CollegeVine College Essay Team December 8, 2024 9 Essay Breakdowns,Essay Guides 2024-25

How to Write the Providence College Essays 2024-2025

Providence College has one optional supplemental essay this year. With your common application being the only required piece to apply, we strongly recommend that you use these optional prompts to give the admissions committee a better understanding of how you will fit into the college environment and what unique experiences you will bring as well.

Let’s take a look at both of the optional prompts below.

Providence College Essay Prompts

Understanding the Prompt

Option A is a type of Diversity prompt that asks you to reflect on the advantages of having diverse community members. They then ask you to tell your own story and how your unique experiences and background will be a positive influence to your peers at Providence College, a college that values openness to different viewpoints and identities.

Brainstorming Questions

• Have you had experiences where you engaged with people from different backgrounds? What did you learn?
• What unique perspectives do you have based on your background, culture, identity, or experiences?
• How do you believe diversity strengthens communities or organizations?
• How will your experiences help foster inclusivity and understanding at Providence College?
• How can you contribute to a culture of openness and mutual learning at college?

What Makes a Good Response

A strong response will:

• Show an understanding of the value of diversity by explaining how individuals from different backgrounds contribute unique perspectives, problem-solving skills, or cultural experiences.
• Reflect on your own background and how it shapes your perspective. This could be based on your culture, family, identity, or life experiences.
• Demonstrate how your background will positively impact others at Providence College by contributing to a more inclusive, open-minded community.
• Be specific—use concrete examples from your life where you learned from or contributed to a diverse environment.

Hypothetical Student Examples

• A student who grew up in a multicultural household: This student could discuss how their parents’ differing cultural traditions taught them to appreciate diverse perspectives. They could explain how they will bring an open-minded and inclusive attitude to classroom discussions and campus activities at Providence College.
• A student who volunteered at a refugee center: This student might reflect on the empathy and understanding they gained by working with refugees from different countries. They could describe how this experience will help them foster understanding and compassion within the Providence community, especially in service projects or leadership roles.
• A first-generation college student: This student could discuss the challenges and resilience they developed navigating the education system on their own. They could explain how their perspective as a first-gen student will help them mentor or support others from underrepresented backgrounds at Providence College.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too general: Avoid vague statements like “Diversity is important because it brings new ideas.” Be specific about the experiences and perspectives diverse individuals bring.
• Ignoring your personal impact: Don’t just talk about diversity in general—make sure to explain how your background will positively impact others at Providence College.
• Only focusing on your own experiences: While your background is important, make sure you also acknowledge and appreciate the value of learning from others’ diverse perspectives.
• Being overly self-centered: Show how your unique perspective will benefit the community, not just how it benefits you.

Good and Bad Examples

Good Example

Growing up in a bilingual household, I constantly navigated between two cultures. My mother, from Puerto Rico, emphasized family closeness and community support, while my father, from the U.S., instilled in me the value of independence and individual ambition. This blending of cultural values shaped me into someone who deeply values collaboration and the exchange of ideas.

At Providence College, I look forward to bringing my experience of living between two cultures to the campus community. I believe that individuals from diverse backgrounds offer not only different viewpoints but also unique ways of solving problems and approaching challenges. For example, in high school, I participated in a group project that involved students from various cultural backgrounds. Working with classmates who approached the problem from different perspectives helped us arrive at a more creative and well-rounded solution.

My background will allow me to contribute to a culture of mutual understanding at Providence. I’m excited to engage in class discussions where I can share my unique perspective and also learn from others who see the world differently than I do. Additionally, I hope to join cultural organizations on campus, where I can help foster an environment of inclusion, empathy, and open-mindedness.

Ultimately, I believe that by embracing diverse perspectives, we not only enrich ourselves but also create stronger, more connected communities. I hope to help build that kind of community at Providence College.

Why this is a good example

• The student provides a clear and specific example of how their background (bilingual household) shapes their perspective.
• They show how diverse viewpoints led to better problem-solving in a specific instance.
• The student explains how they will positively contribute to the Providence community by promoting understanding and inclusion.

Bad Example

I believe individuals from diverse backgrounds bring new ideas and perspectives to a community. Diversity helps people understand different cultures and worldviews, which is important in today’s global society.

My background is unique because I’ve always valued hard work and honesty. I plan to bring these values to Providence College, where I will be a positive influence in the classroom. I hope to learn from others as well, especially those who come from different cultural backgrounds.

I think diversity is important because it teaches us to be open-minded and respect each other. I look forward to sharing my ideas and learning from other students during my time at Providence.

Why this is a bad example

• The student gives a vague and generic explanation of diversity’s importance, with no specific examples.
• There’s no real reflection on their unique background or how it will impact Providence College.
• The response lacks depth and specificity, focusing more on general values (hard work, honesty) than on diversity and unique perspectives.

Understanding the Prompt

Option B is another Diversity prompt that is asking you to reflect on how you will actively contribute to the campus community and intellectual culture. They want to know how you plan to engage with both the social and academic life of the college. This is your chance to show how you’ll bring energy, ideas, and enthusiasm to the Providence campus in your own unique way.

Brainstorming Questions

To help you brainstorm, consider the following questions.

• What extracurricular activities are you passionate about? How will you continue these or similar activities at Providence College?
• How do you engage with intellectual challenges? Do you enjoy deep discussions, collaborative research, or creative problem-solving?
• What kind of campus culture are you excited to be a part of, and how will you contribute to it?
• Are there specific clubs, organizations, or programs at Providence that you’re eager to join? How will you make an impact in these areas?
• Do you plan to take on leadership roles or initiate new projects? If so, in what areas?

What Makes a Good Response

A strong response will

• Show enthusiasm for both the academic and social life at Providence College.
• Demonstrate how you will actively contribute to the campus community, whether through extracurriculars, academics, or leadership.
• Connect your current interests and experiences to what you plan to do at Providence College.
• Be specific—mention particular clubs, programs, or opportunities at Providence that you’re excited about and explain how you will contribute to them.
• Show self-awareness—reflect on your strengths and how they will enhance Providence’s community.

Hypothetical Student Examples

• A student passionate about debate and public speaking: This student might discuss how they’ve participated in Model UN and debate teams in high school and how they’re eager to join Providence’s Debate Society. They could also mention their excitement for engaging in Providence’s intellectual culture by participating in the Philosophy Club and deep discussions with peers.
• A student interested in service and community engagement: This student could describe their experience leading a community service project in high school and their plans to get involved with Providence’s community outreach programs, such as the Feinstein Institute for Public Service, and lead new initiatives that address local issues.
• A student who loves the arts and creative expression: This student could talk about their background in theater and their excitement to contribute to Providence’s vibrant arts scene by joining the campus theater group or working on student film projects. They could also mention their desire to collaborate with peers on creative interdisciplinary projects.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being too vague: Don’t just say you’ll “get involved in campus life” without providing specific examples of how.
• Ignoring the academic aspect: This prompt asks about both campus life and intellectual culture, so be sure to address both.
• Focusing too much on what the college offers: While it’s good to mention specific opportunities, the focus should be on how you will contribute.
• Overemphasizing passive involvement: The admissions committee wants to know how you will actively engage with campus life—not just that you’ll attend events or join clubs.

Good and Bad Examples

Good Example

One of the things that excites me most about Providence College is the opportunity to actively participate in both its vibrant campus life and its intellectual culture. I have always loved engaging in deep discussions that challenge my assumptions, which is why I can’t wait to join the Philosophy Club and participate in academic panels. In high school, I was part of a book club where we explored everything from ancient philosophy to contemporary social issues. I loved leading discussions on complex topics, and I look forward to continuing that tradition of intellectual engagement at Providence.

Beyond academics, I’m eager to bring my passion for environmental activism to Providence. In high school, I led a sustainability club where we organized initiatives to reduce waste and promote recycling. I am excited to join the Environmental Club at Providence and help lead campus-wide efforts to promote sustainability. I hope to collaborate with other students and faculty to implement eco-friendly practices on campus, such as increasing the availability of recycling stations and organizing educational events.

Finally, I plan to contribute to Providence’s sense of community by being involved in campus traditions and events. I thrive in environments where students come together to celebrate their shared experiences, and I look forward to bringing my positive energy and school spirit to everything from athletic events to community service days.

By combining my love for intellectual exploration with my dedication to service and sustainability, I am confident that I can bring enthusiasm and a commitment to positive change to Providence College’s dynamic campus life.

Why this is a good example

• The student is specific about how they will contribute to both academic and social life at Providence.
• They mention specific clubs and initiatives, showing that they’ve researched the college and know how they want to get involved.
• They reflect on their past experiences and how they plan to apply them at Providence, demonstrating a clear connection between their background and their future contributions.

Bad Example

At Providence College, I plan to get involved in as many activities as possible. I am excited to join clubs, attend events, and take part in academic discussions. I love learning new things, and I can’t wait to meet students from different backgrounds and learn from them.

I also plan to volunteer and participate in service activities. Helping others has always been important to me, and I know Providence College has a lot of opportunities to give back to the community. I look forward to being part of a college that values service and community engagement.

In addition, I want to take advantage of the academic resources available at Providence. I will attend lectures, get involved in research, and make sure I’m fully immersed in the intellectual life of the college.

Why this is a bad example

• The student’s response is too vague—they don’t mention any specific clubs, activities, or contributions they plan to make.
• The essay lacks personal reflection—there’s no connection between their past experiences and their plans at Providence.
• The response is generic and could apply to almost any college, showing a lack of deep thought about Providence’s unique community.

Where to Get Your Providence College Essays Edited For Free

Want feedback on your Providence College essays to improve your chances at admission? When you’ve proofread your essay a dozen times, it can be hard to even spot where there’s room for improvement. That’s why we’ve created our free Peer Essay Review tool, where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also sharpen your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays!

Need feedback faster? Get a free, nearly-instantaneous essay review from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!