Hood College
Frederick, MD, USA

Reviews

Hood College

Katie from Hagerstown, MD

accepted here and planning to attend soon
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
The classes are smaller, so I feel like students have a better relationship with their professors.
Will enjoy being here
Beautiful campus!
Bang for the buck
The tuition seems really expensive, but the finacial aid office is great. There are plenty of big scholarships, and they'll bring the price down below your EFC by at least a few thousand.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you visit! At first I was worried, because no one really knows about it. But it really is a hidden treasure.
Great for these types of students
If you want a smaller class size, hands on experience, and a small campus near major cities, then it is a great place for you.

Austin from Williamsport, MD

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Academic Rigor
Classes are very tough but the teachers will work with you.
Dorm Life
Everyone is really friendly as if it is just one big family
Food and Dining
The food is not very good and seems to be over-priced

Jillian from Germantown, MD

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It's an amazing school with professors that are not just great in their fields but are also great at teaching. The foods not awesome but I heard it's better than at some places. Over all it's a friendly and inviting place to meet people.
Tips for prospective students
Come see the campus during the class week because most people here are commuters and it can be very quiet. Not good for people who want a party school or even just a large school. It's only a little bigger than my high school kind of feel.
Academic Rigor
The teachers are amazing at their fields but there are high expectations and many students don't graduate within four years. I have to take classes over the summer and winter breaks and I am still not sure if I'll graduate on time.
Dorm Life
There's a dorm for every type of person. If you want a dorm with a lot of parties we have one. If you want a dorm that's quite and easy to study we have that. And they are mostly all high quality.
Food and Dining
The cafeteria food is typical school food but they do have specialty bars that are extremely tasty. There is also something called Blazer bucks that you can use to get some even tastier food after or during the cafeteria hours.
What to do for fun
There are many different organizations with a wide variety. There is something for everyone. There is not a whole lot that goes on during the weekends and off campus.
Bang for the buck
It's very expensive but they give out financial aid and work study. It is a private college and my biggest class was 31 people. You get plenty of one on one time with teacher, and free tutoring.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
One tradition is that you have to smile and say Hi to everyone you pass on campus.
Great for these types of students
Students that work hard and are friendly.
Clubs and Activities
There are plenty of clubs with a wide variety and some sports.
Greek Life
There is no greek life on campus.
Campus Safety
There is campus safety officers all over campus that are friendly and willing to help you with whatever is needed.

T'Mera from Landover, MD

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Hood College is a very family friendly place. This school provides good opportunities academically. Once you become a Hood student they support you throughout the rest of your life.
Tips for prospective students
-Make sure the college you choose is a good fit for you.
-Don't simply choose a school because it is fun.
-Plan ahead and have some positive of time management.
Academic Rigor
Hood is very strong in academics and holds their students to high standards.
Dorm Life
The dorms serve as little communities on campus and are filled with lots of activities for students.
Food and Dining
Many options are available to Hood students including to go meals, vegan meals, as well as buffet style dining.
What to do for fun
Downtown Frederick
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Hood is very big on traditions. One that took me by surprise is the Hood Hello which is simply speaking to your peers as you walk by even if they are strangers.
Greek Life
No greek life.
Campus Safety
We have 24 hour safety desks, blue emergency lights/phones on campus, red emergency phones in each dorm, etc.

Megan from Baltimore, MD

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Hood College has some wonderful academic departments and the professors truly wish for your success. The administrators tend to focus on outward appearance and make some decisions that do not make logical sense to students. Also the tuition price is high, but for the quality of the academics and the sense of community, it is worth it.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved with campus activities and clubs right away. You are not going to be here very long and the sooner you get involved, the more you will get out of the many organizations on campus. Show that you are interested in your education and put your name out there to the academic departments you want to be involved with.
Academic Rigor
There is a lot of work that goes into every major and sometimes its overwhelming. However, the classes are challenging in a positive way and make sure you can't just cruise your way through college.
Dorm Life
The resident assistants in each dorm hold events all the time, but not many people attend them. Some dorms are a little outdated, but the furniture is all really nice and the dorm rooms aren't too small. There are some party people, but they can be easily avoided if that's not your group.
Food and Dining
The food could be a little better in the dining hall, but you can always find something to eat in there. The only other on campus food places are pricey, but the food quality makes it somewhat worth it. They have a healthier expensive food option and a fast-food type cheaper option.
What to do for fun
The Campus Activities Board puts on event all the time and so do the club organizations. There is also a gaming room available and a lounge area in the Campus center. The downtown is literally right next door and there are plenty of quirky shops and cafes there.
Bang for the buck
The price is high, but so are many other colleges now a days. If you get involved and take advantage of your studies, then it is definitely worth it.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
In the center of the quad is The Pergola which has many superstitions and stories surrounding it. One is that if you split the poles with someone you are walking with, you won't be friends after graduation. There are also many ghost stories about Brodbeck Music Hall. Additionally, every year has an assigned color and at commencement your first year, you receive a dink, a little beanie cap, in your class color that you keep from then on. We where them at all the major academic events. It looks silly, but it a cutesy tradition and bring the student body together.
Great for these types of students
Hood is great for student who like small campuses. You get to recognize about everyone on campus and can make connections easily. It's not a party school, but there is still fun events and such to participate in and its not a school for slackers.
Clubs and Activities
There are many different clubs on campus, but starting one will take some time. The process itself is not hard, but Student Life is not timely approving the applications. The clubs themselves are very active and host many different events. There is a club for almost any group you can think of.
Greek Life
There is no Greek life on campus. However, there are honors societies that do community work and some events. Also, some students are trying to start a fraternity.
Campus Safety
Campus safety is wonderful. All of them are understanding and helpful, but will crack down on those causing problems. Hood has multiple emergency phone stations all over campus that goes directly to campus safety in the event of an emergency. They will also come pick you up in a car if you feel uncomfortable walking where you are.

Alaina from Lincoln University, PA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Hood College is a small liberal arts school located forty minutes from the fun and exciting life of two major Maryland cities, Washington D.C. and Baltimore. Students that earn a degree from Hood become well rounded individuals. The Hood community is full of kind, loving, and compassionate people, that make you feel like you are home.
Tips for prospective students
It is essential to apply early and avoid extra fees.
Be sure to visist our campus, and meet with faculty, staff and students.
It is a good idea to ask a variety of Hood students their experiences on campus.
Be sure to do your best in school and really pay attention, that way you understand the material the first time, and will have more free time.
Academic Rigor
According to US news under the education articles, Hood ranks number 26 out of 100 in the north of best schools to attend. That is a very good number given the number of Ivy Leagues located in the North. Almost every Hood College student, and a large number of the professors will tell you, Any degree from Hood promises success.
Dorm Life
There are five dorm halls on campus, Coblentz Hall (located above the dining hall), Shriner Hall (all girls dorm), Meyran Hall, Smith Hall, and Memorial Hall. All dorm halls are co-ed except for Shriner. The majority of the rooms have two room-mates. You can request a single room, although it is extra and I do not recommend for first-years. All dorm halls are quipped with kitchens, laundry rooms, and computer labs, all free of charge for full time students.
Food and Dining
The Coblentz Dining Hall has a large variety of food: salad and vegetable bar, pizza, deli sandwiches, soups, grill items, vegan bar, made to order pastas and salads, and many sweets in the dessert area to choose from. The hours of operation are from 7 am to 8 pm Yet, they do close for one or two hours during the day to prepare for dinner. During this time the Blazer and the Freshie located in Whitaker Commons are always open until 11pm.
What to do for fun
There are so many things to do for fun at Hood College. 95% of the time the student activities board has various activities planned for weekends and one or two weeknights. Washington D.C. and Baltimore city are only a short forty minute drive away. Downtown Frederick is full of restaurants and unique little shops! There is Cunningham State park 15 minutes up the road where students can explore hiking trails, lakes, and natural waterfalls.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Hood College has a Pergola, which is located in the center of campus and is a great place to relax. In the summer time when it is 96 degrees outside it feels like it is 75 degrees under the Pergola. It is a very pretty attribute to Hood College. Just be sure not to split the poles in the middle, its a hood tradition. If you are walking with a friend through the Pergola and you walk opposite sides of the pole, according to Hood tradition you will most likely no longer be friends. Hood College gives every student a dynk which is a little cap and each grade has a different color. The dynking ceremony is a very popular ceremony at Hood College!
Great for these types of students
Hood College is a great college for students who enjoy small learning envrionments class sizes do not exceed 35 people. It is a great place for students who wish to seek a well rounded education and explore a little bit of everythinglife has to offer.
Clubs and Activities
There are an abundant number of activties offered at Hood College, Academic/Departmental Organizations
â?¢ Cultural Organizations
â?¢ Governing/Representative Organizations
â?¢ Media Organizations
â?¢ Performance Organizations
â?¢ Programming Organizations
â?¢ Service Organizations
â?¢ Social Organizations
â?¢ Spiritual Organizations
Campus Safety
Campus Safety patrols on their bikes, cars, and by foot. They are everywhere and anywhere when you need them. Blood emergency telephones are located all throughout campus to ensure safety.

OLIVIA from Pompton Plains, NJ

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Hood College focuses on the individual student by providing small class sizes and big learning opportunities. It's location in a Frederick offers the feel of a small town with the exposure to many large city amenities and access to Baltimore and Washington D.C. The campus layout allows for ease of class scheduling, studying, and recreation.
Tips for prospective students
Be prepared for many social opportunities within the boundaries of the campus as well as the outside community.
Academic Rigor
Classes are what you make of them. All levels of educational opportunity are available, from basic to honors, each with their own level of academic expectations.
Dorm Life
Comfortable setting with numerous team building opportunities.
Food and Dining
All types of food variety in a comfortable setting, along with quick grab and go on campus.
What to do for fun
Frederick is both a historic town and a modern city, with shops and site seeing blocks from the campus. Buses are available to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and Zip cars are available on campus.
Bang for the buck
Tuition, fees, and meal plans consistent with a public, state school with many scholarship opportunities and on campus employment available.
Campus Safety
Around the clock security and a location in a city ranked in the top 5% for safety.

Cory from Seven Valleys, PA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Tips for prospective students
High rate tuition, but offers unlimited financial support, organizations, internships, and plenty of opportunities to receive scholarships.
Academic Rigor
Tons of classes to choose from, but a lot of the classes require you to be hard working and not slack.
Dorm Life
So many diverse people. Easy to make friends with same interests and different interests. Big rooms plenty of space for your personal needs.
Food and Dining
The food is ok, not 5 star rating food though.
What to do for fun
Millions of organizations, sports,events, activities. Just added a new swimming pool and upgraded the gym.
Bang for the buck
You will have to spend quite a bit out of pocket first year, but once you get your foot in the door you will be good to go and on your way to getting a degree and fulfilling your dreams.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
One big tradition on campus is the Hood Hello. What this is, is when you walk by anybody you always say Hello because the campus is a small community about 2,500 students everybody knows each other.
Great for these types of students
Hood is for everybody whether it be interests, race, ethnicity, social standings, commuter, resident or transferring hood is for everybody.
Clubs and Activities
Tons of clubs. Ranging from martial arts, to African American social club, video game club working on communication and team skills, to helping military veterans to helping students on campus. You think it Hood has it. Also you cant start your own club if you have 4 other people and have a description of what you want to do and Hood gives you budget to start with.
Campus Safety
Campus is very safe. It's in Fredrick Maryland and is part of the top 10 safest towns in the nation.

Stacey from Columbia, MD

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
From touring the campus of Hood College it is easy to interpret that even though the school is smaller and less populated than your average University, this factor does nothing but work in it's favor. The small canvas in Frederick, MD is cozy but yet still spacious and offers all the essential accommodations for a student to succeed in college life such as academic counseling centers, career services, libraries, student lounge areas, etc. The fact that the school is smaller gives students a better chance to reach out to their teachers for help and feel less overwhelmed.
Tips for prospective students
Considering I haven't yet attended Hood College, it is hard for me to comment on this matter.
Academic Rigor
I have heard nothing but prestige about the academic aspect of Hood College. My high school teachers, friends, bosses, and people who I've merely just run into a conversation with talk very highly of Hood college and all the internships, research, and assistance they offer when helping their students reach their career goals.
Dorm Life
When I visited Hood college in February, my tour guide showed me three dorm buildings for the students. One was all girls, one was co-ed with girl and boys separated by floors, and the other was co-ed with girls and boys on the same floor. Considering Hood was once an all women's college, this must have been a fairly recent addition. The dorm rooms had a great college feel to it with all the needed necessities and spacious closet room and more than enough space for two others. Along with the rooms, each dorm building has a themed lounge rooms for the students.
Food and Dining
When I toured Hood college and had lunch there for the day, I was especially impressed with the cafeteria. Their was several food options in the buffet area as well as a fresh salad bar. The students in the cafeteria seemed very content and comfortable in their environment and all seemed to get along.
What to do for fun
Once I enter my Fall 2012 semester at Hood, I will definitely take advantage of the luscious scenery of campus for biking. Also, since Hood is fairly close to Downtown Frederick, I definitely plan to stop by there every weeks or so and soak in the city life.

Augusta from Mechanicsburg, PA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
There's a great science curriculum here and I have learned so much in the bio and chem courses I've taken. The teachers are wonderful and will go out of their way to help!
Am enjoying being here
It's a small campus, which I'm used to (I graduated with 20 other kids that I'd been with since 1st grade) and everyone is cheerful and friendly. You get the sense that its a big family and its great.
Bang for the buck
Tuition seems really expensive, but there are a lot of grants and scholarships that help out and financial aid will really help to lower your expenses to a much lower price.
Tips for prospective students
Definitely visit, attend the different Prospective students days and sit in on a class. It really helps.