Admission

If you think you're the only one asking it, think again! Below are some of the most common questions prospective students ask our admissions staff. If you have a question that remains unanswered after reading through our FAQ's, please contact the office of admission for assistance.

How many students attend Salve Regina? back to top
There are approximately 2,000 undergraduate students currently enrolled at Salve Regina. The relatively small size adds to the sense of community on Salve Regina's campus. There's no hiding here!

How large is a typical freshman class? back to top
A typical freshman class numbers between 550-570 – a great size if you want to see familiar faces around campus, but still feel as though there are many classmates you have yet to meet.

How far is the campus from Providence? Boston? New York City? back to top
The campus is located approximately forty minutes from Providence, 1.5 hours from Boston, and 3 hours from New York City. But, once you drive into Newport, it'll be tough to pull you out!

What's special about Newport/Salve Regina's campus? back to top
Oh, where to begin? You could search the country high and low and you'd be hard pressed to find a college campus sitting on a more beautiful spot. Oceanfront property in the mansion district of scenic Newport…need we say more? Probably not…but we will. Not only is Salve Regina nestled in the mansion district, but many of our academic and residential buildings are mansions themselves (some have been donated to the university, others have been purchased by it). The historic Cliff Walk is adjacent to campus – walk along it for 10 minutes and you'll hit Newport's beaches. Salve Regina's campus is also just minutes from downtown Newport. This lively city is stocked with quaint boutiques, movie theaters, art shops and museums, countless restaurants and coffee shops - we challenge you to hit them all before you graduate! Downtown Newport is also home to breathtaking Newport Harbor, the premium spot to view sunsets, the year-round docking waters for hundreds of sailboats, and the reason why Newport is considered the "Sailing Capital of the World." So, if you're attracted to places that majestically combine beauty, action and serenity, you'll fall head over heals in love with Newport!

How large is the campus? back to top
75 acres. Don't worry, most students say it takes them less than ten minutes to walk from their dorms to class (translation: that means you don't have to wake up before 7:30 a.m. to make it to your 8:00 class on time). If even a ten minute walk sounds like a haul to you, there's always the option of hopping on a RIPTA trolley (see "Student Life" section for more details on this charming and FREE mode of transportation).

How many buildings are on Salve Regina's campus? What's all the hype about the campus' architecture? back to top
Salve Regina's campus includes 28 buildings, 21 of which are architecturally significant. And, trust us, the hype is legitimate! For example, walk around Salve Regina's campus and you'll see many Gilded Age summer estates (i.e. extravagant mansions in which, back in the day, only the most opulent "summered"). The campus is also home to more contemporary buildings, such as Rodgers Recreation Center, that have been constructed to fit into our historic architectural environment while also serving the needs of a modern university. We're not the only ones who think our campus is somethin' else either! Salve Regina has been recognized by many preservation societies for being committed to preserving and conserving our magnificent buildings. But don't be intimidated – we promise, it's not all gradiose! We have one academic building that was built in the 1960's, and looks like it (see if you can find it…hint: it redeems itself with an ocean view!).

Where are most of Salve Regina's students from? back to top
Approximately 75% of Salve Regina's student body is from New England and the mid-Atlantic states. Less than 14% of our students are from Rhode Island (so no, Salve Regina's not a suitcase school!). To enhance geographic diversity, our admission's officers travel to distant states, such as Florida, Minnesota, Illinois, California, Colorado, and Ohio, to recruit students. Presently, Salve Regina's students represent 34 states and 14 foreign countries.

Is Salve Regina's campus safe? back to top
Ask around and you'll find that Salve Regina students feel very safe on our campus, which sits between two historic – and protected – landmarks: Bellevue Avenue and the Cliff Walk. In addition to being in a secure location, we have a caring and experienced safety and security staff to watch over us. Our security officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (don't worry, they rotate shifts). To cover every nook and cranny of campus, they cruise around on foot, in marked security vehicles, and on police mountain bikes. Plus, the well-lit campus is equipped with emergency phones and strategically placed blue lights. Fire safety is also a top priority for Salve Regina's Security Department – every building is sprinkled, and – almost guaranteed - every freshman will experience a late night/early morning fire drill (keep that in mind when you're choosing which p.j.'s to pack for college!). To learn more about the university's commitment to students' safety or to view Salve Regina's crime statistics, visit the office of safety and security.

Are students required to have their own computers? back to top
All incoming first-year students are required to purchase a laptop through the University which they will keep during their four years at Salve Regina. The cost of the laptop ($2,100 for 2006-07) includes hardware, software, accidental damage protection and technical support during the student’s enrollment at Salve Regina. To simplify the financial component and avoid a differential tuition rate, all new first-year students will be billed this one-time fee as part of the Fall semester billing. Those students with significant financial need may be eligible for grant assistance.
Visit this link for a full overview of the University Laptop Program: www.salve.edu/laptops.

Aside from computer labs, internet kiosks and wireless services, how technologically advanced is the campus? back to top
The University has started an Information Literacy and Technology Across the Curriculum program for faculty and students. This effort's goal is to cultivate an academic community that possesses a deeper level of information literacy and technology fluency skills. Consistent with this goal, the university has 17 technology enhanced classrooms, which include teacher station configurations with computers, internet connections, VCR's, DVD's, document cameras (in most cases) and ceiling suspended projection units. Outside of the classroom, all Salve Regina students are given their own email accounts and high-speed internet access through the Salve Regina network. By logging onto "MySalve", students can access personal information - such as grades, course schedules, and financial statements. And, your SalveCard: Don't leave home without it! This badge, featuring a photo of you at your finest, serves as your meal card, identification card, and residence hall key. It can also be used as a debit card at many campus hotspots - everywhere from the bookstore to laundry and snack machines. If all this sounds a bit overwhelming, don't fret: our friends in the Information Technology department are always willing to lend a helping hand. Through IT's SURFNet hotline (for internet support calls) and their Online Help Desk (for PC and phone related issues), these lovable computer geeks are committed to providing you with tech-related support, including maintenance, upgrades, repairs and installations.
For more information about technology at Salve Regina, visit the office of information technologies.

Do you have to be Catholic to attend Salve Regina? What is the religious climate? back to top
We welcome students of all faiths into our community; you don't have to be Catholic. Salve Regina was founded in 1947 by the Sisters of Mercy, a Catholic order of nuns devoted to education and community service. President M. Therese Antone is a Sister of Mercy, along with some of our faculty members. The Sisters of Mercy's commitment to the core values of justice, service and mercy gives the university its strong mission and identity. Through academic coursework and extracurricular activities, Salve Regina students of all faiths are encouraged to embrace these principles and grow spiritually in an open-minded, diverse and comfortable atmosphere. The most popular faith-based group is ARISE (All Religions in Service to Everyone). This Campus Ministry club organizes retreats, service projects, and community building activities. Student masses are also held every Sunday evening at 8:00 p.m. There are plenty of spiritual-development opportunities for those who are interested. For more information on what you can get involved with through Campus Ministry, visit the Campus Ministry main page.

How do I schedule a visit to the campus? back to top
Visiting a college's campus is the only way to know whether you can see yourself there. At our fall Open Houses, you'll get a full taste of campus life – you'll see residence halls, meet professors and current students, and chat with representatives from academic advising, career development, athletics and any other department that interests you. The nicest thing about our Open Houses is that the program is flexible: you go where you want to go, at your own pace. Open House dates are available on our web site. In addition to our Open Houses, we offer information sessions and tours most weekdays and some weekend days throughout the year. These are more structured than the Open Houses, but also give you a great overview of admission's statistics, academic and student life, and everything else you might want to know about Salve Regina. Finally, each spring, prior to the May 1 deposit deadline, Admissions hosts a Connections program for admitted students. A day that reminds students: YOU'RE ACTUALLY GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL AND MUST DECIDE ON A COLLEGE, Connections is especially fun because - in addition to learning even more about Salve Regina - you meet other students who also have the option of becoming Salve Regina Seahawks! Prospective students are expected to register for the Open House and Connections events, but are invited to show up unannounced to our tours and information sessions. Because our visit schedule is subject to change throughout the year, before planning your trip, please refer to the campus tour/visit calendar.