Randolph College Reviews
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Hope from Madison Heights, VA
12/20/2009Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 1 of 12
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Students that are tolerant of other's differences, and make good decisions. Those that like to have fun, but that are safe and respectful.
Tips for prospective students Randolph is a great college. It lets you make your own decisions while creating an environment that's unique from any other college. DON'T PROCRASTINATE! If you get all your work done, you can use the rest of your time having fun.
Bang for the buck It's a bit expensive, but the experience you get at Randolph College is worth it.
Am enjoying being here I love Randolph! I have met (and still meet) amazing people from all over the world. The classes are small and you can create a personal (that's appropriate) relationship with professors.
Am learning a lot I have learned to write better, to be more tolerant of others, and how to study and take tests better. I also have learned to not procrastinate.
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Megan from Columbia, SC
12/29/2009Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 2 of 12
Categories Comments Bang for the buck It's expensive, but it will take you where you want to go.
Am enjoying being here Everyone I have met is friendly. The traditions make everything so much more fun. There is always something to do and to jump into.
Am learning a lot It's nice to be able to pick all of the classes you want to take. As a first year, it's definitely a nice thing. The atmosphere of the school gives you all of the tools you need to succeed.
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Anonymous
11/14/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 3 of 12
Categories Comments Campus Safety Randolph College has an extremely safe campus. There is security all over campus but also an honor code system that everyone at this college takes extremely serious.
Greek Life There is not greek life on campus but that does not effect this school one bit! The clubs and activities help provide a sisterly and brotherly bond between piers like a sorority or fraternity would.
Clubs and Activities The clubs offered at Randolph College are amazing! There are so many whether academic, athletic, social, or educational. Randolph College puts a great deal of effort and commitment towards making these clubs enjoyable and lasting.
Great for these types of students Randolph College is honestly great for everyone and anyone. There are wonderful athletic programs, art, music, dance, educational etc. You name it they have it! Everyone is accepted here and it is a really nice feeling to be friends with everyone on campus.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Randolph College is filled with history and traditions! There are many different spirit groups, Evens vs. Odds (Class of 2013 is odd while class 2014 is even and so on) which are friendly rivalries between the classes. Randolph College has amazing history since it went from being an all women's college to now co-ed.
Bang for the buck Randolph is a community like no other. Going to this College will help one mature to the levels that they need for the 'real world' and help one academically succeed. Randolph has been rated number one in the country for professors meaning that the professors care about each and every student and want them to succeed to their greatest potential.
What to do for fun There are many different activities to participate in at Randolph College. One can go to sporting events, one can go to MAC events which are school sponsored events such as DJ dances, formals and such. There are many beautiful mountains that are only minutes from campus. Lynchburg is filled with many little boutiques for shopping. And then of course there is the nightlife where friends meet up and hang out at night.
Food and Dining Randolph dining is just like any other school. There is a personal chef that prepared different meal options per day. There is a fresh fruit stand, a full salad bar, most always various types of protein and veggies. Various different flavors of ice cream and soft serve and a whole lot more!
Dorm Life There is no off campus living at Randolph College but the dorm life is very pleasant. Bell one of the larger dorms just got renovated and is beautiful! The dorms are mostly co-ed and really offer students to meet fellow piers and make friendships and bonds with one another.
Academic Rigor Randolph, though a small school has a very competitive academic stance. Transitioning from a blue ribbon high school to Randolph College lead me to believe that the transition was going to be simple and I would easily pass all of my classes. This is the exact opposite, Randolph has one of the most academically challenging yet amazing programs around. The teachers are very helpful and always willing to help their students succeed.
Tips for prospective students Randolph is different from many other Colleges. Located in Lynchburg, VA, giving the college a towny perspective, lets the students attend off campus activities without needing major transportation. There are many athletic and nonathletic clubs and organizations that Randolph offers. The transition from high school to Randolph College is a major one, considering coarse load and possibly living off campus. Attending Randolph College is an experience of a lifetime.
In three sentences Randolph College is a wonderful institution. This college offers many diverse opportunities for a brighter future. Though rigorous with workload Randolph College offers many social clubs and activities to stay busy.
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Keenan from Woodbridge, VA
06/20/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
4 of 12
Categories Comments Bang for the buck It's pricey, but so far the experience you get here is well worth it!
Am enjoying being here It might seem odd at first, but being a small campus every face is a familiar face, which makes the college unique.
Am learning a lot The professors are willing to work with you and from what I experienced they know the material well.
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Kelsey from lynchburg, VA
02/01/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
5 of 12
Categories Comments What to do for fun activities happen very often that are planned by clubs.
Tips for prospective students if you want a small school that is challenging, go here.
In three sentences randolph is a very small school. self-scheduled exams are amazing. professors are always available for help and free tutoring from other students.
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Shannon from Danville, VA
05/07/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
6 of 12
Categories Comments Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus We have many traditions here at Randolph College, with one being the Even/Odd Rivalry and Sister Classes. Building class spirit and uniting you with your classmates, the Even/Odd tradition is the stimulus for a variety of activities including the Pumpkin Parade, Daisy Chain, Bury the Hatchet, and Even/Odd Day.
What to do for fun Many things to do on campus besides the different types of clubs to be in and all the actives to the clubs sponsor you can hang out with your friends and explore the city of Lynchburg.
Food and Dining The dining hall is buffet style. Many things to choose from.
Dorm Life Dorm life is great you have 5 living areas to be in with one being a all girls dorm.
Tips for prospective students If you attend Randolph College, I'm positive you would love it here. The campus is beautiful, the teaches are wonderful, and the student are lovely.
In three sentences Randolph College is a ten out of ten College. It was a wonderful choice for me, and I'm glad I came. Best choice ever made.
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Anonymous
07/07/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
7 of 12
Categories Comments What to do for fun There are tons of extracurricular options at Randolph, and the city of Lynchburg itself has much more to offer.
Food and Dining The food is delicious and available nearly 24/7.
Dorm Life Freshman are given roommates that are meant to be friends as well as a source for advice. The dorms are clean, large, and close to your classes.
Academic Rigor I have yet to take a course here; however, I have met some professors and spoken with students and I believe this school has a challenging program.
Tips for prospective students Don't sweat it if you don't think you have the money to afford their private college tuition. If you dream of attending, though, I highly encourage you to get your paperwork in as early as possible--FAFSA included!
In three sentences Randolph College has the most attentive admissions counselors I have ever encountered. Any questions I had were answered quickly via email--sometimes even when the counselor was not at work, through phone! Additionally, as a private school they are excellent at providing a substantial award package to ensure that your education will be affordable.
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Marielle from Powhatan, VA
11/20/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
8 of 12
Categories Comments Greek Life None
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Randolph's campus is extremely big on traditions.
Food and Dining The food is ok. It is very good for special occasions.
Tips for prospective students It is important to learn time management.
In three sentences Randolph is a great place to become an academic, discover who you are, and discover who you want to become.
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Kelsea from Taylors, SC
01/18/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
9 of 12
Categories Comments Campus Safety Top notch. You don't have to worry.
Greek Life We don't have Greek Life here. Replaced it with secret societies, probably.
Clubs and Activities HUGE HUGE list of clubs and activities. Too many to name. MAC (Macon Activities Council) who run most of the parties and dances and stuff. All kinds of departmental clubs, like French Club, Environmental Club, etc.
Great for these types of students Randolph focuses a lot on these two main things: Academia and Sports (like most colleges, I know). So, if you are big into one or the other, or both. This is the place for you. Oh, and the slogan Be and Original. If you're and original as they so claim, Randolph is for you.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Lots of secret societies, that you won't learn about at all. Unless inducted or people spill and tell you. Lots of class related traditions, such as Ring Week and Pumpkin Parade. Stuff like that. The Dell is probably the coolest location on campus. It's used for Greek Play every other year. It's also used as concert spaces (for like big end of the year parties) and just places to have fun.
What to do for fun Hanging with friends, at parties. Go to art galleries downtown. A shuttle runs on the weekends (for students who don't have cars) to take you to shopping centers. Rivermont Pizza (the best pizza place and bar in town) is literally right next door. Hit it up when you get the chance.
Food and Dining Some days it's not at it's best, but for food that you get to eat everyday three times a day, it's not that bad. Oh, and take advantage of the meal plans. It'll be worth it. And late night dining is great.
Dorm Life Dorm life is pretty simple. Like most dorms. You have one room with two to three roommates (usually two) and one-three communal bathrooms for the entire halls use. The camaraderie between you and your hall mates...well, depends on how open and willing you are to get to know them. And vice versa.
Academic Rigor Randolph is VERY demanding. It's very hard to just show up thinking you can do a couple of the readings and never show up to class. Their programs are some of the hardest ones I've been in.
Tips for prospective students Come prepared. Don't show up thinking you can fly by. Faculty will push you pretty hard, but they will also help you. And try to be nice to everyone, it'll make life here easier on you.
In three sentences Randolph College is very rigorous, but enjoyable. You always feel like you are at home. It's very welcoming, but people give you the space you need.
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Emma from Ashland, VA
04/08/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
10 of 12
Categories Comments Campus Safety I know the security guards. There are poles throughout campus with buttons that can be pressed if you are in an emergency, and a security guard will come to your aid.
Greek Life NONE
Clubs and Activities I'm a member of the Macon Activities Council and the First Year Board (student government at the freshman level).
Great for these types of students -original -academically based -open minded -friendly
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Traditions: -Evens vs. Odds (determined by your class year)
Bang for the buck Randolph College is expensive, without a doubt. But here your professors will know your name, the President will be your friend and people will care about your experience.
What to do for fun -hang out with your friends -go to MAC events -go to the movies -go to the mall -attend the dances (there is at least one each month)
Food and Dining There is one dining hall, one coffee/pastry shop and The Skellar, which offers food when the Dining Hall isn't open.
Dorm Life I live on the 5th floor of a dorm with no elevator, which is a pain. But renovations are promised, and all of the dorms have spacious rooms.
Academic Rigor Randolph is an academic school that prides itself on its intelligent and open minded students who aren't afraid of intellectual challenges.
Tips for prospective students -be sure you want to be at a small school -try new things -don't be afraid to meet new people -do your homework and go to class
In three sentences Randolph College is for independent thinkers who are ready to learn. Randolph is a small family that focuses on academics and community. I know that I belong at Randolph College.
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Brianna from Herndon, VA
05/11/2013Reviewer is A past student here.
11 of 12
Categories Comments Campus Safety There have not been any incidences of violence on Randolphâ??s campus, and there is security constantly monitoring campus 24/7. However, since Randolph is not very up-to-date with its technology and security system, there are no security cameras around the school; there are only security guards walking or driving in golf carts up and down campus. Recently security cameras have not been needed, but they would definitely be a good addition for the school if any future situations arise.
Greek Life There are only two recognized sororities on campus, one of them being Zeta Omega Phi. Though there is not much Greek life at Randolph, there are many secret societies about campus that students can be asked to become a part of, and information about them is secret.
Clubs and Activities Many students who attend Randolph College are international students, and several of them created student-run clubs so that other students can get to experience and ask questions about their unique cultures. Examples of these clubs include Club Asia, C.A.U.S.E., French Club, and Pan World. There are also other clubs that focus on different topics such as sports (Student Athlete Advisory Committee), a capella (Songshine, Voices), politics and international relations (College Republicans, Young Democrats, Model United Nations), the Student Government, student activities (Macon Activities Council), and sexuality (Bridges). These clubs help students establish relationships with others and allow them to have experiences to carry with them as a guide for after they graduate and enter the adult world of finding jobs. For sports and activities, Randolph College is a Division III school that is part of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The sports that Randolph has to offer are basketball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, riding, cross country, tennis, and volleyball, and for the 2013-2014 year the school has added both an indoor and outdoor track and field team. Across campus there is also a frisbee golf course for everyone to play, including the community outside of Randolph.
Great for these types of students Randolph is great for incoming freshmen whom are feeling uncertain about living independently from their families because it keeps them within and gets them adjusted to the small community it has for the year, and it is a good school for those that wish to continue having that sense of community and do not mind not venturing out and meeting many new people. It is also great for those that do not have any problems financially and can afford the tuition, room and board, and attendance fees. Students who like small classrooms and lots of interaction will like Randolph College.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus An old tradition of Randolphâ??s is the friendly Even/Odd (Eta/Gamma) rivalry where the students belonging to the Evens (classes of 2010, 2012, 2014, etc.) are pitted against those belonging to the Odds (classes of 2011, 2013, 2015, etc.). They would spray paint each otherâ??s posts while trying to keep their own clean, and they have Even/Odd days where they would go about campus during the early hours of the morning and decorate the buildings, then once the evening comes they finish off their day with a massive Even/Odd water balloon fight. Other traditions include Ring Week, which is celebrated by freshmen and juniors where they secretly leave each other gifts outside of their doors and ultimately the freshmen give their junior the class ring; Pumpkin Parade, which is celebrated by sophomores and seniors and is similar to Ring Week except that they give each other decorated pumpkins at the end; and Never Ending Weekend, which is a non-stop partying weekend with both informal and formal dances. There is also the Honor Code, which is the strongest tradition of all at the school and requires that students act with integrity and honesty, and the Honor Code is what allows the students to have self-scheduled final exams. A unique location on Randolphâ??s campus is the Greek Theatre, which is called the Dell by the students. The Greek Theatre is an outdoor theatre where the annual Greek Play is held and it is also where graduation takes place. Another nice location is the brand new Student Center that was finished in early February 2013. It is a four floor facility with a food center called the Skeller along with a dining room; several spaces for studying; a gaming floor with Xbox Kinect, Wii, computers, a pool table, a ping pong table, and foosball; a home theater; and work out rooms with windows that look out towards the mountains that line along the back side of the campus. This center is open 24/7.
Bang for the buck Randolph does not give a lot of bang for the buck, but there are three perks to the school. These three bangs for the buck are the dorm sizes, the free laundry, and the self-scheduled final exams. The dorms are typically large and have a lot of space, which is a big advantage to freshmen because many of the dorms at other schools give freshmen the smaller living areas. Having free laundry is great because it allows the students to do any amount of laundry at any time they want without requiring them to whip out quarters. Self-scheduled exams are a huge privilege at Randolph because they give the students the freedom to choose when they would like to take each final exam that they have for each class. If they decide that they are not ready for a specific final, then they can decide to take it near the end of the final exam week period; they can organize their exams in however way that they want to without feeling the pressure of having to take an exam at a set date and time.
What to do for fun If you are looking for fun things to do, then you will need a car or find a friend that has a car because Randolph does not offer many options on campus. Sports such as soccer, basketball, and lacrosse are fun to watch and the school does have a bike sharing system, but if you want something aside from the occasional dance parties that occur on some weekends in the banquet hall, then you will definitely need a means of transportation. Wards Road is normally where everyone goes since it has restaurants, a movie theatre, clubs, the mall, several fast food options, and shopping centers, but it is a 15 minute drive from Randolphâ??s campus and you will need to either take the highway or the long back road to get to it.
Food and Dining The dining hall is a portion of Randolph that many of the students try to avoid, but because college students typically do not have much money to eat out with, they are stuck with what they have. The food is sometimes good in the dining hall, but most times they are not. You will find complicated-looking dishes that resemble that of chewed up mush, and only the bravest of students taste test them. The breakfast hour is normally good because the food remains simple, but the lunch and dinner hours have been given the term â??the struggleâ?? because it is a struggle to find foods that are appetizing. If you can be creative with your plate and look at the food with a positive attitude, then you will do just fine. Otherwise, you will be stuck with making sandwich wraps or salads and eating pizza and fries for the whole year.
Dorm Life An advantage to Randolph that I noticed during my college search was its dorm room size. When I was looking at other colleges, the freshmen dorms tended to be small in comparison to the upperclassmen dorms. At Randolph, however, there are no distinct dorm rooms or halls for freshmen; the dorm rooms, in general, are of equal size, and that size is quite large. There is much floor space available in each room that allows for a lot of movement (though the amount of floor space does depend on how much stuff you bring to college with you) and the closets can fit many items. Laundry can be done in three out of the five dorm halls, and laundry becomes less of a financial hassle because it is FREE. Air conditioning is currently being installed to the dorms since many of them previously had none, which meant that students had to pay for their own source of heating and cooling. If you are looking for quiet time on the weekends, though, you may need to find yourself a quiet spot outside of your dorm because the students tend to blast their music and have get togethers, and the RAs typically do not regulate on the weekends. Also, if you are planning on coming to Randolph, you may want to begin getting your body accustomed to less-than-lukewarm showers because hot water is normally not available on a daily basis. In addition, because Randolph has not quite got around to updating everything, you will discover loud creaking floorboards and shaky wooden chairs. In addition, to this date, Randolph does not allow off-campus housing.
Academic Rigor Before it became co-educational, Randolph College was formerly known as Randolph-Macon Woman's College. It was founded by William W. Smith and was established in 1891, and a Phi Beta Kappa charter was earned in 1916. Many people considered R-MWC to be an Ivy League school, and several of the professors during the Ivy League era remained after the transition to Randolph College. The academics at Randolph are challenging, and the professors do require you to think on levels that are deeper than you thought you were capable of reaching. However, a great thing about Randolph is the accessibility of its professors, and it was recognized back in 2011 by Newsweek as the number one school in the nation for accessible professors. Since the small classroom size gives you the opportunity to create a student-professor relationship, the professors are easy to contact and are more than willing to return to campus outside of their office hours to help you with anything that you may not understand. It is very obvious at Randolph how much the professors there love teaching. Also, the small classroom allows for a lot of interaction between the students and with the professor.
Tips for prospective students Because the school is small, Randolph College is a good place to start for incoming freshmen whom feel timid about entering the college environment. With a beautiful, quaint 50 acre campus that is enclosed by a red brick wall and a student population of about 500, freshmen can become quickly adjusted to living independently from their parents and can establish several relationships with others from the beginning. The classroom size is small as well: on average, there are 15 to 20 students in each general education class (i.e. 100-level Math, History, English, Science) and less than 10 students per degree-focused class (i.e. 300-level and above). Because the classroom is small, consistently skipping class is not recommended and will not get you by, so if you are planning to sleep in a lot during the year, you better think twice before hitting that snooze button!
In three sentences Randolph College is a small private liberal arts college located in Lynchburg, VA, and it is neighbored by Liberty University and Lynchburg College. The school has a small student population that allows it to create a friendly tightknit community along with providing challenging academic courses with accessible professors. However, Randolph is not as easy to afford as one may think, and for the price that it is set at, the school does not give great food options nor is it very up-to-date.
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Evangelos from Henrico, VA
06/10/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
12 of 12
Categories Comments Greek Life There is no formal Greek life, but Randolph has secret societies.
Clubs and Activities Curiosus is an awesome club that meets weekly as a forum of discussion.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus We have MANY traditions.
What to do for fun The student center is a nice hangout.
Food and Dining Some people HATE the food, but I don't think that their opinion is entirely fair. Unless they've been to another college they probably are comparing Randolph's food to the food they got from home. That's not fair to the college, but the food could definitely be better. We have three off-campus restaurants in walking distance as an option too.
Dorm Life Each dorm has its reputation which could be good or bad depending on what you prefer.
Tips for prospective students Visit the college and sleep overnight. Ask questions from different people.
In three sentences Randolph is a quaint liberal arts college. It is a close knit community where everyone knows everyone. The academic experience is unique and intimate.
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