St. Bonaventure University Reviews
Check out reviews left by other students, or leave your own review. You could win a free scholarship!
-
Heather from Penn Yan, NY
08/08/2009Reviewer is A current student here.
8 out of 8 people found this review useful. 1 of 12
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Those who are interested in getting a higher education, outgoing, have goals, like having activities to do, and those who want to become extraordinary!
Tips for prospective students Take advantage of the clubs offered! You get to meet a lot of people with similar interests and they look great on resumes. Work hard in class, your professor knows who you are and recognizes hard work and initiative. This is good when you need letters of recommendation. Get to know the people on your floor, but don't just limit it to that, know people from other floors and dorms too. But most of all have a good time, you'll always manage this here.
Bang for the buck Honestly, college isn't cheap. That's probably why you're on this site. But a good college education is worth it. Private Catholic universities are highly regarded as good schools and I'd put St. Bonaventure at the top of that list; the food is good, the housing is nice, you don't have to pay extra to go to the gym, the classes and interesting and personal, and your professors actually know who you are. At St. Bonaventure you get your bang for your buck.
Am enjoying being here I absolutely love it here at St. Bonaventure, the smallish campus makes it easy to know your professors and you get to know the people in your major as you have similar classes. Everything here is really personal and there are always a lot of different things going on to appeal to every one's interests. There's something for everyone here.
Am learning a lot I know one thing students hate are mandatory classes; but honestly these classes, at Bonaventure called CLARE courses, give you a wider range of knowledge. I'm learning things I wouldn't in my major and I find it really interesting. Granted some are more interesting than others, they all teach you a lot.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Kate from Allegany, NY
07/12/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
2 of 12
Categories Comments Tips for prospective students visit with a parent and then again with a friend. it was so scary for me the first time i really visited.
Bang for the buck being in the accounting department, the professors really care. they are professionals and share their extensive knowledge with students. i find it a little difficult with the amount of loans i've taken out. but i've just recently received a scholarship with the help of my professor. to apply for a job with a bonaventure accounting degree...... it really helps you stand out. surprisingly many people have heard of it, when it really is a small school. there is a great alumni base.
Am enjoying being here While sometimes I just want to be finished with college, there are a million things to do here! Hip hop, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, Bona Buddies, BonaResponds, are just a few things.
Academic Rigor i love being able to learn in class and then apply it to the real world. i recently took a business law course and later watched cases on tv and actually knew the legal language! i have learned a lot about religious views which has helped me gain a better perspective when i am talking to friends of different religions than i.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Kaitlyn from Saint Bonaventure, NY
08/16/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
3 of 12
Categories Comments Great for these types of students St. Bonaventure is a great place for students who thrive in a small environment. Between graduate and undergraduate students, there are about 2,500 students on campus. Most professors live in Olean or Allegany, so they're often on campus and easy to get in touch with. Also, Roman Catholic students will love Bonas because of the Catholic-Franciscan values that are present throughout campus.
Tips for prospective students Schedule a visit to campus and visit an open house. This way, you can really get a feel for the campus. Bonas runs tours everyday and allows prospective students to sit in on classes. Open houses are great because certain programs (and even some organizations) will host workshops for interested students so that they may become familiar with the faculty for their program as well as current students who are already enrolled in those programs.
Bang for the buck Bonaventure offers merit-based scholarships to a large percentage of students and there are scholarships based on certain criteria. After scholarships, students still have to pay a few thousand dollars, but between the multitude of courses and programs, great professors, amazing experiences, and tight-knit alumni base, Bonas is well worth it.
Am enjoying being here I absolutely love being at Bonas. Every summer when I leave, I begin to count the days until I can return. Unfortunately this marks my final countdown for returning to school. There are so many opportunities, clubs, organizations, sports, and events for people to get involved with, it's difficult to not get attached to the campus.
Am learning a lot The professors here come from some of the country's greatest universities and you can't help but learn by engaging in discussions with them. During lectures, professors bring in their personal experiences with the subject matter to really help their students comprehend what is being taught.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Shelby from Webster, NY
04/18/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
4 of 12
Categories Comments Campus Safety The school only has 2,074 students, so it is relatively small. Also, security is always driving around making sure nothing suspicious is going on.
Greek Life There is no Greek system at St. Bonaventure.
Clubs and Activities There are many different varieties of clubs and activities at St. Bonaventure. However, we do not have a football team because our team was so bad that they got beat by the surrounding high school teams.
Great for these types of students St. Bonaventure is great for students who do not mind being in a small town. The city of Buffalo is only an hour away so students go up to the city for weekends, too. This school is a great place for people who are always religious, there are many activities and clubs to join for people who want to be very involved in University Ministries.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Unlike other school, St. Bonaventure has friars walking around campus all of the time. It is a nice feeling to see a friar say hi or sit with you in the dining hall. Through the school students are able to go to Mt. Irenaeus, which is a mountain where students can go to relax and get away from campus for a while.
Bang for the buck With coming to this school, not only will I earn a degree, like every other school in the country, but I receive a sense of school pride and a feel of being in a giant family on campus.
What to do for fun In little Olean, NY the biggest supermarket is Walmart. However, there are things on campus that you can do and during the winter there is ice skating and basketball games. All the sports games are fun to go to.
Food and Dining The food is normally really good, however, there are some questionable foods. the dining hall is basically a buffet, if you have your student ID then you can eat as much as you want.
Dorm Life The dorms are not as bad as they could be. The buildings on campus are very old so they are made out of beautiful brick. Your neighbors become your best friends and it is really fun to live with your friends.
Academic Rigor The school is easy to get into, but difficult to stay. The classes are definitely harder then high school, but not impossible to pass. This school makes sure you are getting everything out of the classes and the school.
Tips for prospective students Find a school where you feel at home immediately. Make sure, also, that they have exactly the kind of clubs and sports you have. If they do not, then you can always create one.
In three sentences Everyone here is like a big family. The classes are great and really enjoyable and the campus is gorgeous. The professors are great and always willing to help you if needed.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Arin from Depew, NY
07/06/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
5 of 12
Categories Comments Campus Safety Campus security it pretty good and the campus is small, so there is not much to worry about. But if you do worry, security is available 24/7 which is nice.
Clubs and Activities There are so many choices and there is definitely something for everyone if you put yourself out there and try new things.
Great for these types of students Any type of student honestly! I've met all types of people.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus In the past there has been a streaker at the late night breakfast which is right before finals week, but this year there wasn't. Everyone is hoping for the return next year.
Bang for the buck Francis Hall has Hickey dining swipe during certain days at certain times and that is great because it doesn't cost you anything extra to get really great food!
What to do for fun Join clubs and sports! I took the opportunity to join rugby my second semester and I wish I had joined sooner. This is the time to figure out what you love so it's great to have so many options to keep busy!
Food and Dining I love having the option of the RC cafe and Cafe La Verna because sometimes it is easy to get sick of the Hickey food. I can't explain about the Hickey food though because there is a great variety and it's actually really good food.
Dorm Life I absolutely loved living on campus! I can't imagine doing it any other way. This is how I met most of my friends and because of dorming, I was able to join a lot of extra clubs.
Academic Rigor I enjoyed my classes my first two semesters for the most part. They definitely pushed me and taught me many things about myself. I didn't enjoy a couple classes, but I've learned what I like and what I don't.
Tips for prospective students Visit all the schools that you are interested in to make sure that they are the right fit for you. Honestly you will know right away if a school is right for you. And don't be afraid to go away from home.
In three sentences St. Bonaventure is a very welcoming school with equally welcoming staff and students. This school has such a great atmosphere, not only for learning but also for other things. I would recommend St. Bonaventure to anyone.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Kateri from Hamburg, NY
07/23/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
6 of 12
Categories Comments Campus Safety Its ok but they are more like mall cops then anything.
Greek Life Alpha Phi Omega.
Clubs and Activities They are all great so many club sports to join and clubs.
Great for these types of students The spring weekend events.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The basement of the Riley center.
Bang for the buck Way to expensive and not getting enough financial aid.
What to do for fun Hang with friends, go out, work out at the gym, go for a walk on the trail.
Food and Dining Needs better food but it is tolerable.
Dorm Life The dorms are great.
Academic Rigor The professors are great. The Clare collage sucks but helpful. The grades show what you put in so work hard.
Tips for prospective students Pick a good room mate if living in a dorm room. Join clubs get out there and work. Have fun.
In three sentences Open campus, love the area. The professors are very kind and there to help you. The people you meet are very supportive.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Johnattan from Bergenfield, NJ
10/26/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
7 of 12
Categories Comments What to do for fun There's a lot to do for fun especially on the weekends. You can go up to the mountains which is always a good time.
Tips for prospective students It's like one big family here.
In three sentences Such a homie environment. Very good professors. I'm learning a lot in my major Computer Science.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Tawana from St. Bonaventure, NY
11/06/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
8 of 12
Categories Comments What to do for fun This school as a lot of activities like karaoke and movies to watch. There also bars, but you must drink responsibly .
Food and Dining The food is great, its buffet style and you can pick whatever you want so be carefule of the freshmen 15 ok.
Dorm Life It depends where you live, some rooms are great some aren't its just point of learning to live with another person.
Academic Rigor It maybe harder than high school, studying and doing homework is important if you want good grades.
Tips for prospective students Teachers are there to help you so, don't be afraid to ask for help.
In three sentences This school has changed my aspect on life. It has made me to want to become a better person. I would rate this school a 9 on 10 scale.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
DANIEL from Rochester, NY
11/07/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
9 of 12
Categories Comments Campus Safety Very safe campus with plenty of security and staff.
Clubs and Activities Tons of clubs to choose from and you can always form your own club - check out the website to see details!
Great for these types of students Students who like smaller class size, students who like the catholic tradition, students that like to go to a smaller college, students who would like to practice their catholic faith, students who like the feeling of home away from home.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Bona fires, ghost walk for Halloween, entertainment, fun fun fun!
Bang for the buck You get your money's worth going to Saint Bonaventure - everyone will go out of their way to help you succeed and have a wonderful experience. It's such a tight community and family atmosphere. It's a wonderful place to be!
What to do for fun There are so many clubs to choose from - there are sports, sports clubs, game night, all kinds of things to do. You will never be bored.
Food and Dining The food is great! I just love Hickey Dining Hall - there is so much to choose from and there are a lot of healthy choices as well. You will never go hungry.
Dorm Life Dorm life is great - it's like a close knit family. Everyone is kind and considerate and it's like a little family. I love it!
Academic Rigor The professors are willing to help you. There are tutors willing to help and the student professor ratio is such that you can go to them anytime with questions and assistance. If you do your work, go to all your classes and study hard, you will succeed.
Tips for prospective students The admissions staff is wonderful. Visit Saint Bonaventure and you will love it. You will feel the family feeling right away.
In three sentences I love Saint Bonaventure University. The professors are great and willing to help. There is such a great family atmosphere and the Bona spirit is wonderful! It's truly home away from home!
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Emily from Little Valley, NY
12/20/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
10 of 12
Categories Comments Campus Safety Always available.
Clubs and Activities Hundreds! Something for everyone.
Great for these types of students Looking for small school, small classes, and a campus where everyone knows each other!
Bang for the buck Amazing well-respected school and can be so cheap if you just work hard enough to get scholarships.
What to do for fun Study!
Food and Dining Expensive, mediocre.
Dorm Life Not the nicest dorms but free laundry and tons of dorm programs. Great experience.
Academic Rigor It's a tough school. Many don't stay! Just have to work hard.
Tips for prospective students While Bonas excepts pretty much anybody, it is extremely costly if you don't have high grades. You need scholarships at this school.
In three sentences It is a small, close knit campus. Professors know each student and are always willing to help. A great school for your money.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Brianna from East Haven, CT
04/05/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
11 of 12
Categories Comments What to do for fun There are so many activities to do for fun! I find myself always active with clubs and friends. This year I was involved with many mission trips and service projects. I also branched out to audition for the musical and had an amazing time working on that and performing for the entire campus and any one else who was in attendance. My guy friends here are also always getting involved with intramural sports. For me, it is nice to go to open swim hours with a few friends.
Food and Dining The dining hall at Saint Bonaventure University is full of options. As an example, for breakfast you can have one of the cereal selections, fresh fruit (whole or cut), yogurt, oatmeal, Belgium waffles, pancakes, eggs, biscuits, breads, a personal omelet made just for you, etc. The options are endless. Obviously, at any institution the options can seem to get boring at times because you see them all multiple times throughout the year. However, the options are much more plentiful than you would normally have at home.
Dorm Life Dorm life is not something one person can judge for another. I would give dorm life at Saint Bonaventure 5 stars, not because of the dorms, but because of the life. I feel very comfortable with my roommates as well as my floor mates. They make it a wonderful place to live. If one person is feeling sick, the rest take care of that person. If someone is feeling stressed, the others make it their personal responsibility to relieve that stress by taking some of the weight off, bringing that friend to yoga, or having a fun night with the floor. Dorm life is about feeling comfortable where you are, and I most definitely feel at home when I am here.
Academic Rigor Academic life is as easy or as difficult as you make it. This is true for any institution. The student is in charge of how many credits he or she takes, as well as the level of difficulty in the courses he or she selects. I find myself always challenged, but that is because I am willing to challenge myself academically. Currently, at Saint Bonaventure University I am taking 21 credits and am a member of the Honors Program.
Tips for prospective students My word of advice for students is to take time to discern who you are: what you like, where you want to be, what you want to do, etc. Unless you know who you are, you will not be able to truly choose a school that you will be comfortable at for the next four years of your academic career. That being said, it is also okay to be undecided. If you are undecided, Saint Bonaventure is a great place to experience different fields of study and decide what you want to pursue. The guidance of the faculty is exceptional, a wonderful resource for both decided and undecided majors to take advantage of.
In three sentences St. Bonaventure University is a place where everyone can find a home. I am constantly joining new clubs and making new friends. It is a supportive environment where I know I can go to faculty and staff for advice in any area of life, whether it be academic, extra-curricular, or personal.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
-
Julia from Woodstock, GA
05/19/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
12 of 12
Categories Comments Campus Safety I have never felt unsafe on this campus, and that is due in no small part to the fact that it is located pretty much in the middle of nowhere in western New York. The campus security and the campus EMT response team are quick, efficient, and reliable.
Greek Life Something in particular that I really love about St. Bonaventure is that there is no Greek life; no fraternities or sororities. This means that the entire school is its own community that no one is excluded from, that no one has to feel pressured to fit into. It's a healthy, laid back environment.
Clubs and Activities Bona's offers a veritable ton of intramural sports and clubs. I, personally, am a member of Writer's Bloc, which is a club for creative writers aspiring toward publication, which just goes to show you that there are clubs on campus for everything under the sun. Whether you're into Model UN, dance, the LGBT community or community service, you'Ã?Â?ll find your niche.
Great for these types of students There are students of all types enjoying their stay at this school, from hard partyers to hard workers. I think that it best suits those who benefit from small student-to-teacher ratios and a very personal approach to learning; students who are very serious and passionate about their education who don't want to hide amid the hundreds in a lecture hall.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus One thing that often turns people off of St. Bonaventure is that it is a Catholic university, but most of the students in attendance are not Catholic at all. In fact, most of the Theology department's professors aren't Catholic, either! While there is certainly a great Catholic and Franciscan presence on campus, the friars, sisters, and everyone involved in the spiritual life of St. Bonaventure are some of the kindest, most understanding and accepting people I have ever met. Rather than make non-Catholics feel isolated, they welcome them with open arms and want only for them to feel comfortable. Because the campus is so old there are several areas reputed to be haunted, especially Devereaux Hall, one of the dorms. Most of the spirits are said to be benevolent, because most of the people who have died on campus have been friars and sisters, but if you'Ã?Â?re looking for a chilling tale, ask an upperclassman about what allegedly happened on Devereaux's top floor.
Bang for the buck As with any private institution, the tuition for this school is daunting: roughly $40,000 a year. That said, because St. Bonaventure gets so many cash gifts from its alumni, there are a LOT of financial aid options one can apply for and TONS of on- and off-campus employment opportunities.
What to do for fun There is a movie theater within walking distance of the campus, and a three-mile trail through the gorgeous surrounding area for those who like to bike, skateboard, rollerblade or walk. The little towns on either side of the college, Olean and Allegany, have tons of quirky, cheap, good quality restaurants and boutiques to explore. Overnight retreats are often held at Mount Irenaeus, a beautiful mountain retreat cared for by the Franciscan friars and a great place to get away from school-related stress and enjoy some down time.
Food and Dining The dining hall recently underwent an upgrade, meaning that the food is, simply put, fantastic, especially considering that it's a college dining hall. You are presented with several options throughout the day; Mongolian grill, brick oven pizza, pasta, freshly made sandwiches; there is even a delicious vegan station. Aside from the dining hall there is also La Verna, which is a superb coffee and sandwich shop, and the Reilly Center Cafe, which has choices ranging from savory fast food to healthy, delicious wraps. On the off chance that you are not in the mood for any of these options, Dunkin Donuts is right across the street from the main campus!
Dorm Life The dorms are all pretty old, but don't let that deter you; I had a fantastic experience living in a dorm my freshman year. St. Bonaventure gives a survey out to incoming freshmen and uses the results to place freshmen in halls with people that they are compatible with, making roommate problems much less likely. I got along wonderfully with everyone on my hall, and community showers really aren'Ã?Â?t nearly as terrifying as people make them out to be. Once you finish your first year several new housing options are open to you: Shay suites, Garden apartments, and Townhouses. I have only been in a Shay suite once, but they are comfortable; sharing a bathroom with three other people is certainly better than sharing with twenty. This past year I lived in a Garden apartment, which was a whole lot of fun. Gardens house six students each with two bathrooms, a huge living room, and a full kitchen. We hosted a lot of dinner parties and played a lot of Xbox Kinect! Next year I am going to be living in a Townhouse. Though Townhouses are smaller, each of the four students sharing a Townhouse gets his or her own room, which is nice. Also the fact that they are smaller makes them much more manageable in terms of keeping them clean and gives them a much more homey atmosphere.
Academic Rigor What kept me from putting five stars here, while it pains me to say it, is that I do know students who coast through their classes here. Depending on your course of study and which professors you have, it is very possible for you to get a pretty light load, which can be a disappointment when you're paying for an education. However, as with most things, I guarantee you that with every class and every major here, you will get out what you put in. If you put your best foot forward and you go into your courses determined to do the work and do it well, your teachers will appreciate your efforts and do everything they can to help you and you will leave St. Bonaventure with a valuable, unforgettable education.
Tips for prospective students I cannot stress enough how much it helps to apply early -- it shows determination and incentive that will definitely be appreciated. Because St. Bonaventure is a Franciscan university, community service will stand out on your application and tip the odds in your favor. A good GPA will not only help you get in, but might make you eligible for an extremely helpful scholarship, as well.
In three sentences St. Bonaventure is a fantastic institution that offers a comprehensive liberal arts education to all majors. Its Journalism/Mass Communication program and its Business program are extremely prestigious; anyone looking into either of those fields would be a fool not to consider Bona's. It is also a relatively small university, which makes for a very personal approach to teaching; your professors get to know you on a first-name basis and are always available outside of class to work with you on approaches that will help you to hone your strengths.
Login to rate or flag the reviews
