Clarkson University

Date: Jul 01 2010
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
I came on this site as a senior in high school to help narrow my choices for college. I'm not gonna lie after reading some of these reviews Clarkson wasn't one of my final choices. I don't know why, but on the very last day I had to decide where I wanted to go I ended up choosing Clarkson. I will write this review to the best of my ability and not base it on current mood or any sort of bias.

Academics- I researched out Clarkson's academic ratings online, and they are not nearly as high as the school claims. However, You WILL get a top notch education if you do not try to coast through. The work can be rigorous,, and very time consuming, but hey, that's college. The school has a great reputation in the corporate world, especially in the northeast, so once you get that diploma the job hunt can be a little easier, especially since the school has a great networking.

Faculty- For the most part the faculty is pretty good. At the very least decent at teaching, and very approachable. Professors usually always have their doors open and encourage students to come in for help after class. There are a few bad apples, and some foreign teachers that can be difficult to understand, but I got through it without too much damage to my GPA and you will get used to their teaching. My experience with my student adviser is exceptional. She consistently went out of her way to help me get my classes all set and take care of anything I needed. I'm going to study abroad next year and submitted the classes I wanted to take, and she went in a researched the school more and suggested changes I should make. I don't have much to complaint about in this department.

Student Body- Some major pros and cons here. I'm happy to say that for the most part everyone here is really friendly and very helpful-not so much a cut throat environment. Freshman year kids on my floor (and other floors) who constantly helping each other with homework. Very friendly and group-oriented. The size of the student body is small (roughly 3,000) which has its own pros and cons, depending on what you want. The big complaint here is the female situation. There aren't a whole lot of girls on campus. However, it seems as though the school is trying to fix the ratio as my class was a little less than 60-40 and the freshman class this past year was nearing 50-50. Also take in mind that SUNY Pots dam is walking distance away and they are full of drunken girls. You're in college, you will see all walks of life, from the heavy stoners and party boys, to the nerdy kid who doesn't leave his room.

Campus- Not the worst, but not the best. If they tear down the Science center and put up a building that doesnt look like a bomb shelter, it would make the campus 10x better. But they are making the campus nicer anyway with a new student center and redoing the dorms.

Social Life- My biggest fear coming here was that I was going to have nothing to do on the weekends. You're options are limited as Potsdam is not a thriving metropolitan area, but small college towns make for the best college experiences. Despite what other have written I do feel like i had a TRUE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE. You could go get hammered every night if you want. there's not much to do but party and try to get into the bars, but that s college if you're into that. I had a lot of fun in Potsdam despite its small size. You can also take a 10 min drive to St Lawrence where you will find a bunch of good looking girls and great night. Canada is right there and there's a bus that goes from Potsdam to various places, so you're not stranded.

Overall, I am very happy with Clarkson. There are definitely things that they can improve on , and some of those things are being addressed to a point. Don;t base your college decision on this site, but just use it as a reference to help make your decision.