John Carroll University Reviews
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Aime from North East, PA
07/11/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
1 of 16
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Those looking for a small campus, a close community, a religious community, and a challenging four years of college.
Tips for prospective students Budget your funds: the dining hall has okay food, but there are some on campus dining which is not included in your meal plan and it can be very expensive. Talk with upper classmen: These students know the ropes and are willing to help new students get around campus. They also know which teachers are easy or are ones to avoid.
Bang for the buck It is quite expensive, but there are many ways to finance for JCU.
Am enjoying being here The campus is absolutely beautiful. It is small and close to downtown Cleveland and the shopping centers of Legacy Village and Beachwood. It is a close community of students and it feels like a family once you find your niche.
Am learning a lot The classes here are challenging but there is a lot to learn. Of course, there are certain teachers to take and others to avoid. The core classes are a drag but with the correct research, you can pick the best classes to raise your GPA.
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Brittany from Newbury, OH
01/01/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
2 of 16
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Highly motivated individuals who know how to manage their time.
Tips for prospective students Be prepared to work hard.
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Brian from Brunswick, OH
01/30/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 of 16
Categories Comments Campus Safety campus is very secure.
Greek Life not involved in it.
Clubs and Activities football program is great here and i am very glad each day to be a part of it.
What to do for fun i like to hang out with my friends on the weekends and am involved with the football program.
Food and Dining food is delicious and the staff is very kind.
Dorm Life the dorms are great. mine is quiet enough to study in during the week and has lots of fun on weekends.
Academic Rigor classes are both challenging and interesting. these classes are not about busy work, but rather making sure you learn the subject.
Tips for prospective students study and attend classes. college is not just about parties, it is about preparing yourself for your future. academics are very important and should not be taken lightly. you are paying for this education and should not have it wasted.
In three sentences it is a great university with a very welcoming environment. classes are great and very informative. i am very happy with my decision to come here.
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Maura from University Heights, OH
02/27/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
4 of 16
Categories Comments Greek Life a big deal, but you can still get into parties if you're a non-greek
Great for these types of students catholic, rich, conservative. but there are definitely those who fall outside those lines.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus the cubby. a student-run cafe that serves delicious cookies, muffins, and drinks.
What to do for fun a lot of options because we're so close to cleveland.
Food and Dining the caf food is alright. i've had worse but i've had a lot better, too.
Academic Rigor study a lot, but have fun too.
Tips for prospective students study your butt off, but don't forget to have fun. the professors are there to help. ask them questions!
In three sentences the best college in the world. such a close community that stresses social justice and graduating well rounded students.
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Molly from Toledo, OH
03/19/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
5 of 16
Categories Comments Campus Safety I have never once felt unsafe walking anywhere on campus. John Carroll is surrounded by a great family neighborhood that love the students and look out for them. On campus it self, there is good lighting for walking at night and campus security is always around.
Great for these types of students John Carroll is great for students that like a smaller campus and close community. A campus like JCU is great because the professors are willing to help in anyway they can and so they will know your name and a student will come out of college with great connections!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus A great traditon at JCU is celebrating St. Patrick's Day by taking a train into downtown and watching the parade where over half a millon people come to watch. It is a sea of green and JCU students love taking part and enjoying the great weather and people watching!
What to do for fun There is always something happening on campus. The Student Union plans events every weekend that all students can participate in. In the hot months, a bus will take students to a football or baseball game in the city and spend the night downtown. Other off campus events are seeing plays and musicals, going to the surrounding malls, shopping and dinner or a movie. Recently, a group of my friends and I went to a train station to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a murder mystery put on by our school's theater group. If one does not want to go off campus, having a movie night in the dorm with friends and tons of popcorn is just as fun!
Food and Dining Nothing will be better then mom's home cooked meals, but the food at JCU is great compared to other caferitia food! At JCU, there are five different stations that change everyday with food from different cultures. One day there will be tacos and pizza, and the next, momma's home-made mashed potatoes and roasted beef and steamed vegetables. There is food for everyone! And some days one must get creative; take some chicken from the grill and go over to the deli to make a wrap is the perfect lunch. O and one cannot forget dessert! Everyday there is an ice cream machine and fresh cookies and cake. YUM!
Dorm Life Dorm life is a whole different world when compared to life at home. One no longer has their own room or own bathroom, rather one is sharing and living with strangers. Sounds scary at first, but it is an unique experience where one can meet people from every different background. Friends are made that will last a lifetime though the interactions of walking door-to-door down the hallway, late-night talks, and random movie marathons. These are fun and crazy experiences that one will only get in college and so might as well make the most of it!
Academic Rigor John Carroll University wants its students to be challenged in all subject areas. No matter what major one goes into, they will be pushed to learn in new ways and to be opened to new material. Knowing a variety of subject manners will help one become more well-rounded and able to survive in the real world. Even though homework may build up, in the long run it will benefit its students who will be that much more prepared for their future endeavors.
Tips for prospective students When it comes to college, the best mindset to have is open. Be opened to meeting new people and going outside one's comfort zone to try new things. Join clubs and other groups to get involved on campus and to stay active. It makes you more well-rounded and you will enjoy your time at your school. And finally, to always strive to do your best in all that you do; studies, clubs, sports, friendships, and being your best self.
In three sentences John Carroll University is a very small and close community that strives to enrich its students in the liberal arts and to prepare them for the real world. Students are immersed into a variety of subjects taught by knowledgeable professors. Since it is such a close community, teachers are always willing to help outside the classroom so students can succeed.
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Mary from Fairview Park, OH
03/26/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
6 of 16
Categories Comments What to do for fun I enjoy hanging out with my friends and attending sporting events, as well as going to parties on weekends.
Food and Dining I dislike a majority of the food here at John Carroll.
Dorm Life I love my friends in my dorm and the dorms are very accommodating.
Academic Rigor John Carroll is a difficult school, but the professors are always there to help.
Tips for prospective students John Carroll provides great tips for incoming students. If you need any help they are very understanding.
In three sentences I really enjoy John Carroll's wonderful teaching staff, academics, and atmosphere.
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Cameron from Chesterland, OH
04/10/2012Reviewer is A past student here.
7 of 16
Categories Comments Campus Safety Cleveland and University Heights is pretty safe, the campus is closed in and they always have police. But there have been incidents when kids go off campus and the dorms are easy to get into.
Greek Life That's one thing John Carroll strides in, many people go Greek and have fun. But it's expensive and most of them party to much.
Clubs and Activities Offers some clubs but they are mostly all small and die because people stop showing up.
Great for these types of students Football Players and Cheerleaders, very clicky high school kind of crowd.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Campus is pretty small, doesn't really have much going on.
Bang for the buck In my opinion it's not worth the money, even wit scholarships. Public schools offer a lot more academically and sociably. Plus they are cheaper and often have better facilities and dorms.
What to do for fun Cleveland has a lot to offer if the student has money. John Carroll offers some things to do, but most of the clubs are very small and the campus life is very boring.
Food and Dining The food was alright, didn't have much variety. Basically served pizza, chicken, salads and burgers everyday.
Dorm Life John Carroll's dorm were awful. Murphy Hall where most freshman live is very dirty and old. The communal bathrooms were disgusting, rarely cleaned and something was ways broken. The heaters are always broken and the RA's rarely discipline students, I found it very hard to sleep because people were always partying. Plus it's very expensive, other schools have brand new dorms for half the price.
Academic Rigor John Carroll's academics are average. I had some great teachers and some not so great teachers. My main problem wit Carroll's academics is their core, students spend almost 2 years taking classes that having nothing to do with their specific degree and it often leads to students not graduating on time in 4 years.
Tips for prospective students Apply to many schools and don't decide on a school becaus e they offer you the most money, go where you want to go. John Carroll accepts 85-90% of thier students and offers a lot of money, but you have to reasearch schools, tour, talk to people and see what fits you the best!
In three sentences After attending John Carroll for a year, I was ready for something different. The school itself is very disorganized and not worth the money.
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Christine from Cleveland Heights, OH
05/31/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
8 of 16
Categories Comments Campus Safety Campus Safety is GREAT! They are really working to make the campus fun and safe and all the guys are really nice. The only thing they are not on the same page with is parking/coming on and off campus. The gates are locked at weird hours and they don't all say the same thing all the time, but in regards to keeping students protected they are some great workers!
Bang for the buck Everyone around here LOVES when you say you are a JCU student.
What to do for fun JCU is in walking distance to the RTA rapic, which spills you off at both Shaker Square (restaraunts and a Movie theater) and also Tower City, which is about 5 minutes walking distance from the Cleveland Indians stadium and Quicken Loans Arena. Tower city also has places to eat, stores to shop at and a cinema. There is a metro park trail about half a mile from campus. Legacy Village and Beachwood are about 10-15 minutes driving wise, and the shuttle that takes students to a couple surrounding areas makes stops there.
Food and Dining The food is awful. One star is generous. The cafeteria looks like it offers many different options but the only thing that is really edible is the grilled chicken, burgers and fries, and even those are questionable most days. I would recommend getting the smallest meal plan possible with the most plus points so you can eat at Einsteins or the Inbetween. The workers are really nice, majority of them, but the lunch and dinner time rushes seem to be a surprise to them everyday, so be prepared to stand in line...
Dorm Life The dorms are alright. Relatively clean. It's really luck of the draw based on who you room with and who your neighbors are, just like any other college.
Academic Rigor The core curriculum is a bit excessive and rarely beneficial to majority of students. The core classes will be harder than any class you take for you major, and will also require the most work from you.
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Jessica from Cleveland, OH
06/06/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
9 of 16
Categories Comments Campus Safety Always friendly helpful and present.
Clubs and Activities Join as many as you can to get the full spread of campus diversity!
Great for these types of students If you are religious, or are heavily into service and social action, this is the school for you!
What to do for fun Join as many clubs as you can! The groups of people you meet in them are great friends!
Food and Dining Iffy selection in Schott. The other options are pricey but worth it. Get the lowest swipe plan possible with the most Plus points!
Dorm Life Chaotic. Luck of the Draw.
Academic Rigor Challanging but doable. If you have trouble go to office hours!
Tips for prospective students Don't give up. The coursework is tough, but managable. Once you find your niche and close set of friends, you are good to go!
In three sentences The faculty and staff at JCU are highly Knowledgable and friendly. Student body is varied and community is wonderful once you find your niche. Classes are tough, but it is a prestigeous university.
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JCU
11/23/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
10 of 16
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Great for all types of students. There is a lot of diversity.
Bang for the buck Quite expensive, you are paying for the name.
What to do for fun Student Union offers free trips to cedar point, or to the movies. If you are willing to look for things to do then you will never be bored.
Food and Dining Cafeteria gets old after the first couple of weeks. Sometimes there is a lot to choose from, sometimes there is nothing.
Dorm Life The oldest dorm is being remodeled in the summer to be more modern.
Academic Rigor It all depends on the classes you are taking and what your intended major is.
Tips for prospective students Don't ever fall behind in your studies!
In three sentences Great, friendly atmosphere. Offers a lot of activities for students. Easy to find something to do.
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Christine from Cleveland, OH
11/29/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
11 of 16
Categories Comments Campus Safety The campus is very safe, I have never felt unsafe on campus.
Clubs and Activities They have so many different clubs and activities. They are worth checking out!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus They have mass every Wednesday.
Bang for the buck I think the school is an either you hate it or you love it school, there is no in between; to me it was a waste of time and money.
What to do for fun I hang out and do intramurals. They always have school sponsored events and they are a ton of fun!
Food and Dining The dining hall is very good, the food there is very delicious. It closes at 8 p.m. so if you have a late night job plan on eating in your room.
Dorm Life The dorms are well kept but small. If you live in Murphy you can have a common room, i suggest this.
Academic Rigor It is a very well developed curriculum. The professors expect the best from their students and the materials covered are very diverse.
Tips for prospective students Be sure to visit and if you have roommate problems talk to the resident assistant right away.
In three sentences I think it's a lovely campus however the people there are not the nicest. The academics push you but their biology program is outrageous.
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Amber from Kingsville, OH
01/04/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
12 of 16
Categories Comments Food and Dining Dining hall food is acceptable, but not great. Food is greasy and menu is repetitive. The inn-between is expensive, and the food isn't great, although it is a nice change from the dining hall.
Dorm Life Roomate selection and dorm selection process is inefficient and frustrating. The dorms are sub-par and not very clean, especially for the cost of room and board.
Academic Rigor Courses are demanding, and intense usually. The core is huge and consumes a lot of time. GPA requirements for intended majors require you to have discipline.
In three sentences John Carroll is rigorous in the academic area, however, some professors are a waste of time and money. In terms of the campus, John Carroll is small, and beautiful, but there is a lot of partying. John Carroll is not the most financially efficient school.
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Megan from Willoughby, OH
01/07/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
13 of 16
Categories Comments Campus Safety John Carroll University is located in a safe community. Emergency phones are located on campus and there is a special emergency number.
Greek Life There are several sororities and fraternities to choose from.
Clubs and Activities There are several clubs on campus, such as club sports and many service organizations. There is a group for every interest. If a group you would like is not on campus, you can start one yourself.
Great for these types of students John Carroll is great for quieter and studious students. The small campus creates an intimate and academic setting. It is also great for religious students. Campus ministry allows students to become involved in masses, retreats, and small Christian Life Communities.
What to do for fun On campus there are a lot of fun activities from movies to sports. There is always something happening.
Dorm Life The rooms are very comfortable. I have one roommate and my room is a comfortable size. I love the little study area and common room on my floor. My Resident Assistant is a great person to talk to and the people I live with are amazing.
Academic Rigor Classes are challenging, but professors are always willing to help you.
Tips for prospective students One of the most important things is to get involved, but not over involved. Be prepared to work if you want good grades because classes are challenging. Be yourself and do not be afraid to meet new people.
In three sentences I love John Carroll University. Professors are always willing to help you and the dorms are very comfortable. My fellow students are very welcoming and I have made some wonderful friends at John Carroll.
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Megan from Pemberville, OH
01/07/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
14 of 16
Categories Comments Campus Safety Campus is about 20 minutes from downtown in an upper-middle-class residential area. Primarily families and a large Hasidic Jewish community nearby - would definitely feel safe walking around after dark, even by myself. We also have campus police and EMS on call.
Greek Life About 10-15% Greek. Five sororities and four fraternities. Greek organizations don't have their own houses, but have locked floors in regular residence halls, allowing them to have their own space but still be integrated with the rest of the community. Very service based, friendly, and involved, not at all like you see in the movies. You don't have to be Greek to have fun and make friends, though - Greek life at JCU is not really exclusive like it is at some universities.
Clubs and Activities Over 100 different clubs and organizations, really easy to get involved and really easy to make a new club if you want to see something new.
Great for these types of students - Students committed to community service - You do NOT have to be Catholic to attend here even though we are a Jesuit school. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with your faith if you're religious (even if you're not Catholic), but if you don't want to participate in those activities or go to mass, there's no pressure.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus - Not sure if this is grounded in fact, but there's a rumor going around that JCU has the highest rate of marriage between alumni. - Don't step on the university seal on the floor of the atrium of Dolan Science Center or you'll fail your next exam. - Don't cross the quad - use the sidewalks. - Don't use a tray in the cafeteria
Bang for the buck A little more expensive, as it's a private school, but definitely worth it. The only reason you wouldn't be happy at JCU is if you don't get involved in campus life. The education environment is personalized, rigorous, and experience-based. The student body is friendly and involved. The campus is beautiful and well-maintained, and Cleveland is a great city.
What to do for fun Two major malls within 10 minutes (Legacy and Beachwood) accessible by campus shuttle on weekends. Movie theater nearby. Lots to do downtown (accessible by public transportation within about 20 minutes), both in terms of nightlife and cultural events like the orchestra, museums, ethnic neighborhoods, etc.
Food and Dining Only one actual cafeteria on campus, but lots of different stations (including a dessert station manned by a full-time pastry chef). A few other places on campus (grill, bagel shop, coffee/pastry shop). The food has gotten pretty decent since my freshman year and the dining staff are really friendly.
Dorm Life Some residence halls are newer, some are older. Recently the administration has been pushing to renovate some of the older ones, so that situation is improving. People are really friendly and generally there aren't big issues with cleanliness or disruptive people.
Academic Rigor Professors expect the best from students - this is not a school where you can slack off and still pull As. That said, the professors are really supportive and always willing to go the extra mile to help a struggling student. They really care about students' success and education. There's also a big emphasis on experiential learning, so many courses/majors have required internships or community service.
Tips for prospective students Schedule a personalized visit to meet with professors and eat lunch with current students. It will give you a great idea of what life is like in and out of the classroom at JCU.
In three sentences A small Jesuit school with a great academic environment, caring professors, and friendly students. Big emphasis on community service and experiential learning. A great school if you're looking for personal attention from professors, a community feel, a good reputation, and a great education.
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Jillian from Erie, PA
01/25/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
15 of 16
Categories Comments Food and Dining The food is the same as every other college, after so long you will eventually become tired of eating it.
Dorm Life The dorm life style at John Carroll is very acceptable. The one freshman dorm I am currently living in is right next to another freshman dorm, making it easy to meet other freshman from other dorms. The sizes are perfect, they are cleaned by maintenance on a daily schedule, and the RA's are all very welcoming and easy to approach.
Academic Rigor The academics here at John Carroll are the perfect level of challenging. They have basic core classes that every student must take and they are all reasonable.
Tips for prospective students Depending on the school size one feels comfortable with, John Carroll is a small but big enough school that you see a new face each day. As I stated, I am a freshman and all the upper class men are all so welcoming and do not look at you as a freshman but rather one of their friends.
In three sentences I am currently a freshman at John Carroll and I absolutely love it here. Everyone is very welcoming, and the school offers great opportunities for students. I am planning on studying abroad next fall semester through John Carroll in Vatican City.
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Kayla from Chagrin Falls, OH
02/12/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
16 of 16
Categories Comments Campus Safety John Carroll has a reputation for being a safe school, there are police officers that are nearby and easy to reach by red telephones.
Greek Life Not Involved
Clubs and Activities A lot of fun, and has a lot that goes on. My only issue is that a lot of the activities are late at night, and I'm a commuting student.
Great for these types of students Anyone who's looking for a small school. I am shy and easily lost, so John Carroll is compatible with me by having a smaller campus with less students.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus I don't know enough about John Carroll to give this information.
Bang for the buck John Carroll is really pricey, and I only a $21,500 off per year scholarship because of my community service hours. The school does offer large scholarships, though, and community service is preferred by this school. If you do a lot of service, you increase your chances of being accepted by this school by a lot, and getting money from them.
What to do for fun Chess club, Zumba, Christian Life Community, and Intramural sports are a few things I like to do.
Food and Dining Food is usually good, sometimes it needs a little changing up. I do wish that there could be other fruit besides melon, but there are apples and oranges.
Dorm Life I don't live here. Except, I've been in two freshman dorms. One was hot and stuffy, and another I've heard has the reputation of being gross. The good news is that its being replaced.
Academic Rigor The academics aren't too intense and don't expect too much out of the student, but the work still needs to be done for you to get a good grade. Not too easy, but not too hard. Then again, I'm only a freshman.
Tips for prospective students Don't worry about being late to classes at John Carroll, but don't intentionally skip out on them either. Most of the professors are great and are willing to help if you are willing to learn, but if you're a few minutes late you shouldn't worry about being locked out.
In three sentences I love John Carroll because I feel safe, comfortable, and secure here. It's a beautiful campus that offers a lot of clubs and activities, and I can get to know people easily because it's small. I appreciate the school's efforts to meet everyone's academic, social, physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.
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