Marist College

My guidance counselor recommended that I apply to Marist, and after visiting the school twice, I loved it. Marist has a solid academic reputation and an absolutely beautiful campus (right on the Hudson River). For a relatively small liberal arts college, Marist provides a wide variety of majors as well as plenty of extracurricular activities. Most of the faculty members seem to care about their students and you are always treated as an individual, not just a number. I'd say the majority of students are friendly and approachable, especially during the first couple weeks of freshman year when everyone is looking to make friends. As for the nightlife, this is where I have negative things to say about the school. Marist is located in Poughkeepsie, NY, which is one of the sketchiest towns I have ever seen. It's a known fact that if you wander the streets at night you will definitely get mugged. The only things to on weekends are go to a sketchy nightclub, sketchy bar, or house parties that always get broken up. There is absolutely nothing else. If you don't think that these things will keep you entertained for four years then don't come here. If you told the typical Marist student that they could never drink again they would probably die of shock since 95% of the student body isn't intelligent enough to find another form of entertainment. As far as spors go, the only thing the school has going for it is basketball. The women's team is always good (actually made it to the Sweet 16 last year) and the men's team is usually competitive in the MAAC. Overall, the school itself is good and you will meet some good people but if you don't drink or just drink occasionally you get bored very quickly.

1st Year Male -- Class 2011

Faculty Accessibility: A+, Surrounding City: D-

If I had to do college over again, I would not go to Marist. The most glaring problem is the lack of diversity--not necesarily in skin color, though that exists, but in mindset. Almost everyone I knew after college went back to Long Island or Connecticut or New Jersey to live with their parents or not far. I never got the feeling that students were there to be challenged and evolve, but were simply pausing in Poughkeepsie (and what a place to pick) for four years so they could go home and get a job. I did find a few exceptions in the English department -- beware of the communications department.

4th Year Female -- Class 2002

Scholastic Success: A-, Surrounding City: D