Furman University
Greenville, SC, USA

Reviews

Furman University

Demesheka from Conyers, GA

a current student here
13 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am definately learning more than I thought I'd be learning in such short semesters at Furman. At times it may seem a bit overwhelming but professors are always willing to explain and help their students and Furman provides tutoring if needed during the week.
Am enjoying being here
I enjoy the atmosphere at Furman. The campus is beautiful, the students and faculty are polite and friendly, and it's not a large campus so it doesnt take more than 10-15 min walking to get anywhere
Bang for the buck
Furman will definately prepare you for any post-graduate endeavours you have. You'll have excellent study skills for graduate school and the liberal arts education and reputation Furman has is an advantage.
Tips for prospective students
Furman can be difficult if you don't organize your time well. Don't try to do everything when you first come in and end up stressed and pushing for time. It's better to adjust to your classes before adding any extracurriculars because they are ultimately your highest priority.
Great for these types of students
Furman is best for students who like the smaller school (Furman has roughly 2800 students).

Elisabeth from Greenville, SC

a current student here
9 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Furman University is not the kind of school that you get away with hiding in the back of the classroom. They are about engaged learning; not only teaching you class material but how to think critically. Freshman are required to take first-year seminars of their choosing that are topics personally selected by the professor (like a hiking seminar on writing about the environment or spy codes through history) so not only are you taking a class that you're interested in, but it's something your professor is passionate about. These seminars are very small with a class size around 8. The rest of the classes at Furman are not very large - even the intro courses. My Spanish 115 class had about 22 people in it.
You will come out of Furman University prepared for the real world - the kind that doesn't care that you got an A on your Calc exam, but that you know how to utilize your resources and effectively problem-solve.
Am enjoying being here
Furman University has a very active campus life. The Furman University Student Activities Board plans countless events throughout the year that appeal to all different sorts of people. They've sponsored everything from an aquarium sleepover at the Tennessee Aquarium to Christmas at the Biltmore Estate. Furman also hosts its share of notable guest speakers and artists. In April we had the Far East Movement and Matt & Kim perform. We even had Seth Myers from SNL's Weekend Update come and give a show. The Greek life at Furman University is very active but not exclusive. Many Greek events are open to all Furman students. If you are interested in life off campus, Downtown Greenville is 15 minutes away with an array of shops and Falls Park that centers around the famous Liberty Bridge, a suspension bridge that curves gracefully over the Reedy River Falls. Furman University is also right next to the Swamp Rabbit Trail, a multi-use paved trail that runs all the way from the town of Travelers Rest to Downtown Greenville.
Bang for the buck
Furman is an incredible school that has an excellent national reputation that will be very helpful when you apply to grad school. It is very expensive though. My advice is to apply for as many scholarships as possible and to keep track of deadlines. The money is out there -you just have to know where to look.
The Hollingsworth Scholarship is the Furman merit based scholarship for in-state students while the Townes Scholarship is for out-of-state students.
Tips for prospective students
Write about what you know and what you are passionate about on your applications. Have a well organized resume ahead of time, it's a incredibly handy reference when you are applying for all your different scholarships. Furman looks for students with initiative, so activities that you organized yourself or that you had a leadership role in are important to mention.
Great for these types of students
Self-motivated, focused students. Good with time-management. (or at least have the capabilities to learn the skill)

Dean from Pelzer, SC

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Furman is a great environment academically. With a very good student to faculty ration, it is easy to get the attention needed while in class. Although most of the courses are difficult, the material is crucial and beneficial to achieving lifetime goals. Furman is an amazing university; be prepared to learn A LOT!
Am enjoying being here
The campus is quiet large, covering almost 800 acres. Although it is located near downtown and is only 30 minutes away from my home, I feel as though I am miles away and in an isolated location. The social atmosphere here is great. Everyone is extremely nice and it is easy to make many friends. The size is just right, with just about 2600 students. I highly recommend FURMAN!
Bang for the buck
Furman has great professors, staff, and students. It is an amazing experience. Although it is a private institution and pretty expensive, Furman is well worth the cost. Everyone is involved to some degree on campus and everyone brings a little different cultural background to the table. It is awesome how happy everyone is here and how much everyone enjoys Furman.
Tips for prospective students
A little effort goes a long way at Furman. Make sure you manage your time wisely and don't over-stretch yourself in extracurriculars. Be prepared to study. Everything will be great!
Great for these types of students
Everyone.

D. Cody from South Carolina

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
furman is a place for the most intellectually curious to pursue their academic goals. it is a very competitive environment, as everyone is at the highest level of academic excellence. though the workload is stressful at times, you really feel like you are broadening your horizons.
Tips for prospective students
time management is key! if you can balance your studies and social life, you will succeed. if you encounter an imbalance, fix it and move on. hunker down from the start or else you will be playing catch-up.
Academic Rigor
understand that, no matter what your high school was like, furman will be a challenge. studying every single day is truly necessary to thrive in this environment. the classes are mostly discussion based, so reading [the materials before class] will be your life.
Dorm Life
the dorms are pretty decent in size when compared to other campuses. the activity level in the hall can vary greatly, though. my hall has closed doors most of the time, while my friend's hall has open doors all the time with constant socialization.
Food and Dining
freshmen are required to carry an unlimited meal plan. the dining hall provides excellent choices (daily salad bar, smoothies in the morning, sandwiches, excellent desserts, ice cream machines, etc.) the meal plan also includes food points to einstein bros. bagels and the pal-a-den (moe's southwest grill, chick-fil-a, subs, and pangea's). i would suggest using the food points during exam weeks so you can take your food to a tranquil place and cram a little more for finals.
What to do for fun
downtown greenville is less than ten minutes away. main street is filled with restaurants (from lower priced to gourmet), shops (leather shops to toy stores), and there are always festivals and shows going on. cycling/mountain biking is huge here. there are tons of trails, such as swamp rabbit and paris mountain, that provide hours of athletic exercise and stress relief.
Bang for the buck
furman is very expensive - to the tune of $50,000+ per year. if you are willing and able to attend, though, do! the professors are of the absolute highest quality and are the best in their respective fields. furman also provides concerts free of charge along with many other events and specials including free red bull and back massages during finals.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
don't get thrown into the lake on your birthday - it is ridden with e. coli...
Great for these types of students
intellectually curious, hard-working, dedicated, and willing to sacrifice [to some extent] the normal social life of a college student
Clubs and Activities
there are myriad opportunities to join clubs on campus. from political groups to investment clubs, if you like it, we have it. if we don't have it, by some small chance, there are many opportunities to start clubs. speakers are on the campus all of the time. this year's notable speakers (fall 2011) included speaker newt gingrich and peter schiff.
Greek Life
greek life is big, especial for guys, but not a necessity. it provides a great opportunity for networking but if you are not involved, it will not close any doors.
Campus Safety
fupo (furman police) is everywhere, and that's a good thing. i was pulled over last semester for coming back on campus at 2am in my girlfriend's car (without a sticker on the back). they are very vigilant, but not to the point of harassing. call boxes are all over campus and the lighting is above average. the biggest safety issue on campus is probably leaving your bike unlocked, finding out that it has been taken, and walking to your next class only to see that someone rode it fifty yards.

Sophie from Marietta, GA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Furman is a great place to learn and further your academic career. It offers rigorous academics, as well as, good connections to the outside work force. Furman prepares their students to be successful in whatever it is they choose to do professionally.
Tips for prospective students
It is important for prospective students to not underestimate the academics at Furman. Just because you had a solid GPA in high school, does not guarantee that you will have one in college. Nothing comes easy in college no matter where you are. Furman professors do care about their students and want them to do well in their classes, but they will not be willing to help students that don't put in the extra work.
Academic Rigor
The academics in Furman are challenging. However, if you are willing to put in the work and attend your classes, it is manageable. Furman professors know that their students are intelligent people, so they want to further their growth as scholars.
Dorm Life
Furman's south housing is probably the worst of the entire campus, especially Blackwell hall. It has a moldy smell to it and the rooms are tiny with metal bunk beds. It honestly needs to be torn down and rebuilt.
Food and Dining
The food options are great at Furman. There is a dining hall with breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the menu changing daily. There is also the Paladin Food Court, which has a Moes, Chick Fil A, sushi, and a sandwich shop. However, a lot of students complain about the lack of food options at Furman because you do get tired of eating the same things everyday.
What to do for fun
Downtown Greenville is about 10-15 minutes away from campus and it is beautiful. It's a really fun place to go with your friends, walk around, shop, and go to the nice restaurants. Furman also offers events sponsored by FUSAB, which is the Furman University Student Activities Board. They regularly host events, which are fun.
Bang for the buck
Furman offers great academics, and the professors there are experienced. I always get the feeling that I am being supported by the faculty, as well as the students. The student body is made up of kind and hardworking individuals. I love being a part of its community.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Unusual traditions at Furman include 'laking' your friends on their birthdays. This is where you throw your friends in the Furman lake.
Great for these types of students
Furman is a great school for career/goal oriented students, because they are really furthered by the rigorous academics and experienced professors. The career center at Furman is extremely helpful when it comes to helping students for their life after Furman because they have good connections with their alumni and they help with writing resumes.
Clubs and Activities
There are so many different ways to get involved on campus. There is a club fair at the beginning of every fall semester to show what organizations Furman has to offer. This is a great way for people to make friends and meet new people who share the same interests.
Greek Life
Greek life is common at Furman, but it is not something that anyone feels pressured in doing. It is totally normal to not rush. Not everyone does it, but it is a good way to meet people and build lifelong friendships.
Campus Safety
I have always felt safe on campus, but sometimes I would feel safer if the Furman police department would lock the gates at certain times. Other than that, I have never encountered any problems where I didn't think I was being protected.

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Academic Rigor
The work is hard, but if you get to know your professors and put in the time outside of class, getting A's is possible. The struggle is real, but the information you leave each class with will surprise you and will never leave your memory.
Dorm Life
The dorms are great! The rooms are really big and clean and fully furnished with desks couches etc. The dorms themselves are always quiet, even on the weekends because the party people tend to go to the apartments or off campus houses.
Food and Dining
The food is not so bad, and there is always something to eat. If you are concerned with gaining weight at school, don't go near the cookie station. The chocolate chip cookies are to die for.

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Furman promotes a sense of community since all students are required to live on campus all four years. I like being able to visit my friends without getting lost or having to trek across campus. You definitely won't be lost in a crowd and will find a sense of home here.
Tips for prospective students
Take advantage of the programs Furman offers first year students such as pre-orientation trips, summer scholars, and more. I really enjoyed Furman's first year residential program known as Engaged Living where you live with students in your first year seminar and have the opportunity to learn outside the classroom.
Academic Rigor
Furman is no joke when it comes to academics. I have yet to take an easy class here but most of the professors are very helpful and you definitely learn a lot from their classes.
Dorm Life
If you like your space but are ok with having a roommate, Lakeside dorms are a great option. The freshmen dorms there are very spacious and there is a kitchen area on every floor. Also, all the buildings in Lakeside are connected which makes visiting friends easier. South Housing (SoHo) dorms are smaller but I've heard everyone bonds more easily because of it.
Food and Dining
The dining hall (DH) tries to change things up every now and then by having themed dinners. However, the day to day burgers, pizza, and variations of pasta and salad gets old after a while. There is also the PDen which has fast food and to-go options when you're looking to save time. In addition, there is a Starbucks in the bookstore (but it doesn't take meal points) and an Einsteins Bagels which is open late.
What to do for fun
Downtown Greenville is cute and a great place to go for dinner, shopping, and even some clubbing. On campus, Furman sometimes hosts events and there are always weekend parties in the on campus apartments if you're into that. I've never been bored!
Bang for the buck
Furman is definitely not cheal. However, there are plenty of scholarship and financial aid options and I believe my student loans will be worth the quality education I've received thus far.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Seniors get to run through the fountains on the last day of classes. Also, rumor has it if you kiss your significant other under the bell tower, you will be together for life.
Great for these types of students
Students who are driven, have a good work ethic, and are open to different ways of learning will do well. I have met many different kinds of people here.
Clubs and Activities
There is something for everyone! If you don't find anything that interests you, Furman can give you money to start your own club.
Greek Life
If you're into trying it, it's great. You get to meet so many new people while giving back to the community through philanthropy events and having a blast at the functions. If going Greek isn't your style, however, there are plenty of people who aren't Greek. I have both Greek and non-Greek friends.
Campus Safety
I have never felt more safe anywhere else. Unless you decide to walk around the lake by yourself at night, Furman is one of the safest places ever.

Ashley

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Tips for prospective students
It is really worth it to sit in on a class when you visit. Also, if you can, arrange to stay the night with a current student through Admissions. Most people love to host prospectives and will be able to show you a lot more than you see on your tour.
Dorm Life
The dorms are mostly older, but most are pretty big rooms and lots have been updated.
What to do for fun
Burgiss Theater always has movies on the weekends, there are generally study events at the library, and FUSAB (Furman University Student Activities Board) is AMAZING. There is always something fun to do.
Bang for the buck
I know it costs a lot...but you're really getting your money's worth.
Great for these types of students
Perfectionists, you'll fit right in.
Clubs and Activities
Literally, almost anything you can imagine.

Cody from Myrtle Beach, SC

a current student here
0 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The quality of the professors, as well as the selection of classes, allows for an extremely dynamic and interesting learning experience. I feel that I am retaining the information I am learning, and the passion of the professors facilitates the learning process.
Am enjoying being here
The campus is beautiful, the students are amiable and intelligent, and the city is a lot of fun. I never have trouble finding something to do, whether that be on campus or in downtown, and my overall experience has been a good one.
Bang for the buck
It is a private school, and so is extremely expensive. However, the price of the school is reflected in the quality of the campus and faculty. Still, a little pricey, especially for a school that does not give out many scholarships (especially when it is only 2500 students).
Tips for prospective students
Be prepared for difficult classes. It is the second most rigorous in the United States, and so can be a little overwhelming for someone who chooses to intense of a schedule. Try to plan classes so that you have some easier classes, as well as some tougher ones. That way you don't get stuck suffering through several different intense classes and end up having to drop one.
Great for these types of students
Intelligent, driven, passionate, motivated, and open students.