Let me start off by saying that my choice to enroll at the University of Scranton is by far the best choice I?ve ever made.Many people frequently ask me why I chose Scranton and why I decided to attend ? so as you would expect, I explain the University?s outstanding science and pre-medical program, the smaller class environment, the beautiful and fully renovated campus, as well as the tight knit community that I experienced when visiting. These were the characteristics that I was looking for in a university.
During my college search and during my senior year of high school, I would have never guessed that I would be attending Scranton ? however, after having attended the University for a semester and a half, I cannot be happier with the choice I made.
ACADEMICS:
The academic record of the University is easily at your disposal through the University?s website, College Board, and reviews by from independent companies. The University boasts an 80% acceptance rate to professional health programs and nearly 5% of students go on to medical school (only 2% less than Yale).
As a biology major who one day hopes to attend medical school, I believe that attending the University of Scranton was indeed a excellent choice. The sciences here are challenging and like everywhere else, if you plan on attaining a science degree ? prepare to work harder then all your other friends who are communication, business, or education majors. Although the University has an excellent reputation for placing students into medical school, you should know that many enter the University as ?pre-med? and end up changing their major because of the rigorous coursework. I don?t believe it is so much the University ?weeding? people out, but rather student not understanding the requirements and what it takes to gain entrance into a professional school. However, if you are up for the challenge and don?t mind spending many late nights in the library, you will be successful.
The Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Program (a honors program that admits certain selected students) provides an excellent academic community freshman year. However, as a science major, SJLA proves to be especially difficult. Because maintaining a high GPA is critical to medical schools, and because SJLA courses challenges its members more than other courses, students might find themselves working harder than most. This leads to debate on whether jeopardizing your GPA is worth the benefits of being in SJLA and many will agree or disagree with that issue. SJLA also controls much of how you spend your four years here because much of your schedule is composed of required philosophy courses. This leaves less room for you to choose the courses that you might personally want to take. All in all though, at the end of four years, SJLA students find themselves more developed as a peopld and seem to be more in touch with the world in which they are a part.
SOCIAL LIFE:
For the size of the university, its Division III status, and absence of Greek life, one would not expect Scranton to have the social scene that it does. However, for the most part, I don?t have many complaints. The keg may be kicked sooner then you?d like, long lines to have your cup filled may occur, and although grungy basements can get a bit old, (this is primarily a result of ?freshman parties? ? a term coined to describe parties that are thrown specifically for freshman as a quick way for upperclassmen to make money) Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights are so much fun. Because of Scranton?s Jesuit roots, fraternities and sororities are non-existent. Albeit, some may think that this means fewer parties, it actually is one of my favorite aspects of Scranton. All drinking events occur right outside, within walking distance, of the university and students who live off campus never disappoint. By no means are the parties wild and out of control, but if you are looking for a good time, you will most definitely be satisfied. It is never particularly difficult to get into a party and it?s more about everyone just having a good time rather than only allowing selective people in or having a certain ratio of girls and guys.
An amazing 2012 Parade Day and the appearance of Barstool?s Blackout Tour really added to this year?s party mayhem.
THE STUDENTS:
Being a Jesuit university and being ranked as one of the ?friendliest? colleges in the nation, the students here only confirm that Scranton was the best choice I?ve ever made. I?ve met so many great people here and it?s seldom that I find someone who I actually don?t like. Its difficult to explain, but for some reason the people here are less competitive, more eager to help, care about how you feel, and even at parties ? want you to have a good time.
THE CITY:
One of my favorite parts of the University is the established tight knit community that is also only steps away from downtown Scranton. Although the city of Scranton is no lavishing metropolitan, it contains a small mall, a movie theater, pharmacy, as well as a few restaurants. This way, if you need to run an errand, pick up a prescription, or just escape the monotonous surroundings, you are literally just a five-minute walk away. The ?hill section? provides students seeking to live off campus with houses and apartments. Although I would consider the campus area to be significantly safe, one does need to use caution when traveling at night, not so much on campus, but definitely off . As in any city, crime does happen, but University police and campus security try and maintain a safe environment. Community advisories are posted to keep students informed and public safety continues patrol daily.
THINGS I WOULD CHANGE:
The few things I would change about Scranton are specifically out of the University?s control. Many students here are politically apathetic and care little about upcoming elections or political events. Secondly, being located in the Pocono Mountains, the weather in Scranton is sometimes dreary. It seems to rain more here than everywhere else and the winters (although not so much this year) are usually snowy and cold. Lastly, as a Jesuit University, Catholic ideals are deeply rooted in the administration and even in some professors. Although most professors are open to secular ideas, some (such as those in the theology department) will expect you to conform to common Christian curriculum.
CONCLUSION:
I really do love it here and if I didn?t, I wouldn?t have spent my time writing this extremely long review. I hope this helps, and my recommendation to you is to enroll, enroll, enroll.
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