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!