Clark University

Date: Jan 25 2004
Major: History/Histories (art history/etc.) (This Major's Salary over time)
At this Ivy League envying school, administrators could care less (ALL of them), ALL of the secretaries that I'd encountered are rude, small-minded, inefficient, condescending, arrogant, unfriendly, and passive-aggressive. The bureaucracy is ridiculously absurd and seems to view all of humanity as its enemies. Faculty is similar: self-absorbed and arrogant, with few exceptions. Many students easily fall into crass ultra-liberalism and droning on about mindless, pseudo-populist, absurdly apophatic statements. This, or they're WPI wannabes except that the party scene sucks. Clark touts its international diversity as a bright point, but most of the international students are spoiled, absurdly wealthy brats who party constantly and could care less about anyone. They're here because of Clark's financial aid. The sad thing is, they are the more agreeable of the students, most of the rest are provincial brutes with little future prospects and a tremendous dose of ignorance that does not diminish through their years there. The student population prides itself on being "alternative", though this is carried on the point of absurdity, tyranny, and self-delusion. Worcester is a horrid place, and many students end up becoming one of the many poor sods living in the absurdly expensive tenement housing in the surrounding ghetto neighbourhood. Clark once had a bright future, good research possibilities, faculty members who supported the idea of education as dialogue, valued students' ideas and enjoyed working with them. Worcester, as well, was once long ago a shining jewel in the heart of New England. As one of the oldest schools in the country, it's tragic that this has all vanished. Another sad comment: Clark is probably the best college in Worcester, all other universities have no redeeming value whatsoever, save perhaps Holy Cross. Avoid WPI, avoid Becker, avoid Assumption, these are all miserable places where more drunken crime carries on than learning. I caution all applicants: avoid Clark, and avoid Worcester, you'll be miserable. Try Sarah Lawrence, Reed College, or NYU for something similar, and a lot more conducive to true hermeneutic education. Clark is a giant rip-off, with an extremely high-cost tuition that could better be spent elsewhere.