Radford University
Radford, VA, USA

Reviews

Radford University

Taylor from Blacksburg, VA

a current student here
19 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Professors are willing and able to help students during his or her specificed office hours. The stronger your will to learn, the more you will gain from each course.
Am enjoying being here
I love the cozy feeling of the campus and am literally 5 minutes or less from all the buildings on campus, depending on the weather of course. All the faculty and staff are interested in making each student feel at home which is a bonus for out of state students.
Bang for the buck
Depending on the program, RU's tuition, boarding, and meal plans are all student-specific and provide many options so students are able to pay for all the bills that head their way during their time at Radford. All the options are superb for students that need financial need, RU is willing to work with students in order for them to pay for their bills while in school.
Tips for prospective students
Be sure to apply for all the scholarships you can get yours hands on! Even the smallest scholarship can make a difference on that tuition bill.
Great for these types of students
RU is great for students with a strong will to learn and are willing to sacrifice time in order to obtain the grades they deserve.

Deanna from Manassas, VA

a current student here
11 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
With diligent studying and hard work I have gotten a good start to my education here. The important thing is to realize that if you do work hard, you will still have time for fun and relaxation.
Am enjoying being here
It's a nice school, but since I don't have a car when I'm there I sometimes feel bored being in the same place.
Tips for prospective students
Radford University is not a difficult place to get used to. It is not large and overbearing, but it isn't so small that you will know everybody, either. Get to know all of your professors if you plan on attending this college, they will help you out tremendously. However, I can't say that this is the most diverse community that can be found on a college campus, it is certainly not inhospitable. Also, don't listen to people who say that Radford is just a party school. Of course there are parties just like any other University in Virginia, but it's nothing special in that respect.
Great for these types of students
People who would feel overwhelmed in a large school.
Those who like to work closely with their peers and professors.
Liberal Arts students.
Students that would appreciate the surrounding history, and beautiful mountains.

Shanyn from Glen Allen, VA

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Radford University has some of the best professors I have ever encountered who teach in very inventive and interesting ways that help with retaining information, no matter what the subject is. When difficulties in a classroom occur, the LARC has fantastic tutors that take students step-by-step with material.
Am enjoying being here
Radford has such a BEAUTIFUL campus! There are so many trees and flowers on campus that make the surrounding area seem so elegant and trendy. Even though some of the buildings are old, they look homely and welcoming. We are big on recycling and not wasting, so the campus is always kept very nice, neat, and clean. It's a big enough campus that you can avoid people when needed, but it's small enough that you can see your friends and peers everyday. It only takes about 10 minutes to walk from one side of the campus to the other, so going to class is a breeze, even if you're running a little bit late.
Bang for the buck
The best part about Radford University has to be how friendly everyone is. Making new friends and finding people to help you in your classes is very easy. The friends you make here will last a life time. The campus is also close to a lot of food places and it's only about 10 minutes by car to Wal-Mart. You only have to walk 20 minutes to make your way down to the New River, which is really great for swimming, and for hanging out with your friends on the weekends. The dorms give you your own personal space, and give students the opportunity to meet a lot of people.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure to finish homework THE DAY YOU RECIEVE IT if possible. It's a lot easier to finish not only because you have just gone over the material, but also because the next day you have a certain class, new material will be covered, prompting you to forget old material for the homework. Time management is also very important. Enough though your classes are very important, make sure to make some time for your friends and to relax. It will significantly help in the long run, and will help to keep yourself less stressed.

Kaleice from Radford, VA

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I enjoy the education environment here at Radford University, because I am able to connect with my professors on a personal level outside of the class room. I find it beneficial that my professors have high experience in the subjects they teach. For example, all of my criminal justice professors have experienced a career in either police work, law enforcement, paralegal, law, lawyer and more.
Tips for prospective students
I encourage prospective students to get to know their professors and take advantage of all the clubs and organizations the school has to offer.
Academic Rigor
The
Dorm Life
Dorm is a very different environment that shapes your personality for the better. You are able to see how others live, culturally and socially. It helps you learn more about yourself as a person by living and sharing a space with a stranger. Once you are able to adjust to the living environment, then dorm life transforms into your real life. At first, it may seem very rocky but Radford offers many clubs ad organizations that will help you get involved in your own dorm, such as Resident Hall Association. (RHA)
Food and Dining
The food here at Radford is awesome. You are given a variety of choices to choose from on a daily basis, so there is no getting sick of the same thing. You are able to expand your horizon from seafood salad to philly cheese steaks.
What to do for fun
Radford offers many activities for students to participate in year long. Students are able to take a part of the bowling and movie areas that are free to students for little to no charge.
Bang for the buck
Radford creates a warm environment where students can come and feel comfortable. Students are able to meet that group of friends who share the same interest as them, but do not necessarily have the same background. It opens up many doors of opportunities for students with the interacting and small class room settings. Professors are able to learn their students names, so the class could seem more intimate.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The bonnie is the main student hang out, where most of the events on campus happen. Students are constantly in and out of the bonnie, so you are always bound to see someone you know.
Clubs and Activities
Resident Hall Association
LEAD Scholar
The national society of leadership and success
Student Government Association
Greek Life
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta
Sigma Kappa
Sigma Sigma Sigma
Campus Safety
Radford has blue station emergency lights set up throughout campus for students. It allows student to contact Radford's Police Department when they do not feel safe and they will come to their location in a very quickly matter. I believe this is a very awesome idea, because it give students a source to use if they are not comfortable with using their cell phone to call for help/

Sarah from Roanoke, VA

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Radford has such a great learning atmosphere. The professors here are always willing to work with students inside and outside of class to make sure that you're confident about the material you're learning. The school also provides a Learning Assistance Resource Center for students to get free tutoring from other students, as well as great studying facilities. I strongly believe that Radford does a wonderful job facilitating learning in every way possible.
Am enjoying being here
I can't imagine finding a school that I love more than RU. I feel like I'm not only a student at school, but part of a community. There are so many ways for a student to get involved on campus and make connections. The SGA is really active and they hold all kinds of fun events like ice cream socials, movie nights, build a bear days,etc. We have so many clubs and organizations on campus it would be almost impossible to not be interested in at least one of them. Some examples include environmental club, RU Outdoors, clubs for almost any major offered, Greek life, CRU, and GSA, just to name a few. Radford also offers a game room, bowling alley, and a movie theatre for students, and there's always something going on around campus. The community in and around Radford is phenomenal and there's always something to do.
Bang for the buck
I know a lot of people that came to Radford either because the price was cheaper than most other schools or because they got good scholarships. Radford is not an expensive school to begin with, and they offer a lot of help for their students. Many new students receive scholarships their first year, and beyond that everyone is eligible to apply for foundation scholarships. They also provide lots of opportunities for work on campus to help pay for things like personal expenses. Putting your money towards the education is obviously worth it, but there are so many other great aspects as well. For example, we have great dorm buildings (no hall bathrooms and AC available) and an awesome meal plan that gives you a ton of variety (Starbucks and Chik-Fil-A included!) It's totally worth the money.
Tips for prospective students
Come visit the campus!! My recommendation would be to come more than once if you can. Come in the winter when everything is lit up for the holidays and we're all huddled into Starbucks drinking hot chocolate. Then come back in the spring when everyone is laying outside enjoying the sunshine, playing sports, etc. It's practically impossible not to fall in love with the atmosphere of RU. The school offers daily guided tours and you can come in and talk to the admissions office any time. There are tons of groups on Facebook for RU students, so try to connect with some people there that can show you around campus in a less official way than the tour guides would. Getting familiar with the school will be your biggest help in applying and being successful once you're here.
Great for these types of students
-Great for students interested in nursing, education, criminal justice, etc. Radford offers so many awesome majors.
-Great for students who want a good balance between learning and having a good time.
-Great for students who like the small town feel with fairly easy access to bigger cities.
-Great for students who want to get connected and involved on campus.

Alexis from Virginia Beach, VA

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Professor here don't weigh you down with tons of work for the entire semester and are always there to help if you ask. Many of them are always willing to make time to help a struggling or curious student. Very few of them can be hard to handle, work load and lack of instruction wise.
Am enjoying being here
My only complaint was not choosing my roommate freshman year and not being able to choose my suite mates the next.
Bang for the buck
There are all sorts of clubs and activities on campus all the time. It is so much fun to be here during the year. You also really get an amazing education with the professors here.
Tips for prospective students
Save your quarters now, laundry costs a lot.
Great for these types of students
You need a level head to come here in my opinion. With the parties all around campus you have to be able to know the balance between fun and studying or you will be left behind in class.

Brittany from Norfolk, VA

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Not only have I been learning in the classroom, but, surprisingly, this small town has provided me oppurtunities to learn about other cultures and diverse people.
Am enjoying being here
I love being at a school where I am not just a statistic, but the professors actually know my name and make time to help me. Even though there isn't much to do in Radford, Christiansburg and Blacksburg are only 15-20 minutes down the road.
Tips for prospective students
If you come to Radford you'll be able to have plenty of opportunites to be involved with on-campus organizations, clubs, teams, volunteer work, parties, socializing events - especially our Highlander Festival, and job opportunites. There are plenty of outdoor activities available as well. This small town has everything a large campus can offer without the crowd.

Megan from Rocky Mount, VA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I absolutely love Radford. It is small and feels like home. Radford University has a beautiful campus, and it keeps getting better!
Tips for prospective students
Study of course, and have fun!
Academic Rigor
I believe the classes are at an above average level for difficulty, but the professors are always willing to help.
Dorm Life
I haven't had any problems with dorm life, the RAs are great, and the dorms are really nice, especially the newly renovated ones.
Food and Dining
Compared to some colleges the amount of food places really aren't that bad, but they always close super early, so if you want food on the weekends you only have at best two options.
Campus Safety
RUPD is always really friendly and they are there when you call them.

Adam from Alexandria, VA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Beautiful campus but lacks a lot of school spirit. Education is fine but can be a bit meaningless as some classes are just fillers that you have to take (Art Appreciation). There's no football team and kids often wear shirts of other universities but you can have fun with the right crowd.
Tips for prospective students
Classes are generally fairly easy. If you're looking for the school that bleeds their colors then this is definitely not the school for you. It is a medium size and gives you the benefit of a teacher to student relationship but outside the classroom is not much. Dead main street, no school sports to cheer for, a few fun activities but majority of the student body refuses to participate unless its partying.
Academic Rigor
Classes are very easy, you wont struggle at all unless you are a Computer Science, Accounting/Finance, Engineering or nursing, and that's only for major specific classes when you get accepted into your college.
Dorm Life
Very fun, I suggest Muse Hall for your first year. It doesn't have A/C but it does have half of the freshman class in it along with a quad in front and the best place to eat in the basement. You will more than likely meet your closest friends there but take note it is kind of crappy. As for the other dorms, almost all are newly renovated and very nice with everything you need and more, social life may not be as good but it is a comfortable stay.
Food and Dining
Dining options are very limited. You have many places to choose during the week like ABP, Papa Johns, Star Bucks, Wendy's, etc on campus along with a good amount of options off campus but during the weekends only 1 on campus option is actually available. Dalton Kitchen isn't the greatest foods but i don't have any complaints, just know every weekend you will be eating there.
What to do for fun
Basketball games against good competitors are fun and movies on the lawn are a great time to spend with friends. Besides that, R-Space throws 2 concerts a year and random little events which are not advertised but still fun. Outside of that, you can go out and party every weekend Thursday to Saturday if that's what your into.
Bang for the buck
The cheapest option for a university in Virginia, if you are trying to save as much money as possible, Radford is the most economic way to do it outside of community college.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The polar plunge is very popular and is where you run into the freezing river during the winter. Sharkey's has a wing eating challenge that many students like to do and if you have any involvement with clubs or Greek life, Mad Dog 20/20's are going to be thrown at you and expected to be chugged.
Great for these types of students
Kids more used to the high school class room size who will need specific attention to excel in school. Professors have very flexible hours and will meet with you whenever needed. Also students who arnt big into having alot of school spirit will find a haven here as well as the student who likes to party as they are there every single day of the week if you want it.
Clubs and Activities
There is a club for almost everything. Sport clubs where you compete competitively against other schools, clubs where you learn skills in specific fields and others where you meet people with similar interest. If you can dream it, its here if not making a new club is extremely easy.
Greek Life
Greek life is honestly pretty bad. Do not expect extravagant Greek life with huge chapter houses. Fraternity houses are not allowed to have their letters on their house which is usually just a house that's leased by a Realtor. Brotherhoods have lots of cliques and don't get involved in much. They have a very bad stereotype but you will make very close friends. You are more paying for party's because there isn't much for them to do. It is 50/50, some people absolutely love it while the others skim by.
Campus Safety
Campus is very safe, nothing bad typically ever happens besides some random freshman vandalizing something

Alitalia from Alexandria, VA

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am currently a freshman and a business managements major here and most of the core requirements are pretty easy. Core, the English part of the curriculum is a great class. It doesn't have a lot of students, so professor-student time is intimate. The hardest courses so far I would have to say are Math and Economics. If you are not good in either, it is good to get a tutor and actually read your books. You definitely cannot just memorize what you go over in these classes.
Am enjoying being here
Radford has an amazing campus. It is fairly small, but big enough to get to know plenty of people. The whole campus is a walkable distance, about 10 minutes from one side to the other. There is always something to do, whether it is a Basketball game at the Dedmon Center, or a Bash at the Bonnie. You'll never be bored.
Bang for the buck
There are so many perks to this school. With the flex meal plan all of the dining areas are half off. I usually get an entire meal from Wendy's for about $1.50! With all the activities going on on campus, there is always something to do. There are learning centers and tutors available around the clock to help with school work. Everything you need is right there waiting for you.
Tips for prospective students
1. Don't try to memorize school work. Learn it, read it.
2.Friends, parties, and socializing is not your top priority
3.Be a smart spender.