Harding University
Searcy, AR, USA

Reviews

Harding University

Kristin from Miami, FL

a current student here
10 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Harding offers such a wonderful variety of classes to choose from, and the teaching is exceptional. The teachers are extremely caring and understanding to the students' needs at all times. They take their time to go through all of the material, making us experts on each subject we are taking.
Am enjoying being here
People wonder what is so great about Arkansas. In Searcy, Harding is the main attraction to the town. The campus constantly has activities going on every weekend. They have already held a concert with Owl City and other popular artists. There is never a dull moment when you go to Harding University.
Bang for the buck
The expense for Harding is completely worth the cost. The knowledge and life skills they equip you with will last a life time. The knowledge you gain about the Bible will be with you as long as you live. Harding takes so much time and effort to make sure that we are comfortable and having a great time year round.
Tips for prospective students
Students who desire to come to Harding, definitely come and visit the campus! You will find how beautiful Arkansas is and how great the people are at the University. Get connected with a recruit for your area, because they are a big part in your beginning experience at Harding. Be prepared for cold weather, because it can get very chilly in the winter months!
Great for these types of students
If you are looking to be a Bible major, Harding offers some of the most challenging, exciting, and amazing classes you can imagine. There is also an incredible Psychology department with teachers who are still practicing in Searcy. The Physicians Assistant school, which is brand new, has a demanding and excellent program for students.

Katherine from Carrollton, TX

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am not just learning things in my field of study but also from experiences.
Am enjoying being here
The people are some of the nicest you'll ever meet. Most of the boys aren't just looking for hookups. People find creative activities to do and are very personable.
Bang for the buck
The school is expensive but I would never leave it.
Tips for prospective students
This school is conservative so if you expect to get drunk every night and just party all the time then this isn't the school for you. It's a great place to live a christian life.
Great for these types of students
Members of the Church of Christ or any Christian religion, personable people, Bible majors, Nursing majors.

Noelani from Manchester, NH

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This is only my semester here and I have already learned a lot! There are so many different types of classes you can take that pertains to your interests, but classes that everyone has to take are general education classes. Even if you're not very interested in the subjects, the classes and teachers themselves are usually interesting enough and will help you get through them. But the most important thing is that we are all learning to live together in peace and always learning more about Jesus and what he has ad is doing for us, so that someday we can be with Him.
Am enjoying being here
There's so much to do around campus and off campus! There's many events, such as, concerts, hypnotists shows, movies, big bashes on the front lawn, etc. There's also different activities like social clubs, service project groups, and anything else you can really think of! Well, as long as it's clean! I'm not as big into clubs myself, I'm more of a home body, but there's still a lot to choose from even though I'm not doing any clubs. I still made friends and love being here on campus because it's a great environment and the people are amazing!
Bang for the buck
I guess you could say that Harding is a little expensive, but hey, it's college, and quite a good one. Although, that's probably why we're all looking for scholarships.. But either way, Harding is worth it. The dorms are nice, and the one I'm in has just been renovated! The food in the student center and the cafeteria are good too, at least I like the food! But others seem to too. Although every now and then you come across a problem, but Harding will do its best to fix it.
Tips for prospective students
I'm not quite sure what to say for this box, but Harding is a place where most of the people actually WANT to be. It's not just a place where you say, Oh I suppose this is an okay school. It's a place you want to be to grow in your faith, your friendships, and your education. You need to think about all 3 of those aspects when choosing a college. If you don't, then things may not turn out how you expected, or worse, how God wanted things to happen, and your life may just fall apart if you only rely on one aspect. Love ties all of them together, and I'm pretty sure everyone wants some type of love in college, right?
Great for these types of students
This is a great place for both social butterflies and home bodies, like me. I am not completely anti-social, but even if I were, it would be pretty easy to just stay in your room all day if you really wanted to. The social butterflies are of course having fun too because they are always out making their fun, while making more friends. People who are in between, like me, also have fun. This is a great place for all because there's so many different things to do and places to be!
This is also a place for any major! Harding has some of the best programs for both undergraduate and graduate. And not only that, if you really want to be at Harding but Harding doesn't offer your major, then you can meet with an adviser and basically create your major based on what is needed for that major at different schools!

Garrett from Jackson, TN

accepted here and planning to attend soon
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The students on campus were very welcoming. There was a lot of work being done to improve the campus during my visit. If you are considering this school check it out in person, you will be very impressed.
Academic Rigor
I did not get to witness this. I was only here for a campus visit.
Dorm Life
The dorms were small, but neat. The admissions counselor just made a general call over a loud speaker to see if someone would show us their room. a student came running down the hall to be the first one there, it was another thing that just impressed about the general level of friendliness on the campus.
Food and Dining
The food was pretty standard college cafeteria food. Not better or worse

Brittany from Olive Branch, MS

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
God's hand is very present here on campus. If you are looking for a place with legitimate people coming to know The Lord, Harding is the place for you. I would not be anywhere else.
Tips for prospective students
Don't buy into the whole ring by spring concept (meaning you get married super early on in college) Everyone around you will probably be engaged by their senior year (or married) but honestly, just remember this is just here. Most places you go that doesn't happen and it isn't everyone. I'm a prime example.
Academic Rigor
Personally, I am in easy classes. That's not to say there aren't difficult classes. If you want difficult classes, we have teachers who graduated from Harding or Yale that everyone decides not to take based on their difficultly level. You will just have to go to ratemyprofessor and see who is the best fit for you. There are top notch courses academically, and there are breezes. You will find what you want to find.
Dorm Life
I live in Stephens which is an upperclassmen female dorm (however, freshman overflow can get in and its much nicer than other freshman dorms.) and I absolutely love it. The atmosphere is what's great. You can go down the hall and know everyone and wave to them and stop and genuinely ask about their day. Plus, they aren't tiny by any means. Stephens was remodeled in 2011 and I believe they are planning on building another dorm as well due to the amount of freshman coming in are multiplying each year. The opposite gender is not allowed on any floor except the lobby and they can't be in each other's rooms aside from during open dorm. The goal of this is to make sure we keep Harding's christian mission, and while some people are bothered by this, it has never affected me. I love it. There is also a midnight curfew on week days and one AM on weekends. I've never had a reason to be out past midnight because if you're following your pledge (to not drink, party, go to clubs, etc) then except for midnight walmart trips, going out late at night is pointless. I like not coming home to a drunk roommate or a suitemate with a boy in her bed. The rules are like boundaries. They keep us safe. I know some of you will think that's hogwash and that's fine. It's all about perspective. If you think of the rules as guidelines and less like fences and collars, you will love dorm life. You do have to live on campus until you're 22 or married so basically your whole time here. But honestly, I wouldn't want to live off of campus. You miss too much just being gone on the weekends. Just this past week, we had the Ice Bucket Challenge, Steps Devos constantly, Spider-Man 2 showing, blood drives, etc. :) You will be happier if you live on campus and get involved!
Food and Dining
No. Just NO. I LOVE Harding. But the cafeteria food is terrible. The Grill is okay (mostly hamburgers and fries) but it gets old fast. There are other options like declining balance on your meal plan can be applied places on campus like Chickfila, Java City, and Taco Bell. However, you only have a limited about on that, so don't spend it all at once. The caf has good days in the comfort foods, but usually I stick to the soup or the stuff they have everyday.
What to do for fun
SO much on campus. Not a lot off campus, but you can to Little Rock and do fun stuff there, or go to Heber Springs and swim/jump off cliffs. :)
Bang for the buck
I feel like they're very fair for a private school. All the other Christian private schools I've looked into are $15,000 + a year after scholarships and grants (this coming from a girl who's EFC was 0 and thought the government would give her enough money to cover everything. NOPE!) but Harding is $8,000 for the first year with those of an EFC of 0. It goes up the more EFC you have, and each year you are here it costs more especially if you don't keep your GPA at a 3.5. I'm paying $9,500 this year, and I'm having to take loans but I promise it's worth it. Be sure to bring bags of quarters though...because the washers and dryers cost extra.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Ring by spring, three times to the swing on campus he wants to marry you, going under the clock tower when it strikes and you're alone means you're alone forever, going under the clock tower when you're with a guy means you'll marry him
Great for these types of students
Genuine Christians who want to grow in their relationships with God and other people.
Clubs and Activities
There is always something going on at campus! Social club stuff starts this thursday. (August 28th)
Greek Life
You'll have to see for yourself. There are a lot of stereotypes. I will gladly tell you if you come up to me on campus. ;)
Campus Safety
Searcy has little to no crime. Campus is the same way.

Logan from Cabot, AR

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Harding University is a great place where you can meet many new people from all over the world! Here at Harding professors truly care about seeing their student succeed and take the time to teach them about God along the way. God is a number one priority here at Harding as well and it's great to be able to learn about him along the way!
Tips for prospective students
For future students I would say be prepared to: work hard, stay up late, have fun, meet new people, build new relationships, learn lots of material, and grow in your faith with God! Harding is not the easiest university, but with the right mindset, friends, and focus you will have a blast. Always keep your chin up and give your very best!
Academic Rigor
Harding University is not easy. At times it may feel unbearable, but in all reality you just have to figure out how to manage your time. In the end, student from Harding University come out on top of the work force.
Dorm Life
Although Harding has separate girl/guy dorms and curfew, you can still have tons of fun in the dorms! At times you will love the dorm life and at times you will hate it. With a bunch of girls living together (or a bunch of guys living together) drama can come up, but in all reality the dorm life is where you bond with your friends and learn more about yourself as an independent person!
Food and Dining
The food at Harding in not the best, but it could be worse. We have multiple different options, and of course there is always our student center you can rely on if the cafeteria isn't reliable. They are really good about making sure they please everyone's food styles.
What to do for fun
Our Student Association with host movie nights on the front lawn or in chapel buildings with free popcorn. Lots of students like to go outside on the front lawn and play: soccer, frisbee, catch, or multiple other games. Other like to wait to go to dinner and a movie at night, or walk around at the park, or just go shopping all day!

Janice from Bartlesville, OK

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Harding is a great school with great opportunities for students. Teachers are very helpful and truly care about students. I would recommend Harding to anybody looking to be involved in a tight community of students.
Tips for prospective students
Harding may not be for everybody, make sure you are ready to follow the rules and make sure that you are okay with following all of them. Harding has strict rules, and you can't get around them.
Academic Rigor
The teachers really push you to do your best at Harding. Attendance is mandatory, you get only a few absences per class per semester. There is tutoring available for students that are struggling, and the teachers are very helpful in making sure you get all the tutoring you need. You are definitely not set up to fail at this school. It challenges you, but in a good way.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is great. The halls are filled with fun at night, and that's where you can really get close to people around you! The rooms are fairly nice, but you aren't really in there very much anyway! Good closet space for the girls, and lots of room for video games for the guys :)
Food and Dining
I am not a fan of the food at Harding.... The cafeteria is not very impressive, and it is very pricy. The meals evened out to about $8 per meal swipe into the cafeteria, and the food just isn't worth that in my opinion... I personally spent alot of money eating out during my first year at Harding.
What to do for fun
Unfortunately there isn't many things provided for students to do for fun. but we make our own fun! that's one of the good things about having a curfew and living in a dorm. Students really get the chance to bond late at night after curfew with all of the people living around them in the same hallway, much fun is made on your own! Searcy is a small town, so there isn't much going on around town.
Bang for the buck
Overall, Harding is a great school. It is expensive, and there are things that they could improve on, but Harding has great teachers, nice facilities, and is an overall positive campus to be on.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The clubs can sometimes be unusual to incoming students. There is a whole club week where the new pledges have to do weird things that the older members tell them to do such as dress up strange and do a variety of things around campus. There are several instances where the students will have to dress up crazy for events on campus.
Great for these types of students
Students who want more than just an education... but a good college experience. Willing to push yourself and abide by strict rules. Willing to be attentive in class when possible and only miss when ill. Ready to learn and study hard! not good for those who like to just breeze by.
Clubs and Activities
The clubs on campus are great. They make you get close to the people who are in your club and they really give you a good opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and meet alot of new people
Greek Life
We don't have sororities/fraternities on campus, but we do have clubs! there are several different options ranging from large to small. There is one club to fit any student of any personality!
Campus Safety
I feel very safe on this campus. There is public safety that is available 24/7 for whatever you may need. The doors all lock in the dorms, and there is high security. There are drivers who drive around in Ford Escapes all through the night to make sure nothing goes on over night. I have never felt unsafe walking around by myself at night.

Nick from Hoschton, GA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It really is great to be at Harding! The campus is beautiful and the people are incredible what more do you need?
Tips for prospective students
Harding is a fantastic choice because the professors at Harding are all here because they love teaching students in a christian atmosphere. All the professors are incredibly friendly and helpful no matter what questions you may have they will try their best to help you.
Campus is also beautiful! It is also small campus in a small city which in my opinion makes it even better.
Academic Rigor
The a academics at Harding are just as good as the academics at any other university. I personally always found it funny that many students early in my college career would talk about how Harding's academics weren't as good as other universities but then those same students would go to the better universities to take some classes because Harding's version of the class was too much for them. The best thing about Harding academics is the professors who are incredibly friendly and helpful!
Dorm Life
I have lived the last 4 years in a dorm on campus and I always loved it! For the most part all other people in the dorm are very respectful of each other and friendly.
The first 3 years I was in the dorms with a group of friends Id already known before hand which does make dorm life even better but this past year I roomed with people I didnt know before hand and I still loved it and came out with new great friends.
Food and Dining
The food at Harding isnt the greatest... The Caf (main dining hall) can be pretty iffy at times but you can also go to the stu (student center) to get things like Taco bell, chic fila, Chinese food (possibly panda express after the new renovations) or visit the mini mart. I am not a coffee drinker but I know many others are so for coffee lovers there is a starbucks on campus and a local coffee shop called Midnight Oil very close by which I have been told has fantastic coffee.
What to do for fun
Searcy is a pretty small town and theres not a whole lot to do in the immediate area but Little Rock is only 45 mins south and Memphis is 2 hours east if you want to go to a big city. I prefer the outdoors myself which Arkansas has an abundance of beautiful hiking, kayaking, mountain climbing, swimming, fishing, etc. locations. A favorite of many Harding students is Heber Springs which is a large man made lake with cliff diving, hiking, mountain and rock climbing.
My friends and I also spend a great deal of time on campus playing volleyball, disc golf, ultimate frisbee, basketball, racquetball, etc.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Youll just have to come to Harding to find out. Theres too many tales to tell!

Rachael from Salem, OR

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am continually being challenged both academically and spiritually to grow and seek God's will in my life.
Am enjoying being here
I am a long way from home but already after three months of being here I feel like this is my second home. It is a beautiful campus and the people here are very friendly.
Bang for the buck
Harding is probably one of the most inexpensive private schools in the country and it is a great school.
Tips for prospective students
If you are looking at Harding as a possible choice for college, somethings to take into consideration is that it is a Church of Christ school, and it holds fast to Church of Christ beliefs, I am not Church of Christ so it can be frustrating at times for me, but if anything this environment has strengthened my faith and caused me to dig deeper into Gods word. Also Harding is a pretty strict University with a fair amount of rules that have to be followed so make sure you know what you are getting into before you come here. It is not all that bad once you are here but if you don't want to have a curfew, room inspections, or specific set times when guys can come into your room with certain rules applied, then this school is probably not for you.
Great for these types of students
Hard working, dedicated students who want to be challenged to grow in their faith and like small towns.

Kaitlyn from Searcy, AR

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
At Harding University, the classes are challenging and the teachers are well educated and truly enjoy their jobs and their students. I have enjoyed every class I have been a part of, even Geology! All the classes truly involve you in what you are learning.
Am enjoying being here
One of the most amazing things I have ever done in my life is choose to go to Harding University. We are really one student body. I can talk to anyone I see. Harding has a beautiful campus and overall a love for camaraderie! I would not have my college experience happen anywhere else.
Bang for the buck
As much as I've enjoyed my first 2 years at Harding, it is definitely EXPENSIVE. It is a private college, so it is definitely something to either save up for or get a good amount of scholarships for.
Tips for prospective students
Come with an open mind! People tend to judge private schools by their titles. Harding University is a Christian private school that really focuses on Christ, but it is not overwhelming by any means. Do not come just to be around 'other Christians' because there are people from all walks of life here. However, don't not come because you are afraid that the Bible will be shoved down your throat. Definitely take the opportunity to sit in on a class you are interested in if you can.
Great for these types of students
Harding University is a great place for people who LOVE people! It is a place of almost constant fellowship. We all just really love each other here. Also if you are looking for a place that gives meaning to your life, Harding is truly the best.