Converse College

I attended Converse College for three years, before finally transferring. My biggest piece of advice is that, this school is not for everyone. I realized it wasn't the right fit for me my freshman year my first semester, I thought I would be able to change that and grow to love it. It doesn't change, if it doesn't work change as soon as you can. I promise the friends you make there will continue to be apart of your life because there is truth when people say they make the best friends at a women's college. The facilities are extremely beautiful but old and run down (aside from freshman and senior living) they can become depressing. There is no social life on the campus, you can go to Wofford but being honest they hate Converse girls, the nickname is Connie. There are some fun local bars right down the road, always get a ride or taxi because Spartanburg is unsafe. I found the most joy was when I became involved with the city of Spartanburg, its loads of fun and filled with fun loving people. Getting involved at Converse is hard because the girls that are in charge of everything are the bible study never cuss, never make mistakes, never drink, and are always judging you. They have the power to secretly push you out. I have been on both sides, I was in with that group and it was not a healthy dynamic. Once I separated myself I found it very hard to get involved because everything was "full". There are some wonderful professors along with horrible ones. Tania McDuffie is one of the best there are, she's hard, honest, but helpful if you seek her out. The Art department has some professors that look great on paper but teaching should not have been what they pursued. The worst departments for this is Music and Interior Design. I know girls and have been a girl that experienced what they do. When you only have 2 professors for the entire major and 8 girls in your class things get hard at times. The Interior Design departments professors choose favorites, a long with the fact they are on the older end of things so don't know and can not help with the technology used in the field today. They have a wonderful skeleton for a department just need to clean house. The music department is extremely string but has some arrogant professors that also pick favorites. In these two cut throat majors and in this small of a school picking favorites is not helpful because students have to go off famous to seek help if they are not a favorite. After re reading this it makes it sound like a bad college, which is not true. They just need to make some major changes if they want a higher student success and non- transfer rate. This college was not the right one for me, I have finally transferred and could not be happier, I was meant for a bigger school. Good luck to those who try it, I hope its the right fit.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2016

Campus Aesthetics: A+, Scholastic Success: F

I have been attending Converse College for just a year. I have found that it is a beautiful place and the people are easygoing and nice. The problem with Converse is you do not get your money's worth for the pieced together dorms and the education you receive. The girls her are like sisters and if it were not for them I would not still be here. The college is beautiful and has secret places to spend your time. Although there is not much to do in Spartanburg, there are always the fountains that you can hop into and on campus events to go to. From my perspective the coursework and load is not challenging enough, but of course it is only my first year so who knows what next year will bring. The traditions are very dear to all the Connies hearts. Convocations is another problem. If you do not go to six events on campus, and pledge them, then you will be fined 30 dollars per event. Converse basically tries to get as much money as possible when you are already paying out your ass to go to the school. The dorms will be better. Pell and Dexter are being renovated so there will be so much to look forward. If you want leadership positions, this is a great place to come. About 1/4 of the student population are in leadership positions. There are no sororities on campus, but there is a such thing as Big Sis Lil Sis. Where freshmen are paired with juniors to have some guidance on campus. You recieve gifts for three days straight from a stranger. Then there is reveal night.

1st Year Female -- Class 2017

Education Quality: A+, Useful Schoolwork: C+