A small Jesuit school with a great academic environment, caring professors, and friendly students. Big emphasis on community service and experiential learning. A great school if you're looking for personal attention from professors, a community feel, a good reputation, and a great education.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Schedule a personalized visit to meet with professors and eat lunch with current students. It will give you a great idea of what life is like in and out of the classroom at JCU.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Professors expect the best from students - this is not a school where you can slack off and still pull As. That said, the professors are really supportive and always willing to go the extra mile to help a struggling student. They really care about students' success and education. There's also a big emphasis on experiential learning, so many courses/majors have required internships or community service.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Some residence halls are newer, some are older. Recently the administration has been pushing to renovate some of the older ones, so that situation is improving. People are really friendly and generally there aren't big issues with cleanliness or disruptive people.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Only one actual cafeteria on campus, but lots of different stations (including a dessert station manned by a full-time pastry chef). A few other places on campus (grill, bagel shop, coffee/pastry shop). The food has gotten pretty decent since my freshman year and the dining staff are really friendly.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Two major malls within 10 minutes (Legacy and Beachwood) accessible by campus shuttle on weekends. Movie theater nearby. Lots to do downtown (accessible by public transportation within about 20 minutes), both in terms of nightlife and cultural events like the orchestra, museums, ethnic neighborhoods, etc.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
A little more expensive, as it's a private school, but definitely worth it. The only reason you wouldn't be happy at JCU is if you don't get involved in campus life. The education environment is personalized, rigorous, and experience-based. The student body is friendly and involved. The campus is beautiful and well-maintained, and Cleveland is a great city.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
- Not sure if this is grounded in fact, but there's a rumor going around that JCU has the highest rate of marriage between alumni.
- Don't step on the university seal on the floor of the atrium of Dolan Science Center or you'll fail your next exam.
- Don't cross the quad - use the sidewalks.
- Don't use a tray in the cafeteria
Which types of students will excel at your college?
- Students committed to community service
- You do NOT have to be Catholic to attend here even though we are a Jesuit school. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with your faith if you're religious (even if you're not Catholic), but if you don't want to participate in those activities or go to mass, there's no pressure.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Over 100 different clubs and organizations, really easy to get involved and really easy to make a new club if you want to see something new.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
About 10-15% Greek. Five sororities and four fraternities. Greek organizations don't have their own houses, but have locked floors in regular residence halls, allowing them to have their own space but still be integrated with the rest of the community. Very service based, friendly, and involved, not at all like you see in the movies. You don't have to be Greek to have fun and make friends, though - Greek life at JCU is not really exclusive like it is at some universities.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Campus is about 20 minutes from downtown in an upper-middle-class residential area. Primarily families and a large Hasidic Jewish community nearby - would definitely feel safe walking around after dark, even by myself. We also have campus police and EMS on call.
A small Jesuit school with a great academic environment, caring professors, and friendly students. Big emphasis on community service and experiential learning. A great school if you're looking for personal attention from professors, a community feel, a good reputation, and a great education.
Schedule a personalized visit to meet with professors and eat lunch with current students. It will give you a great idea of what life is like in and out of the classroom at JCU.
Professors expect the best from students - this is not a school where you can slack off and still pull As. That said, the professors are really supportive and always willing to go the extra mile to help a struggling student. They really care about students' success and education. There's also a big emphasis on experiential learning, so many courses/majors have required internships or community service.
Some residence halls are newer, some are older. Recently the administration has been pushing to renovate some of the older ones, so that situation is improving. People are really friendly and generally there aren't big issues with cleanliness or disruptive people.
Only one actual cafeteria on campus, but lots of different stations (including a dessert station manned by a full-time pastry chef). A few other places on campus (grill, bagel shop, coffee/pastry shop). The food has gotten pretty decent since my freshman year and the dining staff are really friendly.
Two major malls within 10 minutes (Legacy and Beachwood) accessible by campus shuttle on weekends. Movie theater nearby. Lots to do downtown (accessible by public transportation within about 20 minutes), both in terms of nightlife and cultural events like the orchestra, museums, ethnic neighborhoods, etc.
A little more expensive, as it's a private school, but definitely worth it. The only reason you wouldn't be happy at JCU is if you don't get involved in campus life. The education environment is personalized, rigorous, and experience-based. The student body is friendly and involved. The campus is beautiful and well-maintained, and Cleveland is a great city.
- Not sure if this is grounded in fact, but there's a rumor going around that JCU has the highest rate of marriage between alumni. - Don't step on the university seal on the floor of the atrium of Dolan Science Center or you'll fail your next exam. - Don't cross the quad - use the sidewalks. - Don't use a tray in the cafeteria
- Students committed to community service - You do NOT have to be Catholic to attend here even though we are a Jesuit school. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with your faith if you're religious (even if you're not Catholic), but if you don't want to participate in those activities or go to mass, there's no pressure.
Over 100 different clubs and organizations, really easy to get involved and really easy to make a new club if you want to see something new.
About 10-15% Greek. Five sororities and four fraternities. Greek organizations don't have their own houses, but have locked floors in regular residence halls, allowing them to have their own space but still be integrated with the rest of the community. Very service based, friendly, and involved, not at all like you see in the movies. You don't have to be Greek to have fun and make friends, though - Greek life at JCU is not really exclusive like it is at some universities.
Campus is about 20 minutes from downtown in an upper-middle-class residential area. Primarily families and a large Hasidic Jewish community nearby - would definitely feel safe walking around after dark, even by myself. We also have campus police and EMS on call.