Adrian College
Adrian, MI, USA

Reviews

Adrian College

Kelly from Wellington, OH

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Almost every professor here at Adrian knows their stuff and is very willing to work with you to make sure you thoroughly understand the class material. They will stay after class, meet with you during or outside of posted office hours, and help you find a tutor. We also have a very good Academic Services office, which provides tutoring, note-taking for the disabled, time management counseling, and many other helpful services at no cost. Also, the classes are small; as a freshman, my largest class was 110, my freshman biology class. It was a lecture and the labs were split up into groups of about 15. My sophomore biology class will only be 30. My smallest class as a freshman was 10 students. Adrian provides an excellent learning environment for anyone willing to put forth the effort required to succeed in the collegiate academic setting.
Another thing to add would be that Adrian has a great music program. It's not like some schools where you can't be involved in music unless you're a major or minor. I am pre-med and I have had time to be in the marching band and jazz band and to take guitar lessons. I have been able to learn a lot about my academic program and music, which has nothing to do with my future career. Here at Adrian, you are welcome to try many different things, and that really broadens your knowledge.
Am enjoying being here
For being a small school in a medium sized town, there is a lot to do. There are many greek life organizations, which are an excellent way to get involved. There are also many religious life and special interest groups. One of the biggest things on campus is athletics. We have very nice athletic facilities and about 85% of the student body is involved in athletics in some way. There is almost always a game, varsity or intramural, to watch or participate in. Best of all, admission to all athletic events on campus is free to students!
Bang for the buck
Thirty thousand-something dollars is a lot of money. Many people on campus complain how they feel that they are paying too much to go here for what we get but what they don't understand is that our tuition is really not much relative to how much many other private schools cost. Some other small private schools cost upwards of $45,000 a year. Adrian also gives good scholarships to the best students. I believe that the bang for the buck here at Adrian is excellent, but could always be better. You will get a solid education in a great learning environment, and you will have a lot of fun along the way.
Tips for prospective students
There are people from all walks of life here at Adrian. I strongly believe that anyone can fit in and be accepted on this campus. We have people from inner-city Detroit, to people from different parts of Canada, to people from the cornfields in Ohio. You will not get lost in the crowd, and you will see people you know everywhere you go on campus...and I really do mean everywhere. It might not sound that appealing, but it's so nice to see so many friendly faces when you go out for a walk or have to grab a quick lunch. But, if you need to get away from the college, the city of Adrian has a lot of different things to do, or Ann Arbor is only a short 35 minute drive away. My number one tip to prospective students would be to keep an open mind about the school and the town's size. For me and for almost everyone here, the size is perfect...about 1,500 students. You know a lot of people everywhere you go, but everywhere you go there is an opportunity to meet someone new. There is also a lot to do on and off campus.
Great for these types of students
There are many very intelligent people here, but I have yet to meet the student who delves into 22 credit hours and does nothing but his/her classes. People here are into extra curricular activities, athletics, music, and meeting new friends as well as performing well in classes.

Jessica from West Bloomfield, MI

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
This is a great little college with a beautiful campus. Grocery stores are literally just around the corner so there is no need for a car, just a good, comfy pair of sneakers. Most of the staff is pretty great, too.
Academic Rigor
Be prepared to study. HARD. The classes can be very demanding! However, almost all of the teachers are willing to lend a hand outside of class if you need it, and many of them even give you their home phone and cell phone numbers in case you REALLY need help outside of class! Tutors are even available to students for FREE. (The tutors are fellow students who recieved an A in the class and are paid by the school, so it's a win-win situation)
Dorm Life
Being a freshman in the quad is hot, uncomfortable, and LOUD. That is because you are in dorms with only freshmen, and you inevitably will run into the people who came to college to party. This is NOT a party school. Those loud, obnoxious types who stumble into the hall at 1 AM drunk every Friday night will be almost completely eradicated by the time you move into the upperclassman buildings. Yes, the dorm buildings are old and there is no AC, so be sure to bring at least one large, powerful fan. However, all the dorms are heated individually and have HUGE windows that you can place your fans in to circulate a good breeze around the room. Merillat Sports Center, Richie Dining Hall, Caine Student Center, Valade Hall, and the Shipman Library DO have AC... you do not have to worry about sweltering all day!
Food and Dining
Anyone who says that the food in the dining hall is awful is either eating the wrong things or has never really had bad cafeteria food before... it's not gourmet, of course, but you get a huge variety of options. They have a salad bar, fresh fruit (next to the cereal dispensers), a sandwich deli with 5 types of bread, a breakfast bar, an omelette stand, cheese and pepperoni pizzas, pasta, 4 to 7 different kinds of ice cream depending on the day, burgers, fries, hot dogs, grilled cheese, and a mongolian grill. And that's only what is guaranteed to be there! They also have hometown lunch specials (regular cafeteria hodgepodge... usually good, occasionally not) and each day there is a new international meal option, which has in the past consisted of shrimp alfredo, tropical stir fry... and every friday is Nacho Friday. WARNING: The pizza has weird spices on it. It's not bad pizza, but you need to get used to it.
What to do for fun
Adrian is a really small town that's just picking itself up after the recession, but there are actually a lot of weird places to check out if you walk downtown. There's a New Age gift shop, a Pool Hall, a used books and media store, and a bunch of thrift stores... A lot of the store owners work are older folks who work behind the counter and run the whole store, and some of them will talk your ear off if you make conversation -- in a good way. There's a Family Video right around the corner, and they're dirt cheap. There's also a small cinema. A bus service (dial-a-ride) will take you anywhere in town for $4 round trip.
Great for these types of students
Art Students. The campus is well kept but the whole town kind of runs on used and unusual goods... if you've ever wanted to experiment with the arts, this is your chance. Lots of funky people.
Campus Safety
Nothing bad ever happens in this town. Seriously. I've walked around campus by myself at 5 AM and nothing happened. That's probably because the campus is so well lit. We have a safety office that does more than just guard the campus -- they also will drive you to the doctor's or the pharmacist's for free if you get sick.

Sarah

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Adrian College is a top-of-the-line school. Although we are D3, our facilities and staff succeed many D2 and D1 schools. AC is a liberal arts institution that prides itself on giving students a well-rounded experience and education.
Tips for prospective students
Don't be afraid of the price tag - AC has excellent financial packages.
Introduce yourself to the faculty - the professors here have a desire to see their students succeed, don't be intimidated.
Come on a visit!
Academic Rigor
Many of our professors have the highest degree in their field. They have the collective knowledge and experience to teach students all they need to know to be successful. As a result of this, the classes are challenging. However, the professors are also willing to work with you and free tutoring is available to all students. The academics are challenging so to teach you, but not so challenging that you cannot succeed.
Dorm Life
The housing and student life departments are fantastic at Adrian College. The dorms are a variety of styles from traditional dorms to suite-style to apartments to themed houses, AC has what you want in a college experience. The atmosphere is friendly; the resident assistants and safety officers have extensive training. You will feel safe and welcome in our halls!
Food and Dining
The food and dining is wonderful at Adrian College! Ritchie Market Place is the primary cafeteria. This is a buffet-style cafeteria with options such as Mongolian barbeque, pasta, pizza, soup and salad, and international dishes. Caine Student Center is also a popular eating place; it contains a Starbucks, ZeBi's, and a fast food grill style restaurant.
What to do for fun
Adrian College has over 60 student groups and organizations. There are academic, religious, special interest, and service-oriented groups in addition to Greek life. We have clubs from art to biology, from equestrian to student government, from Christian to Green Action Club, and everything in between! We also have many sports from Men's and Women's Hockey, to bowling, to Track and Field, etc. If you can't play, it's free to watch! With all of the organizations and teams, there is never a dull moment on the AC campus!
Bang for the buck
You get all the bang for your buck at Adrian College. With the top-of-the-line facilities, knowledgeable staff, and plethora of organizations, AC is a wonderful institution. You will get the experience and education you need to succeed, and who can put a price tag on fulfilling your dreams?
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Adrian College was founded as an abolitionist college. Two of the buildings on campus are connected via an underground tunnel - which is now blocked off. These buildings stand the test of time and help students remember where our roots are. Groups such as Not For Sale continue the fight against slavery.
Great for these types of students
Adrian college had a variety of majors and programs; our most popular program is our Athletic Training/Exercise Science program. Adrian College is one of few schools in Michigan with a Human Science lab complete with bod pod, motion cameras, and other equipment to aid with learning and research. AC also has a fully functional and fully equipped Athletic Training Lab just for instructing AT students. Finally, our Exercise Science program received a grant to purchase plastinates from Body World and the University of Toledo. These are the tops when it comes to teaching anatomy and physiology.
Clubs and Activities
There is a club for everyone! And if you can't find the club you are looking for, it just takes 3 people and some paperwork to make one yourself! We have organizations within every academic department, including honorary academic organizations. We also have sports clubs, intramural sports, community service groups, religious life groups, and more! There are Feminist groups, Pride groups, gaming groups, and political groups!
Greek Life
Adrian College oversees a total of 11 Greek Life organizations. There are 3 sororities, plus one local sorority, and 5 fraternities. Greek Life is very popular on campus and is a great way to meet people and get involved on campus.
Campus Safety
Adrian College has been determined one of the safest campuses in Michigan. Each residence building requires entry via key or key card, and each dorm room has an individual lock. Campus Safety officers are trained intensively and are overseen by former police deputies and current reserve police officers. Their are also resident assistants in each hall to promote a safe environment. According to the Annual Security Report, in 2012 there were only 4 total reports of aggravated or sexual assault and 8 burglaries on campus among 1700 students.

Abby from Tipton, MI

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The small town atmosphere makes me feel at home, no matter how far away home is. Athletics and extra curricular groups always make for a fun, busy, and interesting time. I want to look back on college as a great time filled with great people, and Adrian will allow that to happen.
Tips for prospective students
Know your interests and what you want to get into ahead of time, so by the time you arrive at school and get adjusted you'll already know where to be, what to do, and who to know.
Academic Rigor
My classes have been extremely accurate in terms of difficulty for the academic level rating (ex: 300 level class).
Dorm Life
I love living with my roommate! I believe it truly does teach people how to live among others and to overcome differences that may come about. There are so many different types of people to get to know and to share commonalities with along with differing opinions.
Food and Dining
The food at Ritchie Marketplace is always great; I'm never disappointed. I don't venture to Caine that often, primarily because I'm a vegetarian and there don't seem to be as many meatless options there.
What to do for fun
One of the things I love most about this school is it's athleticism and enjoyment of sports. One can jump in on a workout or game at any given time in the Merillat. If the sport/activity you enjoy isn't an official team, it's most likely offered as a group that could be joined
Bang for the buck
No matter where I go to college I know it will be pricey. But, Adrian is well worth the price tag. The classes, professors, athletics, and close-knit community make me glad I chose Adrian.
Great for these types of students
Great for people looking to stay physically active and active in the community. There are an amazing amount of collegiate teams and groups that one could join.

Ashley from Taylor, MI

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Adrian College is balance of peace and excitement; privacy and community; and academics and athletics. A gorgeous campus houses an intelligent group of both students and faculty that go the extra distnce in everything they do. Becoming an AC Bulldog means being open and willing to push yourself and others to heights you've never met before, even if you don't realize you're doing it.
Tips for prospective students
Don't over-think! Private colleges seem like they are a lot more complex than other colleges or universities, but they really aren't. Aim to embrace community life and you will thrive. If you are a party-goer, looking for greek life, an art or music major, or striving to become the next biggest face in media, Adrian has it all. Do not apply here if you aren't intending to work for your degree. Adrian only accepts the best!
Academic Rigor
Adrian accepts only the best work from students, but professors also keep in mind the individual learning pace and style of each student. Each class, no matter how seemingly insignificant, challenges the student to think outside the box and draw on experiences from the world around them.
Dorm Life
The Freshmen Quad holds four halls (female, male, or co-ed), upper-classmen have slightly nicer-looking halls (also male, female, or co-ed), and apartments for 1-4 students. Some rooms are on the smaller side, but not too small. The apartments contain kitchen, living room, bathroom(s), and individual bedrooms. (Dormitories have community bathrooms on each floor.)
Food and Dining
Great variety on campus with Quiznos and student grill in the Student Center, or a home-style meal at Ritchie Marketplace. Students use their IDs and meal plans to purchase meals. Dining Dollars/Bulldog Bucks can be bought through the school to use at select restaurants nearby. The number of meals and Dining Dollars you get is dependent on the meal plan you choose at the beginning of the semester, which can range from a set number of meals per semester or a set of meals per week.
What to do for fun
Adrian, though it may seem small, has many shops, restaurants, and activities for students and even family to enjoy. On campus, there are many school-wide events and even an ice arena which often hosts public skating every week. MJR Cinemas has a rather large theatre complex that offers students discounts. I'm still discovering more surprises everytime I'm drive through town!
Bang for the buck
The private campus, food, classes, and overall quality of Adrian College is well worth every cent. The college is constantly trying to better itself internally and externally for the well-being of the students. Sometimes, this school may seem a little pricey, but we all realize how much space, resources, creative freedoms and comforts, and extensively knowledgable teachers we students are given in return.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
It is hard to find a day that there is not SOMETHING going on at Adrian. My favorite activities, however, are during exam weeks where the college hosts Pancakes Under the Stars and other stress-relieving activities open to all students.
Great for these types of students
Adrian College is perfect for students who enjoy doing a little extra digging in their research. The multitude of accessible databases in the library is impressive and highly useful. Students can easily reference credible and extensive sources in all their work. This college isn't really for the lazy student, though everyone enjoys sprawling about the campus on the sunny Michigan days.
Clubs and Activities
Adrian has clubs for nearly every sport, including equestrian, synchronized figure skating, hockey, broomball, football, and soccer among many others. It also has clubs for art majors, music studies, and other categories.
Greek Life
Adrian hosts a variety of fraternities and sororities, including national fraternities (Phi Kappa Sigma, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Theta Chi, Tau Kappa Epsilon), national sororities (Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, and Alpha Sigma Alpha), as well as a local sorority (Delta Nu Kappa). Around 20% of the student body is Greek!
Campus Safety
Campus Safety is on constant patrol! Whether it's parking, to campus events, to housing services, Safety can and will take care of it as quickly as possible. From experience, I know that safety will go the extra mile to help sick students as well with check-ups and mobility. They also offer a Campus Caravan service for legal students who plan to drink off campus to prevent drunk driving and a safe return back to their housing.

Ashleigh from Adrian, MI

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
adrian college is a great place to attend. from the students to the professors, adrian college is my home away from home. i am glad i chose adrian as my college of choice.
Tips for prospective students
come visit adrian college and check out the beautiful campus, wonderful professors, and energetic students. choosing a college is a tough decision, adrian college eliminates the worry and doubt 100 percent.
Academic Rigor
adrian college offers more advanced courses for those who need a challenge, but still takes the time to offer help to others who may need more help adjusting to the college experience. adrian also offers an array of major and minor choices for students who are still undecided or for those who need a solid start for longer degrees.
Dorm Life
dorm life is tough to get used to, but at adrian students are welcomed in and made to feel like they belong. instant friendships are formed the minute one moves in and meets their neighbors.
Food and Dining
adrian college offers so many different ways to get a bite to eat. from a normal dining hall setting to relaxed restaurant-style eateries, adrian college has it all. students also have the opportunity to eat on campus or order out using bulldog bucks through their meal plans. busy college students won't ever have to worry about going hungry at adrian college.
What to do for fun
there is a numerous amount of clubs, organizations, and sport teams students can join to build stronger friendships and to enjoy college life. aside from clubs, adrian college constantly has campus-wide events open to everyone, such as super bowl parties, live concerts, dances, and so much more. when students want to get away from the workload of classes, adrian is there to offer up a multitude of fun and exciting options.
Bang for the buck
adrian is a private college which can create a larger tuition due to no outside state funding. even though the tuition is much higher at adrian, the cost is worth it. more students will come out ahead being at a small campus with higher costs where they are a name, not a price tag; that's why adrian college is the best choice of all.
Campus Safety
campus safety is always there for students who need walking to their cars or dorms after a late night class, ensuring their well-being. adrian college is a safe place to live and be thanks to campus safety.