One very significant draw of the school for me was its small size (the student body rarely exceeds 900), which creates a sense of community for me; I almost always see friends when I walk between classes, and most of the freshman are housed in one building. Any student who lives on the campus has a job within the school, which helps students pay for the room and board costs, but also creates a more complicated balancing act between classwork, the work program, and daily life. The school, while verbally committed to social justice, has some ineffective practices in that regard (for example, a protest march that didn't leave campus), and I have heard from the students of color I have talked to that there are a lot of implicitly racist attitudes present among the (majority white) students and faculty (I am white too, and by no means above this).
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
As a freshman student, I have a lot of friends who were assigned to work such tough jobs as cafeteria staff (long shifts, and a difficult boss) and landscaping (early morning hours). Everybody has a job on campus working fifteen hours a week, so be prepared for that.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
The teachers I've had are usually well versed in their subjects, and many long term projects are assigned. It's difficult to stay on top of everything.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The dorms have non-gendered bathrooms, and are overall quite transgender-friendly, which is exciting for me. Usually, my dorm mates have not been too loud or disturbed my sleep. Also, I have a medical single, as do some of my friends.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The food is above average, and some of it is produced on the campus's farm. While vegan options are usually available, the more vegan-friendly dining area is closed on weekends.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Outdoorsy types, artists, vegetarian/vegans, lgbt
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
None.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The school is somewhat remote from the city of Asheville, but there are regularly-scheduled buses between campus and town. You don't much need to worry about intruders, anyhow.
One very significant draw of the school for me was its small size (the student body rarely exceeds 900), which creates a sense of community for me; I almost always see friends when I walk between classes, and most of the freshman are housed in one building. Any student who lives on the campus has a job within the school, which helps students pay for the room and board costs, but also creates a more complicated balancing act between classwork, the work program, and daily life. The school, while verbally committed to social justice, has some ineffective practices in that regard (for example, a protest march that didn't leave campus), and I have heard from the students of color I have talked to that there are a lot of implicitly racist attitudes present among the (majority white) students and faculty (I am white too, and by no means above this).
As a freshman student, I have a lot of friends who were assigned to work such tough jobs as cafeteria staff (long shifts, and a difficult boss) and landscaping (early morning hours). Everybody has a job on campus working fifteen hours a week, so be prepared for that.
The teachers I've had are usually well versed in their subjects, and many long term projects are assigned. It's difficult to stay on top of everything.
The dorms have non-gendered bathrooms, and are overall quite transgender-friendly, which is exciting for me. Usually, my dorm mates have not been too loud or disturbed my sleep. Also, I have a medical single, as do some of my friends.
The food is above average, and some of it is produced on the campus's farm. While vegan options are usually available, the more vegan-friendly dining area is closed on weekends.
Outdoorsy types, artists, vegetarian/vegans, lgbt
None.
The school is somewhat remote from the city of Asheville, but there are regularly-scheduled buses between campus and town. You don't much need to worry about intruders, anyhow.