Marietta College

One can certainly find things to complain about when it comes to Marietta. But we have to keep things in perspective. NO college or university is perfect! You'll never find a place that absolutely satisfies every expectation and every need. Furthermore, the college experience really shouldn't always be pleasant. It should be positive in the sense that it moves you forward in your development as a person, as a student, and as a participant in your field, but that doesn't mean that every person you meet should be nice or that every moment should be exciting. The question, when rating a college, is: Does the good outweigh any bad, and is this helping me grow in the ways I need to grow?

As far as Marietta is concerned, I'd say yes to both points. The professors who are approchable, helpful, and good-natured are the vast majority. I have yet to meet a condescending or self-absorbed professor. Because it's a small school, you can develop personal academic relationships with your professors. In my department, at least, the faculty not only are helpful both in and out of the classroom in your development as a student, but they honestly care about your wellbeing and development as a person, too.

The coursework in some of the freshman seminar or in a few of the 100-level classes can be "easy," but beyond that, the courses are challenging. You're required to constantly improve your academic habits, apply your intellect, and develop your skills and talents in order to succeed as a student. But challenging coursework is nothing to complain about - that's why you're here, you know.

Residence life is very important at Marietta. The college is built on the idea of developing a strongly-knit community, and they carry it through. Of course not every student stands in a circle singing Kum Ba Yah - but you won't find that anywhere. But through living together on-campus, extracurricular groups and teams, Greek life, small-group housing, and especially small-sized classes, students get to know one another and form plenty of community groups. Indeed, it's fairly difficult to isolate oneself. Speaking as a person who is generally shy and hesitant in making friends, I can assure you that as long as you're willing to join the community, you'll find your place in it.Marietta isn't perfect. No school is. But its positive attributes are generally the ones that matter, and as long as you're willing to work, it's a place where you can develop intellectually and personally.

2nd Year Female -- Class 2010

Education Quality: A, University Resource Use/ spending: B-

Marietta College defines what one would think of the quintessential undergraduate liberal arts college experience. The mere fact that all students are required to take a first year speech class exemplifies the notion that well thought out and concise communication is the key to success.

Marietta teaches you how to learn. By combining unique programs such as leadership, petroleum engineering, and sports medicine, in the tradition of a liberals arts curriculum, gives Marietta grads a well rounded education with relevance and full perspective. There are more Asian/Chinese Students at Marietta as a ratio than any other college in the US. Marietta is the only liberal arts college to offer a degree in Petroleum Engineering.

The baseball team and rowing/crew program have given Marietta College national prominence beyond what similar schools its size would ever dream. The only regrets I have is that I did not take advantage of everything while I was there. Learn to play an instrument and prefect your golf game between studies.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

Having grown around Marietta, I always figured that attending Marietta College wouldn't be an option - it was too close to home. But MC's beautiful campus setting and friendly faculty (coupled with an attractive financial aid package) made me confident that it was the right choice for me. My classes are great - disregarding survey classes and labs, there are usually 15 students or fewer in the class, and the professors are helpful and give each student personal attention. The dorms aren't great, but the food isn't bad at all - and once in awhile, your professors or coaches will invite you over for dinner, which is really nice. The campus is safe and well-kept, and the town of Marietta is like something from a country calender... it really provides the "classic" campus setting that I craved. The only downside to this wonderful school is the pricetag - this year, I paid almost $30,000 in total, and the tuition gets a hike nearly every year. Overall though, the teachers are excellent, the variety of programs is wonderful, and the school, as a whole, is well worth looking into.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2006

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Surrounding City: B-