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International Students

Knowing the cultural diversity that international students bring to the campus, Providence College welcomes applicants from other countries. International students are considered for September admission to full-time programs.

The Office of Admission also has made available our print publications that will provide you with additional information about Providence College: 

Admission Deadlines

  • The deadline for receipt of Early Action application material is 1 November. International students who have applied by the 1 November Early Action deadline must submit the International Student Certification of Finances by 1 December.

  •  The deadline for receipt of Early Decision application material is 1 December. International students who have applied by the 1 November Early Action deadline must submit the International Student Certification of Finances by 1 December. 

  • The deadline for receipt of Regular Decision application material is 15 January. International students who have applied by the 1 November Early Action deadline must submit the International Student Certification of Finances by 1 February.

  • The date for receipt of university transfer student application is 1 April. 

Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission to Providence College, you must submit the following:
 
  • The Common Application
    We solely use the Common Application. Components of the application include:

  • Secondary School Report and high school transcript(s)/Leaving Certificates/Predicted scores:
    We hope to gain an understanding of your secondary level academic preparation from materials that will differ based upon your school curriculum and country. T
    ranscripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

  • Recommendations: We require one from your college advisor/administrator, and one from a teacher of your choice. Additional recommendations may be submitted if you feel they can add relevant, insightful information about you. 

  • Personal essay: With the Common Application, you have several broad choices for the required essay. Use this piece of writing to not only illustrate your writing skills, but also to share something personal about yourself with the admission committee. With the essay we are trying to evaluate your communication skills as much as trying to get a glimpse of your personality.

  • The Supplemental Form
    A comprehensive form particular to Providence College

  • Standardized Test Scores: Submission of standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) is optional for all students applying for admission. Additional details about the policy can be found on the Test-Optional Policy page of the website. If a student is accepted and enrolls at the college, SAT or ACT test scores must be submitted at that point.

  •  TOEFL or IELTS
    English is the language of instruction at Providence College. You must be able to understand English and express yourself clearly in speech and writing. Students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores for consideration: 550 (PBT) or 80 (iBT - with a minimum of 20 in each subscore). You can check the TOEFL website at www.toefl.org for testing information. Providence College's CEEB/TOEFL code is 3693.

    The International English Language Test System (IELTS)* may be taken as an alternative to the TOEFL. Minimum score: 7.0 . You can check the IELTS website at www.ielts.org for testing information.

    * IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. 

  • International Student Certification of Finances
    The purpose of this form is to allow you to demonstrate your ability to cover all your educational, personal, and travel expenses. This form is a requirement of all international students, regardless of whether or not you intend to apply for financial aid (see Financial Assistance for International Students below).

For a complete guide to the Providence College application procedures, explanation of the application review process, student profile, lists of majors and minors, and much more, we recommend that you download the Providence College Application Guide

Always use your full legal name in all your documents and tests. This will prevent future problems, especially at the time of issuing visas. Also, if your use a post office address for your mail, we ask, if possible, that you provide your home address as well. We may need to use FedEx or UPS to mail items directly to your home. Since we are dealing with international mail systems, it is wise that you make and save photocopies of all your documents in case the first set is lost in the mail.

Standardized Test Scores

Submission of standardized test scores (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) is optional for students applying for admission. When you see "test-optional" at other institutions, make sure that you ask them what that means for them, since each institution will have a different policy. At Providence College, students who are applying to the college have the option to either submit their scores or not submit their scores for the purpose of the admission process. We feel that your high school record is a better indicator of your academic performance than a four hour test. If the student is accepted and decides to enroll at Providence College, the student then will be required to submit the scores for statistical and advisory purposes

The academic review for admission at Providence College always has been focused on each student's high school performance rather than standardized test results. This policy allows students to decide whether they wish to have their standardized test results considered as part of their application for admission. Additional details about the policy can be found on the Test-Optional Policy page

To submit scores, be aware that Providence College's CEEB/SAT code is 3693, and ACT code is 3806.

SAT Subject Tests are not required for admission. The Committee on Admission recommends that if you take any Subject Test for institutions requiring them, please forward the scores to us as well, especially those scores in appropriate areas in which you plan to study in college.

International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Credits

Providence College recognizes the International Baccalaureate and grants course-credit and/or advanced placement for those who submit their High Level exam scores. The College also grants credit and/or advanced placement for those who submit their Advanced Placement (AP) test scores. Evaluation is made by the Office of Dean of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies on an individual basis with the following scores:

  • IB High Level - score of 5, 6, or 7

  • AP - score of 4 or 5

Student Budget for 2013-2014 (estimate)

  • $42,385 - Tuition

  • $12,750 - Room and Board

  • $     860 - Activities/Laundry/Tech Fees

  • $  1,403 - Student Health Insurance (est.)

    TOTAL

  • $ 57,398 - Support required for I-20AB or DS-2019

Additional estimated, unbilled costs:

  • $    900 - Books & Supplies

  • $ 4,000 - Personal Expenses

These amounts may increase or decrease depending on a student’s personal spending habits.

For a complete fee schedule, see Tuition and Fees

Financial Assistance for International Students

Providence College provides academic merit-based and athletic scholarships and a limited amount of need-based financial assistance to international students each year. Merit-based scholarships are awarded by the Committee on Scholarships to students whose application for admission displays outstanding academic credentials.

Students seeking consideration for need-based financial assistance are required to submit the International Student Financial Aid Application and the International Student Certification of Finances at the time they apply for admission. Candidates will be considered for admission and institutional need-based financial assistance based upon a review of the academic qualifications, financial need, and availability of student aid resources.

The Committee on Admission is "need-aware" for international students who apply for admission; therefore, those international students who demonstrate they can afford the cost of attendance will be given preference in the evaluation process.

Please note: International students who do not plan to apply for need-based financial assistance are still required to submit the International Student Certification of Finances with their application for admission.

International students seeking additional financial assistance are also encouraged to contact local or international agencies in their home country.

Payment Method

Providence College is excited to implement a new payment method. The most effective method of payment is through our partners, Pay to Study. This is a free service - no bank charges will be added to your transfers. By using this system you are able to pay in your home currency, so there is no need to buy US Dollars from your bank prior to transferring.
 

Benefits to you: 

  • a lower exchange rate

  • pay in your own currency

  • receive quicker processing?

  • pay no international wire fee

  • Instant notification -no follow up required

  • All payments can be tracked by the student online

You can use the Pay to Study system to submit both the Enrollment Deposit Fee and semester tuition payments. 

The I-20 Process

International students enrolling at Providence College must meet the following requirements: 

  • Submit a duly notarized statement of support from the student’s sponsor and evidence of the student or sponsor’s financial resources dated no more than 90 days prior to submission.  This should include the three most recent consecutive bank statements documenting the availability of the required funds from each sponsoring individual (i.e. student, family member, organization, etc.).

  • If students are providing their own financial documentation, they must also include a bank official’s signature on letterhead that lists the name of the account holder, date account was opened, total deposits and average balance for the last 90 days.

  • Prior to Providence College issuing the I-20 Form, provide proof that payment for the first semester – minus any scholarship award amount – has been deposited in a US bank or put in a Providence College escrow account established for this purpose. 

  • Prior to Providence College issuing the I-20 Form, if the sponsoring party for the student is a company or organization, funds equal to at least one semester – minus any scholarship award amount – has been deposited in a US bank or put in a Providence College escrow account established for this purpose.

Please note:  Any funds provided to Providence College would be fully refunded if the student does not obtain an I-20 or chooses not to enroll at Providence College. 

Contact Information

Christine A. Hickey, Assistant Dean of Admission
Coordinator of International Admission
Contact for Canada, Europe, and Africa
E-mail: cahickey@providence.edu

Fr. Iriarte Andújar, O.P., Assistant Dean of Admission
Contact for Latin America
E-mail: iandujar@providence.edu

Michelle L. Carrara, Assistant Dean of Admission
Contact for Asia, Oceania, Bahamas, and Bermuda
Email: mcarrara@providence.edu 

Mailing Address

Providence College
Office of Admission

Harkins Hall 103
1 Cunningham Square
Providence, Rhode Island 02918
U.S.A.

Phone:  +1-401-865-2535
Fax:  +1-401-865-2826
E-mail: pcadmiss@providence.edu 

Catholic and Dominican

What does it mean to be a Catholic and Dominican college? We invite you to explore this question and the distinctive mission of Providence College.
About Providence College's Catholic and Dominican Identity