer applicants who demonstrate strong scholastic preparation, good character, intellectual curiosity, and a clear motivational purpose both inside and outside the classroom. Admission is competitive, with the college selecting approximately 80 transfer students each year. 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. This guide provides detailed information on the transfer admission process, requirements, and important considerations for prospective transfer students.

General Requirements

Applicants to Providence College must complete the Common Application and forms for Transfer Students and submit the $65 application fee. The transfer application fee will be waived for transfer applicants who had applied to the College in the past. Students have the option of paying the application fee by credit card or by e-check.

Good Standing

Providence College does not enroll under any status a student who is not in good academic and disciplinary standing at a previous institution.

Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at their current institution.

Application Deadlines

The transfer application deadlines are:

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April 1 for candidates seeking admission to the fall semester. 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.
December 1 for candidates seeking admission to the spring semester.

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.

Academic Requirements

GPA and Coursework

Transfer applicants are encouraged to achieve a B average in their prior college work. Although Providence College does not stipulate a minimum GPA requirement for transfer students officially, a GPA of around 3.0 or above would make your application stronger.

We require a full year of coursework, in full-time attendance, at another accredited institution for students who have previously applied to the Providence College, but were not granted admission. We strongly recommend the successful completion of approximately 24 credits in one year of full-time study. Courses pursued at a two-year college should reflect a broad, liberal arts perspective. If you are attending a community college, the associate in arts in liberal arts (often called simply a “transfer program”) is your best choice.

Students who have earned at least 9 transferable credits after graduating from high school may apply for admission as a transfer student.

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.

High School Transcript

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.

Standardized Test Scores

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.

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 Office of the Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies.

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. Relevant information regarding course work from other institutions (e.g., course descriptions and/or syllabi) is reviewed by the appropriate academic department or program and/or the Assistant to the Provost 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.

Applicants accepted as transfer students are responsible for understanding how their transfer credits fit into their academic program requirements. 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 Office of the Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies is required in advance of any such enrollment. 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.

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Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Dual Enrollment Credit

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. Students are required to submit their course instructor’s name at the time they request credit.

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. Applicants should submit official documentation of each IB Higher Level examination for which they earned a score of 5, 6, or 7 to the Office of Admission. Each successfully passed IB Higher Level examination will earn three credits.

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 Assistant to the Provost.

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.

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.

Transfer Course Database

Check the Transfer Course Database to learn if the course is currently transferable. If the course is in the database, you will know whether or not the course will be accepted for transfer, and how it will transfer to your PC transcript. If the course you are interested in taking is not in the database that means it has not yet been articulated for transfer to PC. Once you have found courses that will be accepted for transfer, please please complete the Transfer Course Approval Form. A member of the Student Success Academic Advising team will follow up if there are any questions or issues regarding your transfer course selection. You must then register at the college/university for the approved course, and ensure that an official transcript is sent to the PC Registrar’s Office (Harkins 310) upon successful completion of the course. “Successful completion” means earning a “C” or better.

Required Documents

Providence College (PC) requires a number of completed documents for consideration.

Common Application for Transfer Students: Complete the application form online.
$65 Application Fee: Submit the non-refundable application fee or request a waiver if eligible.
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.
Official Transcripts: Request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities, as well as your final official high school transcript. Transcripts must be submitted directly from the high school or college to Providence College in order to be considered official.
Personal Statement: Please let us know why you wish to transfer.Your application should be a reflection of your most authentic self.
Course descriptions: Course descriptions for all courses you wish to have considered for transfer to Providence College are required.
Academic Evaluation (optional): This form may provide helpful information to the Committee on Admission.

The Admission Process

Transfer admission is selective, but our experienced staff is sensitive to individual circumstances and needs. Our Committee on Admission will review your application, college transcripts, high school records, college courses in progress, standardized test scores (if you choose to submit them), required essay, and intended major (if you have selected one), as well as college disciplinary records to assess whether your credentials and attributes make the grade.

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.

Factors Considered

The admissions committee considers several factors when reviewing transfer applications:

GPA and Academic Performance: A strong GPA, ideally 3.0 or higher, is essential. The most successful transfer applicants have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, although a strong academic performance does not guarantee admission.
Coursework: A rigorous full-time liberal arts program of study is preferred. Courses pursued at a two-year college should reflect a broad, liberal arts perspective.
Essay/Personal Statement: A compelling essay explaining your reasons for transferring and how Providence College aligns with your academic and career goals is crucial. Admissions officers want to know that you're serious about their institution and aren't just trying to escape a situation at your current college or university.
Recommendations: Strong recommendation letters can support your application.
Disciplinary Record: A clean disciplinary record is required.
Standardized Test Scores (Optional): Submission of SAT or ACT scores is optional.

Deferral

Deferral is a common practice whereby the Committee on Admission elects to wait for coursework in progress to be completed, and final grades submitted, prior to a final admission review. The Committee on Admission sometimes recommends the completion of an additional semester in a full-time liberal arts curriculum prior to further admission consideration. This is also a deferral, yet it differs from the regular deferral process. In such instances, the committee has determined that, for sound academic reasons, the student is better served by waiting for admission consideration for the next entry term.

Interview

Providence College will make your transfer application process as personalized and comprehensive as possible. An admission interview - which we recommend but do not require - is the best way to get to know the College and to plan effectively for transition. Applicants are encouraged to visit Providence College for a personal interview, an individual day visit, Information Session, and/or a student-guided tour before or after they apply for admission.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Meeting the costs of education is a challenge for most students and families. Providence College is committed to assisting eligible students, within the limits of available institutional and federal funding. Need-based aid is available through institutional and federal need-based grants, loans, and work opportunities.

St. Rose of Lima Transfer Scholarship

A St. Rose of Lima Transfer Scholarship of up to $24,000 per year is available to transfer students who have demonstrated superior academic performance in college coursework completed prior to enrolling in the fall semester. Students who have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 in a rigorous full-time liberal arts program of study will be considered for these awards. While a 3.5 cumulative GPA does not guarantee a scholarship, it suggests the minimum type of performance necessary to be a competitive candidate. Students must complete a full year of coursework before transferring to Providence College to be eligible for consideration for the St. Rose of Lima Transfer Scholarship. The scholarship is renewable for each year of uninterrupted study at Providence College but will not extend past the expected date of graduation year as indicated on the enrollment reservation form. The scholarship is available only for students entering in the fall semester. It is strongly suggested students apply by the April 1 Priority Deadline to be considered for this scholarship.

Cristo Rey Transfer Scholarship

The Cristo Rey Transfer Scholarship is an award offered for graduates from Cristo Rey high schools. This scholarship covers 50% of tuition and includes an enhanced aid package to support students as they transition to college. Available for fall transfers only, the program is limited to five awards each year, providing a unique opportunity for Cristo Rey alumni to further their education with substantial financial assistance.

Special Circumstances

Not everyone’s path to college admission and completion is the same. If you have questions about readmission, reinstatement, deferring enrollment, or other considerations, please review the Providence College’s policies regarding special circumstances.

International Students

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. Providence College provides academic merit-based, athletic scholarships, and a limited amount of need-based financial assistance to international students each year. 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. 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. 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.

Home-Schooled Students

Providence College welcomes applications from individuals who have proof of graduation from a home-schooled program. If home-schooled applicants follow a prescribed curriculum, evidence of course work completed will need to be submitted. Please note that all home-schooled students are required to have an interview either in person, via phone, or skype.

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.

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