Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Arcadia has given me plenty of direction and I've learned a lot about forming a career and about many different subjects. Not only have I learned so much about how to develop a career from the career development center and from my excellent advisor Jaime Miller, but there are so many options of majors and minors that I have been able to explore my many different interests while searching for a future career. The teachers are excellent in all different areas. Because I was Undeclared during my Freshman Year, I took a variety of classes and got to experience the teaching methods of many different kinds of teachers. My Intro to Psychology teacher, Professor Robbins, enhanced my learning experience by being hilarious and interesting while simultaneously being helpful and knowledgable. My art teachers have been encouraging and talented while my communications teachers inspired me to take their subject as a major. I'm shocked at the variety and multitude of excellent teachers and advisors at Arcadia University. I've not only learned much in my chosen subject areas, but about how I want to shape my future.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I had some rough experiences with other students that lived on my floor during my first year at Arcadia, however I've found that to be unusual at this school. I think you're bound to experience rough patches and conflicts during your first year and I'm glad for the experience. I made the wrong kind of friends starting out, so my year wasn't entirely positive by any means, BUT even so I've enjoyed living on campus and being on my own. I've since, toward the end of my Freshman Year, made life long friends. I enjoy the many club options of campus and love being involved. My advice is this for incoming students to help you get the most joy out of your freshman year; avoid people that drink and do drugs, because that's all they do, and if that's not the kind of lifestyle you want then you won't have ANY fun. You may think you can be good friends with those kinds of people even if you want to stay sober, but don't settle for those sort of friends because you're scared. Dare to venture out and make the kinds of friends that are actually good for you because that's when you'll start having fun at Arcadia. If you do want to party, this is not the kind of school for you, because most people here are sober, intelligent, deep thinkers, insightful, adventurous, and open-minded to new experiences.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Because no one I know has ever been to college before, I have nothing to base my feelings off of, but it does seem to me that Arcadia is VERY expensive and though there are many great resources at this University, I feel that there could be many things that are better for the price they require you to pay. However, they offer scholarships to many students so it's rare that you have to pay the full cost of tuition, but even so some things could be better. Everyone complains about the dining hall...it's pretty subpar. I wish that the food was more varied and of better quality, and cleaner (I've seen many mice in the dining hall, though I suspect most schools have this issue). The rooms are decent, but freshman housing could be nicer. The library looks nice, but I wish it had more pleasure reading options. I've heard often that they don't have enough books to read (though I think people may just not be looking well enough because I have found some very good books there, even if the selection is slightly lacking). The teachers are great and the study abroad program is excellent, so that must be where the money is going, but the art program needs to be less expensive for the students...I couldn't even indulge in my passion for art classes because of the high cost to students to take the classes because you have to provide all your own supplies from camers and photo paper, to paint, wood, metal working supplies, and brushes. There are some faults in this area, but there are benefits to the price of tuition as well.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
- Do not bring all that stuff! You don't need it! If you forget anything there's a Walmart in walking distance (I reccomend going there instead of the bookstore or the Chat for food, because they're both expensive). But really, if in doubt, leave it out.
- Get involved with your Advisor. Write down questions ahead of time. Do your research. Visit the career development center. Be honest with your Advisor. They can only help you help yourself.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs. There's more to life.
- Join clubs and volunteer on campus. Go to the events. You will make more friends and have more fun than just sitting in your room!
- Invite people over....they're bored too.
- Leave your door open...unless your floor is obnoxious, which can happen. Just be polite, and don't be afraid to tell your RA about a problem.
- UM, USE THE GYM. It's free! It's good for you! Bring friends to motivate yourself!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
- NOT GOOD FOR PARTY ANIMALS...we participate in life at Arcadia.
- Guys and lesbians...because there are mostly women at Arcadia. Otherwise dating can be troublesome.
- Undeclared students, because they're great for helping you find your way and have a lot of class option with very helpful teachers.
- Students that want to live ON-CAMPUS. I feel like off-campus students miss out a bit on activities and the independent experience.
- Not perfect students...nobody is perfect, but if your GPA isn't golden, don't worry, because you'll learn to push yourself here without being completely overwhelmed.
Good luck future Arcadians! Overall, this is fantastic school, and we can't wait to see you.
Arcadia has given me plenty of direction and I've learned a lot about forming a career and about many different subjects. Not only have I learned so much about how to develop a career from the career development center and from my excellent advisor Jaime Miller, but there are so many options of majors and minors that I have been able to explore my many different interests while searching for a future career. The teachers are excellent in all different areas. Because I was Undeclared during my Freshman Year, I took a variety of classes and got to experience the teaching methods of many different kinds of teachers. My Intro to Psychology teacher, Professor Robbins, enhanced my learning experience by being hilarious and interesting while simultaneously being helpful and knowledgable. My art teachers have been encouraging and talented while my communications teachers inspired me to take their subject as a major. I'm shocked at the variety and multitude of excellent teachers and advisors at Arcadia University. I've not only learned much in my chosen subject areas, but about how I want to shape my future.
I had some rough experiences with other students that lived on my floor during my first year at Arcadia, however I've found that to be unusual at this school. I think you're bound to experience rough patches and conflicts during your first year and I'm glad for the experience. I made the wrong kind of friends starting out, so my year wasn't entirely positive by any means, BUT even so I've enjoyed living on campus and being on my own. I've since, toward the end of my Freshman Year, made life long friends. I enjoy the many club options of campus and love being involved. My advice is this for incoming students to help you get the most joy out of your freshman year; avoid people that drink and do drugs, because that's all they do, and if that's not the kind of lifestyle you want then you won't have ANY fun. You may think you can be good friends with those kinds of people even if you want to stay sober, but don't settle for those sort of friends because you're scared. Dare to venture out and make the kinds of friends that are actually good for you because that's when you'll start having fun at Arcadia. If you do want to party, this is not the kind of school for you, because most people here are sober, intelligent, deep thinkers, insightful, adventurous, and open-minded to new experiences.
Because no one I know has ever been to college before, I have nothing to base my feelings off of, but it does seem to me that Arcadia is VERY expensive and though there are many great resources at this University, I feel that there could be many things that are better for the price they require you to pay. However, they offer scholarships to many students so it's rare that you have to pay the full cost of tuition, but even so some things could be better. Everyone complains about the dining hall...it's pretty subpar. I wish that the food was more varied and of better quality, and cleaner (I've seen many mice in the dining hall, though I suspect most schools have this issue). The rooms are decent, but freshman housing could be nicer. The library looks nice, but I wish it had more pleasure reading options. I've heard often that they don't have enough books to read (though I think people may just not be looking well enough because I have found some very good books there, even if the selection is slightly lacking). The teachers are great and the study abroad program is excellent, so that must be where the money is going, but the art program needs to be less expensive for the students...I couldn't even indulge in my passion for art classes because of the high cost to students to take the classes because you have to provide all your own supplies from camers and photo paper, to paint, wood, metal working supplies, and brushes. There are some faults in this area, but there are benefits to the price of tuition as well.
- Do not bring all that stuff! You don't need it! If you forget anything there's a Walmart in walking distance (I reccomend going there instead of the bookstore or the Chat for food, because they're both expensive). But really, if in doubt, leave it out. - Get involved with your Advisor. Write down questions ahead of time. Do your research. Visit the career development center. Be honest with your Advisor. They can only help you help yourself. - Avoid alcohol and drugs. There's more to life. - Join clubs and volunteer on campus. Go to the events. You will make more friends and have more fun than just sitting in your room! - Invite people over....they're bored too. - Leave your door open...unless your floor is obnoxious, which can happen. Just be polite, and don't be afraid to tell your RA about a problem. - UM, USE THE GYM. It's free! It's good for you! Bring friends to motivate yourself!
- NOT GOOD FOR PARTY ANIMALS...we participate in life at Arcadia. - Guys and lesbians...because there are mostly women at Arcadia. Otherwise dating can be troublesome. - Undeclared students, because they're great for helping you find your way and have a lot of class option with very helpful teachers. - Students that want to live ON-CAMPUS. I feel like off-campus students miss out a bit on activities and the independent experience. - Not perfect students...nobody is perfect, but if your GPA isn't golden, don't worry, because you'll learn to push yourself here without being completely overwhelmed. Good luck future Arcadians! Overall, this is fantastic school, and we can't wait to see you.