Columbia International University Reviews

See Columbia International University reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Columbia International University. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Columbia International University reviews, or contribute your own Columbia International University review if you're a current student there.

• Amanda from PARKMAN, ME

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  Categories	Rating	Comments
  In three sentences		CIU is a great school and I am particularly pleased with the program I have chosen. The professors are very nice and diligent teachers, serving the students well. Another great thing about CIU is the amount of work available to students on campus!
  Tips for prospective students		If you find yourself at CIU and really felt called to be there, then don't sweat the small stuff! Standards might seem like a big issue at first or maybe even more after your first year at school, but they shouldn't be! Follow standards, be diligent in your studies and make sure to get the rest you need. You won't regret it, I promise!
  Academic Rigor		I've had two extremely difficult classes, and many moderately difficult with just the right amount of work. Only a few have been under-par as far as I am concerned.
  Dorm Life		Dorm life is pretty great in the renovated dorms. We have fridges with freezers, furniture that is easily movable, plenty of space for two people and loft kits that are pretty easy to put together if you want more room. The only thing I dislike sometimes are the hall meetings we have to attend every two weeks. They can be tedious and I feel like the RA is checking up on us or something.
  Food and Dining		It's great! I work at the cafeteria serving my fellow students!
  What to do for fun		There are several nice places to go to in the area such as the Riverwalk downtown, Riverbanks Zoo, Five points for shopping and food. Even going downtown to walk around is nice sometimes. The art museum is located downtown and it's free on Sundays. Harbison is another great place to shop and eat as it is filled with stores, a mall, and plenty of restaurants. If you want to get bigger and fancier for your shopping experience, try Sandhills! It's a bit farther away but there are lots of stores and restaurants and the walk around that area is very pleasant.

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• Joy

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  Categories	Rating	Comments
  In three sentences		This college is great for anyone who strongly desires to learn and to become a better person, focusing on God and carefully studying the Bible. The faculty and students are all passionate about God. The professors work hard at encouraging the students to seek to follow God and to learn about both the Bible and practical life lessons.
  Academic Rigor		The classes are challenging and interesting. If you have a passion to learn, you will enjoy the studies and the assignments are very relevant to the class.
  Dorm Life		Dorm life is fun, and encourages growth both physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It is a good atmosphere for study and relaxation, and a wonderful place for the students to learn to live with others.
  Food and Dining		The dining hall is a pleasant atmosphere for community, and although it seems like a requirement for college students to complain about the food, there is a decent variety and the staff are friendly.
  What to do for fun		Walks in the woods, down to the lake, are pleasant on a Sunday afternoon. Playing frisbee, soccer and other sports in the field occupy some days.
  Bang for the buck		It may be expensive compared to some, but it's a lot less than others and well worth the cost.
  Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus		The prayer towers are a picturesque and peaceful part of the scenery and they sum up a large part of the center of life on campus.
  Clubs and Activities		There are lots of different organizations, the Pilgrims Protest (student newspaper), MuKappa, CIU Players, the Credo.

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• Abby from Blythewood, SC

  Reviewer is A current student here.

  Categories	Rating	Comments
  In three sentences		CIU is a great place to be stretched and to grow in your understanding of a biblical worldview. The professors here are unique and teach with passion and skill. Though I was unsure of my choice to attend CIU my freshman year, now that I am coming to the close of my junior year, I am so glad I chose to attend CIU!
  Tips for prospective students		If you are interested in CIU, the best way to get to know the school for real is to pop in and spend time with current students. If you have a friend who attends CIU, plan to unofficially spend a day or two with them to get a taste for the school. Another great option is applying to attend the R.C. McQuilkin Scholarship weekend for highschool seniors that is usually held in November or December every year.
  Academic Rigor		Though at first I was not sure of the academic rigor at CIU, I see now that it is challenging and rigorous, but does not allow that to become their obsession. Truly, CIU's focus is on education; the shaping, stretching, and growing of a human heart, soul, and mind. While the programs are rigorous, CIU accomplishes this without arrogance or pretention.
  Dorm Life		Dorm life is a neat experience. I have loved living with my roommates these past 3 years and have developed several deep relationships that seem like they could last a lifetime. The downside, of course, is there are some mandatory activities as well as the lack of privacy. The pros outweigh the cons by far, even though I am introverted and shy. I am part of an established group of friends that has grown together since freshman year. It's exciting to be a part of that!
  Food and Dining		Honestly, even though I am so sick of cafeteria food, our cafeteria is pretty legit for what it is. It's no Olive Garden, but it's one of the best college cafeterias I've seen.
  What to do for fun		Columbia is a little sparse on super exciting things to do, but if you know the locals (I happen to be one :) or look hard enough, you'll find Columbia has a few gems to offer. Riverbanks Zoo, a nationally recognized zoo, is a lot of fun. They offer deals sometimes that allow you free admission on certain days of the month. Columbia also has the local music school at the public university. They constantly offer free recitals of fine musical quality. The USC Symphony Orchestra is a treat to hear, and with student tickets on sale for only $9 dollars, it's hard to beat! What a wonderful evening! There are also a few nice parks around, and some pretty wonderful coffee shops and local music joints. Columbia also boasts The Vista downtown which is home to many wonderful restaurants, galleries, shops, and the Capitol building!
  Bang for the buck		It feels really expensive to me, but it's one of the cheaper private universities! I think it's worth it, but I won't lie, it's hard to take out loans and make those payments every month!
  Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus		Emphases on mission work, prayer, the gospel of Jesus, Christian service, and loving people. CIU seeks out opportunities in these areas as well as creates them. They encourage students to be passionate in these areas.
  Great for these types of students		Hard-working students who are seeking to know God more and follow Jesus througout their lives. It is definitely a place for broken, imperfect people; I discovered it was a safe place to grow and ask questions. Don't think that because you aren't perfect that you can't come to a school like CIU. It's also a humbling experience. So if you come to school thinking you know everything, one of your first lessons will be that you don't know much at all!
  Clubs and Activities		Some clubs and activities, but not an abundance. Though there is definitely the opportunity to create new clubs, as it is a small, private university. Faculty and staff love to see students get involved and do new and creative things!

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• Kaitlyn from Brewerton, NY

  Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

  Categories	Rating	Comments

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