St. Bonaventure is a fantastic institution that offers a comprehensive liberal arts education to all majors. Its Journalism/Mass Communication program and its Business program are extremely prestigious; anyone looking into either of those fields would be a fool not to consider Bona's. It is also a relatively small university, which makes for a very personal approach to teaching; your professors get to know you on a first-name basis and are always available outside of class to work with you on approaches that will help you to hone your strengths.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
I cannot stress enough how much it helps to apply early -- it shows determination and incentive that will definitely be appreciated. Because St. Bonaventure is a Franciscan university, community service will stand out on your application and tip the odds in your favor. A good GPA will not only help you get in, but might make you eligible for an extremely helpful scholarship, as well.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
What kept me from putting five stars here, while it pains me to say it, is that I do know students who coast through their classes here. Depending on your course of study and which professors you have, it is very possible for you to get a pretty light load, which can be a disappointment when you're paying for an education. However, as with most things, I guarantee you that with every class and every major here, you will get out what you put in. If you put your best foot forward and you go into your courses determined to do the work and do it well, your teachers will appreciate your efforts and do everything they can to help you and you will leave St. Bonaventure with a valuable, unforgettable education.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The dorms are all pretty old, but don't let that deter you; I had a fantastic experience living in a dorm my freshman year. St. Bonaventure gives a survey out to incoming freshmen and uses the results to place freshmen in halls with people that they are compatible with, making roommate problems much less likely. I got along wonderfully with everyone on my hall, and community showers really aren'Ã?Â?t nearly as terrifying as people make them out to be. Once you finish your first year several new housing options are open to you: Shay suites, Garden apartments, and Townhouses. I have only been in a Shay suite once, but they are comfortable; sharing a bathroom with three other people is certainly better than sharing with twenty. This past year I lived in a Garden apartment, which was a whole lot of fun. Gardens house six students each with two bathrooms, a huge living room, and a full kitchen. We hosted a lot of dinner parties and played a lot of Xbox Kinect! Next year I am going to be living in a Townhouse. Though Townhouses are smaller, each of the four students sharing a Townhouse gets his or her own room, which is nice. Also the fact that they are smaller makes them much more manageable in terms of keeping them clean and gives them a much more homey atmosphere.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The dining hall recently underwent an upgrade, meaning that the food is, simply put, fantastic, especially considering that it's a college dining hall. You are presented with several options throughout the day; Mongolian grill, brick oven pizza, pasta, freshly made sandwiches; there is even a delicious vegan station. Aside from the dining hall there is also La Verna, which is a superb coffee and sandwich shop, and the Reilly Center Cafe, which has choices ranging from savory fast food to healthy, delicious wraps. On the off chance that you are not in the mood for any of these options, Dunkin Donuts is right across the street from the main campus!
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There is a movie theater within walking distance of the campus, and a three-mile trail through the gorgeous surrounding area for those who like to bike, skateboard, rollerblade or walk. The little towns on either side of the college, Olean and Allegany, have tons of quirky, cheap, good quality restaurants and boutiques to explore. Overnight retreats are often held at Mount Irenaeus, a beautiful mountain retreat cared for by the Franciscan friars and a great place to get away from school-related stress and enjoy some down time.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
As with any private institution, the tuition for this school is daunting: roughly $40,000 a year. That said, because St. Bonaventure gets so many cash gifts from its alumni, there are a LOT of financial aid options one can apply for and TONS of on- and off-campus employment opportunities.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
One thing that often turns people off of St. Bonaventure is that it is a Catholic university, but most of the students in attendance are not Catholic at all. In fact, most of the Theology department's professors aren't Catholic, either! While there is certainly a great Catholic and Franciscan presence on campus, the friars, sisters, and everyone involved in the spiritual life of St. Bonaventure are some of the kindest, most understanding and accepting people I have ever met. Rather than make non-Catholics feel isolated, they welcome them with open arms and want only for them to feel comfortable.
Because the campus is so old there are several areas reputed to be haunted, especially Devereaux Hall, one of the dorms. Most of the spirits are said to be benevolent, because most of the people who have died on campus have been friars and sisters, but if you'Ã?Â?re looking for a chilling tale, ask an upperclassman about what allegedly happened on Devereaux's top floor.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
There are students of all types enjoying their stay at this school, from hard partyers to hard workers. I think that it best suits those who benefit from small student-to-teacher ratios and a very personal approach to learning; students who are very serious and passionate about their education who don't want to hide amid the hundreds in a lecture hall.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Bona's offers a veritable ton of intramural sports and clubs. I, personally, am a member of Writer's Bloc, which is a club for creative writers aspiring toward publication, which just goes to show you that there are clubs on campus for everything under the sun. Whether you're into Model UN, dance, the LGBT community or community service, you'Ã?Â?ll find your niche.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Something in particular that I really love about St. Bonaventure is that there is no Greek life; no fraternities or sororities. This means that the entire school is its own community that no one is excluded from, that no one has to feel pressured to fit into. It's a healthy, laid back environment.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
I have never felt unsafe on this campus, and that is due in no small part to the fact that it is located pretty much in the middle of nowhere in western New York. The campus security and the campus EMT response team are quick, efficient, and reliable.
St. Bonaventure is a fantastic institution that offers a comprehensive liberal arts education to all majors. Its Journalism/Mass Communication program and its Business program are extremely prestigious; anyone looking into either of those fields would be a fool not to consider Bona's. It is also a relatively small university, which makes for a very personal approach to teaching; your professors get to know you on a first-name basis and are always available outside of class to work with you on approaches that will help you to hone your strengths.
I cannot stress enough how much it helps to apply early -- it shows determination and incentive that will definitely be appreciated. Because St. Bonaventure is a Franciscan university, community service will stand out on your application and tip the odds in your favor. A good GPA will not only help you get in, but might make you eligible for an extremely helpful scholarship, as well.
What kept me from putting five stars here, while it pains me to say it, is that I do know students who coast through their classes here. Depending on your course of study and which professors you have, it is very possible for you to get a pretty light load, which can be a disappointment when you're paying for an education. However, as with most things, I guarantee you that with every class and every major here, you will get out what you put in. If you put your best foot forward and you go into your courses determined to do the work and do it well, your teachers will appreciate your efforts and do everything they can to help you and you will leave St. Bonaventure with a valuable, unforgettable education.
The dorms are all pretty old, but don't let that deter you; I had a fantastic experience living in a dorm my freshman year. St. Bonaventure gives a survey out to incoming freshmen and uses the results to place freshmen in halls with people that they are compatible with, making roommate problems much less likely. I got along wonderfully with everyone on my hall, and community showers really aren'Ã?Â?t nearly as terrifying as people make them out to be. Once you finish your first year several new housing options are open to you: Shay suites, Garden apartments, and Townhouses. I have only been in a Shay suite once, but they are comfortable; sharing a bathroom with three other people is certainly better than sharing with twenty. This past year I lived in a Garden apartment, which was a whole lot of fun. Gardens house six students each with two bathrooms, a huge living room, and a full kitchen. We hosted a lot of dinner parties and played a lot of Xbox Kinect! Next year I am going to be living in a Townhouse. Though Townhouses are smaller, each of the four students sharing a Townhouse gets his or her own room, which is nice. Also the fact that they are smaller makes them much more manageable in terms of keeping them clean and gives them a much more homey atmosphere.
The dining hall recently underwent an upgrade, meaning that the food is, simply put, fantastic, especially considering that it's a college dining hall. You are presented with several options throughout the day; Mongolian grill, brick oven pizza, pasta, freshly made sandwiches; there is even a delicious vegan station. Aside from the dining hall there is also La Verna, which is a superb coffee and sandwich shop, and the Reilly Center Cafe, which has choices ranging from savory fast food to healthy, delicious wraps. On the off chance that you are not in the mood for any of these options, Dunkin Donuts is right across the street from the main campus!
There is a movie theater within walking distance of the campus, and a three-mile trail through the gorgeous surrounding area for those who like to bike, skateboard, rollerblade or walk. The little towns on either side of the college, Olean and Allegany, have tons of quirky, cheap, good quality restaurants and boutiques to explore. Overnight retreats are often held at Mount Irenaeus, a beautiful mountain retreat cared for by the Franciscan friars and a great place to get away from school-related stress and enjoy some down time.
As with any private institution, the tuition for this school is daunting: roughly $40,000 a year. That said, because St. Bonaventure gets so many cash gifts from its alumni, there are a LOT of financial aid options one can apply for and TONS of on- and off-campus employment opportunities.
One thing that often turns people off of St. Bonaventure is that it is a Catholic university, but most of the students in attendance are not Catholic at all. In fact, most of the Theology department's professors aren't Catholic, either! While there is certainly a great Catholic and Franciscan presence on campus, the friars, sisters, and everyone involved in the spiritual life of St. Bonaventure are some of the kindest, most understanding and accepting people I have ever met. Rather than make non-Catholics feel isolated, they welcome them with open arms and want only for them to feel comfortable. Because the campus is so old there are several areas reputed to be haunted, especially Devereaux Hall, one of the dorms. Most of the spirits are said to be benevolent, because most of the people who have died on campus have been friars and sisters, but if you'Ã?Â?re looking for a chilling tale, ask an upperclassman about what allegedly happened on Devereaux's top floor.
There are students of all types enjoying their stay at this school, from hard partyers to hard workers. I think that it best suits those who benefit from small student-to-teacher ratios and a very personal approach to learning; students who are very serious and passionate about their education who don't want to hide amid the hundreds in a lecture hall.
Bona's offers a veritable ton of intramural sports and clubs. I, personally, am a member of Writer's Bloc, which is a club for creative writers aspiring toward publication, which just goes to show you that there are clubs on campus for everything under the sun. Whether you're into Model UN, dance, the LGBT community or community service, you'Ã?Â?ll find your niche.
Something in particular that I really love about St. Bonaventure is that there is no Greek life; no fraternities or sororities. This means that the entire school is its own community that no one is excluded from, that no one has to feel pressured to fit into. It's a healthy, laid back environment.
I have never felt unsafe on this campus, and that is due in no small part to the fact that it is located pretty much in the middle of nowhere in western New York. The campus security and the campus EMT response team are quick, efficient, and reliable.