ACU provides a loving environment, exceptional professors, and a well of student resources. In my 4 years at this university, I have been overwhelmed with the amount of love and cohesiveness in this community; we really are the ACU family, and people are always willing to help you with anything. Yet the attention to faith and community doesn't sacrifice high-quality education either - although, as a private university, ACU is expensive, you truly get what you pay for.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!
Be prepared to encounter people with a wide range of perspectives, opinions, and values - just because it's a Christian school doesn't mean everyone thinks the same. Embrace this, because it's a great opportunity to see the world in new ways and it will allow you to grow as a person.
Take advantage of activities and events both at ACU and in Abilene as a whole - it's a great way to make friends and you'll definitely regret missing out on all the fun and unique experiences.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
The professors at ACU definitely push you to grow and learn as much as possible, even in elective classes. If you are looking for easy college classes, ACU is not for you. If you want to challenge yourself, ACU will be a great fit!
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Girls dorms are better than guys dorms.
Freshmen AND sophomores are required to live on campus.
Freshmen have a curfew of midnight Sunday-Thursday.
Opposite gender cannot freely visit the rooms, so there is visitation twice a week 6-11pm.
Bathrooms are always clean and the rooms in most dorms are decent-sized!(Gardner Hall is definitely the biggest room for freshmen girls).
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The Bean (the cafeteria) has TONS of options and a lot of it is homemade.
The food court is great but a little pricey.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There are a lot of great restaurants in Abilene - Abi-Haus, Hickory Street, Cypress Street, WhollyCow, and more.
There are not a lot of options for dancing - most people go to Guitars and Cadillacs (mix of country and top 40) on Thursday night, which is college night (get in for free with a college ID). There is also Blues (blues/swing dancing).
We have a zoo, PrimeTime, a mall, and movie theaters as well.
There isn't a whole lot to do in Abilene, but we have learned that it is more about who you spend your time with than what you are doing, so be sure to make good friends.
School events are usually great and they are scheduled pretty often. My suggestion is to get involved in some sort of club(s).
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Highways and Byways during Praise Day chapel is a big part of ACU culture. Additionally, after school events we always put our arms around each other's shoulders (even if you're strangers) and sway as we sing, The Lord Bless You and Keep You.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
We don't have fraternities and sororities, but we do have men's and women's social clubs which are practically the same thing except that they can't have an official club house.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
We have our own police department - ACUPD - not just campus security. They are legitimate cops.
Lighting is pretty good on campus as well.
VERY low crime rates.
ACU provides a loving environment, exceptional professors, and a well of student resources. In my 4 years at this university, I have been overwhelmed with the amount of love and cohesiveness in this community; we really are the ACU family, and people are always willing to help you with anything. Yet the attention to faith and community doesn't sacrifice high-quality education either - although, as a private university, ACU is expensive, you truly get what you pay for.
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS! Be prepared to encounter people with a wide range of perspectives, opinions, and values - just because it's a Christian school doesn't mean everyone thinks the same. Embrace this, because it's a great opportunity to see the world in new ways and it will allow you to grow as a person. Take advantage of activities and events both at ACU and in Abilene as a whole - it's a great way to make friends and you'll definitely regret missing out on all the fun and unique experiences.
The professors at ACU definitely push you to grow and learn as much as possible, even in elective classes. If you are looking for easy college classes, ACU is not for you. If you want to challenge yourself, ACU will be a great fit!
Girls dorms are better than guys dorms. Freshmen AND sophomores are required to live on campus. Freshmen have a curfew of midnight Sunday-Thursday. Opposite gender cannot freely visit the rooms, so there is visitation twice a week 6-11pm. Bathrooms are always clean and the rooms in most dorms are decent-sized!(Gardner Hall is definitely the biggest room for freshmen girls).
The Bean (the cafeteria) has TONS of options and a lot of it is homemade. The food court is great but a little pricey.
There are a lot of great restaurants in Abilene - Abi-Haus, Hickory Street, Cypress Street, WhollyCow, and more. There are not a lot of options for dancing - most people go to Guitars and Cadillacs (mix of country and top 40) on Thursday night, which is college night (get in for free with a college ID). There is also Blues (blues/swing dancing). We have a zoo, PrimeTime, a mall, and movie theaters as well. There isn't a whole lot to do in Abilene, but we have learned that it is more about who you spend your time with than what you are doing, so be sure to make good friends. School events are usually great and they are scheduled pretty often. My suggestion is to get involved in some sort of club(s).
Highways and Byways during Praise Day chapel is a big part of ACU culture. Additionally, after school events we always put our arms around each other's shoulders (even if you're strangers) and sway as we sing, The Lord Bless You and Keep You.
We don't have fraternities and sororities, but we do have men's and women's social clubs which are practically the same thing except that they can't have an official club house.
We have our own police department - ACUPD - not just campus security. They are legitimate cops. Lighting is pretty good on campus as well. VERY low crime rates.