Enrollment: 4084
Most Popular Majors: Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric,Finance, General,Nursing/Registered Nurse (RN, ASN, BSN, MSN),
Regular Application Deadline: 01/15
Student Faculty Ratio: 12:1

Undergraduate Receiving Need-Based Financial Aid: 42
Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $21,344.00

Little Race/Class Interaction
Lots of Hard Liquor
Town-Gown Relations are Strained

Students Say - Academics
Study amongst the trees of the "breathtaking campus" at Fairfield University, a competitive mid-sized school with a Division I basketball team and Jesuit ideals. A stalwart of the preppy New England college scene, the school has wealth and is definitely "image conscious," but financial aid packages are said to be super for students in need." Fairfield's extremely rigorous and time-consuming core courses ensure that students receive a well-rounded education, and the small enrollment assures students small class sizes once they move beyond the mandatory curriculum. The school's Connecticut location is just an hour away from New York City, which provides a plethora of work study and internship possibilities for the students. This is especially convenient for students in Fairfield's notably strong nursing and business programs, the latter of which is taught by a faculty mostly comprised of current and ex-professionals.

Though students are generally happy here, thanks to an involved student government and a high quality of life, many wish that there was "more school spirit" amongst the student body. The "Leviathan" administration has not curried much favor with students, with the Registrar, Career Planning and the Division of Student Affairs receiving singular complaints. Complaints of inefficacy and bureaucracy abound, and the various offices "act in distinct bubbles, with one hand not knowing what the other is doing." Opinions of professors are at the opposite end of the spectrum, as most find almost all their teachers "extremely engaging" and "wonderful people." "They actually read your essays and provide constructive criticism," says a student. "Professors have been amazing, inspiring, accessible, and have defined my time at Fairfield," says another.

Students Say - Campus Life
Not surprising for a school with an "ideal party location on the beaches of the Long Island Sound, only an hour north of New York City by train," students here like to drink. Although all go to "most of the classes," they know that they "must leave time for going out on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the weekend," making Fairfield "the opposite of a suitcase school." "Weekends are usually for partying, whether it's a townhouse party or a party down at the beach."There are some great bars in town, too. This isn't to say that hedonism completely rules the school; many students remain very active in student activities and service organizations, and for those who don't want to party, the late-night programming "offers tons of activities and trips almost every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night." The student government organizes many of these events, as well as trips into the city for Broadway performances, comedy shows, and sporting events.

Students Say - Student Body
Almost everyone hails from the Northeast at this "homogenous, preppy school" with "generally very intelligent" students. Pockets run pretty deep amongst students, which leads some of this "Ugg wearing, blond haired, Seven for All Mankind-wearing" crowd to "think they're God's gift to mankind." There are plenty of "more mellow, normal folks" here, and even though "it doesn't take much" to be considered an atypical student, those who are usually "find their own niche and have no problems living their lives the way they wish." The school is attempting to increase this diversity-minority enrollment has increased in the past years, and there's a "growing gay and lesbian population."

Boston College
Loyola University Maryland

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