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Former Student-Athlete - Tampa, FL
01/12/2018Reviewer is A past student here. Reviewer has not been to campus.
1 of 22
Categories Comments Clubs and Activities They give it an effort. I loved the Athlete bible study.
Food and Dining The food and dining was average. I’m not an incredibly picky eater so I didn’t see much of a problem with it. At meals you’ll tend to see athletes and aves generally hanging out at seperate tables. The non-athletes are particularly scared of football players and they tend to have (very obviously) low opinions on the basketball team. I wonder why...
Greek Life Non-existent
Tips for prospective students Really make sure that this is the place YOU want to attend. Not the place your parents want you to study. Not the place your grandparents want you to go. But the honest to God place that you would actually like to stay 4 years. I ran into far to many people that were forced or pushed to go to Ave and regretted it. Make sure you are not one of them.
Great for these types of students Incredibly serious Catholics (primarily homeschoolers) whose idea of a fun Friday night out consists of Monopoly with their significant other with the door wide open while they sit straight up until the intruding boyfriend/girlfriend is kicked out just in time for said homeschooler to get sleep in until 1pm and skip the home football game. Y’know typical college stuff, right?
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Some unusual traditions at Ave : 0 Greek Life Admin cares more about intramurals than varsity athletics middle school level attendance at VARSITY HOME GAMES rosary walks rolling 100-deep chanting at you in the middle of the night The people are, however, INCREDIBLY nice. I grew very fond of a LOT of them.
What to do for fun Get out of Ave
Campus Safety Very safe. The most danger I ever felt I was in was during a hurricane and when people would blow their vape into the smoke detector and set off the alarm in the middle of the night.
Academic Rigor I would give the core curriculum at Ave a 4-star rating. All of my professors were cordial, kind, and cared significantly about the average student. Although they seemed to like us athletes less (kinda like the normal students) and I heard a LOT of bad stories, my personal experience was positive. I loved my professors they wede knowledgeable, great people.
In three sentences To sum my experience at Ave Maria up in 3 words : “Athletes vs. Ave’s”
Bang for the buck As a highly-recruited athlete, I didn’t pay much to go to Ave. I’m thankful for the lessons God taught me along the way, but unless you really feel God is tugging at your heart to go here, I sadly do not think it’s worth the money.
Dorm Life The dorm life at Ave Maria was lackluster. The administration at Ave attempts to take all of the fun out of the school. By this I mean, this is not the place to be unless you’re an extremely serious Catholic. The dorm life perfectly exemplifies this as it makes it hard to study with any opposite-sex friends, and good luck trying to even have a slight amount of alone time with anyone! They’re always watching... This tends to create sneaky students who go off to locations I won’t disclose in this to get their fix. Wouldn’t it be easier to just lighten up a little and not force religion down people’s throat 24/7? I’m a very serious Christian but I don’t believe everyone else has to be. Let them make choices for themselves!
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Julia from Ave Maria, FL
01/02/2018Reviewer is A current student here.
2 of 22
Categories Comments What to do for fun Not much.
Food and Dining Bleh. Isn't it like this everywhere, though? At least there is always a variety of options.
Dorm Life The dorms are, by far, the best in the country. There's a bathroom in every suit of four girls. I love (one of) my roommates. The RAs and RDs really care and help you as much as possible. One issue is that you don't really meet the people on your floor often.
Academic Rigor In the Core classes I have taken so far, I found them easy. Always go to tutoring, and you will be fine.
Tips for prospective students Talk to people other than your roommates!
In three sentences Ave Maria is a Catholic university. It is in the middle of nowhere, but you can't beat the Florida weather. Students and professors alike are wonderful.
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current student at Ave Maria
02/01/2017Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 3 of 22
Categories Comments Greek Life Banned like everything else by Ave
Great for these types of students If you loved the feeling over being watched over at all times and almost the sense of high school Ave is a great fit for you!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Get to know locations where you can go without getting caught. its almost a rewarding feeling when you find a new spot. Also no one is allowed to live anywhere but the dorms unless married or 23.
What to do for fun Getting out of Ave and going into Naples is probably the extent of fun things to do here. Sporting events attendance is probably equivalent to a middle school pop warner football game aka 90% of people are the parents. You have to really search and find fun things to do. If you find a fun group of popped every once in a while a good party will be thrown but promptly shut down by either the RA or campus security.
Food and Dining Cafeteria food on a good day is a 3 out 10. Restaurants are average but close early. if you want any late night food you'll have to drive 15 minutes into Immokalee. Only grocery store closes at 8 and when you're a busy student athlete its rough.
Dorm Life Worst dorm life at any college that I know of. Guys aren't even allowed in your hallways in in common spaces after 1am so theres no where to even study with a group with guys in at after 1am. Visitation is very strict and boys are only allowed in your room for a few hours on the weekend. No one can be laying down, napping, cuddling even though we are all adults and the door must be fully propped open and if its not as far as it can go the Ra will make sure it is. Also they will come in and invade what little privacy you have and try starting conversations if you're talking or even watching a movie. Be careful what you do and who you tell to people also for they will snitch like we are 12 whether they know you or not.
Academic Rigor Most classes are not challenging and are able to cram the night before a test for an A/B...they grade you on attendance though so be prepared.
Tips for prospective students Really know what you're getting yourself into because once you're here for a year or two you're pretty much stuck. Many credits don't transfer unless you want to start over as a Freshman somewhere else. Be ready to walk outside and see a rosary walk chanting coming towards you. But if you come for whatever reason or another find a cool group and stick with them and build off of it. The athletes tend to stick together and make it manageable here.
In three sentences Ave vs Athletes pretty much sums it up. "aves" think all of us athletes are only trouble and most faculty and and one with any power here acts and think like that. And us athletes can't stand them for many act as if we are in high school and many snitch and almost shun you in the way they look at you.
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Johnmichael - Orlando, FL
11/20/2016Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
1 out of 2 people found this review useful. 4 of 22
Categories Comments Tips for prospective students I visited the campus recently and the surrounding suburb and I was disturbed. I felt that the whole community was like a movie set. It seemed fake and eerie. Some might perceive it to be almost cult like due to the seclusion and cringe worthy feeling. This was my opinion I do suggest visiting to create your own opinion of the community.
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Mike
10/27/2016Reviewer is A current student here. Reviewer has not been to campus.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 5 of 22
Categories Comments In three sentences Ave Maria University is a very limited place to be. If you don't have a car, you are trapped here, as the nearest city is a 45 minute drive away. In the town, there is absolutely nothing besides a Publix and a gas station. It is also very hard to fit in socially. There are "aves" (strictly Catholic, judgmental people) and athletes are horrible, The programs aren't very good. Unless you are a theology or education major if you looking for the real college experience this is not the place for you.
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Maria from Louisville, KY
12/01/2015Reviewer is A past student here.
6 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Campus is very strict about substance abuse. You will be fined if you are caught with drugs or alcohol. There is also a truck that drives around the campus that checks the security of the campus.
Greek Life No Greek Life.
Great for these types of students Ave Maria University is a very small college. The school is made up of only 400 people.Sometimes there will only be 15 people in a class.This college is great for reserved people who do not like to be around a lot of people.
What to do for fun Not much to do for fun. There is a town called Ave Maria that you can walk to from the campus. The town includes a grocery store, a pizza place, and a bar. However, all the shops close down at 7:00 p.m.So,There is not much you can do in the evening. However, if you have your own car, or if you have friends that have their own car, the beach is only 45 minutes away from the campus.
Food and Dining Food here is awful. It is very obvious that the cooks there put no effort whatsoever into their work. For example, sometimes you will find that some of the food isn't even fully cooked.
Dorm Life Dorm life is pretty nice. Most of the time your room mates are pretty easy to get along with. There are strict rules about guys and girls going into each other's dorm room. Guys and girls can only go into each other's room on weekends. You are also required to keep the door open if a member of the opposite sex is in your room.
Academic Rigor Ave Maria has a very tough academic program.Professors expect a lot from you. As long as you complete assignments and study hard, you should be fine. Professors are also more than willing to help you if you are struggling with a particular subject.
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Dandelion
07/24/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
7 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety You will always see a camous safety car driving around at all hours of the day and night.
Greek Life There are households that center on a mission in life, but all are associated with attainting a better Christian life.
What to do for fun If you have an option of having/bringing a car, do it. Theres not really much of a night life except one pub.
Food and Dining The cafeteria food isn't the best, its either a hit or miss.
Dorm Life Not that exciting, its actually pretty dull. But I do enjoy the privacy and distraction away from boys.
Academic Rigor Professors expect a lot out of you. So study hard, trust me it'll pay off.
Tips for prospective students Tour the school first, get a sense of your belonging. If you feel right at home, you are definitely right at home. The community is very tight knight.
In three sentences A very faith centered school. Completely away from civilization (big cities). Everybody knows everybody.
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John Paul from Springfield, PA
07/08/2013Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 8 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety The campus has the blue-light boxes (seen at an increasing number of colleges nationwide) at intervals along the walking paths and the roads, where one can call for security to come and pick them up if they need help getting back to the dorms.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus At 11:00 PM every evening, there is a Rosary walk around the campus for any and all students interested. It is highly recommended for all students. Even if you can only do it once a week, it is a great spiritual benefit.
What to do for fun Intramural sports are big at Ave Maria. You can choose from just about anything, from Ultimate Frisbee to Soccer. There is a pool on campus (Ladies, please leave your bikinis at home. College modesty policy does not allow them.) and a waterpark within walking or biking distance. The flat campus make for wonderful biking, running, jogging, or walking. On weekends, most students pile into cars or vans and travel to Naples, just a few miles away, for a few hours at the beach. There are competitions among the dorms, as well.
Food and Dining The food is pretty good, as college fare goes, but it definitely isn't home cooking. Options abound, however, as there is both hot and cold breakfast food every day, and a variety of options at lunch and dinner. One can choose pizza, a sandwich, or full-fledged meat, starch, and vegetable meal at lunch or dinner. Soup and salad are also available, as well as fruit and yogurt. The dessert options are rather lacking, however, with only one or two choices per meal. As a Catholic college, fish is a prominent option on Fridays. For drinks, one can choose from soda, water (plain or with orange or lemon wedges added), soda, juice, milk (chocolate or white), and coffee. There are other options for dining, should one tire of the regular cafeteria. There is another small eatery in close proximity to the main dining hall which offers sandwiches, wraps, and paninis. There is also a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in the town square which sells (you guessed it!) smoothies, as well as salads and sandwiches, among other things. For a cup of morning joe, nothing beats The Bean of Ave Maria, also in the town square. The Bean offers coffee, water, juice, muffins, bagels, and other light breakfast fare, as well as an inspirational quote on your coffee cup's cardboard sleeve. In the mood for ice cream? Scoopz is the place to be, offering a wide selection of flavors and toppings. Keep in mind, however, that only the main cafeteria and its neighbor are included on the meal plan; students must pay at the other eateries in town. There is a Publix grocery store in the town, too, if you wanted to eat in your room. Students are allowed a small refrigerator and a microwave, so you could buy some basic food to heat up in your dorm. There is a kitchen available in each residence hall, as well. Availability of cooking pots, pans, and utensils is questionable, however.
Dorm Life As a Catholic University, Ave Maria has a strict policy concerning intervisitation. Men are absolutely prohibited from the women's dorms, and vice versa. The policy is so strict that not even fathers are allowed in their daughters' buildings and mothers are not allowed in their sons' buildings. This is in effort to prevent near occasions of sin among the students and visitors and preserve a state of grace. Honors students have a section of a dorm reserved just for them, so that they can live in community with one another. Due to the aforementioned intervisitation policy, Honors men room in one of the men's dorms and Honors women room in one of the women's dorms.
Academic Rigor The University offers all classes at four credits per semester, rather than three credits. Students only take four classes per week instead of five, but the extra credit per class makes up the difference.
Tips for prospective students By all means, make a campus visit. It is an absolutely wonderful tool to help make one's decision for college. The admissions staff could not have been nicer to me when I visited. If you stay overnight, I would highly recommend Xavier Hall, the dorm building the University uses (for the time being) as a hotel of sorts for guests. Also, prospective students can choose to sit in on classes. This is also a recommended step, even if you visit during the summer, since Ave Maria offers summer classes. The professors are willing to speak with you about your plans for college and beyond, whether or not you are certain of your career path. A campus visit will help you gain perspective of the food, the atmosphere, the faith presence, and the size of the campus better than any virtual tour can.
In three sentences Ave Maria offers a beautiful atmosphere in which to study. It is not a normal college campus because it has a town literally across the street from the campus itself. Most of the college employees live in town and open their homes to students on a regular basis.
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Matthew from Fort Myers, FL
06/03/2013Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
0 out of 1 people found this review useful. 9 of 22
Categories Comments Food and Dining Ave Maria has some restraunts but nothing well known.
Dorm Life I won't be living in the dorms.
Academic Rigor Academics seem tough from when I sat in on one class but defeintally worth the challenge.
Tips for prospective students If you are going to go to this college check into that you feel good about attending a catholic college and be able to handle catholic values.
In three sentences Ave Maria is confrotable. Ave Maria is peaceful. Ave Maria is spiritual.
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Samuel from Ave Maria, FL
01/15/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 10 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Its a very safe campus, with lots of beauty.
Greek Life Some households, not many, mostly catholic households.
Clubs and Activities Many households, and activities.
Great for these types of students If you want a small school, good academics and a place to praise God, this is your place.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus There is star gazing, and many other things to do. In the canal you can see gators and animals, and walk all around campus as you wish.
Bang for the buck Totally worth the money, and for being a private college, its not as expensive, and they will give you an scholarship
What to do for fun You can go to the beach, hang out, etc, its a very versatile place.
Food and Dining Its cafeteria food, it isnt horrible but its not the type of food you want to eat all year long.
Dorm Life Great experience, good chance to meet people, and very comfortable environment.
Academic Rigor Its a very challenging experience, but at the end you feel its worth it and you will be happy about what you can accomplish
Tips for prospective students If you want a challenge and like small schools, but also want to find good friends and have fun, this is the place where you want to be.
In three sentences Ave Maria University its a great college to attend. Although its a catholic university, it accepts people from every faith. It has great academics, but mostly its people makes it a amazing experience.
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Kelsey from Hobe Sound, FL
01/14/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
11 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety You could not ask for a safer campus!!
Greek Life There is no greek life.
Clubs and Activities It is always possible to find a club that fits your interest and if theres not, the university is always open to starting a new one!
Great for these types of students Studious and friendly, there are many home-schoolers so there is a fostering element as well to students who may not have been exposed to much.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Since the school is Roman Catholic affiliated, there are plenty of traditions related to celebrations within the church.
Bang for the buck It is a private school, so the tuition is high but they offer plenty of scholarships and try to make the school affordable for all backgrounds. Here you will receive an excellent education.
What to do for fun For fun, I enjoy going to the near by beach. Occasionally the student government with have organized events which are always fun as well. The pub, which is in walking distance is always a hot spot for students too and it is always fun.
Food and Dining The food is far from gourmet, but it gets the job done. You'll never go hungry attending here but you'll definitely be missing your home cooking.
Dorm Life The dorms are clean and quite beautiful in terms of dorms. They are spacious and the furniture is accommodating. The boys and girls dorms are separated, which many students find aggravating but it has its pros as well. There is respect to students who may be studying in their rooms yet there is always a welcoming environment. People always have their dorm rooms open welcoming new friendships and a sense of community.
Academic Rigor Although the curriculum is challenging, it is well worth the hard work and effort. You'll be happy with your end product after attending.
Tips for prospective students It is important to be studious and not fall behind in classes. Always attend class and pay attention in class. Stay involved and never be afraid to approach a professor with any problems you may be having.
In three sentences Ave Maria has welcoming environment to people of all backgrounds. It is academically challenging and invigorating. The core of the university is based on faith and academic excellence.
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Marlie from Brandon, FL
12/05/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 12 of 22
Categories Comments Greek Life They have households, like religious sorority.
Great for these types of students Love to read. Strong Catholic faith. Like small colleges.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus You are not allowed to have guys in the girls dorms or vice versa. They have nightly rosary walks around campus. At 12pm and 6pm they have prayer in the cafeteria.
Bang for the buck The campus is very small and there isn't an actual football stadium. They play at a high school. The school is very young but it is improving quickly. The cost is pretty low for a private University but high in a public university standard.
What to do for fun I go to the mall, the beach(which is only an hour away), and the movies. You can pretty much do anything it just takes awhile for you to get in to an actual town.
Food and Dining Breakfast and lunch are usually pretty good, dinner not so much. It is very repetitive.
Tips for prospective students Be prepared to read a lot. The classes are a challenge but if you make sure to do all of your work and readings you will be fine. Do not procrastinate it will only hurt you.
In three sentences Very good professors. Very good atmosphere. I have not had any issues here, I love it.
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Kathleen from Gilbertsville, PA
10/14/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 13 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety 24 hour security
Clubs and Activities There are numerous clubs and activities to assure that there is something for everyone to become involved.
Bang for the buck The University offers numerous scholarships.
What to do for fun I would advise new students to become involved with Intramurals. This is a great opportunity to meet people. The beach is only about 1/2 hour from the school and it is an awesome place to study!
Food and Dining The cafeteria offers a good selection of food.
Dorm Life Nice, large spacious dorms.
Academic Rigor Ave Maria University is comparing itself to an Ivy League college. I believe that one day it will be an Ivy League college.
Tips for prospective students You need to be committed to your studies. Ave Maria offers many opportunities for their students to improve their grades.
In three sentences Ave Maria University is an excellent school. The faculty works with the students to assure their success. There is a very friendly atmosphere at Ave Maria.
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Roselyn from Cape Coral, FL
08/10/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
6 out of 6 people found this review useful. 14 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety There's always, always a security van driving around campus, not to mention the countless security cameras and emergency poles around all of Ave Maria. There's plenty of light at night too. I feel totally safe.
Greek Life In fact, there is a greek major. And, FYI, my favorite lunch day, after Taco Tuesday, is when they cook greek cuisiine.
Clubs and Activities Since Ave is a pretty new school there aren't hundreds of clubs yet, but that doesn't mean that these aren't amazing! knights of the Cross Chess Club; Archangels Futbol Club; Yearbook; International Students; Skate Long Time; Students for Life; Knights of Columbus; Ballroom Dance; College Republicans; Genuine.Feminine; Faith in Action Team; Thespians 'R' Us Drama Club; Fine Arts: Collaboration and Directed Education; Gyrene Gazette; Student Activities Board; Hippocratic Society of Science and Medecine; Men's Outdoors Club; Communion and Liberation; Parousia Films; Phi Beta Lambda; Photography Club; Role for Initiative: A Fraternal Order of Supremely Imaginative Individuals; Rugby; The Voice of Ave; Volleyball Club; Latin Dance Club; Running Club; Tailgating Crew; Sumpturi Cooking Club; Fishing Club; Women's Outdoors Club; World Youth Day Club; I cannot forget about the households. In each of the Residence Halls there are a number of different faith based groups of men or women striving to lead one another to holiness through regularly scheduled meetings and prayer times. These Christ-centered groups strive for balanced, healthy, interpersonal relationships while they support and challenge a member to develop spiritually, emotionally, academically, and physically. Currently we have the following households that are officially recognized by the University. Women: Daughters of the Little Way; Esto Femina; St. Gianna Molla Sisterhood; Rosa Mystica; Stella Maris; Via Caritatis; Vessels of Mercy; Men: Totus Tuus; Brotherhood of Divine Love; Esto Vir; Filii in Filio; Alethes Arete; Lawless Heirs; Sacred Heart;
Great for these types of students Ave is great for students who rank school as a priority. The students here are also here to deepen their faith whether they're Catholic or not. Students at Ave Maria are very dedicated, 24-7, in everything they do. Ave is great for those who treasure a bright future.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus When joining a household you go through initiation week. Some things are top secret, for members only, and some are public embarassments (not really, they're just funny things the intents have to do in front of the whole campus. Even professors!) It's just great for everyone and no one is hurt in the process!
Bang for the buck Going to this school has changed me completely. I've made life-long friends, joined a household and made some beautiful sisters. I feel that I have really gotten in touch with my spiritual life. There is so much I feel greatful for this school but do not have the words to express.
What to do for fun If you have a ride, which is not to hard to get, you can head down to Naples and enjoy all the fun stuff they provide. If you find yourself on a day the school has no special outings and your buddies can't take you off campus there's always the pool, the foosball, ping pong, or pool tables, you can watch movies on one of the many flat screen tvs, take a walk around the breath-taking campus, play a sport on the awesome courts, relax at one of Ave town's beautiful parks, Head over to the Piazza and grab a bite at the pizzaria, or a drink at the pub or the bean or tropical smoothie. There's tons to do and much more!
Food and Dining I've never seen so much variety! And the food is no ordinary cafeteria food. You can really tell the dedication of the chefs to make the students feel content.
Dorm Life The living conditions are awesome and there is plenty of common space to hang out or study. There's also a great sence of security.
Academic Rigor I love the challenge I get at Ave. It makes feel like I'm actually working to learn something.
Tips for prospective students Your studies are by far the most important thing but don't feel bad if you have a little fun once in a while.
In three sentences If you're looking for one of the greatest Catholic schools, you've found it! Ave Maria is a great university complete with challenging academics, super supportive staff, a friendly atmosphere that makes you feel perfectly at home, ample opportunities to have fun, serve others, grow in your faith, and reach to new heights. I love going to Ave!
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Reanna from Hightstown, NJ
08/05/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 15 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety All around the clock security.
Greek Life Traditions among students, ethnic backgrounds!
Clubs and Activities Households, School Newspaper, Inter-Mural Sports, Dorms Wars, Dances, Halloween Parties, Art Club, Photography Club, Philosophy Club, all kinds!
Great for these types of students The campus life is welcoming and friendly, so many types of students attend and integrate together.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Late night runs to McDonald's, and Immokalee for delicious Mexican food, spending time at the park, movies.
What to do for fun Inter-mural Sports, Pool, The Bean Coffee shop, The Pub, Shopping in Naples, Nearby beaches, restaurants nearby, games, hanging out and having discussions, visiting R.A.'s on duty.
Food and Dining Although the food is not excellent, the cafateria offers a wide range of foods so you can choose from many options if you dislike a main course.
Dorm Life The dorm life at Ave is for any type of person, whether you enjoy social activities or living on your own. There is privacy, comfortable housing and bedding, and a wonderful environment for all.
Academic Rigor Excellent material for the students to study, challenging but enjoyable work, where you truly feel like you are learning.
Tips for prospective students Get ready for a healthy challenge that is truly rewarding, and a beautiful campus that welcomes students from any background.
In three sentences Ave Maria is a school that challenges students in a positive way, to try their hardest and truly devote themselves to academics. With excellent teachers and fine curriculum, the school is perfect for a liberal arts education. The school has encompassed social and extra curricular activities for a true college experience.
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Jelani from Winter Springs, FL
07/29/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 16 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Absolutely wonderful. You feel safe and at home.
Greek Life Just Beginning. The people who are involved have a blast, but I think its kind of lame. They began their own fraternities, or in their words, households.
Clubs and Activities Their are plenty of things to join. Lots of intramural sports, and lots of clubs. You can even create new clubs if you find the people and a sponsor.
Great for these types of students Catholic Students. Students Serious about their studies. Athletes who are trying to stay focused. And those who are looking for a quieter college life.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The oratory and gym and gym are well known locations on and off campus. An unusual (for college), but nice, tradition is that every night around 6 o'clock those in the cafeteria say a prayer together.
Bang for the buck Yes if this is what your looking for. Not even close if it is not.
What to do for fun Hang out with friends. Play sports. Create your own fun.
Food and Dining Some nights its good. Others absolutely horrible. I feel like people (including myself) just like to complain really. You will get tired of any cooking for the masses eventually no matter what school. The meals are what you make of them. Get creative on a bad night. Also it sucks how everything shuts down at 7PM.
Dorm Life Great. Each room or suite has its own bathroom. New dorms. You make friends with the people you live around fairly easy. Everyone is close by.
Academic Rigor The classes are fairly difficult, and your peers are extremely smart. Most professors seem understanding even though the course load can be challenging.
Tips for prospective students Study study study. Their is no excuse not to. Their is not much to do with your time if you are not. Oh, and don't drink too much, or do anything embarrassing. It's a small school so rumors and news spreads quickly. Through both the student population, and the administrators.
In three sentences Really Religious. Super Personable. A quiet place where you can maintain focus.
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Sandra from Holly Hill, FL
06/01/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
0 out of 2 people found this review useful. 17 of 22
Categories Comments Greek Life none
Great for these types of students one minded Catholic students
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus New school so there really isnt many traditions
Bang for the buck Some of the staff is great but finding great staff at that school is like finding a needle in a hay stack. While the school is great it could really use a make over in the people working there such as the dean of students and the majority of the teachers.
What to do for fun Hang with friends
Tips for prospective students Come in with an open mind
In three sentences A place where you can meet lifelong genuine friends. The staff is not warming to student athletes. Ave Maria is a very close-minded school.
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Daniel from Troy, MI
05/15/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 1 person found this inaccurate. 18 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety No incidents that I can recall. The student body is small and well behaved.
Greek Life None
Clubs and Activities Student Government, Campus newpaper, Theater, Swing club, running club, intramural sports, etc.
Great for these types of students A Catholic, desirous of a liberal arts education in a Catholic campus culture with the desire to claim an academic specialty, open to considering graduate school opportunities.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The Queen Mary Pub, the best place to get a pint on campus.
Bang for the buck It's a private school, so it will put you back a pretty penny. They do have substantial scholarship money available. Apply, request and you'll receive something.
What to do for fun Weekends you can head for the beach, or nearby Naples which is a 35 minute drive. There are numerous on campus activities, intramural sports, clubs, etc.
Food and Dining Pretty standard college cafeteria. Plain enough to make you miss mom's cooking, but not so bad that you skip a lot of meals or make your own.
Dorm Life The overwhelming majority of students make use of the on campus housing, living in groups of 3-7 sharing 4-5 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a kitchen and a common room. There are no co-ed dorms.
Academic Rigor It's not off the charts challenging, but the professors make you work, read and write. All members of the faculty are either Ivy Leaguers themselves or studied at other highly regarded institutions. The small student teacher ratio makes it impossible to slack off. Every student must perform.
Tips for prospective students Apply soon and schedule a campus visit through the admissions department. After your visit they will be able to send you a $300 travel reimbursement.
In three sentences If you are a student seeking out a truly Catholic university that proudly expresses, defends and promotes the Church's teachings both in and out of the classroom with an impressive and accomplished faculty, offering 20+ majors with a tight-knit student body, then Ave Maria University should be on your list. In addition to being nestled in sunny south-west Florida (only a 30 minutes drive to the Gulf of Mexico), the school is also boasts a beautifully landscaped campus, surrounded by the town of Ave Maria. For the serious student, desirous of a Catholic life in an intense academic setting with an excellent graduate student acceptance rate, Ave Maria would be a great fit.
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Billy from Sanderson, FL
04/08/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
4 out of 4 people found this review useful. 19 of 22
Categories Comments Campus Safety Twenty-four hour security patrolling the campus.
Greek Life The school goes by Latin instead of Greek.
Clubs and Activities Fraternities and clubs such as Rugby, Chess, and etc.
Great for these types of students Studious, hard working, dedicated students who want the best education in Florida.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Prays three times a day (the devoted) to bless the school and people who come and leave from here.
Bang for the buck Worth every penny towards your education.
What to do for fun Has a water park and a golf course. Also live events like music performances.
Food and Dining Great food and good chefs.
Dorm Life Rooms are in great condition. With its own bathrom and living area.
Academic Rigor Challenges all aspects and tools of your mind. Testing you to find your weaknesses.
Tips for prospective students Study agressively with all topics. Meet with the teachers to find out what they are looking for.
In three sentences The school is challenging. Facilities are remarkable. Faculty and staff help in anyway they can.
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Alexander from Naples, FL
03/03/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
0 out of 2 people found this review useful. 20 of 22
Categories Comments In three sentences the school is academically difficult. small campus which is good in classrooms. very friendly campus
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Caitlin from Ave Maria, FL
10/11/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
5 out of 6 people found this review useful. 1 person found this inaccurate. 21 of 22
Categories Comments Bang for the buck I would definitely say that it's worth every penny. You get a great, faithful, Catholic education and you live in a beautiful place with awesome people.
Am enjoying being here The campus is BEAUTIFUL and the people here are some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. There are a lot of fun things to do, and the campus is about 45 minutes from the beach. In the fall, it's very breezy and balmy, not too hot and not too cold. The dorms are awesome and very comfortable and you get to know your roommates really well.
Am learning a lot I'm taking all freshman courses right now and all of my teachers are great! The class sizes are small, but that's actually a good thing because it allows for more one on one time with teachers and they don't have to deal with as many students as a huge state university so they actually are able to care about whether the students here do well or not. Also, all of the teachers here are required to sign the Mandatum, which means that they are not allowed to teach things against the teachings of the Catholic Church. This is vital to me, because I'm Catholic and I want a Catholic education, but several Catholic universities that claim to be Catholic are surprisingly unfaithful, and it can be really tough to learn when the teachers spend class time pushing their own agenda on you. They don't do that here, and I'm very happy about that.
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Kristin from Mason, OH
12/21/2009Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
9 out of 10 people found this review useful. 22 of 22
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Students who are Catholic/Christian and want to form a better relationship with God Students who like the idea of a small student body, small classes Students who want a challenge academically and who aren't all about parties Students who love Florida weather!
Tips for prospective students If you live far away like me (I live almost 20 hours away!) try and find somebody who goes to Ave Maria already via Facebook and lives nearby you. Become friends with them (it's not creepy! really!) and see if maybe you guys could carpool on breaks! When you get to Ave Maria, take advantage of the tight knit community! Get to know everybody and get involved on campus! If there isn't the right club for you, start one! The best advice I can give is to get involved and soak up the sun at Ave!@#$%^&*
Bang for the buck One of the greatest things about this school is that they have a tendency to give out good scholarships! Likely the most important decision in choosing where I was going to college is the cost. When I spoke to an admissions counselor for Ave over the phone, I discussed my situation with her and recall her saying, We hate for any person not to be able to attend this school because they can't afford it. They were right! I only got a 22 on my ACT and had a 3.5 GPA along with average sports and volunteer service and they gave me a pretty hefty scholarship! I think AMU is probably one of the best colleges in the country. This place has everything! Incredible academics, great people and community and a beautiful campus and surrounding area. Ave Maria has everything you can ever ask for in a university!
Will enjoy being here Making the decision to come to Ave Maria is one of the best I have ever made. Not only is it an incredible school, the people here are probably the friendliest and most caring bunch of people I have ever surrounded myself with. The number of students here is teeny tiny so just like in any close knit community, everybody knows each other and everybody looks out for one another as well. The town that surrounds the campus is stunning and when you walk through, you feel like you are walking the streets in beautiful Venice, Italy. There is so much to do here! When I was looking at colleges, I wanted a place where there was definitely parties to attend but more importantly lots to do in the area that didn't include the stereotypical college experience (ie alcohol,sex etc). Miami is about an hour away along with the Florida Keys and some gorgeous beaches are a short car ride away as well. Another thing, you have got to see the dorms here! Most dorm rooms at OTHER colleges are small, dirty, cramped and kinda crappy. Not at Ave Maria though! There are two types of dorm rooms. The regular dorm room and suites. The typical dorm room that most students stay in their first and second year is a clean, BIG room with its own individual bathroom suited with a shower, sink, toilet of course (that's right, not hall bathrooms that you share with twenty other people!) and connected to the bathroom is another dorm for two people. A lot of times, Dormers convert their connected rooms into an apartment! We are putting the four beds in one room and in the connecting room, a futon, tv and desks to create a little living area! Ave Maria is AMAZING like that (:
Will learn a lot Ave Maria is semi difficult to get in because the academics are vigorous and the school is excellent in the liberal arts area. If you are considering pursuing a career in law, I suggest you check Ave Maria University out. The law program here is ranked highly right alongside the big law schools. The classes are pretty intense but class sizes are small and professors try their best to form personal relationships with each student so that they can get the best education possible. Professors are normally available after class as well. To be successful here, you just have to try hard and FOCUS! It's difficult sometimes to concentrate on your schoolwork when gorgeous beaches are 20 minutes away, Miami and the Florida Keys are about an hour away as well. I highly suggest Ave Maria University for any student looking for a challenge.
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