The students and professors are welcoming and really make the campus feel like home. Even in the first few weeks, I felt completely comfortable, and the faculty all make an effort to get to know all of their students. The small class sizes make it so that everyone knows everyone else and professors have an interest in your success.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
If you're thinking of applying here, don't be afraid to visit - specifically, schedule an overnight visit so that you can see what it would be like to live here and meet people here. Whomever you stay with will make you feel at ease and at home, introducing you to friends who will remember you if you do decide to go to school here.
One thing to take into account when deciding whether or not to come here is the school's location. It is in a fairly residential area, and the street on which it sits it filled with fraternity and sorority houses (a plus if you're looking for that). If you're looking for something to do off campus though, you're limited. There is a street about a half a mile away with locally owned shops and restaurants, but beyond that there is a main strip about a mile and a half away with a mall, Walmart, shopping complex, and countless franchises. There are shuttle buses every Saturday that go to this strip, but if you're looking to be able to go somewhere whenever you want, you'll need a car (which freshmen are allowed to have).
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
I would give this a 5-star rating, as the classes are challenging, but with the help of professors, nothing is impossible or too difficult. They will help with any issues you may have and genuinely want you to succeed, so it's nearly impossible to feel over-intimidated by coursework.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Dorm life will never be the greatest thing. But SU's dorms are the best that I saw during my college search and I've been very comfortable in mine this year. The dorm rooms here are spacious in most of the residence halls, and the residence halls are kept very clean by staff who clean every day. The RAs here are also extremely helpful in any matters you may have issue with.They try to plan activities at the beginning of the year to help all of the residents get to know each other, including movie and game nights, ice cream socials, and random things like trivia or charades. The RAs also are trained to help with roommate problems, so if you're really resolutely different from a roommate, the RAs will help. No one has to be miserable here. People will look after you and have a vested interest in your well-being.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
I was really torn between 3- and 4-stars on this one. The food is not spectacular. It's inconsistent - some days it's really good, and other days it's really bad. This just goes for the dining hall, where there are a good number of options, but sometimes the staff really just misses the mark on a good meal. However, there are other options. There is a cafe that offers made-to-order burgers, sandwiches, fries, wraps, and other foods. Also, there is a cafe with Mexican food (tacos, burritos, quesadillas) and a cafe like Panera Bread that serves fresh bread sandwiches, soups, and pastries. There is also a campus coffee house that creates its own drinks (like a variation of butterbeer) Campus also added a Starbucks recently. WOOH!
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
To be honest, there's fun for everyone, though it doesn't vary much from the average college fun. A lot of students go out for the weekend to different fraternity houses, but those who don't go out for the weekend have options available at the coffee house, which hosts movie nights of new releases, karaoke nights, concerts, and board game nights. There is also a dance club on campus called TRAX that students can go to for Saturday events. They host tons of parties that people come to for a few hours to dance off some steam.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
SU is great for the academics, the professors, the class sizes (small - personalized), professional connections with alumni, internships made available, and the study abroad program. This school has so much to offer in every way, but students are truly helped throughout their college careers to become successful in the future with all resources imaginable. The study abroad program, called the GO Program, is amazing. Students are required to study abroad, so no one can be told that they can't fit it in. This is great, and allows you to go where you want to go for a chosen amount of time with funds if not full financial coverage through the school.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
As a small school, we have traditions and hang outs that bigger schools might not. Perhaps my favorite tradition here is Thanksgiving dinner, which is a dinner in the dining hall for all students on the day before students go home for Thanksgiving break. The dinner is served by professors, and SU's president speaks and serves as well. The experience is great and it feels like a giant family dinner.
TRAX is probably the most unusual place to hang out, but it's a great way to party safely or without overuse of alcohol. It basically provides students with dance parties with a live DJ every weekend. Awesome!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
For students who are used to small class sizes or are looking for a smaller school SU would be perfect. Small class sizes allow each student to be successful and build personal relationships with professors.
It's also great for students who are very involved in volunteer work - SU has hundreds of clubs for volunteering.
Students who dream of studying abroad somewhere far away should come here. Advisors make it possible for everyone to have the college experiences they want, including where and when they study abroad.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are hundreds of clubs run by students here. They include volunteering, special interest, sports, academics, and nature clubs, among countless others. There is something for everyone, and if you are interested in a club that isn't around yet, start one! It's easy to start a club here, and you can easily get support and members.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek life is extremely prominent here. There are tons of fraternities and sororities on campus, and if you're interested in Greek life, you'll be able to find a cause that suits you. Since students here are so approachable, it's easy to meet and get involved with members of fraternities or sororities.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Campus is extremely safe. There is a security called Public Safety whose job is to drive and walk around campus looking for students who need help. Public Safety provides rides to students who can't get back to their dorms, no questions asked, and has a number that is easy to call without judgement. They really care about the safety of the students here, and as long as you're safe, they don't need to know the rest. The students here, because everyone knows everyone else, are safe. Dangerous misconduct does not occur between students in general, and if it does, Public Safety and other students are close enough to each other to help.
The students and professors are welcoming and really make the campus feel like home. Even in the first few weeks, I felt completely comfortable, and the faculty all make an effort to get to know all of their students. The small class sizes make it so that everyone knows everyone else and professors have an interest in your success.
If you're thinking of applying here, don't be afraid to visit - specifically, schedule an overnight visit so that you can see what it would be like to live here and meet people here. Whomever you stay with will make you feel at ease and at home, introducing you to friends who will remember you if you do decide to go to school here. One thing to take into account when deciding whether or not to come here is the school's location. It is in a fairly residential area, and the street on which it sits it filled with fraternity and sorority houses (a plus if you're looking for that). If you're looking for something to do off campus though, you're limited. There is a street about a half a mile away with locally owned shops and restaurants, but beyond that there is a main strip about a mile and a half away with a mall, Walmart, shopping complex, and countless franchises. There are shuttle buses every Saturday that go to this strip, but if you're looking to be able to go somewhere whenever you want, you'll need a car (which freshmen are allowed to have).
I would give this a 5-star rating, as the classes are challenging, but with the help of professors, nothing is impossible or too difficult. They will help with any issues you may have and genuinely want you to succeed, so it's nearly impossible to feel over-intimidated by coursework.
Dorm life will never be the greatest thing. But SU's dorms are the best that I saw during my college search and I've been very comfortable in mine this year. The dorm rooms here are spacious in most of the residence halls, and the residence halls are kept very clean by staff who clean every day. The RAs here are also extremely helpful in any matters you may have issue with.They try to plan activities at the beginning of the year to help all of the residents get to know each other, including movie and game nights, ice cream socials, and random things like trivia or charades. The RAs also are trained to help with roommate problems, so if you're really resolutely different from a roommate, the RAs will help. No one has to be miserable here. People will look after you and have a vested interest in your well-being.
I was really torn between 3- and 4-stars on this one. The food is not spectacular. It's inconsistent - some days it's really good, and other days it's really bad. This just goes for the dining hall, where there are a good number of options, but sometimes the staff really just misses the mark on a good meal. However, there are other options. There is a cafe that offers made-to-order burgers, sandwiches, fries, wraps, and other foods. Also, there is a cafe with Mexican food (tacos, burritos, quesadillas) and a cafe like Panera Bread that serves fresh bread sandwiches, soups, and pastries. There is also a campus coffee house that creates its own drinks (like a variation of butterbeer) Campus also added a Starbucks recently. WOOH!
To be honest, there's fun for everyone, though it doesn't vary much from the average college fun. A lot of students go out for the weekend to different fraternity houses, but those who don't go out for the weekend have options available at the coffee house, which hosts movie nights of new releases, karaoke nights, concerts, and board game nights. There is also a dance club on campus called TRAX that students can go to for Saturday events. They host tons of parties that people come to for a few hours to dance off some steam.
SU is great for the academics, the professors, the class sizes (small - personalized), professional connections with alumni, internships made available, and the study abroad program. This school has so much to offer in every way, but students are truly helped throughout their college careers to become successful in the future with all resources imaginable. The study abroad program, called the GO Program, is amazing. Students are required to study abroad, so no one can be told that they can't fit it in. This is great, and allows you to go where you want to go for a chosen amount of time with funds if not full financial coverage through the school.
As a small school, we have traditions and hang outs that bigger schools might not. Perhaps my favorite tradition here is Thanksgiving dinner, which is a dinner in the dining hall for all students on the day before students go home for Thanksgiving break. The dinner is served by professors, and SU's president speaks and serves as well. The experience is great and it feels like a giant family dinner. TRAX is probably the most unusual place to hang out, but it's a great way to party safely or without overuse of alcohol. It basically provides students with dance parties with a live DJ every weekend. Awesome!
For students who are used to small class sizes or are looking for a smaller school SU would be perfect. Small class sizes allow each student to be successful and build personal relationships with professors. It's also great for students who are very involved in volunteer work - SU has hundreds of clubs for volunteering. Students who dream of studying abroad somewhere far away should come here. Advisors make it possible for everyone to have the college experiences they want, including where and when they study abroad.
There are hundreds of clubs run by students here. They include volunteering, special interest, sports, academics, and nature clubs, among countless others. There is something for everyone, and if you are interested in a club that isn't around yet, start one! It's easy to start a club here, and you can easily get support and members.
Greek life is extremely prominent here. There are tons of fraternities and sororities on campus, and if you're interested in Greek life, you'll be able to find a cause that suits you. Since students here are so approachable, it's easy to meet and get involved with members of fraternities or sororities.
Campus is extremely safe. There is a security called Public Safety whose job is to drive and walk around campus looking for students who need help. Public Safety provides rides to students who can't get back to their dorms, no questions asked, and has a number that is easy to call without judgement. They really care about the safety of the students here, and as long as you're safe, they don't need to know the rest. The students here, because everyone knows everyone else, are safe. Dangerous misconduct does not occur between students in general, and if it does, Public Safety and other students are close enough to each other to help.