Providence College makes PROMISE to Rising HS Seniors
Providence PROMISE Program motivates students and gets them on the path to college
Starting Tuesday, July 5, the Providence PROMISE Program at Providence College will provide 21 rising Providence high school students the opportunity to see what it is like to be a college student. As a way to experience what transitioning into college means, these students will, twice a week over the next five weeks, take classes and discover what it is like to do academic research, speak in front of their fellow students, complete critical reading and thinking exercises, and manage their time effectively.
This is the third summer this program is being held on the PC campus. Working directly with the Providence Public Schools and guidance counselors who nominate their students, PC reviews the submitted applications to make the final selection. The Providence PROMISE Program has grown from 13 participants its first year. This year’s students are from:
- Academy for Career Exploration (one student)
- Central High School (three students)
- Dr. Jorge Alvarez High School (three students)
- E-Cubed Academy (six students)
- Mt. Pleasant High School (eight students)
Participating students complete two Providence College courses: one in writing, to help sharpen this vital academic skill, and one in college skill building which includes creating habits that are integral to college success. They also engage in weekly workshops that cover the college admissions process including how to develop an application and making sense of the financial aid process.
Tuition is free for all of the accepted students. They also receive at no charge all necessary textbooks, lunch on campus and each student receives a temporary PC ID card which doubles as a free ride RIPTA bus pass.
“This program has become an important pathway for Providence high school students,” said Providence College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. “It provides them with the opportunity to take college-level classes and learn about what it means to be on a college campus. The hope is that understanding they can succeed in this environment and at this level will be a motivating factor for these students to complete a successful senior year of high school and go on to pursue a college education.”
The Providence PROMISE Program serves students who may be at the lower end of the admission spectrum and could be at-risk freshmen. Students selected for this program have the academic skills to be eligible for college but would benefit from additional assistance like this program to get them fully college ready. They would likely the first person in their family to attend college.
Providence College is the only college or university in the United States administered by the Dominican Friars. The Catholic, liberal arts college has an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 3,900 students and offers degrees in 49 academic majors. Since 1997, Providence College has consistently been ranked among the top five regional universities in the north according to U.S. News’ America’s Best Colleges.
