Pre-College High School Program

Discover Providence

Providence College invites high school students to apply for its inaugural Pre-College Summer Program—a 4-night, on-campus experience offering an immersive introduction to undergraduate life at one of the nation’s premier Catholic liberal arts colleges. Scheduled for June 14-18, 2026, the program is geared towards rising high school sophomores and juniors (rising seniors are welcome to apply) and is especially helpful for students from outside of the region (travel scholarships are available). Come discover God’s plan for your life. Come discover Providence.

What’s Included?

Live Like a Friar

Stay in our residence halls and dine at PC’s campus facilities alongside peers, undergraduate student leaders, faculty, and staff.

Academic & Spiritual Immersion

Participate in seminars and talks from PC faculty that bring the Catholic, Dominican, and liberal arts tradition to life. Explore our renowned professional program in nursing, business, education, and more. Receive guidance and wisdom from the Dominican friars (there are over 40 on campus!) and explore the life of faith at Providence College.

Campus Life

Experience intramurals, Division I athletics, student life, and the beloved community that defines Providence College.

College Prep

Receive personalized guidance on the college application process from PC admissions professionals, as well as wisdom on college discernment from Dominican friars and PC faculty and staff.

Explore New England

Visit Providence, Newport, and the Rhode Island coastline to get a feel for the region PC calls home. Located between Boston and NYC, Providence offers opportunities for internships, excursions, and culture.

Program Details

Costs
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Costs of Participating

The Pre-College Summer Program’s fee is $1,000 per participant. This fee includes lodging, all meals, programming, and excursions. It also includes designated PC shuttles to and from TF Green International Airport (RI) and Boston Logan International Airport (approximately 50 minutes from Providence College) for participants who will be traveling by airplane. Airfare is not included, but travel scholarship support is available to help offset participant transportation costs.

Lodging & Meals
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Live on Campus

Participants will experience the full on-campus experience in one of our premiere suites-style residence halls. Separated by gender, students will have overnight supervision by a professional staff hall director, undergraduate resident assistants, and professional security care. While linens will be covered, participants will be expected to bring toiletries and any other essentials they might have.

Meals

Most meals will take place in Raymond Hall Cafeteria (known on campus as ‘Ray’), PC’s primary dining facility for undergraduate students. Ray offers global meal choices paired with sensitivity to all food allergies. Participants will also sample classic Rhode Island dishes while exploring the region on excursions.

Leadership
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Program Leaders

The Pre-College Summer Program is operated by full-time Providence College staff members and dedicated undergraduates who have been hired specifically to chaperone. Participants will be chaperoned by full-time staff and undergraduate students at all times.

Important to the experience is exposure to a wide-array of PC community members. Participants will meet with administrators, faculty members, and Dominican friars who will impart guidance, wisdom, and transformative learning opportunities.

Alumni Connections
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Meet the Friar Family

PC will connect you with local alumni who will support you and your participation in the Pre-College Summer Program. Our alumni network is fiercely loyal and excited to meet you – you’ll find it to be of tremendous value as you undergo your college search!

Application
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We’re excited that you’re considering joining us for this unique summer experience! The application is the first step toward exploring life on campus, engaging with faculty, and discovering what makes Providence College unique. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and will remain open until the program reaches capacity. Because space is limited and spots are filling, students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Early applicants receive priority consideration, particularly for travel scholarships. We look forward to learning more about you!

Application

Itinerary Snapshot

No two days look the same, but here is a feel for the rhythm

Morning Academics

The day starts with breakfast and moves into the academic heart of PC: a faculty-led seminar from our renowned Development of Western Civilization (CIV) program. Named ‘CIV for the College Search’, these sessions take a classic text — Homer’s Odyssey and Augustine’s Confessions, for example — and bring it into conversation with the questions you’re actually asking right now: Where am I going? What am I really looking for? Why does any of this matter? More than a dry lecture, you’ll be joined by undergraduate student leaders for a vital, engaging experience of PC’s core curriculum.

You’ll also go inside PC’s professional programs. In the School of Business’ Ryan Center and the School of Nursing & Health Sciences’ Mondor Center, faculty will introduce you to what it looks like to pursue these fields in a Catholic, liberal arts environment, where professional formation and human formation go hand in hand.

Afternoon Campus Life

Afternoons shift the focus to discovering Providence College’s campus and the admissions process. One day you’ll be in a workshop with PC’s admissions team, gaining insights on the college application process. On another, you’ll compete in an intramural Olympics competition and go behind-the-scenes of PC’s Big East athletics programs.

Evenings in Friartown

As the days wind down, we’ll explore all that Rhode Island has to offer: the city of Providence, local beaches, and a night in Newport. When back on campus, the evenings are for community. You’ll have time with peers and current undergraduate students, including a leader panel where current Friars open up about their own college searches and what life at PC is really like. Throughout the week, you’ll encounter Providence College as it truly is, a Catholic and Dominican community that believes your college search is, ultimately, a search for God’s Providence in your life. You’ll meet our Dominican friars and be invited into vibrant opportunities for prayer and reflection.

Discover God’s Plan for Your Life.

Discover Providence.

Ready to Apply? Spots are filling, click to apply today!
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Further Questions or Concerns?

Don’t hesitate to reach out:

Robert D. Pfunder

Associate Vice President for Mission & Ministry
Martin Hall 109
401.865.1770
rpfunder@providence.edu