The people at Muhlenberg open doors for you, literally and figuratively.
I've never been in a class with a professor that I feel didn't care about me as a person, and I'm not the type to go to office hours every chance I get.
It may be a small school in a less-than-exciting town, but there are so many hole-in-the-wall places to explore.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
As for any college, solidify good study habits now, so that when you have the free time college allows you know how to use it wisely. As for Muhlenberg specifically, they call it the caring college for a reason. Muhlenberg has a very strong sense of community even among the theatre geeks, pre-med hopefuls, and obsessed athletes. This is a place for people with diverse interests and unique combinations of study. Some people will complain about the small size of the student body but it's what I signed up for and I love it. I don't want to be in a class with 400 other people and at Muhlenberg I haven't encountered a class with even 40 other people so far.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Academics are, of course, a step up from high school. However, as someone who took multiple AP classes I felt completely comfortable with the transition. It wasn't much of a stretch at all. The biggest challenge was that there would be a few weeks out of the semester that seemed like professors- all across the board- gave out a heavier work load. It's just making it past those weeks that seem impossible. Everything else is fine as long as you are smart about your time. Granted, this is my perspective as a math major, I cannot speak for pre-med.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The dorms at Muhlenberg are great. The three Freshman dorms are all very different but have their own perks. I lived in Brown, an all-girls dorm that had a few upperclassmen. The rooms in Brown are HUGE with hardwood floors and high ceilings. Sophomore year I had the village which is apartment style and the nicest dorm I've ever seen. There are plenty of options and none of them are terrible. Wherever you end up at Muhlenberg will be a step up from other college dorms that I have experienced. We also have school-owned off-campus houses that are available. Since this is a small school, there is always enough room for everyone, including upperclassmen, to live on campus, and most people do.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Our dining hall is nationally ranked, which we often take for granted. As a student-athlete who travels to other schools and experiences their dining as well, I can surely say none of them have been better than the Berg. Of course we still have days when even I, among the most praiseful of our dining hall, think the options are lacking, but those days aren't too often and still always have campus-made pizza, salad bar, burgers, and the deli station. We also use grass-fed, never frozen beef which has left me so spoiled. I'm a foodie I could go on forever. One thing I will end with is that the hours aren't the best. We have one dining hall and it closes at 8 on weekdays and 7 on weekends which is pretty early. But throughout the day it remains open, which isn't true at all schools so that is nice. We also have a few campus restaurants which are also great too and GQ (groceries and fast food) is almost always open.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
This is where Muhlenberg lacks the most, but I haven't had too much of an issue with this so far. Towards the start of the year the school is very good about having fun things on the weekend, always free like stuff-a-plush, make your own t-shirts, and movies. However, I felt that throughout the year that died out, or at least I stopped reading the berg bulletin and looking for them. Allentown isn't the most exciting place at first glance, but it has little treasures if you take some time to explore. There are shuttles that run on the weekends that go all around town so it's okay if you don't have a car, but better if you do. I would mostly stay on campus and hang out with friends and always had a great time doing just that. The older kids would sometimes venture to the bars which are very close to campus and I've heard they are fun, and sometimes drive 20 minutes to the casino. This isn't a DI state school, but if you really want to have fun, you will.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
My experience with Muhlenberg's financial aid is great. They don't offer a ton of merit aid, but what I got was pretty significant and it's not like I was valedictorian in high school. The Berg is fantastic with need-based aid. The sticker price is very shocking but my financial aid brought it down to a VERY affordable price, way cheaper than what other schools offered me. If you are a candidate for need-based aid, Muhlenberg will most definitely help you out.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Muhlenberg is great for the typical liberal arts student who is interested in interdisciplinary education and may have an unusual combination of topics that they want to study.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I am not a part of greek life here, but it does exist. I think something like 20% of students are involved, so it's not huge, but it holds it's place on campus and most students do go to frat parties at least a few times in their years here. There are only a few options for frats and sororities but we are getting a new one this upcoming year.
The people at Muhlenberg open doors for you, literally and figuratively. I've never been in a class with a professor that I feel didn't care about me as a person, and I'm not the type to go to office hours every chance I get. It may be a small school in a less-than-exciting town, but there are so many hole-in-the-wall places to explore.
As for any college, solidify good study habits now, so that when you have the free time college allows you know how to use it wisely. As for Muhlenberg specifically, they call it the caring college for a reason. Muhlenberg has a very strong sense of community even among the theatre geeks, pre-med hopefuls, and obsessed athletes. This is a place for people with diverse interests and unique combinations of study. Some people will complain about the small size of the student body but it's what I signed up for and I love it. I don't want to be in a class with 400 other people and at Muhlenberg I haven't encountered a class with even 40 other people so far.
Academics are, of course, a step up from high school. However, as someone who took multiple AP classes I felt completely comfortable with the transition. It wasn't much of a stretch at all. The biggest challenge was that there would be a few weeks out of the semester that seemed like professors- all across the board- gave out a heavier work load. It's just making it past those weeks that seem impossible. Everything else is fine as long as you are smart about your time. Granted, this is my perspective as a math major, I cannot speak for pre-med.
The dorms at Muhlenberg are great. The three Freshman dorms are all very different but have their own perks. I lived in Brown, an all-girls dorm that had a few upperclassmen. The rooms in Brown are HUGE with hardwood floors and high ceilings. Sophomore year I had the village which is apartment style and the nicest dorm I've ever seen. There are plenty of options and none of them are terrible. Wherever you end up at Muhlenberg will be a step up from other college dorms that I have experienced. We also have school-owned off-campus houses that are available. Since this is a small school, there is always enough room for everyone, including upperclassmen, to live on campus, and most people do.
Our dining hall is nationally ranked, which we often take for granted. As a student-athlete who travels to other schools and experiences their dining as well, I can surely say none of them have been better than the Berg. Of course we still have days when even I, among the most praiseful of our dining hall, think the options are lacking, but those days aren't too often and still always have campus-made pizza, salad bar, burgers, and the deli station. We also use grass-fed, never frozen beef which has left me so spoiled. I'm a foodie I could go on forever. One thing I will end with is that the hours aren't the best. We have one dining hall and it closes at 8 on weekdays and 7 on weekends which is pretty early. But throughout the day it remains open, which isn't true at all schools so that is nice. We also have a few campus restaurants which are also great too and GQ (groceries and fast food) is almost always open.
This is where Muhlenberg lacks the most, but I haven't had too much of an issue with this so far. Towards the start of the year the school is very good about having fun things on the weekend, always free like stuff-a-plush, make your own t-shirts, and movies. However, I felt that throughout the year that died out, or at least I stopped reading the berg bulletin and looking for them. Allentown isn't the most exciting place at first glance, but it has little treasures if you take some time to explore. There are shuttles that run on the weekends that go all around town so it's okay if you don't have a car, but better if you do. I would mostly stay on campus and hang out with friends and always had a great time doing just that. The older kids would sometimes venture to the bars which are very close to campus and I've heard they are fun, and sometimes drive 20 minutes to the casino. This isn't a DI state school, but if you really want to have fun, you will.
My experience with Muhlenberg's financial aid is great. They don't offer a ton of merit aid, but what I got was pretty significant and it's not like I was valedictorian in high school. The Berg is fantastic with need-based aid. The sticker price is very shocking but my financial aid brought it down to a VERY affordable price, way cheaper than what other schools offered me. If you are a candidate for need-based aid, Muhlenberg will most definitely help you out.
Muhlenberg is great for the typical liberal arts student who is interested in interdisciplinary education and may have an unusual combination of topics that they want to study.
I am not a part of greek life here, but it does exist. I think something like 20% of students are involved, so it's not huge, but it holds it's place on campus and most students do go to frat parties at least a few times in their years here. There are only a few options for frats and sororities but we are getting a new one this upcoming year.