Clark University

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Students Say - Academics
Clark University is a "vibrant," "left-wing" liberal arts school in Worcester, Massachusetts. There are "good research opportunities" and standout offerings in psychology, geography, and the hard sciences. Clark also offers an accelerated, one-year Master's program in several majors at no extra charge. Coursework is "hard but doable." "I am challenged but not burned out," reports an English major. "Overall, you'll get a lot out of Clark if you're willing to work for it." "The small size is very comfortable and welcoming" and "Class discussions are often interesting and enlightening." Professors are generally "committed to facilitating their students' education." "Most get very enthusiastic when teaching." "I've never had a class here with a sage on a stage who just stands behind a lectern and reads from their lecture notes without making eye contact," reports a government major. "My professors have always been available outside of class for help," adds a business major. However, there are also some "utter bores" who "really don't seem to know what they are teaching." The range of classes is "limited" as well. "There is not much variety" and popular courses "fill up fast." Views of the administration are very mixed. Some students call management "nondescript." Others contend that Clark's bureaucracy "rivals some small countries." Still others insist that the brass is "very visible and accessible" and "tries to listen to what the students want."

Students Say - Campus Life
Some buildings on Clark's "pretty compact" campus are "falling apart." Some classrooms are "kind of crappy." "The food leaves something to be desired," too. "Please send frozen dinners," begs a sophomore. Socially, there's a community feel. Many students are involved in community service and various kinds of activism. "Politics play a huge role." "Every student here believes strongly in something, which makes for an interesting campus." "There aren't big turnouts" at athletic events. "Students are actually more likely to attend a lecture on refugees from Rwanda than a basketball game," predicts a senior. "Many students hang out in small groups in their dorms, suites, or apartments." "There's a substance-free scene." There's also "plenty of weed and alcohol with dabbles here and there into harder drugs." "Clark isn't a major party school," though. "People here like to be mellow." "The area around the school isn't the greatest" but some students tell us that Worcester is "a perfectly good place to go to school." "Nightlife off campus is fun," they say, and "there are so many restaurants, it's ridiculous." Also, the "extremely active" Colleges of Worcester Consortium allows students to attend classes and events at several nearby schools. Others students complain that "the city of Worcester is depressing and gloomy at best." "It's unfortunate that Clark is where it is," laments one Clarkie. When students want to escape, Boston isn't too far.

Students Say - Student Body
If you couldn't find your niche in high school, you will probably find it at Clark, advises a junior. "It is kind of a haven for the awkward and slightly awkward." Clarkies are an "eclectic" "collection of independent minds." "There's a little of everything." "You can carve your own path here without being a loner." Conservatives are "accepted with curiosity" but most students are "socially conscious" types who "scream their bleeding liberal hearts out at any given cause of the week." Clark also "has an artsy feel." "Hipsteresque," "groovy people" who "dress sloppily in expensive clothes" are numerous. Jocks are here but they are "in the vast minority." "The closet-rich hippie" is not uncommon. However, many students tell us that Clark's flower-power reputation is unwarranted. "Sure, there are maybe a token five students who don't wear shoes, don't shower as often as most people would like, and own bongos," asserts a sophomore, "but three of them are posers anyway." You'll find "various sexual orientations" at Clark but ethnic diversity is pretty limited. There is a strong contingent of Jewish students and a large population of "filthy rich" international students but little in the way of traditionally underrepresented minorities.

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