Marywood University
Scranton, PA, USA

Reviews

Marywood University

Suzanne from Meshoppen, PA

a current student here
9 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The professors here are amazing. They are friendly and well-versed in the subjects that they teach. When they say you can come to them if you have any problems or need any extra help, they sincerely mean it.
Am enjoying being here
Life at college is so much more fun than high school was. The atmosphere is really positive and the staff and students are very open-minded. It's a fairly quiet campus which is just the way I like it.
Bang for the buck
Marywood costs a lot more than some colleges and universities do, but I'd say it's worth it. They offer a lot of financial aid and are very flexible in terms of payment. For the costs of attending school, though, we get a lot of stuff in return. There are free events every week, from comedians and musicians to stress-busters in the student lounge. The dining services have also improved a LOT in the past few years.
Tips for prospective students
Community service is a very important to Marywood University and they love people who volunteer. Go out and volunteer. Not only does it benefit the community, but it'll help you stand out when applying to Marywood.
Great for these types of students
This campus is ideal for people looking for a small, quiet, and mature college experience. It's a great transition for anyone who comes from a very rural town.

Student

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Marywood University is very unique in the fact they offer a wide variety of classes. From art, fien arts, math, history, foreign languages, sciences, etc...Marywood has it. Also, Marywood is a liberal arts college which means the University prides itself in producing well-rounded students. This will better help these students at life by helping them find a job in the current economy.
Am enjoying being here
The community here is very small and close-knit. whenever you walk you will see at least one person you know on the way to class. Everyone is very nice and are more than happy to help. Plus, everyone say hello to you on campus, whether they know you are not.
Bang for the buck
Marywood University is amazing regarding scholarships. I applied to over ten school, all of them recognized for giving scholarships, and Marywood gave me the most money.
Tips for prospective students
Applying
Advice: Apply early as possible. There are certain scholarships that have a deadline.
Scholarships
Advice: Keep up GPA, work hard on SATs (they do matter), volunteer alot, and take APs/honors if possible.
------As of this year Marywood has a scholarship called Marywood Scholars its $20,000 a year ($80,000 overall). To get this you need a GPA of 3.5 in high school and 1200 or higher in SATs.

SATs/ACTs:
Sudy for SATs- instead of cramming just do one or two problems a day. Take advantage of any prep classes/tutors.
ACTs- Take the ACTs if you can. They cannot hurt you. Many people do better on them than the SATs. Plus, it will look good if you have both. Though, it is not necessary.
Great for these types of students
Marywood University is perfect for student who love to community service and like to learn about different subjects. Students who come here like small schools where people know who you are. Being active in the school community is a good way to meet people.

Keandra from Pine Grove, PA

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Marywood University is a liberal arts school, focused on an all around education for all students. The class sizes are relatively small, making it easy to connect with your professors on a personal basis in class. Many student activities are provided for on campus students, provided by the Student Activities Committee.
Tips for prospective students
Visit the campus. Right now we are under construction, but it's hard to find a campus that actually has trees anymore. There are activity fields as well as a beach volleyball court outside to go to in the spring. Take a day and talk with your admissions counselor to sit in on a few classes to see just what Marywood is all about.
Academic Rigor
Academics here are a primary focus. Since it is a liberal arts school, you will be enrolled in classes outside of your major. These classes include philosophy, fine arts, psychology, religious studies, and many other courses you may not be used to taking in high school.
Dorm Life
The dorms here are a lot better than most colleges I have visited. For incoming freshman, the set-up is suite style living. This means that each room has their own sink and mirror, as well as a bathroom shared between 4-5 people. The walls are drywall instead of the traditional white painted brick setup in older dorms. Resident Assistants are always around to help you out with anything that you need. Oh, big plus. Upper classmen are there to help you move in on the first day.
Food and Dining
The dining halls here offer a variety of options. McGowan's Atrium Diner offers a selection more like a diner. They serve breakfast all day throughout the week, but also provide lunch and dinner options that will satisfy your hunger. There's also a F'Real milkshake machine located in the Atrium. Regina's First Stop provides a sandwich shop for a quick lunch or dinner throughout the week. Sandwiches or wraps are usually the go-to food here. They also have specials on certain days, such as quesadilla Friday. There are also fast food options here such as a burger and fries, as well as vegetarian options. There are also two cafes open throughout the week, so students can stop and grab a bagel and a coffee before, between, or after classes.
Nazareth Dining hall is the main dining hall with 8 options, providing you an all you can eat buffet. The dining hall offers vegetarian options, as well as gluten-free options for students. There are meals served from different countries as well A high variety of food is served at Naz, you're bound to enjoy one of the meal options.
What to do for fun
SAC (Student Activities Crew) provides many things to do on campus throughout the semesters. Prizes are given out at SAC events. This year, we have had many bingo nights, trivia night, SAC's Quest, open mic night, as well as many other options. For students residing on campus, RAs (Resident Assistants) provide activities throughout the year as well. My freshman year RA scheduled events such as melted crayon art, painting nails, and messy twister. This year, my RA sponsored a H2O Pong Party. Seeing that Marywood has a dry campus, this was an event to learn about the dangers of alcohol.
Bang for the buck
I enjoy going to Marywood. If I had to choose a school all over again, I would still choose to attend this school. It is an expensive school, but financial aid and scholarships are always available for students in financial need.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Since it is a Catholic University, there is a church on campus. The Schwartz Center for Spiritual Life provides Mass for students on Sunday morning and Sunday evening. This is something that many colleges did not have to offer.
Great for these types of students
Marywood is great for students who are dedicated to their degree. Professors know your name and make an attempt to be personal with you in most cases. If you're looking for small class sizes and a close-knit student body, Marywood is the place to go.
Clubs and Activities
There are a ton of clubs and activities. Don't be afraid to become involved in something.
Greek Life
There is one sorority on campus, Zeta Phi Delta. They are a sorority devoted to service.
There is also a fraternity, Mu Sigma Pi. This fraternity is new, started only in 2012. They are a brotherhood dedicated to helping those in the community.
Campus Safety
Campus Safety is always around. If you feel unsafe at any time on campus, there are blue lights that you can walk to in order to contact a member of campus safety. If you feel unsafe walking from the freshman lot to your dorm, a campus safety officer will walk you back. If there is something going on around campus that doesn't seem right, campus safety is just a call away. They are there to help you.
This year with all the snow, campus safety came around during the snow storm to help students shovel their cars out of the snow.

Samantha from Frederick, MD

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am learning so much. Not only are the professors great but the other students help to teach you so much as well. Also, You get the opportunity to work with and learn from professionals in the field.
Am enjoying being here
I love the activities and the people. Also, the food is actually pretty good for school food. The dorms are great. The worst dorm on campus is better then those at other schools.
Bang for the buck
It is expensive but you learn a lot and you have nice facilities and the staff and faculty listen to you and help you every step of the way. Also, you have a lot of great opportunities.
Tips for prospective students
Ask for help if you need it. There are so many resources for you. Everyone wants you to succeed so ask for help. Also, get involved. There is so much to do on campus. The best way to get to know people is to get involved.
Great for these types of students
This school is really great if you want a well rounded education or if you want to minor or double major.

Christi from Shamokin, PA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
They are a very good University where they challenge you in ways you never thought possible. The curriculum is set to help you not hold you back. They do what they can to make sure you are being the best person you can be.
Tips for prospective students
Just make sure that you study, study, study. One failed test can bring you down a lot but you learn so much.
Academic Rigor
They are very into making you the best person you can be, which includes high grades. They make you work for your grade and you aren't able to slack off which just proves that you are getting a good education.
Dorm Life
Some of the dorms are nice, Regina being the exclusion because it is old. However, everyone is always friendly and if you have to share the communal bathroom you almost never have to wait even for the shower. They keep it super clean and the rooms are pretty big in size.
Food and Dining
The food is actually really good. In the main dining room there is always plenty of room to sit down and enough spaces for even a big group of people. The food sometimes gets a little repetitive but they have something for every kind of person (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.)
What to do for fun
On campus there is plenty to do. SAC always has some kind of entertainment set up including bingo, trivia, off-campus trips and so on. Also, there is a volleyball court behind one of the dorms and it is always free to use. They gym and pool are always able to be used also. There is an open space which we call the art field which is huge and people are always playing Frisbee and soccer and all sports. Also, there is a playground down the street which also has basketball courts open.
Bang for the buck
Marywood is a little expensive but it is definitely worth it. The classes are worth your time and you definitely grow into a better person while you are there.
Clubs and Activities
There are so many clubs and activities on campus. If there is a club that you think is worth the time but not a club yet, then you can make it up and get approved. They don't stifle creativity but let it blossom.
Campus Safety
This is always a big issue for people because they want to make sure that they are safe which is completely understandable. Campus safety is always around and they even give you their number so you can call them if you feel unsafe. There are blue lights all around campus which if you push them campus safety will be there in seconds. I remember one time when I was walking back to my dorm late at night after a class and I was feeling very creeped out just because it was so dark. Well a campus safety officer came and walked me back to my dorm just to make sure that I would be okay.

Karrie from MOOSIC, PA

a past student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Marywood is a Catholic IHM-run University, so it's not cheap, but it's well worth the money. The campus is beautiful and semi-secluded, the teaching staff is courteous and knowledgeable, and there is something for everybody there. And even though the long-standing University is Catholic-based and they have a church on campus, they DO NOT force religion on their students.
Tips for prospective students
Research your financial aid options (of which you have many) on your own, because they will not help you with them. When you want advice, seek out your advisor, he/she is likely too busy to check in on you and see how you are faring. Join something. There are so many clubs and memberships (free) to be a part of that it would be a shame to miss out on the opportunities, not to mention the friendships.
Academic Rigor
Marywood has resisted oversized classes and their professors maintain the ability to call upon their students by name. And to truly test their knowledge. Most make you get up and do what you are learning to pump your neurons.
Dorm Life
I was a commuter, so I can't speak for living in the dormitories. However, I did visit friends in them frequently, so I will say that they were immaculate and the security was immense. There is always someone at the door to register visitors who can't swipe in, and the dorms have been recently renovated.
Food and Dining
The cafeteria in Nazareth Hall (the Student Center) was also recently renovated and is superb. A salad/soup bar, omlet bar, sub bar, ice cream station, variable meal station, etc. Too much from which to choose. And there are various cafes in other buildings across campus with able cooks, so there is no going hungry at Marywood.
What to do for fun
Marywood schedule great shows, not only performed by their able production team, but by famous passers-through. For example, I saw Mitch Hedberg and Demetri Martin perform at the PAC there. They also have a fantastic fitness center where I learned to play racquetball (and learned to nurse large bruises).
Bang for the buck
New York City, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, Hershey Park (and Spa), and Dorney Park are all less than 3 1/2 hrs away. There are several outlet malls nearby, the Everhart Museum, the Coal Miner's Tour, and restaurants galore. We want for nothing here.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
I know it's totally unrelated to the university, but prospective students may want to know: The city of Scranton holds a killer St. Patrick's Day Parade every year. They shut down the city and open the bars at the crack of dawn (kegs and eggs). The nearby city of Wilkes Barre (15 minutes South) has a shadow parade the next day that's never quite as good, but it's still a little of the hair of the dog that bit you.
Great for these types of students
Marywood is great for ANY student. Everyone matriculating here is very accepting of everybody else. As it should be everywhere else. And for some reason, Marywood has a large homosexual populous. Nobody cares. And nobody should.
Clubs and Activities
Posters everywhere. If you're looking for something to do or something to get involved in, just find a bulletin board. There are clubs and memberships (free) all over campus. And, again, why miss out on the opportunities and the friendships?
Campus Safety
It seemed a little lacking when I was a student, but that wasn't because there were no campus police or emergency stations, it was really just because there was very little lighting on a sprawling campus. But, during a recent 10-minute trip to get my transcript, I saw two campus police vehicles and a new emergency station in a location where there had once been none and there is now street lighting across campus.

Christine from NJ

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Marywood University is a small, catholic university that provides for everyone and tries to accommodate to each and every student. The community is close-knit and everybody is so nice. All professors want the best for their students and provide all the assistance they can.
Tips for prospective students
1) Get involved in clubs and organizations around campus because it is a great way to get involved and meet new people
2) Themed living is a great opportunity to live together with your friends and help serve your community
Academic Rigor
- Everybody works hard academically and the professors are always there to help
- Academics is definitely a huge focus for the majority of Marywood students
Dorm Life
1) All dorms/houses have pretty nice rooms/bathrooms
2) Regina hall is the only dorm with community bathrooms, the others are mainly 4 residents to a bathroom
3) Great community: in most cases, everyone seems to get along with those who live around them. If not, people are still polite enough to say 'hello' and open doors for each other. You don't need to be best friends with your roommate or hall-mates, but you should always be civil at the least.
Food and Dining
1) Food is alright, not first class cuisine or whatever
2) A couple of choices, not many but a few
3) Vegan/vegetarian options are small, but I'm sure if you request beforehand there will be available options
What to do for fun
1) There's not much to do around campus but there is a bus system (The COLT system) that is free for students, that will take you downtown, Scranton University, etc.
2) We are a dry campus, but if you are keen to partying...Scranton University is only a few minutes away
Bang for the buck
Marywood is a great school and I love it here! Even though we are religious affiliated university, we are very open-minded and accept all that are different/unique
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Every Christmas, there is a lighting of a Christmas tree in the Liberal Arts Center
Clubs and Activities
1) All sorts of academic/major related clubs
2) Gay Straight Alliance
3) International Club
Greek Life
Sororities - Yes
Fraternity - One (Not surprising because there are very few male students when compared to the female population)

Not a big thing
Campus Safety
VERY safe campus, little to no criminal activity

Campus security is always around

There are Emergency alert buttons all around campus just in case, but there really is never need for them!

Shannon from Philadelphia, PA

a current student here
0 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
As an art major, I was highly impressed by how amazing the art program was. My classes are jam packed with three hour art classes, and though that might seem a bit long, I enjoy every single minute I spend doing what I love. I enjoyed that I was instantly able to jump into my major while still having other core classes such as Modern Belief and History Since 1865 to keep me sane when the concentration on art was so heavy.
Am enjoying being here
Marywood University is a small college directly in the middle of a quiet neighborhood. It was a hard transition for me considering I came from a big city. The City of Scranton can hardly be called a city at all and the only way to access the city is if you have a car or want to pay ridiculous amounts of money for a taxi, especially since Marywood recently got rid of their bus system.

Marywood definitely has its ups and downs, but by the end of the year I found myself more used to the atmosphere and had realized I made some amazing friends who make the downfalls of Marywood a little less noticeable.
Bang for the buck
Ultimately, I came to Marywood for an amazing education and that is exactly what I am getting. The teachers are all extremely understanding and willing to assist you with anything you may need. Marywood comes with a price tag but it is worth the money.
Tips for prospective students
Realize that when you go on a campus tour of any college, they will not tell you the entire truth. Marywood is very small and in a very quiet town. If you are coming from a large city the transition may be difficult, but you will end up meeting a range of people from across the east coast. If you have a car, bring it! It is difficult to get around Scranton and this will save your life when you need to make a late night run to Walmart for project supplies!
Great for these types of students
Marywood is great for art students who are looking for immediate concentrated classes in their major and for students coming from rural areas who are transitioning to a slightly bigger town/city.

Christina from Matawan, NJ

a current student here
0 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I have been learning so much in all of my classes and my professors have definitely helped guide me, and my classmates along the way. The professors know you by name and face here and put in extra effort to make sure they are available for any help and are always readily available for office hours. I just spent three years as an undergrad in the Speech Pathology program, and now I have been accepted into the grad program which is preparing me for my career with hands on experience.
Am enjoying being here
There is always something fun to do and something to be involved in! There are sports teams and intramurals for those athletic people! The student activities crew always has fun events during the week such as coffee houses, tie dying shirts, comedians, etc. There are also over 60 clubs to join, and you have the power to form your own club here if it isn't offered. At Marywood, you can lead yourself to be who you want to be and have fun!
Bang for the buck
Every college is expensive, but with the attention you get from your professors, the clean dorm rooms, the actually decent food, and the safety on campus, being a student here is worth is. Also, most programs give you hands on work so you can thrive before you graduate.
Tips for prospective students
Apply early- The school is small but once you are accepted you can begin your journey. Also, Loughran is such a nice dorm for freshman!
Great for these types of students
There is a new architecture program that is drawing a lot of attention. We have two buildings for art majors to work on everything from graphic design, to ceramics, to painting, to art therapy. The speech pathology program is ASHA certified, which is important because you need to graduate from a certified school!