Maryville College

Statistics

Students Say - Academics
"Presbyterian-affiliated, "academically challenging" Maryville College is "a small, liberal arts college" "tucked away in the Smoky Mountains" of Tennessee. It's among the oldest colleges in the United States. Maryville boasts 50 majors and a host of pre-professional programs as well as a unique January term (when students take a single intensive course). There's a broad and extensive core curriculum, and all students must complete "a senior thesis and take comprehensive exams." "A great study abroad program" offers cross-cultural learning opportunities in places as far-flung as China, Tunisia, and South Africa. Students also appreciate Maryville's unique major in sign language interpreting which includes "the opportunity to take American Sign Language (ASL) as a foreign language credit." A few faculty members are "terrible," but most "are very knowledgeable and genuinely care." While the actual classrooms "could greatly improve," the lectures are "enthralling." The professors "love to teach and are good at it too." "They encourage discussion constantly in the classroom." Outside of class, students are showered with attention. "You are more than welcome to come by" any professor's office. The administration is "accessible and friendly" as well. "The school does run smoothly," observes one first-year student, "so smoothly that we never see our administrators." "

Students Say - Campus Life
"Maryville's "beautiful" campus has "lots of green grass and trees." Students clamor for an improvement in the "crappy food," though. "The upperclass dorms are nice," but the freshman dorms are "dismal," and "overcrowding" is reportedly a severe problem. "Life at Maryville College can be wonderfully busy" or "very laid-back." There are some neat traditions here, and "Most students are involved with extracurricular activities." "Many students play a sport" and "There are "a lot of intramural sports." Some students "participate in volunteer work throughout the community." Others "typically just spend their week studying and playing video games" or "just hanging out on campus with friends." "Political debates, theological debates," and discussions about "mundane" pop-culture happenings are frequent. Many students "drink and go to bars." "The party scene on campus is huge," but you certainly can avoid it. "I have been able to go [through] my 4 years of college without setting foot into a party and with minimal alcohol put in my face," notes a senior. Students say the school's surrounding hamlet (also called Maryville) offers "nothing to do." "On weekends, some people go to Knoxville"---"about 20 minutes away"---for "clubs and bars, ethnic food, [and] good shopping." Others "hike and cave" in the nearby mountains."

Students Say - Student Body
""Maryville College is a small college with a strong sense of community." "I love being able to know everyone," enthuses a first-year student. Students are "well-rounded and easygoing." "Most are fun to be around and also know when to take time to study instead of goofing off." "There are a lot of average students, and then a lot of weirdos, but the two groups mix together quite well." "There are many people who are religious," including "some obnoxiously religious" students. Many students "are from farm or rural communities" and choose to come here because it is "relatively close to home." "MC also hosts a lot of students from overseas." "The international community adds a kind of diversity you can't get any other way." There is "little diversity" otherwise, though "The college is working on that." Politically, students range from "the extremely liberal to the extremely conservative." "

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