Ursinus College

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Students Say - Academics
Ursinus College, a small liberal arts school in aptly named Collegeville, PA. offers a wide array of courses and "has the facilities of a much larger school." "I truly believe that Ursinus is a transformative experience," declares an international relations major. "If you embrace the liberal arts education, this is the institution to be at." "Academic rigor is demanding." A required pair of first-year courses called "the Common Intellectual Experience" "create a bonding experience for the students, and it gets them to think about some extremely important issues." Beyond that, students must complete a host of core requirements in addition to their majors. You'll "do your fair share of 10 to 15-page term papers; usually a couple per semester." "But it pays off in the end." The small size allows for "discussion-based classes" and professors "really try to get students involved." "Some professors are full of themselves," admits a neuroscience major. However, they are "great teachers and certainly know what they're talking about." "I have loved all of my professors," gushes a math major. "They've been friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. They're eager to get students involved in research." Management is "accessible" as well. The "down-to-earth" administrators "are often seen about the campus attending lectures, concerts, and sporting events." Strong majors here include biology and chemistry. Ursinus boasts an impressive 90-plus percent acceptance rate with medical schools. Students also laud the economics and arts programs.

Students Say - Campus Life
Ursinus boasts "a very beautiful campus." Some of the older dorms cry out for refurbishing, though, and newer ones are "faintly reminiscent of a hospital." The food isn't great, either. "They stop carting out the good food after the second week," warns a biology major. Also, wireless Internet is spotty. Despite these complaints, students tell us they are extremely happy. "People overall love the school," says a freshman. Ursinus students are proud of their ability to have fun. "There are parties almost every night," especially Thursday through Saturday." The administration tries to crack down, but students persevere, and the drinking scene remains rollicking. House parties or suite parties are options but the Greek system "rules campus life." "The keggers held by Greek organizations" are the most widely attended bashes. Not everyone drinks, of course, "not by a long shot." "The cool thing about Ursinus is that regardless of whether you drink or not, you can still go to the parties and have a great time." Some students warn that "Ursinus can be a little dull" if you insist on avoiding the party scene altogether. Others disagree saying, "there is an incredible availability of activities and clubs on campus." Intramural and varsity athletics are also very popular. Students "love to go to all the food places in Collegeville" as well. It is "difficult" to get too far off campus without a car, though. (And first-year students can't have them.) While "there is no shame inherent in taking the bus" to Philadelphia, few students do.

Students Say - Student Body
By and large, while ethnic diversity isn't terrible for a small liberal arts school, Ursinus is "homogenous." "Most people come from wealthier families" and grew up in the comfortable suburbs of "New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York." Ursinus students are "very hardworking" and "have similar values." Politically, there's a mildly liberal slant. "Most students on this campus are active and highly involved, although those who do not engage in clubs and activities do seem to find each other." The prototypical Ursinus student is a "somewhat clean-cut, friendly, occasionally drunk," "Hollister-clad, Ugg-wearing" prepster. "Different cliques are evident," though. There are "smart jocks and wonderfully weird nerds." There are "stereotypical frat boys." "There are many weirdoes and there are many average Joes." "Ursinus somehow seems to provide a safe and comfortable environment for people of all different interests," remarks one student.

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