I am definitely learning a lot at Muhlenberg College. The academics here are very strong, but not in a competitive way. The professors are kind and personable; they demand the best of you, but, with the average class size being just nineteen students, you are able to get the individualized attention you need in order to succeed. Freshmen year, Muhlenberg offers a great program called a First-Year Seminar or FYS. It a writing-intensive class that you choose yourself from a list of sixty or so topics. The topics range from Finding Your Muse to The American Road-Trip to How to Think About Weird Things and each are the specialty of the professors who teach them. An FYS has approximately fifteen students in it who are also the students in your orientation group and the professor is your temporary advisor until your major is declared. The class is designed to explore the topic in a way that truly causes you to think and, also, to get you used to college-level writing. For this purpose, each FYS has its own writing advisor who is an upperclassman who has taken a course about teaching and editing writing. They attend the class and are available to help with any paper. This program is a wonderful way to start-off your college education; it causes you to start thinking at a higher level, gets you closely acquainted with your advisor, provides you with an upperclassman resource and introduces you to classmates who share similar interests. Thanks to my First-Year Seminar, I can say I am definitely soaking as much out of my Muhlenberg education as possible.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I am so lucky that I know I have most certainly picked the best place for me to spend my college career! In my opinion, Muhlenberg College could not be more perfect. They have an extensive arts program and a heavy emphasis on strong academics. There are so many opportunities like ways to get involved on campus and in the community, places to go abroad, research projects in conjunction with professors, independent studies, and more. The campus is small enough that you feel very 'at home', yet without feeling suffocated. There are several other colleges right in the same area, plus Philadelphia is only an hour away. I have already made friends that I know will last a lifetime and built relationships with many professors. My classes are interesting, engaging and will aid my greatly in 'the real world' after graduation. Housing is guaranteed all four years, yet the college helps you take steps to adjust to eventually being on your own. I really could not ask for more from Muhlenberg.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Muhlenberg College does an absolutely great job of offering both merit-based and need-based aid, so even if the tuition scares you at first glance, don't be afraid. There are even talent scholarships available for theater, dance, etc. plus three academic societies that the admissions office may offer you acceptance to which come with an additional scholarship. There is an extensive Career Center which anyone has access to starting from the first day of freshmen year where the experienced staff helps you create resumes, gives mock interviews, provides connections to alumni for possible post-graduation employment, and aids in the process of graduate school choice and application. Also, while work-study students have first choice at campus jobs, anyone can get a paying position on campus. Overall, Muhlenberg provides a wonderful balance of small, community feel with big university opportunities so, if you make the most of it, I definitely feel anyone is more than able to get their money's worth out of a Muhlenberg education.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
I would definitely suggest any prospective student who is highly interested in Muhlenberg College to apply early decision. A great portion of each incoming class does apply early decision which is wonderful because that means most everybody at Muhlenberg is at their first choice school and is truly passionate about being there. Don't panic though! Muhlenberg's early decision deadline isn't until February 1st, only two weeks before regular decision. This gives you plenty of time to truly decide if Muhlenberg is the place for you. Also, visit the campus and make contact with professors, students, coaches, etc. as often as you can. The Admissions Office takes note of every time you make an effort to show interest in the school and it reflects very well on your application!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Muhlenberg College is the perfect place for students who are extremely passionate about the arts, but do not want to forfeit their academic goals for a conservatory-like atmosphere, as well as for the students who want to be very involved in the arts, yet wish to pursue a different academic major. We have extensive dance, theater, music and arts programs, yet, as a liberal arts college, there is also a very strong emphasis on academics. No one has to be a major or even a minor to participate in any shows or take any arts classes so a large portion of the student body participates in at least some aspect of the arts without the arts being the sole focus of the entire campus.
I am definitely learning a lot at Muhlenberg College. The academics here are very strong, but not in a competitive way. The professors are kind and personable; they demand the best of you, but, with the average class size being just nineteen students, you are able to get the individualized attention you need in order to succeed. Freshmen year, Muhlenberg offers a great program called a First-Year Seminar or FYS. It a writing-intensive class that you choose yourself from a list of sixty or so topics. The topics range from Finding Your Muse to The American Road-Trip to How to Think About Weird Things and each are the specialty of the professors who teach them. An FYS has approximately fifteen students in it who are also the students in your orientation group and the professor is your temporary advisor until your major is declared. The class is designed to explore the topic in a way that truly causes you to think and, also, to get you used to college-level writing. For this purpose, each FYS has its own writing advisor who is an upperclassman who has taken a course about teaching and editing writing. They attend the class and are available to help with any paper. This program is a wonderful way to start-off your college education; it causes you to start thinking at a higher level, gets you closely acquainted with your advisor, provides you with an upperclassman resource and introduces you to classmates who share similar interests. Thanks to my First-Year Seminar, I can say I am definitely soaking as much out of my Muhlenberg education as possible.
I am so lucky that I know I have most certainly picked the best place for me to spend my college career! In my opinion, Muhlenberg College could not be more perfect. They have an extensive arts program and a heavy emphasis on strong academics. There are so many opportunities like ways to get involved on campus and in the community, places to go abroad, research projects in conjunction with professors, independent studies, and more. The campus is small enough that you feel very 'at home', yet without feeling suffocated. There are several other colleges right in the same area, plus Philadelphia is only an hour away. I have already made friends that I know will last a lifetime and built relationships with many professors. My classes are interesting, engaging and will aid my greatly in 'the real world' after graduation. Housing is guaranteed all four years, yet the college helps you take steps to adjust to eventually being on your own. I really could not ask for more from Muhlenberg.
Muhlenberg College does an absolutely great job of offering both merit-based and need-based aid, so even if the tuition scares you at first glance, don't be afraid. There are even talent scholarships available for theater, dance, etc. plus three academic societies that the admissions office may offer you acceptance to which come with an additional scholarship. There is an extensive Career Center which anyone has access to starting from the first day of freshmen year where the experienced staff helps you create resumes, gives mock interviews, provides connections to alumni for possible post-graduation employment, and aids in the process of graduate school choice and application. Also, while work-study students have first choice at campus jobs, anyone can get a paying position on campus. Overall, Muhlenberg provides a wonderful balance of small, community feel with big university opportunities so, if you make the most of it, I definitely feel anyone is more than able to get their money's worth out of a Muhlenberg education.
I would definitely suggest any prospective student who is highly interested in Muhlenberg College to apply early decision. A great portion of each incoming class does apply early decision which is wonderful because that means most everybody at Muhlenberg is at their first choice school and is truly passionate about being there. Don't panic though! Muhlenberg's early decision deadline isn't until February 1st, only two weeks before regular decision. This gives you plenty of time to truly decide if Muhlenberg is the place for you. Also, visit the campus and make contact with professors, students, coaches, etc. as often as you can. The Admissions Office takes note of every time you make an effort to show interest in the school and it reflects very well on your application!
Muhlenberg College is the perfect place for students who are extremely passionate about the arts, but do not want to forfeit their academic goals for a conservatory-like atmosphere, as well as for the students who want to be very involved in the arts, yet wish to pursue a different academic major. We have extensive dance, theater, music and arts programs, yet, as a liberal arts college, there is also a very strong emphasis on academics. No one has to be a major or even a minor to participate in any shows or take any arts classes so a large portion of the student body participates in at least some aspect of the arts without the arts being the sole focus of the entire campus.