Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ, USA

Reviews

Monmouth University

Joanna from Staten Island, NY

a current student here
24 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes here are small. All of your classes will never reach 40, so forget about large lecture halls. I love the classes; because of the small class size, you get to learn much more and have a great relationship with your professor. Your professor knows who you are; you are not just a number, like you are at larger schools. The professors are very helpful and if you want to succeed, there is a lot of help and resources everywhere on campus.
Am enjoying being here
The campus is gorgeous. The beach is 5 minutes away and the surrounding area is really nice. Everything is pretty close, such as the Monmouth Mall or the shops and nightlife at Pier Village. The atmosphere is very relaxing which is a huge plus when attending college. The farthest academic building that a resident has to walk to class is 15 minutes away, and the residential halls are separated from the academic buildings which creates a nice balance.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved is the best thing I've ever done. By getting involved at Monmouth University, more and more other students as well as the faculty get to know you. Because of that, it is easier to receive help when you need it and its the college experience is so much better in the long run by knowing more people and not just sitting in the dorm room.
Great for these types of students
Great if you want to go to a smaller school, where you recognize most of the other students that you see everyday. Great if you want to get involved and be known on campus. Not a big campus, so everything is close by if you don't like walking or getting lost. Great for those who love the beach and enjoy historic buildings (Wilson Hall).

Stefania from Matawan, NJ

a current student here
13 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The classes at MU are really good, especially when you get into your major. Class sizes are really small, and the professors are always willing to meet with you and are also really understanding. MU has a lot of resources if you are not doing well, like the Writing Center, the Math Center, and the Tutoring Center, which can match you with a tutor for any class you are taking.
Am enjoying being here
So far, I have gotten involved, made great friends, and learned a lot. Monmouth has something for everyone, and if you are willing to put yourself out there you will have an amazing time. Classes are good and the overall air of the campus (especially on nice days) is positive.
Bang for the buck
Considering the location (a mile from the beach), the quality of the classes, the amount of extracurricular opportunities, and the safety of the campus, I would say the students are getting bang for their buck. Monmouth may seem expensive on paper, but it offers a scholarships to almost every student ranging in $1,000- $14,000.
Tips for prospective students
The advice I would give, to not only students who want to attend MU but to all prospective students, is that college is what you make of it. Get involved and take advantage of everything your school offers you! Understand that all first-year students go through difficult times, but you can do it!
Great for these types of students
Outgoing students, students willing to learn, and students who like to get involved.

Katelyn from Manville, NJ

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
There is always something new to learn here. All the professors have something new to offer and you'll never get bored in class!
Am enjoying being here
I wouldn't choose anywhere else to go to school. Monmouth makes it easy to make friends and have a lot of fun.
Bang for the buck
It isn't cheap going to school here but it's worth every penny. You are getting a top education while going to the beach!
Tips for prospective students
Relax and let your heart make the choice for you.

Rachel

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The programs here are great and definitely will prepare you for future careers. The small class sizes really help the learning process, and most professors are able to learn your names. There are a lot of options for scheduling classes to meet everyone's needs. Monmouth has a ton of student support services that can be easily accessed such as tutoring services and a writing center. Lastly, the library is huge and filled with sources and places to work.
Am enjoying being here
If you love the beach, Monmouth is the place to be. A three minute drive makes it easy for the sand to be your place to study, work out, or just relax. Monmouth is a smaller school so tere is a great sense of community. The dorms are all nice and the walks to class are never too far. There are always activities going on on campus and we have had some great performers come. It is easy to make friends in classes and get to know your classmates since the class size averages to about 25 students.
Bang for the buck
There are many benefits of being at a private university. Each student gets a much individualized attention as needed. Professors and other resources help us to feel as though there is always help available if needed. If you are looking for a small campus that is easy to get around, Monmouth would be a great choice. They offer scholarships for high grades and there are many jobs available on campus.
Tips for prospective students
If you come to Monmouth be sure to take full advantage of everything that is offered. Talk to professors during their office hours. Ask the writing center to review your papers. Attend campus events. Watch the MU Hawks fly to victory in sports. Walk through the beautiful campus on a nice day.
Great for these types of students
Students who are looking for a small school, a campus where everything is walking distance, and a location near the beach. The campus is beautiful and filled with history. There is a diverse student body here and anyone is welcome!

Kelly from Edison, NJ

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
After High school I had thought that I had learned all there is to know about the world, but I was WAY off. The professors at MU have much more to share than your average high school class. The professors are always willing to share past experiences with the class making it much more interactive as well as interesting. A good amount of my professors have studied abroad in the past and they love to share those cultures with the class. Besides the professors the class sizes are extremely small compared to much larger universities, especially in the art departments. This allows students to have much more of a one-on-one session with the teachers.
Am enjoying being here
The atmosphere is AMAZING! The campus feels completely safe, people roam around at all hours of the night without feeling as though something bad could happen. The scenery is gorgeous as well as the buildings. The students as well as the staff are completely comforting and are always willing to help a student out...It also helps that the school is within walking distance to the beach!
Bang for the buck
Although I would recommend MU to anyone, the only complaint I have about it is the cost of attendance. Even though MU is extremely generous with scholarships and grants freshman year...the years following make it a tight time. Even though I would usually agree with the fact that the university is completely worth $40,000 a year....I must say that with these tough financial times lately it is not the best idea.
Tips for prospective students
Always be open minded and willing to try new things. There are plenty of clubs and activities on campus where you can meet tons of new friends! So get out there and see what they have to offer, I can promise you, it will truly be worth it!
Great for these types of students
People serious about their schoolwork, open minded, beach lovers, laidback, etc... This school is perfect for the average student who is not looking for a party school but rather a place to make life long friends as well as great references

Matthew-Donald from Niantic, CT

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The faculty are extremely helpful and care about the students. They make the transition to college-level education simple and efficient. Most importantly though they are flexible and work with you to get you the help you need.
Am enjoying being here
There is so much to do on campus and there is so much opportunity to hold new events that it is impossible to not enjoy it.
Bang for the buck
The campus is beautifully maintained and the facilities are always tip-top. If that's not enough to quantify the expenses, the amount of give-away's the campus has during events surely does.
Tips for prospective students
Come to Monmouth, get involved, and make friends. If you do that, you'll have a great college experience.
Great for these types of students
Students who want to enjoy college AND get a good education. Not just one or the other.

Justin from Gibbstown, NJ

a past student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Monmouth was the best experience of my life. I received a very well-rounded education and was involved in several organizations. I made long-lasting friendships and often reminisce about many experiences had on and off campus during my time there.
Tips for prospective students
Fill out your FAFSA as early as possible and gain a rapport with the Bursar and Financial Aid offices. Wilson Hall will be your friend. Also, take advantage of the career counseling so as not to become a super senior, which is a notorious title on MU campus. Also, get involved in the surrounding community. Once you integrate, definitely look into becoming a Resident Assistant to help with housing costs and be a leader on campus.
Academic Rigor
Having anywhere from 35-42 professors during my time at Monmouth, I can only think of two that I really didn't care for. The professors care about the students' progress and are truly leaders and experts in their field. Monmouth focuses on writing intensive courses and public speaking - two things I do, fortunately, enjoy; so be prepared! The facilities are amazing, especially for Communication majors and athletes.
Dorm Life
Monmouth is intersected by a road, but there's an underground tunnel. It's strange at first, but you get used to it. Campus life is on one side, Academic on the other - makes sense. Monmouth can be considered a back pack school, especially in the Fall semester. Students are from the general area, for the most part, so go home on the weekends for the beginning of the year. Other than that, the facilities are great. Freshman are housed in traditional dorms - long hallways, rooms of 2 or 3. Each floor is equipped with a Resident Assistant who can be your best friend, or your enemy, so tread lightly. Sophomores get suite style housing - 4 rooms, 3 are double and 1 is a triple. Each floor has an RA as well. Juniors have suite-style housing or apartment style and Seniors get apartment style. The apartments are fancy and EVERYONE tries to get them. There's a lottery system and though sophomores and juniors slip into amazing apartments here and there, your chances of getting into an apartment are best when you are a Senior.
Food and Dining
The dining hall is AMAZING. We call it Club Magill because, during dinner, girls and guys dress up like they're going to the club. Not everyone, but enough for it to get that name. Either way, the food is delicious and there's several stations ranging from sandwiches to salads, grilled food to quick and easy. There's even a waffle station! You will never be able to eat the way you do at Monmouth unless you are on a cruise - it's that serious. The Student Center also provides great food, but that will come off of your declining balance that is small and fleeting, but comes with your food plan. Every on-campus resident must have a food plan. The Student Center and Dining Hall are on the Academic side of campus, while The Underground Cafe is on the Dorm-side. This also takes the declining balance and has less healthy, but delicious, options. You can find this in Elmwood Hall.
What to do for fun
Join campus organizations. The radio and TV studios are comparable to professional studios. The Plangere building, where they are housed, was given by the found of the Asbury Park Times in 2001-2002. Also, the indoor athletic facilities are the newest to campus, so if you can join a sports team - DO IT! Monmouth hosts several athletic events at this venue and it's so stellar, it almost justifies your tuition price!

Off campus, the beach is about 1/2 mile away. In warm weather, take advantage of it. There are plenty of restaurants, especially late night Nelly's, for those underage and, when of age, there are great bars and clubs. Jacks and Stingrays are a staple among Monmouth students. There's great shopping at the Promenade on Ocean Drive and the new Outlets, Monmouth Mall and Freehold Mall are close by as well. Monmouth U is in a perfect location as Asbury's Stone Pony is only 20 minutes away and NYC is just a train ride away. Six flags is also an option. That can be reached in under 30 minutes.
Bang for the buck
Monmouth is expensive, but all colleges are. It's hard to put a price on such an experience, though. The campus is beautiful, offers several activities, as well as opportunities to make spending a little easier on the wallet. Work study and Resident Assistant opportunities help cut costs of attending. Even though regular Fall/Spring semesters are expensive, I had no worries in applying for more aid to do Study Abroad in Spain one summer, which I highly recommend!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Wilson Hall is byfar the strangest landmark on MU campus. The summer home of President Woodrow Wilson, it's a majestic mansion where Annie's dance on the grand staircase with Daddy Warbucks was filmed. Classes take place in the building and several departments are housed here as well. The higher you go, the smaller the rooms get. It's really intriguing. Winter balls and fundraising events take place on the first floor and the basement, where President Wilson had a bowling alley and swimming pool, is rumored to be haunted.

The Gugenheim Library is also another strange building. Once the home of a Gugenheim decendent who's wife went down with the Titanic, the University keeps all of it's academic resources here. Gugenheim's wife has been spotted on the red velvet staircase in the mansion library.

A third strange place is the Music & Theatre building, which was Woodrow Wilsons horse stables during his stay. This building is also rumored to be haunted.
Great for these types of students
Outgoing, Involved in extra-curricular activities, Athletes
Clubs and Activities
There is an abundance of activities and clubs to get involved with. Monmouth's campus is excellent for Athletes and Communication Majors as their facilities are the newest and most innovative. Monmouth offers several ways to get involved as campus tour guides, orientation leaders, lab assistants, and resident assistants,
Greek Life
I was not involved in Greek Life, however, it is a HUGE part of Monmouth. You WILL make friends with frat bros, or soror sisters. You WILL go to a frat house party.
Campus Safety
24-hour surveillance and campus has it's own police department. Each dorm has a Night Hawk who monitors who is in the building. Night Hawks are on duty from 9pm - 2am and work closely with the RA on duty. It's a VERY safe campus.

Isis from Old Bridge, NJ

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Monmouth University is a beautiful school. All of the professors as well as the rest of the staff are always willing to help. You never feel alone when you are on campus because everyone around is so friendly.
Tips for prospective students
Come to Monmouth University expecting to learn. The professors jump right into the subject matter and it is a very steady pace.
Academic Rigor
Depending on the professor, class workloads are not too heavy.
Dorm Life
The dorms are great. Everyone is friendly and respectful. The buildings are pretty much always clean and if everyone does their part around the building, dorm life goes very smoothly.
Food and Dining
The food at Monmouth University is pretty good. Aside from the occasional not so great meal, everything is pretty tasty. There are many options to choose from so you do not feel obligated to just one thing. Also, Java City, the on campus coffee shop, really comes in handy!
What to do for fun
There are many thing to do on campus. There is always something going on. From SGA activities, to your RA's programs, you should never be bored.
Great for these types of students
Monmouth University is great for students who are looking for a relatively small campus with incredible people.
Clubs and Activities
There are many different activities and clubs on campus to join. To make the college experience more amazing, look into joining some clubs!
Campus Safety
Monmouth University is one of the safest campuses I have ever experienced. The campus has a system called Blackboard-Connect where students receive notifications to their cell phones and emails if something is wrong on campus. Also, there are several emergency phones around campus, even outside that a student or staff member may use if necessary. Also, MUPD is our full-time, trained and armed police force here on campus who are very helpful in any situation.

Audra from North Middletown, NJ

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Monmouth University is a beautiful and very attractive campus. There are academic programs set up for the student's success, many of which I personally benefit from. Additionally, the campus is very diverse, filled with people from all over the state, country and the rest of the world!
Tips for prospective students
Although the University is private, and quite expensive, it is worth every dime! Monmouth does it's best to act as a stepping stone for it's students. The tools the equip us with serve as the foundation we need in order to obtain that degree and begin our careers. If you are interested in the school, but the price isn't in your budget, check out what type of funding the school has to offer. My dream has been filled because of the funding the school and other grant donors were able to give me!
Academic Rigor
Monmouth's academics are top in the nation, from what I have heard. Almost every single one of my professors have their doctorates. They are extremely bright and I have not encountered one professor I was unable to comply with.
Dorm Life
The dorms are set up just like anyone would imagine. You live with people your age, share a common room and bathroom, and can basically live that college life you have been yearing for. In that sense I am referring to being able to judge your time yourself, figure out when it's time to study and when it's acceptable to just hang out and stay up all night with your friends.
Food and Dining
Everything is delicious and the managers are ALWAYS interested in hearing our feedback. We wanted mac-n-cheese; they gave us mac-n-cheese. The halls are very well kept and I love the staff.
What to do for fun
Go out onto the field with your friends, throw a football or frisbee, play volleyball, go to the gym, walk a few blocks down to the beach, go to the school diner for food at night, study at the beautiful library, attend one of the MANY events hosted every single night by the Students Activities Board.. pretty much anything!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The campus is walking distance from the beach. By junior or senior year, apartments along the waterfront are available. The main building, Wilson Hall, was the summer home of President Woodrow Wilson during his presidency. It was also the elegant home of Daddy Warbucks in the movie The Little Orphan Annie.
Clubs and Activities
The options are limitless!
Greek Life
Very active sororities and fraternities. Wide range to choose from.
Campus Safety
MUPD is always on the watch.

Tess from Colorado Springs, CO

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Coming from an internationally geared educational background, Monmouth could offer more; but that doesn't mean that what they do offer isn't enough. Let me put it simply: education is what you make it. Monmouth's relatively easy curriculum has forced me to strive for my own stars and aspire to be the best that I can be, even when that means blowing teachers away. In terms of cultural learning, too, Monmouth has much to offer (especially to those from out of state, like me).
Am enjoying being here
ABSOLUTELY! It was a rough start at first, not gonna lie, but getting involved and getting to know people (and being comfortable with who you are as a person) is the way to go! Don't let yourself get bored, and you'll enjoy every second of your time at which ever school you choose.
Bang for the buck
Monmouth has a ton to offer in terms of socialization, but like I said before the education is lacking. Again, college is what YOU make it, so if you want more for your money, that's your responsibility. The resources are there-- they may just be hiding.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved. Stay busy and active, and know your limits. If you need to study more, study more. If you need to hang out with friends more, do so. Take care of yourself and learn about your resources. (And if you choose to attend Monmouth, don't hesitate to reach out to your peers (myself included) or your professors. They're there to help!)
Great for these types of students
Students with adventurous spirits, a love for fun activities, including school-sponsored trips and on-campus events, students who prefer small class sizes (thanks but no thanks to the lecture halls), and are eager to put themselves out there.