Clark University
Worcester, MA, USA

Reviews

Clark University

Olivia from West Hartford, CT

a current student here
16 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I have, quite honestly, learned more in my first semester at Clark than I ever have in my entire life. The academics here are very good but in some cases you have to step up your own learning, it isn't always handed to you. All my professors are willing to devote as much time as it takes to finding answers to my questions, be it academic related or otherwise. They all truly respect their students and are so enthusiastic about their subjects. The thing that I really love about Clark it that I'm not just learning academics. I'm learning about myself. Who I am, what kind of lifestyle I want to lead, and who I want to pursue relationships with. We have many international students and I am constantly learning new ideas and beliefs from cultures so foreign to my own. The students here, be it someone from my country or another, really take our motto to heart: challenge convention, change our world. We have a thirst for knowledge and shaping our beliefs.
Am enjoying being here
I love Clark. I know this sounds cliche but I honestly can't see myself anywhere else. Clark is kind of an unknown little school so it was serendipitous that I even applied. Many of my other friends are unhappy at college, all based on different factors, and I feel truly blessed to have found such a great match. I felt at home here after only one day, and feel like I've lived here at least a year already when in reality, it's only been a semester. The people at Clark have really made it my home. I have such great friends that inspire me to challenge myself everyday.
Bang for the buck
Clark, like many colleges these days, is very expensive. It does offer very good financial aid, but it's still pricy. My academic education has been mentally fulfilling, so the cost of classes makes sense. My dorm room is much bigger than I thought it would be and has more than enough room for me and my roommate to live in. The dining plan could use a revision but the food is always homemade and almost always good. I feel like I'm getting my money's worth but it would be great for Clark to be a little less expensive.
Tips for prospective students
I think your essay really makes a difference at Clark. If you are someone who has average grades but really wants to go to Clark, show them your passion and ability to inspire others. It seems like it's the little things you do, to show how interested you are in the school, make the most difference.
Great for these types of students
Clark has many different types of people but the overwhelming majority seem to be bright, motivated individuals with an interest in changing the world. Be it in art, the environment or community service, Clarkies are really dedicated to fixing problems and inspiring people. If you have a curiosity for learning, a passion for helping others and want to be inspired to embark on a quest for the truth and meaning in your life, Clark is the perfect match for you.

Amy from Cambridge, NY

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I have never been in such an amazing learning environment. There is a professor here for everyone with a different teaching style, beliefs, and ideologies. I have never had a class where I haven't learned something, and the professors are always so helpful whenever you ask for help. It's the perfect learning environment.
Am enjoying being here
With so many student clubs and activities going on, I have never been bored while at Clark. There is something to do every day of the week for every type of person, and if there wasn't, you could start a club and make something to do. On top of that, there are so many interesting and genuine people at Clark to hang out with, I have enjoyed meeting and being with them so much, and they are the people who really make the Clark experience.
Bang for the buck
While Clark is very expensive, I don't know anyone who isn't on scholarship, and the overall experience and amazing education is more than worth the price. You wont be disappointed!
Tips for prospective students
Go on a TREK if you can, they are an amazing way to meet other new students, and they are tons of fun! It's a great way to get settled into college and go on a lifechanging adventure at the same time!
Great for these types of students
If your idea of college is sitting in crowded lecture halls with professors who don't know your name, and having no social life outside of those classes, Clark isn't for you. If you are someone who wants to think critically about your education, and someone who wants to expand your horizons while doing so, Clark is the place for you. I cant think of a single logical person who wouldn't love Clark to its core.

Savannah from Northern California

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Feels like home. All around a great environment.
Tips for prospective students
If you are unsure about what college to choose, email the professors in your interested subject! They can talk about the classes they teach and research they are doing, giving you an inside perspective on your potential major. Also, reach out online to current and past students. A great way to do this is by joining facebook groups; tons of students ask and answer questions that you might have about certain schools.
Academic Rigor
Younger friends always ask me if college is hard; I say yes, but no. Yes it is hard in the sense that you are learning more material at a higher level. No one reminds you about doing your homework, extra research is needed without notice, and it can be harder to earn good grades depending on the intensity of the class. But, in a sense it is the same as previous schooling. You have nights where maybe you don't have any work to do, but you also have nights where you are up until 3am and very stressed. If you have good or decent time management skills, keeping your grades up shouldn't be so hard. A bonus of college is that you get to take classes in subjects you like, so it makes doing homework and studying for tests a bit more enjoyable. At Clark, the intensity of the class depends on the subject, professor, and your comfort level regarding the subject. My academic experience at Clark is definitely harder than high school, but I really enjoy what I am learning and have managed to stay on top of my work.
Dorm Life
My dorm was huge (compared to friends at other schools.) My roommate and I had room for everything, we even had just a tad too much closet space. It is great to live close to friends be able to call a new place home.
Food and Dining
The caf has tons of options. There is always a full salad bar which makes it easy to eat healthy. There are stations for those who are gluten free, vegan, and those who eat Kosher. The pizza is freshly made and there are new options at every meal. Pasta station is a great go to as well. There is a sandwich station with a lot of variety; great for when you need to grab something and quickly go. Several other stations change up what they have at every meal. There is always soda, several types of milk, juice, coffee, tea, froyo, 4 types of cereal that change every day, and some sort of dessert. The Bistro has great meals targeted for when you only have a short period of time to eat, and fresh sushi.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Spree Day! Classes are cancelled for one day and the school brings in fun activities such as food, smoothies, ice cream, water slides, jello wrestling, and a lot more.
Great for these types of students
People who are open to change and differences. Clark is a very welcoming place, especially regarding gender/sexuality topics. There are activities, classes, and friends for people of all different backgrounds and viewpoints, which really allows for students to meet new people with different perspectives.
Clubs and Activities
To highlight one club/activity at Clark, all of the work out options are great. The gym was just remodeled with tons of machines and is open all day so you don't have an excuse to not work out. As well, there are yoga classes, dance clubs to join, zumba, and tons more. It is all free, you can go with your friends, and a great way to keep in shape or relive stress.

Emma from Worcester, MA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Clark is a diverse, dynamic community where everyone is involved in a variety of interesting activities, both academically and extra curricular. Although Clark is in a not-so-nice part of Worcester, it provides students with cheap living and great community service, volunteering and internship opportunities. Clark University offers the small liberal arts feel while providing research opportunities and has a heterogeneous population; something that's hard to come by in a small New England liberal arts school.
Tips for prospective students
Be prepared to enter a place that is liberal, very diverse and in the middle of a busy city.
Academic Rigor
Academics is very dependent on your major. If you are interested in international development/relations, political science and geography are more rigorous than International Development & Social Change. The Psychology, Environmental Science, Biology and geography are all very strong programs. Classes at Clark are very discussion and participation oriented, but definitely whatever you make of them.
Dorm Life
Some of the dorms are a bit run down but they are constantly doing renovations. There are a large variety of options from doubles, suites, apartment complex and on-campus apartments.
Food and Dining
The food is good and the cafeteria has a wide variety of options. They are currently renovating the Bistro so that should be very nice. There are also a lot of great, cheap ethnic restaurants, pizza places and a diner basically on campus.
What to do for fun
there are always on-campus activities and performances going on, as well as shuttles to Boston and the nearby mall and movie theatre. Lots of students stay on campus on the weekends.
Bang for the buck
Clark has really good financial aid, gives a lot of scholarships and once you are at Clark there are many opportunities for stipends and scholarships for research and internships.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Clark is the only place in North America where Sigmund Freud, the famous psychologist, every spoke. There is a statue of him in the center of campus and he has a Facebook. It is rumored that he left after Clark because he got food poisoning. oops!
Great for these types of students
Liberal, open-minded, international or interested in international careers, active in extra curricular, self-motivated.
Clubs and Activities
Clubs are HUGE at Clark. If you are into something Clark has a club for it, and if not you can make it yourself really easily.
Greek Life
none
Campus Safety
Again, were right in the middle of an urban neighborhood, but Clark has its own police force and a safety van that drives students from 4pm to 4am. University Police is really great and if you call them they would pick you up or do whatever you need to feel safe.

Clark's Biggest Fan

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Clark is full of people from everywhere with backgrounds all across the board. With a mix of all sorts of people everywhere you go it is hard not to have your horizons broadened. Additionally, what I have learned academically is great too. There is a little bit of everything here!
Am enjoying being here
I love it here. The professor's are incredible, the students are inspiring, and the environment is exactly what I needed to thrive. I have learned so much from the experiences I have had and that is worth just as much as what I have learned scholastically. Clark did more than give me the education I needed to succeed professionally - it gave me a passion for my work. With an incredibly active campus, I have been inspired to make a difference in the world. This is something I could not have gotten anywhere else.
Bang for the buck
Clark can be very expensive, especially if you're living on campus and on the meal plan (which is required your first two years here). Financial aid often decreases each year your here and tuition as well as the student activity fee goes up frequently as well. This leads a lot of students to transfer out due to financial problems or put themselves majority into debt. However, if this is the place for you there is nowhere else better to be. Students truly love the environment Clark offers, and this makes it entirely worth the private school prices.

Another important factor to take into account is the Accelerated Master's Degree program which can give you a Master's Degree free one year after graduating undergrad if you qualify to the program. This can save a lot of time and money when it comes to grad school.
Tips for prospective students
During the Student Activities Fair, get information for any club you might be vaguely interested in. You will be surprised what you will end up caring about the most, and attending meetings early on can help you find a great place to thrive.
Great for these types of students
Clark is a really great school for students looking to get a global take on their liberal arts degree as well as students looking to make a profound impact on the world. With special programs such as the International Studies Streams, students cannot help but find themselves with a truly innovative sense of globalization and the way each person has the potential to interact with the world.

Additionally, Clark is very involved with the community its surrounded by. Many students find themselves volunteering or working at non-profits, something which often results in a lifelong passion. Almost everyone I know is doing something that is making a difference. Clark's motto is Challenge Convention and Change Our World and students who wish to do so can really excel here.

If you're looking to go abroad, learn about the world from the US, or get very involved in volunteer and community work this is definitely the place for you.

Jennie from Worcester, MA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Small sized school with buildings conveniently spaced situated in an entertaining, urban environment. Exceptional transportation system makes up for the lack of sports life. Professors know you and will engage with you after class.
Tips for prospective students
Visit the Leap Center for services such as: career services, writing assistance, academic advising, and other valuable services.
Academic Rigor
Your grade is how much you put in.
Dorm Life
Rooms are big, and cheaper compare to most colleges. Dorm life will be what you make of it!
Food and Dining
Not much of a variety, but changes every day.
What to do for fun
Clark offers free bus shuttles to Boston twice a month on a Saturday, and Clark offers free bus transportation every hour to two different malls every Friday and Saturday. To add, you can bet on Clark to provide free transportation and discounts to major event happenings in Massachusetts at least once a month.
Bang for the buck
This college is notorious on giving out a lot of financial aid, making final costs cheap and affordable. Great value school. Bang for the buck.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The Freud statue can be seen dressed up every week by students.
Great for these types of students
Very loving towards the LGBT community!
Clubs and Activities
Many clubs here, and if Clark does not have a club you are interested in, you can create one.
Greek Life
No Greek life, but endless club, job, and internship opportunities due to the school being placed in such a big city.
Campus Safety
Clark is in the poorer area of the city. This area is divided by ethnic groups making business in a section of the area. Clark is predominately in the Vietnamese/Asian section, which is not as dangerous as the other sections. Due to the clear urban development, Clark offers free and exceptionally efficient car rides from 4 pm to 4 am to any student that wants to be in a .5 mile radius from campus, which situates many stores/restaurants.

Kelly from Longmont, CO

accepted here and planning to attend soon
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
I already am learning so much and I haven't even started classes. All the professors have been help and welcoming, answering any questions I have no matter how trivial. I feel like everyone is there to help you learn instead of cut you down.
Will enjoy being here
The 2015 Clark University facebook page has gotten me in touch with so many people. I already have tons of friends who are making plans for the school year to hang out and stuff. There is a since of community which I have seen at very few other colleges (and I looked at a ton of colleges).
Bang for the buck
Clark is very expensive but they have lots of scholarships to help kids afford it. I got nearly half of tuition in scholarships from the school and that was 100% merit based. They do look at both parents financials which took me out of the need based realm but I got the merit based ones which I needed to afford the school. Also the free 5th year to get your masters makes the cost seem much more reasonable!
Tips for prospective students
Talk to current Clark students! They'll tell you a lot about the school and the social environment. Clark students love to let you know about the school and will let you know if they think you are a good fit.
Great for these types of students
Students with a dedication to community service and are driven academically. Students who want to be a name not a number! I already have a solid relationship with two of my professors and they fought to help me get into the classes I wanted.

Linnie from Plaistow, NH

researching this school
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Interesting curriculum in how they use gen eds in order to truly round out education as well as allowing for self-designed majors. Good class sizes and beautiful campus. Opportunities to research with faculty, study abroad, gain internship experience, and take classes at neighboring universities.
Academic Rigor
I personally sat in on a 200's level Sociology class and thought it was incredibly simple, but from what I've heard other classes are much more difficult. They offer some interesting and unique academic opportunities.
Dorm Life
The dorms aren't particularly large or nice, but I've seen worse.
Food and Dining
Good food options, though I didn't try everything.
What to do for fun
Literally anything and everything.
Great for these types of students
Somewhat alternative students who want to change the world. It's a pretty liberal campus.
Campus Safety
Good relationship with Worcester Police. There's a student run service that provides rides for students back to their dorm or nearby off-campus housing.

Katie from NH

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Clark is what you make it. No matter what you want your undergraduate career to be like, there is a way for you to make that happen, meeting your individual wants and needs. Its a small campus with a lot of greatness packed into it.
Tips for prospective students
When visiting for the first time, I didn't get that 'oh my god I NEED to go here. It wasn't until I had settled into my routine that this place began to feel like home. If you're having doubts because of the small size, or a lack of awe, don't worry because once your here you will be reassured that you made the best choice. Clark is a great fit for anyone because you make Clark fit to your needs.
Academic Rigor
As always a broad spectrum of academic rigor is available, you may have one class that you can relax about in a semester but that will surely be offset by at least 3 others that have need for attention and interest. The structure of academic programing makes it so that you have a program of liberal studies (gen eds) but ones that you find interesting. This makes your schedule have nothing but interesting classes.
Dorm Life
The dorms are clean and well maintained. People are very friendly around campus. As a first year, I live in Wright Hall, which was updated a few years ago and is very nice. I have yet to encounter an issue with any of the common spaces such as the laundry room, kitchen or study room.
Food and Dining
The food is great and there is a vast variety. Also, if something in the main dining hall doesn't suit your fancy, there's always the bistro and many places close to campus where you can grab a bite. I am a large fan of both Annie's brunch and Acoustic Java, two places just down the street from Clark's main gates.
What to do for fun
There are many opportunities to enjoy the campus and its people. Almost every day of the week there are night activities, performances etc. Also, to get a break from campus, you can join the outing club and be treated to free and low cost trips to local hikes and adventures.
Bang for the buck
The scholarship and grant I received from Clark are hands down the reason I am currently here. I am paying a very reasonable tuition and receiving a fantastic education
Greek Life
No greek life.
Campus Safety
Between the easily accessed UP and Clark Escort, I have never felt unsafe on this campus. Clark escort is a free van service that will drive you anywhere near and around campus that you need to go between 4am and 4pm everyday of the week. Also the EMS program is very reliable and helpful when you need them

from Somerville, MA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Diverse, Friendly, Welcoming
Tips for prospective students
Be sure the look what the required classes are and sign up early.
Academic Rigor
It depends on the major, but the academic is challenging and makes you prepared for future.
Dorm Life
The dorms are clean and everything is accessible.
Food and Dining
The food is not the best part.
What to do for fun
There are always events going on campus; Bingo Night, Game Night, Movies Night etc
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There is a red square in front of the statue of Sigmund Freud. If you step on it, it is said that you do not graduate on time. If you mistakely step on it then you're suppose to rub Freud's head.
Great for these types of students
All kinds!!
Clubs and Activities
There are many different types of clubs example: Hip Hop Collabo, Dance Society, Intramural Sports club, Outdoor club,many more
Campus Safety
There are Clark Escort service which is convenient.