University of the Cumberlands
Williamsburg, KY, USA

Reviews

University of the Cumberlands

Biology major

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This University has small class sizes. Your professors will know your name and will be happy to answer your questions after class in their office. They're available on their office phones, email, or in person. And don't be afraid to sit in one of the front seats of the classroom! Another great thing about your professors knowing your name is that if you decide to apply for grad school after your undergrad degree is complete, you will have professors who can write excellent letters of recommendation for you.
Am enjoying being here
UC has a beautiful campus. It is a small town but it is not hard to find things to do. If you enjoy the city scene we're not that far from Knoxville and you won't have any problems finding friends who also like to go there. If you enjoy the outdoors we are very close to Cumberland Falls and it has a ton of hiking trails all around it.
Bang for the buck
UC is pretty expensive, but the in-state and out of state tuitions are the same and they give a lot of scholarships if you just ask your admissions counselor.
Tips for prospective students
Tour the University and ask the admissions office if you can do an overnight visit. If you play a sport request to room with an RA who plays the same sport as you.

Student

a past student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It is a small, friendly college that has pretty good academics. The professors are nice, and the administration is always helpful. It is a big enough college to have a social life, but small enough that you can avoid people too!
Tips for prospective students
Check your major. UC is great, but if you want to major in something UC does not have, it is not for you. I would recommend this college to undecided majors, because there are opportunities to explore. Before you register for classes, try talking to current students to get tips on which professors you will like best. Take challenging classes, even in your first semester. Don't allow yourself to become bored in Gen-Ed courses; if you are bored you aren't learning. This is a great place for students who are outgoing and want a lot of friends, but also great for more introverted and independent types (like me).
Academic Rigor
This depends on how much you decide to challenge yourself. Gen-Ed classes are fairly easy, but once you delve into classes for your major, you may find a challenge. But - Hark! Do not despair! There is tutoring in the ARC of the library, and professors are always willing to help. With a high school student:teacher ratio, one-on-one time is plentiful.
Dorm Life
Okay, I am not staying in the dorms. I started too, but realized it was not for me, as a personal preference, not because there was anything horrible. UC is an old college, and the dorm houses are old mansions, some with spiral staircases, most with tall columns like Monticello (we have a building based on Monticello, not a dorm house). So you get to live in a mansion if that makes you feel special. The rooms vary quite a bit. Some are awesome and have little nooks by the window, some are bare and not as awesome. They're dorm rooms, you can't expect a 5-star hotel experience.
Food and Dining
For college, the food is pretty good. You can get a buffet-style meal in the dining hall, or you can go to the grill for grilled cheese, salad, sandwiches, chicken, Papa John's pizza, etc. If nothing strikes your fancy at these places, you can walk to town and get Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Arby's, etc. food.
What to do for fun
The CAB (Campus Activities Board) is always scheduling events. There are movies, sports, games like battleship with real kayaks in the pool (yeah), puppies for finals stress, and other things. Also Williamsburg is an Appalachian area, so you have mountains, trail, lakes, waterfalls, and nature in general.
Bang for the buck
If you can get a scholarship (they are pretty good about giving them), this is not too expensive, especially considering that it is a private college. For me, I could go here free, or go to UK getting $1,500 a year, which was ridiculous. Without any scholarship help, it is expensive. That being said, the experience is worth the money.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Oh! This is fun! When it rains, Lincoln (who is the only plastic statue on campus, we checked) looks like he is crying. Bennett is called "The Old Grey-Brick" because every other building is red brick. Correll was built to look like Jefferson's home. Every semester around finals, CAB brings in puppies for everyone to relax. We have a viaduct, and some random Roman (Greek?) columns. Every 13th spindle on the staircases are turned upside down, because of superstition. The painting on the ceiling of the Grace-Crum/McGaw building represents lost children, and characteristics of them. Everything represents something on campus, it is like being in an earlier century.
Great for these types of students
Anyone, as long as you are not there to party. It would be great for those who belong to fandoms that involve old buildings and libraries where you can strew books about and research. You can be Gandalf if you want. This is not a place for people who don't like being forced to do extra curricular activities. Sometimes convo can be pretty stressful. Too many people, too much noise.
Clubs and Activities
These are plentiful and various. If you are interested, you are welcome. If you want a club, but it does not exist, you can probably form one. There are sports, art, music, business, vocals, etc. Two very important types of clubs involve community service and Christian ministry.
Greek Life
No Greek life, I don't think UC wants the risks associated with that. You can belong to an honors association related to your major and graduate with those honors.
Campus Safety
Not once have I known of an incident on campus. It is not a place where there are shootings and stabbings every weekend. There are no long walks to your car, no dark streets, virtually no crime. Williamsburg is a calm town, and the people are not usually the type bother someone. You are never more than a couple hundred feet from a campus safety officer. They have a couple buildings, they park around campus and keep watch, and patrol around the streets.

Kyla from Walton, KY

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The professors are actually caring and one on one service is always provided. Everyone cares for each other. No one is alone.
Tips for prospective students
Apply early and get an in with your professors and admissions counselor. Get involved and get to know as many people as you can. Don't be shy!
Academic Rigor
It is pretty challenging, but the professors and other students are always there to help. No one is left behind here; everyone has everyone's back. I wouldn't change a thing about the amount of work we are expected to do, it is pretty reasonable.
Dorm Life
The dorms are awesome! There are always fun activities and the RA's are extremely helpful and insightful about most things on campus. The rooms are a good size and they do their best to give you your best fit.
Food and Dining
The food selection is small, but there is never a minute you would go hungry on or off campus. There are two options on campus, but also many fast food options off campus only a couple minutes away.
What to do for fun
Most people will hang out on campus or go out to the mountains for a campfire. A lot of the time people to drive out to Lexington or Knoxville for fun on the weekends. Other than that, students stay pretty busy when they are involved.
Bang for the buck
Cumberland is an amazing school! It not only prepares students for the workforce but it also prepares students to become leaders in their chosen field of study.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
A lot of times we do activities within our dorms, especially the freshman dorm. Many clubs/athletic teams will do different things together to mingle and break the ice.
Great for these types of students
If you are ready to work hard, learn a lot about yourself, and grow as a person this school is for you! Students who are willing to sacrifice a little bit of their social life are going to succeed here because the staff is not going to let any student fail.
Clubs and Activities
There is a huge variety of clubs and activities on campus from soccer to FCA there is something for everyone on campus!
Campus Safety
The campus is super safe! As long as you don't stray too far on your own in the town, you are sure to be safe no matter what. The campus officers are always paying attention and will not let anything happen to you!