Siena College
Loudonville, NY, USA

Reviews

Siena College

Janet from Port Jefferson station, NY

a current student here
17 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I love learning in classes where there are 20 to 30 students in each class, opposed to being a lecture hall that seems overwhelming.
Am enjoying being here
Everyone is very nice and there is always something to do! They have activities scheduled every week and there are lots of clubs that you can join.
Bang for the buck
Siena is a bit expensive, due to it being a private school with a very small amount of students, but I feel it's worth it!
Tips for prospective students
Definitely plan a trip to visit before attending and the winters do get very cold, so a very warm coat and boats will be necessary!
Great for these types of students
Siena is great for students who do not like to be in large classes and especially for students planning to go into business and science.

Ann from WI

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes are small and many of my classes are discussion oriented, which provides you with the opportunity to examine topics from different perspectives. There are no large lectures.
Am enjoying being here
The campus is beautiful. The students are all friendly and welcoming.
Bang for the buck
The school is expensive and the merit scholarships don't provide a lot of money, at least not compared to some of the other schools I applied to. However, Siena's quality of education is worth the money. You gain a wealth of knowledge that can help you later in life.
Tips for prospective students
Incoming freshmen should attend the club fairs at the beginning of the year and get involved. There are many opportunities to get involved on campus and it is important to take advantage of them.
Great for these types of students
Its great for students that are looking for a small college. Siena offers a variety of different majors, which creates a diverse atmosphere.

Melanie from Sparta, NJ

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
My teachers are all focused on helping to do anything to get you to succeed. If you put in the effort, you get so much back. I've found that my teachers have so much knowledge and such a passion to pass it on to their students. The class sizes are similar to high school, with each class typically having under 30 students.
Am enjoying being here
Siena is a beautiful campus. It's small; making the walk from one building to another across campus under ten minutes. The students are all trying to get the college experience. Mostly everyone puts academics first, but we work hard to play hard. Plus being in Albany, allows us to have a nightlife. But there is also a lot to do on campus if you prefer not to leave.
Bang for the buck
Most students at Siena receive some type of financial aid. It is definitely not a cheap school, but for the education you are getting, it is worth it. Siena makes paying for college on my own possible through scholarships and financial aid.
Tips for prospective students
If you can apply early, don't hesitate. I did the early action application and was the accepted in November of my senior year.
Great for these types of students
The school is great for students interested in a small tight knit school. If you want a home away from home, Siena is for you.

Theresa from Albany, NY

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes are small, my largest class is 35 students or so. Since the classes are so small, the professor knows your name very quickly. The professors are required to have 5 hours of office hours a week, so they are very accessible and you can always email them with questions.
Am enjoying being here
Everyone here is nice, and it is really easy to make friends. Your classes are small, so you make friendships with people in your classes. I like how the campus is small enough where you can get to your class in five minutes of leaving a building.
Bang for the buck
There are many opportunities to get money from the school. On the website you can see the different types of Endowments, and getting your financial aid in sooner is better, the sooner you get it in the more chances of getting more money. A very large percentage of students here get financial aid.
Tips for prospective students
For prospective students, visit the college, talk to people that go there, meet with the admissions office, get yourself known on the campus. You want to make sure you like the campus, and the environment. If you can, do an over night/ shadow someone, so you get the college feel.
Great for these types of students
This school is good for people that like a close community, they like to be in a small class with people, they like to be noticed by professors when they do hard work. It is a great school, a lot of events going on on the actual campus, as well has many off campus events planned (usually at least once a week, on the weekends).

Kaitlyn from Schenectady, NY

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Classes are about the same size as in my high school, about 30 people per class. Science laboratory classes are even smaller which allows for more hands-on work and more time in classes with the professors. All of the teachers have office hours so that you can get any extra help you need and they have flexible schedules so that you can come in when you are free.
Am enjoying being here
The campus is an extremely welcoming and friendly environment. People are always holding doors for one another and smiling at everyone. The kind atmosphere makes it a great place to be. There are tons of clubs and activities to join which enables students to make friends easier and to have lots of fun. There is always something to do and people around to help you with anything you may need.
Bang for the buck
Well, being a private school, Siena can get expensive. However, the school offers lots of scholarships and financial aid to help the students go to Siena without worrying about an expensive cost. Siena staff are always willing to work with you to help you with more aid.
Tips for prospective students
You may think college is like high school all over again, but that is not true. Be prepared to work hard to get good grades and be ready to do homework that may take hours.
Great for these types of students
Well, Siena has a great biology department so biology students would have a great time. Also, because it is a liberal arts school, undecided majors may have a great time here. Students at Siena are friendly, welcoming, and determined.

Neidy from Bay Shore, NY

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
If I had to give you one reason why Siena is a good school, this would be it. The variety of available classes is amazing for such a small school. Last semester I took Eastern European Literature and it was wonderful. There are classes like Literature of the fantastic and modern dance. The teachers are very knowledgeable about their subjects and are usually very helpful and receptive to you individual needs (As long as you get to know them).
Am enjoying being here
I'm not saying that you won't enjoy the school, but it's a very specific atmosphere. On weekends there are a LOT of parties, and it can get pretty hectic. As a freshman you don't get to have your car on campus, and since I'm not into partying it took a lot away from my freshman year. When I could get off campus it was great. Being so close to Albany provides you with a lot of great opportunities. There are poetry readings and live performances going on in the area all the time. This also wouldn't be complete without me mentioning Frank's. Frank's is a greasy little restaurant walking distance from the college. Not many of the students know about it, but I've met some of my favorite people there.
Bang for the buck
It can't be denied, Siena's expensive, but you do get a good education and you do meet some very wonderful professors. My advice, if you can get a scholarship for some portion of the tuition, Siena's worth it. If you're paying full-price, I don't know if I'd advise you to enroll. There are a lot of really cool on campus programs like early primer movies and casino nights- and Sienafest! If you don't know what Sienafest is, look online for pictures. Live concert (this year Jay Sean), parties, and a carnival all in one weekend.
Tips for prospective students
Professors here are helpful, but not intrusive. If you need help ask. It's really worth it. You'll find, if you talk to them outside of class, a lot of the professors are very funny, friendly, and will continue to be a network for you after you finish their class.
Great for these types of students
Sadly, partiers. The school really does party a lot. If you intended on doing performing arts, Siena's not for you. Foy Hall, the performing arts building, is in the worst condition of anything on campus, but the science buildings- WOAH. Roger Bacon and Morell are the science buildings. Science majors have twenty four hour access to these buildings and trust me, you'll appreciate it.

Nick from Delmar, NY

researching this school
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Great campus and friendly students and faculty. Faculty will chat with you about their programs at length and even suggest way to improve your acceptance and offer alternative course selections and majors. Students are able to do research with faculty as undergrads and to develop and promot their own projects.
Tips for prospective students
Visit the campus - it's the ideal small college campus, trees and lawns, close walking to dorms and classes, friendly students. Pick a day when you can chat with faculty. Our visit included lunch with a faculty member in my proposed major and I had a one-on-one conversation about me and my ideas for college and a major. Received advice on choice of major and misconceptions about certain majors and real world applications. College very open to individual needs and abilities - will consider your social involvement, as well as grades and test scores.
Academic Rigor
Classes are not easy. It's a very good school and requires students to work and stay on top of classes, It is well known in area and in the country and has alumni in business and government positions.
Dorm Life
Dorms look nice. Most are newer or updated. They offer suites and 2, 3, and 4 person arrangements. Laundry is free! Easy access to all facilities and food service.
Food and Dining
We ate there a couple times on our visits. The main dining hall has many options from full meals, to salad bar, to dessert bar, and variety of drinks. Food very good for large scale operation.
What to do for fun
Loads of clubs and activities and volunteer opportunities on campus. Plus, easy access to near by strip mall and larger malls via bus. Buses also take you downtown to shows and events and local bars if you are interested. With several colleges in the area, there are plenty of concerts and events going on, plus the Albany sponsored events and sports teams.
Bang for the buck
Expensive compared to SUNY schools, and depending upon which SUNY schools you are interested in is expensive for the education (e.g. Binghamton is excellent public school at state rate). College does offer need-based and academic scholarships with no limit on their number. Need to balance school size, class size, faculty attention and alumni support.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Service tradition as Franciscan based college, traditional rivalry with SUNY Albany in basketball and huge game every year, some fun on-campus traditions.
Great for these types of students
Students who like a smaller school and who want to do research or pursue an idea with faculty, who keep up with their work, who enjoy campus life and not big drinkers.
Clubs and Activities
Variety of clubs on campus with many service oriented to helping community, as well as student interests; many honorary societies, no Greek life.
Greek Life
None.
Campus Safety
On campus safety patrols, escort services, blue light stations, low crime rate.

Firmin from Brooklyn, NY

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Very clean campus. Students are very safe in this school. Don't come here if you want a party life.
Tips for prospective students
Coursework is challenging. You will feel safe and you will make good friends. The staff are all here to help so ask questions
Academic Rigor
Challenging work
Dorm Life
Gets better as you get older
What to do for fun
Hang with friends
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
We have blessing of the brains
Great for these types of students
Self driven and fairly intelligent. Also people who love to get involved with things
Clubs and Activities
I'm part of a great mentoring program
Campus Safety
One of the top schools in the country for safety

Benjamin from Mechanicville, NY

a past student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Siena is a liberal arts college with a very strong reputation for its accounting program. The campus is located in a suburban area and is beautiful. The students are predominantly locals and people from Long Island.
Tips for prospective students
The accounting program is good for more than just accounting. Many of the positions I've been interested in were posted seeking an accounting major. If you're introverted and more interested in business operations, accounting may be the better way to go.

If accounting seems boring finance is a good alternative. Siena has the Hickey Financial Center, which contains Bloomburg terminals and a stock ticker.

The computer science program also seems like a hidden gem. A lot of bright people were in the programming class I took. A team from Siena participated in some programming contest recently and placed well against some more technically oriented schools.

I've found the management majors tend to be offered jobs in sales, human resources, and customer service. Life insurance companies hire many Siena graduates as agents(some are now millionaires). Target hires some operations management trainees from Siena and there are alumni in all sorts of positions, but I'd say look to a different major if none of the previously mentioned positions appeal to you.
Academic Rigor
The difficulty of the classes are fairly mixed. A few had grades mostly based on multiple choice tests. Even those classes tend to have a large writing assignment required, though.

The most challenging and educational portions of the classes I've had involved role play. I particularly remember a project in an organizational behavior class. My group spent a great deal of time preparing for the case we were given and ended up finding out during the role play we had made some incorrect assumptions. This tested our ability to think on our feet and matches more closely what would happen in a real world situation.
Food and Dining
I've found the food to be good at a fair price. The main cafeteria has been the best deal for me. I usually get the pizza. I also order quesadillas a lot at the student union. Those tend to contain a lot of fillings for the money but are often a bit burnt. The refrigerated sandwiches are generally over priced and not very good. Another good place to eat if your on campus is the dining area in the student union basement. I think it's only open after 4 p.m., though.

Sometimes I'd take a break from campus by making a short drive to Subway, Burger King, or Hot Harry's. They're surprisingly professional at these locations and the food costs as much or a little less than on campus.
What to do for fun
There's a pool table in the commuter lounge. Siena also has a free shuttle bus to the local shopping areas and I believe you get a free bus pass to ride CDTA.

It sounds like they have some parties at the townhouses. Albany is also a short drive away. People tend to go to places on Pearl Street. I'd make the trip up to Saratoga since it's a classier area.
Bang for the buck
It's fairly cheap for a private school with a good reputation. I received a fairly large merit scholarship for my unusual transfer situation. I believe you can get around $15,000 in scholarships per year if you graduate from a community college and are a member of Phi Theta Kappa.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There's a friar crossing sign in one of the crosswalks. The older students can also go to the froth and friars events to have a beer and socialize with each other.
Great for these types of students
Siena is a liberal arts school, so you should appreciate a broad based education. At least half of your coursework will be in a broad range of traditional liberal arts and sciences areas. You'll get to specialize a fair amount but there are better places for an education mostly focused on application.

The good news is a liberal arts education will help improve your writing and thinking skills. You'll learn to analyze a wide array of topics. This will help improve the way you think.
Campus Safety
I never had problems with campus safety. They can be pretty strict about parking though, so make sure you get the appropriate passes from their office.

Brandon from Cohoes, NY

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Siena is a decent size college with a beautiful campus. The students are very nice,except if your a commuter then you will have to try to make alot of friends. Teachers are nice for the most part and care for the students.
Tips for prospective students
This school is worth going to because you learn alot of what your major is intended for. Only in the first 2 years do you take a decent amount of electives. They work on your highs and lows within the degree to help better you for when you leave.
Academic Rigor
They are very strict when it comes to drinking and smoking. Siena is a smoking free campus which went in effect 2 years ago. Siena cares for the academics and works hard to keep it that way.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is fun, living on campus is the best way to meet people. As a frshman the dorms are in ok shape. They feel a little small, but as you are there longer you get to choose town houses which are very nice.
Food and Dining
The food there is alright, its not a meal in a box type dinner. they cook things like steak and actually dinner.
What to do for fun
The MAC has alot of things to do with a huge basketball court. They have a gym, and also a pool.