Villanova University

Date: Aug 12 2011
Major: Criminal (This Major's Salary over time)
Background: I am Puerto Rican who came from a poor urban school that had maybe 5 white students in a total black/spanish population. I was the first to go off to college in my family.

First coming to Nova, I was culture-shocked. Even coming back for my 2nd year, I was still culture-shocked. Before coming here, I was warned about the diversity and told if I wasn't ready to be put into white suburbia then I shouldn't come here but I thought it would be a much needed experience to go through coming from where I was coming from. Although it was shocking to me my first couple of years, Villanova has really stepped it up to diversify the campus. Each year, you are seeing more and more color coming in and it's getting so much better. There is a great difference from my freshman year until now going into my senior year with the numbers of minorities coming in.

My freshman year wasn't all that good. Didn't know anyone and I thought it was boring. But then again, I didn't really do anything to put myself out there or to meet anyone. I came in with a preconceived notion that shielded me from meeting and getting to know others.

My sophomore year I put myself out there and started going out with different people. It wasn't until then that I found a group of people that I actually enjoyed being around and lead me to cultivating deep, meaningful friendships that survives outside of the campus.

Yes there are and you will encounter narrow-minded rich people who live in a bubble and I have had a couple of experiences of racism but that is just opportunities to educate. It is also preparation for the real world where you are going to meet and have to work with people of that sort so it is good practice in a sense.

Academics/teachers: I am a double major in human services and criminal justice with double minors in psychology and sociology. It seems a lot but its fine with overloading and organization. Please keep in mind, this was my choice and many students are happy with just one major. I love my majors and professors. I have met really great professors with whom I have friendships outside of the campus. There are others that I didn't like but again, just preparation for the real world. You are not going to like everyone.

The core curriculum was annoying but they have changed it to not have so many requirements so it should be better and it helped to have all those different classes if you do not know what you want to major in.

I found teachers, administration and other people to be fairly helpful and useful.

Social Life: This school is not really a party school and the social life really happens outside of campus. So if you are looking for that, this is not the best school. However, Philly is close(about 15/20 mins away) so all you need is a car and if you don't have that, there is 2 different trains on campus that can take you up to philly.

Also when you turn 21, there are a lot of bars in the main line and we have a shuttle that will actually take us there on the weekend.

Community service: Nova is really big on service. There is always something you can help with and many resources on campus. It is one of the school's Core values.

Groups: I am involved in many groups on campus. It was a great way to meet people and I have a great time meeting with people who are interested in the same things I am. There is a ton of groups and if you don't find something you like, you can create a group. We have groups ranging from Black Cultural Society (BCS) to a quidditch group. We also have a lot of groups in music activities ranging from gospel choir (which I am in and love!!!) to more than 8 acapella groups to Musical theater.

There are also different religious groups and not just Christian ones either.

Finally, there is a greek life on campus but its not so big that you have to be in one in order to have a social life. There are plenty of people who are not into that and there are no Greek houses on campus as well.

Sports: Sports are really big on campus. It is really something that brings all the students together and it is really fun. There are also a ton of intramural and club sports you can join that I, personally, have had so much fun with.

Bottom Line: I love Nova! At first I didn't but I put myself out there, met people and made the best of it. It was until when I did that, did I actually begin to like the school. Every school has something negative about it but you can't let that affect the positive. Come in with an open mind and knowing you may not like somethings and people but is how it is in the real world. You just have to deal with it when it comes up but everything else is great. I highly recommend this school not only for the education but because I have truly met great people (Students and teachers) who I have developed lasting friendships. Most importantly, Villanova has a great reputation so just going here opens many doors of opportunities in the real world.