Southwestern Michigan College
Dowagiac, MI, USA

Reviews

Southwestern Michigan College

Sky from Sturgis, MI

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Southwestern Michigan College has amazing dorms, professors, and course options. The tuition is low compared to bigger colleges. Although it is a community college, it still has a university feel.
Tips for prospective students
When applying for admission, ensure that all documents are transferred over. This will help make the entire college experience so much smoother.
Academic Rigor
I am a nursing student, so there is a high set of expectations regarding academics.
Dorm Life
The dorms are beautiful and still provide an immense amount of privacy. The four-bedroom suites allow you to have your own bedroom that includes a key-code entry.
Food and Dining
There are two major places on campus where you can get food: the birdfeeder, and the SAC. Both provide low-cost, tasty food options.
What to do for fun
The campus provides a lot of opportunities to involve yourself in student life. From movie outings to campfires, they ensure you have the ability to have fun!
Bang for the buck
Prices for classes are relatively low in comparison to surrounding colleges.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
In the Student Activity Building (SAC), there is a rock climbing wall and a gym.
Great for these types of students
This college is great for anyone looking for a quality education in a clean environment, for a low cost.
Clubs and Activities
There are quite a few clubs on campus.
Greek Life
There is no greek life at SMC other than the honors society.
Campus Safety
I can not explain enough how greatly SMC handles the safety aspect of campus. There is always campus security patrolling along with Dowagiac Police. I personally feel safer on campus than I do anywhere else.

Magnolia from Eau Claire, MI

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
SMC is very affordable with a great campus. The staff is friendly and helpful at all times making you feel comfortable and confident. SMC is a great opportunity for students to be able to reach their dreams.
Tips for prospective students
My number one tip is to not by shy about meeting other people everyone here is so helpful and friendly! Also, make sure to spend some time at our rock climbing wall it's a great way to release some stress and calories.
Academic Rigor
The well qualified professors are always willing to help you out and work one on one with you to help you understand the material if needed. Therefore, courses become manageable.
Dorm Life
I actually live close to campus, so I don't have to live in a dorm. However, I've heard from friend that the dorms are very safe and very comfortable to live in.
Food and Dining
I do have lunch and dinner in campus and so far the food has been good. My favorite are is the cheeseburgers and the cheese fries are a great snack during break.
What to do for fun
There are a lot of things to do for fun. For example, during the fall and spring you can go for a hike or bike ride down the trails behind campus a great way to stay in touch with nature. But, if you're not really the outdoor type you can always get your friends together and have a movie day at the movie theater located at the SAC. you can also just have fun at the SAC with the many entertaining facilities there.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
A very popular event at SMC is the Mud Run. An event create to raise funds for scholarships in which students and staff have fun doing a 5 mile run with military based obstacles for a very affordable fee. This event really excites everyone!
Great for these types of students
SMC target market is young people freshly out of high school but, not limited to them.
Clubs and Activities
there are many clubs and activities to be part of everybody is welcome to join!
Campus Safety
SMC is very safe!

CJ from Dowagiac, MI

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
This community college is almost like a university. It has all the benefits of a university level college. But it also has the affordability of a Community College.
Tips for prospective students
Just be nice to others and you'll have a good time in college. Also passing your classes is another way too.
Academic Rigor
Good academic program. Plenty of options of classes to take. Classes are not too hard. The material is not super easy either.
Dorm Life
I have no comments, as I live in town. I hear it's good.
Food and Dining
The food is good, the selection is varied and the prices are affordable.
What to do for fun
Go to the Student Activity Center and find something. Video games, exercise, sports and movies.
Bang for the buck
University life-style at a community college price.
Great for these types of students
Pre-nursing, business and fine arts students.
Clubs and Activities
Plenty of clubs, just not a gaming club yet.
Campus Safety
The campus is very safe. There are some security officers that are varied throughout.

Andrew from Berrien Springs, MI

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Its a great place for kids fresh out of high school to come and learn and make great friends in the process. There are also people that came back to school due to growing families loss of jobs etc. to get a degree here. Overall its a truly great college!
Tips for prospective students
Just make sure that you go to class, most the classes as long as you show up to class, the instructors are willing to help you.
Academic Rigor
Most of the professors know what they are doing in the classroom. There are a few that you may want to ask around before signing up for their classes.
Dorm Life
I did not personally live in the dorms, but I have a ton of friends that do, and they have a blast in the dorms. But the one problem that I see is that kids skip class to sleep because they were up all night playing video games.
Food and Dining
The birdfeeder cafe is a great place to grab a great and cheap lunch on your way to class or just to hang out with friends.
What to do for fun
The student activity center (SAC as it is known) is a great place to hang out with friends. There is so much to do there, video games, fitness center, gymnasium, rock climbing, they even have lap pools.
Campus Safety
There is a retired police officer who is head of security. The campus is very safe and there are dowagiac cops that roll through campus every couple of hours.

August from Dowagiac, MI

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It is a great 2 year college with the full 4 year experience. They have an amazing student life and a perfect balance of academics. SMC is a great place to start your college experience/career.
Tips for prospective students
Come for a tour to check us out. It really is a great place and you will get that one-on-one instruction that is always nice to have. From the dorms to the roadrunner trails, it is a wonderful place to consider. It is a beautiful campus and always growing.
Academic Rigor
They are very determined to prepare us for our future.
Dorm Life
Super new, clean, and very friendly. They are safe with high tech security and always have staff available to students.
Food and Dining
They have sufficient food services available.
What to do for fun
So much! They have everything from student clubs, rock climbing, dance, fitness pools, and intramural sports.
Bang for the buck
Very affordable and worth every penny.
Great for these types of students
Open minded and hard-working students
Clubs and Activities
Great student life complete with many student clubs.
Campus Safety
Great campus security and safety. I never have to worry.