CUNY Queens College is a diverse school with incredible teaching staff. The grounds are well-kept, the view of Manhattan is breathtaking, and resources available to students are abundant. Queens College is a place where students learn both in and out of the classroom, and grow into better people.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
-Always ask your professors if buying earlier editions or international editions of books is okay. You could save a lot of money that way.
-Participate! There are events on-campus all the time and it's always worth your time to participate. It's valuable learning experience and often very entertaining, as well as a way to make new connections and friends.
-Adhere to your professor's policies on technology. Always keep a spare notebook or looseleaf paper in your bag in case you forget and have an electronics-free class.
-Study!!! You can't pass most classes here without taking them seriously.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
I'm in Macaulay Honors College in addition to being a regular student at CUNY Queens College. Both schools' curriculums are challenging. They force you to think and develop your thoughts and ideas. Every professor is different though, so always ask upperclassmen or check out RateMyProfessor to check how rigorous their classes will be! As a Performance and Psychology double-major, I can attest to the rigor of both the Music and Psychology Departments' rigor as well.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The staff here really care, and they always do their best to make your experience as comfortable as possible. A vast majority of the students at CUNY Queens College commute, both those who live here have a very nice home to look forward to. It is a bit pricey, but worth it considering the amenities- a full kitchen, a living area, and two bathrooms per suite, heating and AC, free cable and WiFi, 24/7 gym and music practice rooms in the building- and the excellent service provided by maintenance, desk and office staff, and RA's. This is truly a fantastic place to live, especially if you have great roommates like I do :)
Describe the food and dining at your college.
I personally don't use the dining halls on campus much because I budget my own groceries, but the food is good quality and can often be made to your specifications. There are vegetarian and kosher options available. It would be expensive to eat here everyday without a meal plan, but there are meal plan options available for those looking to use them. At the dorms every Wednesday is resident appreciation day so there is usually something free to eat or drink in the lobby.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There are always events going on on campus, especially during free hour on Mondays and Wednesdays. Everything from self-defense classes to educational speakers to club activities are offered here at some point during the year. There are a ton of clubs to join and several Club Days hosted for students to check them out covering a wide range of topics and interests. There are often free student recitals in the Aaron Copland School of Music during the week, and some bigger performances like operas, musicals, and plays in Colden Auditorium. There is an AMC movie theatre a short bus ride away from campus in Fresh Meadows where students can get discounted movie tickets if they show their student ID, and many good restaurants in the area; Gino's Pizza on Kissena Blvd. is a popular destination if you need a quick meal. It takes only about an hour to get to Manhattan if you take the bus to the F subway on Hillside Ave or the LIRR at Jamaica Station, and there are two malls not too far away from campus, Queens Plaza and Sky View. There is always something to do.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
The tuition is low and the educational value high. CUNY Queens College is a public school with curriculum comparable to private schools; for students attending as part of Macaulay Honors College, the educational level is comparable to some Ivy's. It's almost absurd how much you get for what you pay; just be sure to pay your fees and tuition on time so holds aren't put on your account. The dorms are expensive, but given the location and the amenities, it is well worth the money.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Behind Klapper Hall are big orb-like sculptures with cutouts in them where students can sit and study outside, which I thought were really cool when I first saw them. There is also an art gallery/museum in Klapper Hall. In the Aaron Copland School of Music there is a basement level where only lockers and practice rooms exist. At the dorms there is a stuffed animal making event on Valentine's Day that's quickly becoming an annual tradition. There are always food carts on campus; usually it's halal food or Latin American food, but there is also a fancy waffle cart that comes around once in a while that everyone gets excited over. The Honors Hall building is for some reason at a different level than the other buildings so the entrance is actually a staircase down to the door that looks a lot like a sketchy subway entrance but it's not actually sketchy, I promise. It's a little hard to find but if you follow the campus map and look for the sign you'll find it.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Hard-working students who are not afraid to keep an open mind and who value diversity and learning.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I'm not really a part of any clubs at the moment because I have a lot on my plate, but there are always club-hosted events happening on campus and I honestly haven't heard anything bad about any of the clubs so I'm assuming they're pretty good.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I know there are frats and sororities here, but I'm not into Greek Life so I don't keep tabs on it or anything.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The campus itself is very safe. The dorms have implemented new guest policies to tighten security, and there are always public safety officers driving around campus and sitting in the security booths. As of next semester, the front desk at the dorms will be staffed by security 24/7, rather than students during the day and security at night as it is right now. Aside from the dorms (which requires a FOB and ID), there is only one building I know of that you need to swipe ID to enter, which is Queens Hall (off-campus behind the track, a bit of a walk away). There are plenty of lights at night, and emergency blue boxes all over campus. I've never personally felt more unsafe on campus than anywhere else, even as a young woman walking alone very late at night or very early in the morning before classes have started. The fact that the campus is gated and the security at the main entrance and Reeves entrance ask for ID when entering after hours makes me feel a lot safer, too.
CUNY Queens College is a diverse school with incredible teaching staff. The grounds are well-kept, the view of Manhattan is breathtaking, and resources available to students are abundant. Queens College is a place where students learn both in and out of the classroom, and grow into better people.
-Always ask your professors if buying earlier editions or international editions of books is okay. You could save a lot of money that way. -Participate! There are events on-campus all the time and it's always worth your time to participate. It's valuable learning experience and often very entertaining, as well as a way to make new connections and friends. -Adhere to your professor's policies on technology. Always keep a spare notebook or looseleaf paper in your bag in case you forget and have an electronics-free class. -Study!!! You can't pass most classes here without taking them seriously.
I'm in Macaulay Honors College in addition to being a regular student at CUNY Queens College. Both schools' curriculums are challenging. They force you to think and develop your thoughts and ideas. Every professor is different though, so always ask upperclassmen or check out RateMyProfessor to check how rigorous their classes will be! As a Performance and Psychology double-major, I can attest to the rigor of both the Music and Psychology Departments' rigor as well.
The staff here really care, and they always do their best to make your experience as comfortable as possible. A vast majority of the students at CUNY Queens College commute, both those who live here have a very nice home to look forward to. It is a bit pricey, but worth it considering the amenities- a full kitchen, a living area, and two bathrooms per suite, heating and AC, free cable and WiFi, 24/7 gym and music practice rooms in the building- and the excellent service provided by maintenance, desk and office staff, and RA's. This is truly a fantastic place to live, especially if you have great roommates like I do :)
I personally don't use the dining halls on campus much because I budget my own groceries, but the food is good quality and can often be made to your specifications. There are vegetarian and kosher options available. It would be expensive to eat here everyday without a meal plan, but there are meal plan options available for those looking to use them. At the dorms every Wednesday is resident appreciation day so there is usually something free to eat or drink in the lobby.
There are always events going on on campus, especially during free hour on Mondays and Wednesdays. Everything from self-defense classes to educational speakers to club activities are offered here at some point during the year. There are a ton of clubs to join and several Club Days hosted for students to check them out covering a wide range of topics and interests. There are often free student recitals in the Aaron Copland School of Music during the week, and some bigger performances like operas, musicals, and plays in Colden Auditorium. There is an AMC movie theatre a short bus ride away from campus in Fresh Meadows where students can get discounted movie tickets if they show their student ID, and many good restaurants in the area; Gino's Pizza on Kissena Blvd. is a popular destination if you need a quick meal. It takes only about an hour to get to Manhattan if you take the bus to the F subway on Hillside Ave or the LIRR at Jamaica Station, and there are two malls not too far away from campus, Queens Plaza and Sky View. There is always something to do.
The tuition is low and the educational value high. CUNY Queens College is a public school with curriculum comparable to private schools; for students attending as part of Macaulay Honors College, the educational level is comparable to some Ivy's. It's almost absurd how much you get for what you pay; just be sure to pay your fees and tuition on time so holds aren't put on your account. The dorms are expensive, but given the location and the amenities, it is well worth the money.
Behind Klapper Hall are big orb-like sculptures with cutouts in them where students can sit and study outside, which I thought were really cool when I first saw them. There is also an art gallery/museum in Klapper Hall. In the Aaron Copland School of Music there is a basement level where only lockers and practice rooms exist. At the dorms there is a stuffed animal making event on Valentine's Day that's quickly becoming an annual tradition. There are always food carts on campus; usually it's halal food or Latin American food, but there is also a fancy waffle cart that comes around once in a while that everyone gets excited over. The Honors Hall building is for some reason at a different level than the other buildings so the entrance is actually a staircase down to the door that looks a lot like a sketchy subway entrance but it's not actually sketchy, I promise. It's a little hard to find but if you follow the campus map and look for the sign you'll find it.
Hard-working students who are not afraid to keep an open mind and who value diversity and learning.
I'm not really a part of any clubs at the moment because I have a lot on my plate, but there are always club-hosted events happening on campus and I honestly haven't heard anything bad about any of the clubs so I'm assuming they're pretty good.
I know there are frats and sororities here, but I'm not into Greek Life so I don't keep tabs on it or anything.
The campus itself is very safe. The dorms have implemented new guest policies to tighten security, and there are always public safety officers driving around campus and sitting in the security booths. As of next semester, the front desk at the dorms will be staffed by security 24/7, rather than students during the day and security at night as it is right now. Aside from the dorms (which requires a FOB and ID), there is only one building I know of that you need to swipe ID to enter, which is Queens Hall (off-campus behind the track, a bit of a walk away). There are plenty of lights at night, and emergency blue boxes all over campus. I've never personally felt more unsafe on campus than anywhere else, even as a young woman walking alone very late at night or very early in the morning before classes have started. The fact that the campus is gated and the security at the main entrance and Reeves entrance ask for ID when entering after hours makes me feel a lot safer, too.