Salve Regina University is a small Catholic school in picturesque Newport, Rhode Island, offering forty-six majors to a little over 2,000 students. Professional studies departments, such as nursing and education, are particularly strong here, though this is "a multi-faceted school with all of the attributes necessary to become an excellent student" in any subject. The "wonderful" faculty here offer "a really meaningful and valuable experience at Salve," and "put their best effort to helping guide you in any and all paths you chose." Class time is "usually evenly split between lectures and discussion," so that the material is more engaging for the students, and "professors relate all of the academic learning to their life experiences." These teaching gems "do not feel their job is finished when we finish their class but go above and beyond to help us throughout the rest of our time at Salve." "It isn't uncommon to hear of international students celebrating holidays with professors if they can't go home," says one undergrad. Office hours are enforced "so one-on-one time is always available," and the university has "a great tutoring department (Academic Center for Excellence)" for those who want help.
Salve Regina is a small school "where pretty much everyone knows everyone." Some find that the student body can be "preppy and cliquey. "The university has a very noticeable gender difference—the student body is 70% female—and students report that undergrads here are predominantly white with "middleor upper-class backgrounds." The Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention "does a fantastic job of integrating different ethnicities and cultures into the school community." Everyone is "very kind, respectful, and friendly" here, and "if you are sitting alone in the cafeteria, usually any professor, classmate, or just acquaintance will approach you and ask to keep you company." Outside of academics, students at Salve Regina all "take on a great number of extracurricular roles" and "go well above and beyond the requirement for service hours at school."
Most Salve Regina students spend the majority of their weekdays "immersed in academic work with breaks for clubs, athletics and/or work study positions." The Campus Activities Board is "amazing at coming up with events for students to take part in," including Things for Thursday (in which students participate in various events related to arts and crafts and partake in some free food), Friday Night Live (dances and other events), and Saturday movie screenings. The clubs and living environments at Salve Regina are "extremely supportive of cohesion, and in creating a positive atmosphere," which is especially helpful in students' first year. The twice-yearly dance club "is a big deal...with high attendance rates," and many students are also involved in sports. Newport is "an incredible city with no shortage of things to do," and the cliff walk and beaches on campus are available to all students. Another perk: Salve Regina students can use statewide Rhode Island Public Transit services for free, and Providence is just an hour and a half away. There "is no shortage of parties occurring" off campus, but "partying is in no way forced upon you if that isn't what you are interested in."