Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA, USA

Reviews

Buena Vista University

Beth from Mapleton, IA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
I am planning on majoring in biology. If science or the medical field is what you are looking at, BVU is the place to go. It has one of the best science departments in Iowa and has a very cool medical internship program at the local hospital.
Will enjoy being here
Seeing as I am not in college, I cannot give an accurate rating on this, but every time I visited campus, everyone seems friendly.
Bang for the buck
Although this school may be quite expensive (what private university isn't?), they are very generous with financial aid and are willing to work with your situation.
Tips for prospective students
Get to know your admissions counselor. They rock! They also like to check in to make sure you are meeting your deadlines and are always willing to help you.
Great for these types of students
Great for people who don't want to get 'lost' in a giant sea of people.

Ayla from Dyer, IN

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am really learning a lot at BV. This school is really challenging me academically along with helping me achieve my dreams. The professors challenge the students in order to make them better, for me that means my science professors are helping me learn more about science and what I might later see in the MCAT as my dream is to later apply to medical school and become a doctor.
Am enjoying being here
I have really enjoyed my first year at BV. The students are very friendly, as you walk past you are almost always guaranteed to get a friendly smile or a Hi, how's it going? even if you don't know many people on campus. The professors have also helped me enjoy my time at BV thus far, they are always there to help. Professors give all their students their office hours and email should any student ever have a question, so feel free to stop by their office when you have doubts or worries in the class.
Tips for prospective students
Give this school a try. Come for a visit and check what the school offers you. During your visit check how comfortable you feel on the campus, can you see yourself attending classes at the different buildings? can you see yourself eating in the Ballroom or Cent room talking with your friends? Only you can figure this all out for yourself.
Great for these types of students
In my opinion this school is great for any student wishing to find a small campus size. Majority of the classes are small and even my largest lecture class was not as big as I would have pictured and it was definitely a lot smaller than I was told at other universities.

Ashley from Saint Louis, MO

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Everyday I learn something new from the teachers and students on campus. I learned that smaller schools are great schools to go to if you are really worried bout your education; they want you to pass higher than a C (you can only pass classes if you have a C or higher)
Am enjoying being here
It is very different for me. It is a big transition from an all African-American school to prodominatley white university. But it is amazing here, there are very nice people on campus and off.
Bang for the buck
Even though it an expensive school, its worth it. You don't just get an academic education you also get a life lessons. There are so many things I have learned and those are kept in my head in a folder. :)
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you want to go to this school before coming here, cause it does get cold, very cold. And some people transfer cause of the weather. Also make sure you have loans, scholarship, whatever to come here, they may give you money, but you need to make sure you have enough to pay for it all.
Great for these types of students
This school is an awesome school for those who are used to small schools and want to make great grades, there is always a place to study besides the library and your room.

Austin from Bondurant, IA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Buena Vista University has a beautiful campus and great facilities to make it feel right at home. Students are very friendly and professors have a passion for what they do. It is a well-rounded awesome school.
Academic Rigor
Professors are fully willing to pursue your goal with you as long as you are willing to put forth the effort.
Dorm Life
The dorms are a great way to get to know your fellow classmates. There are good times when they are people hanging out in the lounge and there are also times where it's nice and peaceful.
Food and Dining
The food is great! All-you-can-eat and a wide spread of food choices every meal.

Katrina from Emmetsburg, IA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I transfered from a community college to Buena Vista University. The college advisors have been so helpful in setting up my classes. I would suggest this college to anyone.
Tips for prospective students
Do some research into different colleges that may interest you. Also make sure before you choose this school that you are financially prepared for the cost. I would highly suggest talking to an admissions counselor to discuss your path.
Academic Rigor
Classes at Buena VIsta are challanging however professors are more than willing to help you throughout courses.
Dorm Life
I do not live in the dorms.
Food and Dining
I have not ate on property.
What to do for fun
I do not attend on campus.

Abigail from Waukee, IA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
BVU is a small university nestled in the quaint town of Storm Lake. It is a university known for its science department. Overall, many students find it to be a school and home for them.
Tips for prospective students
Figure out your major quickly, it makes life less stressful if you know what you want going into college.
Academic Rigor
For what I have seen the academics there are very good for the sciences and social sciences. BVU has an awesome computer science program with professors that really know their subject well.
Dorm Life
The dorms looked clean. Pierce and White Hall were just renovated a couple years ago and give a nice view of the scenery. There were lots of social and study areas.
Food and Dining
I thought the food was great with lots of options. There is lots of tables and space to eat and people watch or study. My favorite time to study is while I eat anyway.
What to do for fun
You can play a varsity or intermural sport. King's Pointe, is a waterpark in walking distance from which is fun in the late spring. You can also hang out at the lake or go to a bar. There are plenty of events that the SAB hosts on campus like movie night.
Bang for the buck
It is expensive, but merit scholarships can knock down the price to near or equivalent to a state university
Great for these types of students
People interested in the Sciences.
Greek Life
Non-existent.
Campus Safety
On the campus visits I have taken the security seemed very good. They also seemed approachable with any questions you may have.

Makenzie from Glenville, MN

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I rate Buena Vista University 8/10.
Because Buena Vista is a smaller University, the teachers and faculty have always been able to help me, making my first semester a fantastic one. Buena Vista University is also a place where I can express my creativity in their 24 hour art studios and experience different opportunities.
Tips for prospective students
In order to experience BVU (or whatever college you decide) in a positive way, I strongly believe in keeping up with your financial aid and applying for scholarships. School can get expensive, so make sure you don't let that affect your college experience negatively.
Academic Rigor
I may be a bit biased, but I believe Buena Vista challenges me to think in new ways and tests my previous knowledge while introducing new knowledge.
Dorm Life
I live in a small dorm but I am applying for a suite with a couple of friends next semester. The dorm I currently live in is small like i said but me and my roommate have found ways to make it spacious but cozy. The residence hall I dorm in is newly remolded and is an easy access to one of the main buildings of the University.
Food and Dining
Each month we have a Marquise Brunch. It's one of our favorite parts of BVU because the food is outstanding and there is a ton of variety. The typical food served is good as well but like all school food, by the second semester you wish there was more variety.
What to do for fun
I am in the Graphic Design Club which i fun for me because that is what I am into. Also, here at BVU, there is a student led organization called SAB. They host many awesome events here including comedians, slam poetry nights, grocery bingo, midnight movies at the local theater, etc. The best part however is that it is all free.
Bang for the buck
This school is more on the expensive side but totally worth. I have had so many fun experiences and i's only my second semester!
Campus Safety
The safety of our campus is very important. Each student is given the Campus Security phone number at the beginning of the year and there these blue light emergency buttons spread out through the parking lots in case something happens.

Krystal from Carroll , IA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The family feel and excellent education at Buena Vista University makes BVU 9 out of 10 in my book. It is by far a top of the line university.
Tips for prospective students
Buena Vista is a very friendly university and is very easy to become a member of. The professor care about you and the environment is very calm, yet fun. Learning and fitting in is very easy to do at Buena Vista University.
Academic Rigor
Buena Vista offers many different majors and minors. The professors are very knowledgeable in their fields and are very resourceful. Also, BVU has the latest technology and keeps all of the students very updated.
Dorm Life
The dorms at BV are very clean and are a fun yet studious environment. The size of the dorms are really great and really easy to live in.
Food and Dining
Buena Vista's food is catered by Sodexo. There are a lot of varieties and they give you lots of healthy and different options. BVU uses student input to better their food and keep the students happy.
What to do for fun
SAB is a student activity board at Buena Vista that brings in many different activities for the school. There is a outdoor adventure club as well that allows you to ice skate, paddle boat and etc.
Bang for the buck
BVU definitely gives you your bang for the buck through campus activities and travels opportunities alone. Then they help you with internships and help set you for a job after graduation. As an alumni they treat you like a king and queen as well.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Walking through the arch is a big tradition on campus and you can only walk under it twice or you won't graduation. We also have a victory bell that we ring 4 times a year. We also have a tradition of taking a whole day off from classes and the whole school volunteers.
Great for these types of students
Great for students who want small classes and like the family feeling of a school.
Clubs and Activities
There are over 30 clubs and activities offered at BVU. If a club isn't on campus that a student wants to be on campus BVU will help them start the club themselves.
Campus Safety
Our safety is top notch. We have campus security at all hours that make sure the campus is safe. We also have an alert system that keeps us notified at all times for all situations.

Jenna from Albia, IA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
There is a wide array of programs to choose from, and the instructors have real world experience in the subjects they are teaching.
Will enjoy being here
The Storm Lake campus is beautiful, and Buena Vista has several other remote campuses throughout Iowa, making it convenient for students living off-campus as well as on.
Great for these types of students
I am a C6-7 quadriplegic and the admissions employees were very accommodating and helpful when I registered for fall classes at the Ottumwa campus. They were genuinely interested in me as a person in addition to my goals as a student.