Spring Hill College

Date: Nov 04 2010
Major: Accounting (This Major's Salary over time)
I came to Spring Hill College because it was somewhat of a family tradition, everyone in my family having graduated from the college starting with my grandparents and great aunts and uncles. My parents met at Spring Hill, as did my Aunt and Uncle (who also came from a Spring Hill legacy). Needless to say, my family raved of the great atmosphere and education available here.

A cousin of mine (child of the Aunt and Uncle who met at Spring Hill) who is 5 years older also came to Spring Hill because of the family legacy and transferred out as soon as she could due to lack of a challenge in the courses and horrible social environment.

Two other cousins elected not to come after visiting the campus and hearing of the experience of my cousin who transferred, despite strong persuasion from the family.

I decided to go to Spring Hill, mostly because I knew my family really wanted me to, but also because I thought I would get a good education.

Let me just tell you, my 4 years at this college were the worst of my life. It isn't so much that the education is bad (although I have to admit I didn't learn much), but the administration absolutely ruins the school. It is a Jesuit college that boasts a Catholic environment…blah blah blah…it's a load of crap. The faculty plays favorites and if you aren't a favorite, a brick wall would be of more assistance. Oh and be prepared to pay for EVERYTHING…even though tuition is $30,000+ they also expect you to open your checkbook for every little detail. Also, ALL students are required to purchase a meal plan for the cafeteria, which is outrageously priced and the quality of the food is deplorable (french fries and pizza for breakfast? no thanks).

Students are forced to live on campus all 4 years, and the price of housing is so exorbitant that it turns out to be about the same price as renting a 2br apartment in the city of Mobile (except on campus all you get is 1 room to live in, that is shared with a roommate). Further, half of the dorms are disgusting. Residence life practically stalks students who may be drinking alcohol (gasp! alcohol in college!) and then give punishment so severe you would think they killed someone.

Many students look forward to living in the apartments that overlook the golf course their senior year. This would be awesome considering the view is beautiful and the apartments are an upgrade from dorms (plus it is nice to actually be able to cook/live in an apartment setting and without a roommate at least once in your college career, despite the mediocre accommodations). Unfortunately, the faculty sucks the fun out of the apartments too. It doesn't matter if students are 21, they are NOT permitted to have an opened alcoholic beverage outside (including the pavilion/grill area) OR with the door to their apartment open OR on the balcony of their apartment, despite the fact that the campus is a wet campus. Any student, of legal drinking age or otherwise, caught with an alcoholic beverage is punished to the fullest extent allowable. I at one time received an alcohol policy violation for having an open beer on my friend's balcony, despite the fact that I was 21 (I was sitting outside smoking a cigarette). My punishment consisted of community service, a 10+ page paper, an alcohol abuse class, probation, and I was barred from attending all school sponsored events. A little harsh, to say the least.

Overall, I would never recommend this school to anyone, and it disgusts me that I spent $120,000+ on attending. After the experience of the most recent generation of my family at this school, even my diehard Spring Hill family admits the school is not what it used to be and no longer supports or recommends the school to anyone.

I do want to comment on the education aspect of the school, in that it is not nearly as bad as the social aspect, but it doesn't challenge students and force them to recognize their full potential. Students are allowed to coast through courses easily and receive high grades despite a lack of effort on their behalf. The resources offered by the school are great, but they aren't being employed in a way that makes them beneficial. On the bright side, at least the campus looks pretty!