Suffolk University

Date: Dec 21 2010
Major: Natural Resources (This Major's Salary over time)
I find it interesting that everyone lists themselves as "Bright" or "Quite Bright". This shouldn't even be an option since even dumb people will notch themselves up.

I am also not a Natural Resources major. I just wanted to protect my identity because I mention in here can "out" me.

WIth that said: I went to college for one year after high school, then joined the National Guard. I thought that I would be able to do both, but without going into detail, I postponed college for three years. I put in another year at an-of-state college, then transferred into Suffolk because I wanted to live in Boston. So, I am obviously an older student with three colleges to compare and a different perspective on things.

Academics: Suffolk is middle-of-the-road. Some courses leave things to be desired, others can be down-right tough. But most are somewhere in the middle. This opinion will vary, though. I have gotten A's in courses that I slept through while other students struggled, and I have busted my behind to maintain C's in other courses that seemed a breeze to the rest of the class. You will find this at all universities, though, not just Suffolk.

There are honors courses for those who want to study, or have the need to study, at a higher level.

A good amount of students transfer out. That is no secret. But what is interesting is that just as many transfer in.

School Life: There is a lot to be desired here. Most kids seem to bail back to their dorm rooms once class is over or hangout in the library or cafe until their next class. Suffolk does not have a student union or quad like other universities, so students really have no place to hangout. There is a student center on the 4th floor of Donahue that has a TV, pool tables, and a lounge area. I've never hung out there, though.

As for clubs…there are a ton on campus. I should also mention that if you do not find a club that meets your needs, you can always start your own. All you need is four other students and at least a 2.0 GPA. I started a club myself. It is an easy process.

The poster below must be on crack. I have signed up for many clubs at the Temple St. Fair and continued to receive tons of emails all semester long from clubs I never actually joined. But yeah, I singed up for a few that never sent me any information. But that is an issue with the particular clubs, not the school.

The school itself offers many activities from dinners to free movies. Maybe not as much as at other schools, but a decent amount. It would be nice if more activities were offered, but seeing as how around 80% of the students live off-campus, it seems ridiculous to have too many activities just so the few who do live on campus have something to do.

Athletics: eh, well, they leave something to be desired.

As for rich students…uh…yeah. It seems that only those who take courses at Sawyer are the "rich" ones. I am in the CAS, and most students are of lower-income. I have never heard anyone talking about spending hundreds of dollars shopping on Newbury St.

Administration: yes, they seem elusive. Good luck getting a straight answer from them, let alone actually talking to someone. 99% of the time, you are going to deal with student workers. I made three requests to see my financial aid advisor, and sent her two other emails inquiring about this or that. She never responded to any of my requests or emails.

I wouldn't say that Suffolk is only in it for your money, although I can understand how some would feel that way. They are, definitely, secretive, though.

As for the price tag…tuition is currently at \(28K per year. A good amount of money, sure, but not really bad considering it is a private college. Dorms are around SRF:ELEMENTS:28xsrf\) in financial aid and scholarships, though.

Boston: this is not as big of a city as most think it is. Despite the large population, the city itself is relatively small. There is a lot to do, but most of it costs money and really, if you are under 21, you might be bored. I am not sure what the person who mentioned there not being anything to do for college kids is talking about. This is a college town! But yeah, if you are under 21, you might not have that many options.

The school itself is in an awesome location. It is practically right on the State House, and between the Court House, City Hall, and a few other Federal buildings. John Kerry also lives near by. I only mention this because security is tight. Not only are their secret police and regular police all over the place, Suffolk itself has like 30 campus police officers and another 30 security guards.

So, even though their is the occasional homeless person, thug, or other ruffian passing through, if you look at crime statistics for colleges in the area, Suffolk has the lowest incidents. None of which are violent.

As for the Commons…yeah, there are crazy homeless people and crack heads, but they keep to themselves.

Anyways, Suffolk may not be the best college, but it is not the worst. If you are more concerned with partying (there is plenty of that, but parties in the North End get busted all the time), big time sports, Greek life, and the traditional college atmosphere—then go somewhere else. If you are more concerned with education, then it really isn't a bad school.

Suffolk was one of my top choices, but not exactly my ideal school, if that can make sense. There are things left to be desired, but based on my experience, that can be said about any school. No school will be 100% what you want. At this point in time, I am happy that I came here.