Central Arizona College
Coolidge, AZ, USA

Reviews

Central Arizona College

Haley from Queen Creek, AZ

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Central Arizona College is a wonderful place to go for students starting a college career right out of high school, or adults returning to school to get their degrees. Everyone on campus, from students to teachers, is very open and friendly, and more then willing to show new students around. The main campus itself is rather large, but being nestled at the base of a mountain, displays beautiful scenery and provides an excellent place to star gaze at night for any astronomy students.
Tips for prospective students
A few tips for prospective students would be to take full advantage of any tours offered around campus. Its easy to get lost if you don't know where you're headed, so taking a tour could save you a lot of time getting to class. Another good tip is to apply for on campus housing if you're able to; the dorms there are great because they allow you to be living right there on campus so you don't have to worry about driving to school every day in order to attend classes. My final tip would be to talk with the advisers there to find out if the degree you want to go in for is offered there at the school. Finding out later that the degree you want isn't offered there is never a good thing.
Academic Rigor
The classes offered at CAC will definitely put you to the test, but they aren't as scary as one might come to believe. Your professors will push you to do your best, but unlike in high school, they won't take any late assignments or accept any make up work if you're failing the class because of your own mistakes. All of the classes offer their own challenges, but if you just do the work correctly and study for tests, then I can assure you that you'll be fine.
Every class has a different challenge to it, for example, if you're taking a biology class, its much more then just learning about evolution and what we're made up of. The challenge to the class is doing all of the labs correctly, and doing well on the tests, as well as learning about the building blocks of life, and how to apply what you learned in the class to other aspects of your life.
Dorm Life
The dorms at CAC are really great. The main campus offers three different types of student housing; towers, quads, and suites. All of the dorms have internet access, though only in the tower dorms will you not be able to access the school's wifi.
The quads ans suites are similar in the fact that they are composed of four rooms, two bathrooms, and a living room. Two people share each room, and four people share the bathroom. The only difference between the suites and quads is that the quads are one story, the suites are two story.
The towers are a three story building with the top two floors made up of the dorm rooms, very similar to how apartment spaces are laid out. Two side by side rooms are connected by a shared bathroom, and again its two people to each room. For the towers, an Ethernet cable is required.
Living in the dorms gives students another benefit, a nineteen-meal-per-week plan that gives you access to, well, nineteen meals a week in the school's cafeteria.
Students also have access to washers and dryers in several laundry rooms located around the dorm areas, however, they don't come free, you'll need a prepaid laundry card in order to use them. You can get this card easily though, and reload it whenever the need arises.
Food and Dining
There are several different places to eat around campus, weather you're looking for a quick snack, or a meal between classes. The easiest places to get two are the main cafeteria, which offers access to a full all-you-can-eat bar ranging anywhere from $5 to $12 dollars a person depending on what meal is being served.
Right next to the cafeteria is the Top of the Stairs snack-bar. Its not just for snacking however, they have a full grill in the back where you can purchase burgers, pizza, or even chicken strips or veggie burgers. There is also a salad bar, and every morning they have an assortment of pastries for sale. In the mood for just a snack? Try the brownies, they're definitely worth the dollar you'll spend on them.
Located on the opposite end of campus is another snack-bar, though this one is just for that purpose, snacks. Here you can purchase chips, soda, water, pastries, and a few other snack foods to help keep your stomach from rumbling during classes.
What to do for fun
Different kinds of fun activities take place throughout the year on campus. Several times a month, an open mic contest is held in the Vicaro Lounge, a place for students to get together and hang out. A few times a semester, concerts have been preformed in the grassy area between buildings, affectionately nicknamed the green.
Various other fun events are held around campus, like sports competitions. Basketball and dodge ball competitions have been held on camps before for teams of students that signed up to participate.
Bang for the buck
Going to a community college is more cost efficient then attending a university right away, and the same can be said for CAC. They offer a wide variety of options to help you pay for school, and their classes won't pull as much out of your wallet as a university might. The dorms are offered at a surprisingly low cost as well, so if you're thinking about on campus housing then they're definitely something you want to think about looking into.
Campus Safety
If you're worried about campus safety, then this is definitely a school you want to think about going to. CAC is equipped with a 24/7 fully trained police force, not just the rent-a-cops you might see on other campuses. All of the officers there are fully trained and are able to handle almost any situation that needs their assistance. They're all also former police officers from other city's police forces, so you can rest assured knowing that they are the best protection you can get for any college campus.

Carole from Mesa, AZ

accepted here and planning to attend soon
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
I enjoyed the school very much. I would love to attend full time.
Will enjoy being here
The teachers were very good.
Bang for the buck
The price for credits are only $62.00 a credit.
Tips for prospective students
Get all you can out of the classes, you won't be sorry.
Great for these types of students
They have large variety of classes you can take. It's grown since I was there in 2002.

Mark from CasaGrande, AZ

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Their online classes utilize the blackboard instructional method, and they are very good. The support you receive is very useful. The feedback from the professors is prompt and conducive to a good learning atmosphere,
Tips for prospective students
The curriculum at CAC is very challenging, and requires dedication and commitment to studying and participating in the subject matter. College is very fast paced and needs to be taken seriously. Your GPA is very important in getting scholarships.
Academic Rigor
The academics at CAC are designed to make you think critically. They are real world based with and will help prepare you for your future. Choose classes that required for your degree, but also the must be of interest to you.
Dorm Life
They have a dormitory on campus I do not use it. The students that I talk to seem to enjoy the experience. the cost is very reasonable. CAC does have a awesome student activities program.
Food and Dining
The campus has a variety of food choices available. The choices are abundant, the quality of the food is good for the price. They have 2 cafeterias to choose from.
What to do for fun
CAC has a lot of activities for students. They also have a great intramural program. They have a work out center and a pool. Their athletic programs are one of the best in the country.
Bang for the buck
Tuition is very low, the education is well worth the $72.00 credit hour. CAC has several degree programs that are transferable to 4-year colleges. I am taking advantage of one of their programs that allows me to take 90 credits at CAC that transfer to NAU and I will only need 30 credits to get my Bachelors from NAU. That is a huge savings.
Great for these types of students
Beginning, on-line and returning students who do not have a bachelors degree. There are so many different classes to choose from, and CAC has a lot of different campuses. This college is a low cost alternative to the high cost of education. You can get a great education.It will prepare you for your future as well getting you ready for the 4-year university.
Clubs and Activities
CAC is very active for their size. They have clubs like Art club, Campus Crusade for Christ, Business Club, Funny Biz, HOSA, Phi Theta Kappa, Stem, and several others. All of these clubs are very active and a positive influence on the campus
Campus Safety
I always feel very safe on campus. They have a police training course on campus as well as a Fireman's course. Security is very noticeable.

Kirk from Chandler Heights, AZ

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Great online classes, teachers are hilarious, administration needs to lighten up, student employees are all girls which i hate because its sexist
Tips for prospective students
take online classes
Academic Rigor
decent
Dorm Life
looking into getting a dorm
Food and Dining
hope they have a variety
What to do for fun
attend sports games
Bang for the buck
70 dollars a credit hour

Ann from Arizona City, AZ

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
After many years of being out of school, I feel your never too old to learn something new.
Will enjoy being here
After many years of being out of school will enjoy being there to earn my associates.
Bang for the buck
Pricing is comparable to other Community Colleges and much less than what it would cost to attend a University within the first two years of college.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure classes you are needing to take will be transferable if you plan on attending a University later on.
Great for these types of students
All types young and old =D

Katelyn from Coolidge, AZ

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I'm not only learning curriculum here at CAC but I'm learning so much about living on campus, staying on track, and setting goals that will take me to a 4-year university after this.
Am enjoying being here
It may sound crazy because this is a JC, but I LOVE being here! Because it is such a small college, everyone knows each other (even people that don't live on campus!!) which regardless of drama is a great experience. I would definately say that getting involved and being yourself will pay off in the long run, it has for me & I'm not even at my 2nd year here. =)
Bang for the buck
Taking advantage of going to a Junior College before a University is a smart move. You get classes out of the way that would be twice as expensive at a University while getting accurate and most importantly, friendly help.
Tips for prospective students
* Don't be afraid to get your work done early!
* If you have a question about ANYTHING, ASK!!
* Go to every athletic event you can =)
* Go to ANY school event you can, you'll meet great people on the way.
* (Sounds cheezy!!..but) BE YOU! No one is worth changing for and people like to try and influence you, but it's all a game. DON'T play it. =)
Great for these types of students
- Athletes
- Artistically driven
- People looking for a college experience before they're thrown out with the BIG DOGS.