Monmouth was the best experience of my life. I received a very well-rounded education and was involved in several organizations. I made long-lasting friendships and often reminisce about many experiences had on and off campus during my time there.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Fill out your FAFSA as early as possible and gain a rapport with the Bursar and Financial Aid offices. Wilson Hall will be your friend. Also, take advantage of the career counseling so as not to become a super senior, which is a notorious title on MU campus. Also, get involved in the surrounding community. Once you integrate, definitely look into becoming a Resident Assistant to help with housing costs and be a leader on campus.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Having anywhere from 35-42 professors during my time at Monmouth, I can only think of two that I really didn't care for. The professors care about the students' progress and are truly leaders and experts in their field. Monmouth focuses on writing intensive courses and public speaking - two things I do, fortunately, enjoy; so be prepared! The facilities are amazing, especially for Communication majors and athletes.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Monmouth is intersected by a road, but there's an underground tunnel. It's strange at first, but you get used to it. Campus life is on one side, Academic on the other - makes sense. Monmouth can be considered a back pack school, especially in the Fall semester. Students are from the general area, for the most part, so go home on the weekends for the beginning of the year. Other than that, the facilities are great. Freshman are housed in traditional dorms - long hallways, rooms of 2 or 3. Each floor is equipped with a Resident Assistant who can be your best friend, or your enemy, so tread lightly. Sophomores get suite style housing - 4 rooms, 3 are double and 1 is a triple. Each floor has an RA as well. Juniors have suite-style housing or apartment style and Seniors get apartment style. The apartments are fancy and EVERYONE tries to get them. There's a lottery system and though sophomores and juniors slip into amazing apartments here and there, your chances of getting into an apartment are best when you are a Senior.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The dining hall is AMAZING. We call it Club Magill because, during dinner, girls and guys dress up like they're going to the club. Not everyone, but enough for it to get that name. Either way, the food is delicious and there's several stations ranging from sandwiches to salads, grilled food to quick and easy. There's even a waffle station! You will never be able to eat the way you do at Monmouth unless you are on a cruise - it's that serious. The Student Center also provides great food, but that will come off of your declining balance that is small and fleeting, but comes with your food plan. Every on-campus resident must have a food plan. The Student Center and Dining Hall are on the Academic side of campus, while The Underground Cafe is on the Dorm-side. This also takes the declining balance and has less healthy, but delicious, options. You can find this in Elmwood Hall.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Join campus organizations. The radio and TV studios are comparable to professional studios. The Plangere building, where they are housed, was given by the found of the Asbury Park Times in 2001-2002. Also, the indoor athletic facilities are the newest to campus, so if you can join a sports team - DO IT! Monmouth hosts several athletic events at this venue and it's so stellar, it almost justifies your tuition price!
Off campus, the beach is about 1/2 mile away. In warm weather, take advantage of it. There are plenty of restaurants, especially late night Nelly's, for those underage and, when of age, there are great bars and clubs. Jacks and Stingrays are a staple among Monmouth students. There's great shopping at the Promenade on Ocean Drive and the new Outlets, Monmouth Mall and Freehold Mall are close by as well. Monmouth U is in a perfect location as Asbury's Stone Pony is only 20 minutes away and NYC is just a train ride away. Six flags is also an option. That can be reached in under 30 minutes.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Monmouth is expensive, but all colleges are. It's hard to put a price on such an experience, though. The campus is beautiful, offers several activities, as well as opportunities to make spending a little easier on the wallet. Work study and Resident Assistant opportunities help cut costs of attending. Even though regular Fall/Spring semesters are expensive, I had no worries in applying for more aid to do Study Abroad in Spain one summer, which I highly recommend!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Wilson Hall is byfar the strangest landmark on MU campus. The summer home of President Woodrow Wilson, it's a majestic mansion where Annie's dance on the grand staircase with Daddy Warbucks was filmed. Classes take place in the building and several departments are housed here as well. The higher you go, the smaller the rooms get. It's really intriguing. Winter balls and fundraising events take place on the first floor and the basement, where President Wilson had a bowling alley and swimming pool, is rumored to be haunted.
The Gugenheim Library is also another strange building. Once the home of a Gugenheim decendent who's wife went down with the Titanic, the University keeps all of it's academic resources here. Gugenheim's wife has been spotted on the red velvet staircase in the mansion library.
A third strange place is the Music & Theatre building, which was Woodrow Wilsons horse stables during his stay. This building is also rumored to be haunted.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Outgoing, Involved in extra-curricular activities, Athletes
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There is an abundance of activities and clubs to get involved with. Monmouth's campus is excellent for Athletes and Communication Majors as their facilities are the newest and most innovative. Monmouth offers several ways to get involved as campus tour guides, orientation leaders, lab assistants, and resident assistants,
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I was not involved in Greek Life, however, it is a HUGE part of Monmouth. You WILL make friends with frat bros, or soror sisters. You WILL go to a frat house party.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
24-hour surveillance and campus has it's own police department. Each dorm has a Night Hawk who monitors who is in the building. Night Hawks are on duty from 9pm - 2am and work closely with the RA on duty. It's a VERY safe campus.
Monmouth was the best experience of my life. I received a very well-rounded education and was involved in several organizations. I made long-lasting friendships and often reminisce about many experiences had on and off campus during my time there.
Fill out your FAFSA as early as possible and gain a rapport with the Bursar and Financial Aid offices. Wilson Hall will be your friend. Also, take advantage of the career counseling so as not to become a super senior, which is a notorious title on MU campus. Also, get involved in the surrounding community. Once you integrate, definitely look into becoming a Resident Assistant to help with housing costs and be a leader on campus.
Having anywhere from 35-42 professors during my time at Monmouth, I can only think of two that I really didn't care for. The professors care about the students' progress and are truly leaders and experts in their field. Monmouth focuses on writing intensive courses and public speaking - two things I do, fortunately, enjoy; so be prepared! The facilities are amazing, especially for Communication majors and athletes.
Monmouth is intersected by a road, but there's an underground tunnel. It's strange at first, but you get used to it. Campus life is on one side, Academic on the other - makes sense. Monmouth can be considered a back pack school, especially in the Fall semester. Students are from the general area, for the most part, so go home on the weekends for the beginning of the year. Other than that, the facilities are great. Freshman are housed in traditional dorms - long hallways, rooms of 2 or 3. Each floor is equipped with a Resident Assistant who can be your best friend, or your enemy, so tread lightly. Sophomores get suite style housing - 4 rooms, 3 are double and 1 is a triple. Each floor has an RA as well. Juniors have suite-style housing or apartment style and Seniors get apartment style. The apartments are fancy and EVERYONE tries to get them. There's a lottery system and though sophomores and juniors slip into amazing apartments here and there, your chances of getting into an apartment are best when you are a Senior.
The dining hall is AMAZING. We call it Club Magill because, during dinner, girls and guys dress up like they're going to the club. Not everyone, but enough for it to get that name. Either way, the food is delicious and there's several stations ranging from sandwiches to salads, grilled food to quick and easy. There's even a waffle station! You will never be able to eat the way you do at Monmouth unless you are on a cruise - it's that serious. The Student Center also provides great food, but that will come off of your declining balance that is small and fleeting, but comes with your food plan. Every on-campus resident must have a food plan. The Student Center and Dining Hall are on the Academic side of campus, while The Underground Cafe is on the Dorm-side. This also takes the declining balance and has less healthy, but delicious, options. You can find this in Elmwood Hall.
Join campus organizations. The radio and TV studios are comparable to professional studios. The Plangere building, where they are housed, was given by the found of the Asbury Park Times in 2001-2002. Also, the indoor athletic facilities are the newest to campus, so if you can join a sports team - DO IT! Monmouth hosts several athletic events at this venue and it's so stellar, it almost justifies your tuition price! Off campus, the beach is about 1/2 mile away. In warm weather, take advantage of it. There are plenty of restaurants, especially late night Nelly's, for those underage and, when of age, there are great bars and clubs. Jacks and Stingrays are a staple among Monmouth students. There's great shopping at the Promenade on Ocean Drive and the new Outlets, Monmouth Mall and Freehold Mall are close by as well. Monmouth U is in a perfect location as Asbury's Stone Pony is only 20 minutes away and NYC is just a train ride away. Six flags is also an option. That can be reached in under 30 minutes.
Monmouth is expensive, but all colleges are. It's hard to put a price on such an experience, though. The campus is beautiful, offers several activities, as well as opportunities to make spending a little easier on the wallet. Work study and Resident Assistant opportunities help cut costs of attending. Even though regular Fall/Spring semesters are expensive, I had no worries in applying for more aid to do Study Abroad in Spain one summer, which I highly recommend!
Wilson Hall is byfar the strangest landmark on MU campus. The summer home of President Woodrow Wilson, it's a majestic mansion where Annie's dance on the grand staircase with Daddy Warbucks was filmed. Classes take place in the building and several departments are housed here as well. The higher you go, the smaller the rooms get. It's really intriguing. Winter balls and fundraising events take place on the first floor and the basement, where President Wilson had a bowling alley and swimming pool, is rumored to be haunted. The Gugenheim Library is also another strange building. Once the home of a Gugenheim decendent who's wife went down with the Titanic, the University keeps all of it's academic resources here. Gugenheim's wife has been spotted on the red velvet staircase in the mansion library. A third strange place is the Music & Theatre building, which was Woodrow Wilsons horse stables during his stay. This building is also rumored to be haunted.
Outgoing, Involved in extra-curricular activities, Athletes
There is an abundance of activities and clubs to get involved with. Monmouth's campus is excellent for Athletes and Communication Majors as their facilities are the newest and most innovative. Monmouth offers several ways to get involved as campus tour guides, orientation leaders, lab assistants, and resident assistants,
I was not involved in Greek Life, however, it is a HUGE part of Monmouth. You WILL make friends with frat bros, or soror sisters. You WILL go to a frat house party.
24-hour surveillance and campus has it's own police department. Each dorm has a Night Hawk who monitors who is in the building. Night Hawks are on duty from 9pm - 2am and work closely with the RA on duty. It's a VERY safe campus.