Saint Ambrose University
Davenport, IA, USA

Reviews

Saint Ambrose University

Jacqueline from Bartlett, IL

accepted here and planning to attend soon
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
The small student to teacher ratio will be great. Offer may different types of programs.
Will enjoy being here
Best dorms around, every two rooms share a bathroom
Bang for the buck
They offer some of the best merit scholarship that I have seen during my college search. You will be able to complete you degree in 4 years.
Tips for prospective students
Keep an open mind about any school that you go to look at.

Catherine from Davenport, IA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Saint Ambrose University is friendly.
Saint Ambrose University has low class size for more individual attention.

Saint Ambrose University cares about their students success.
Tips for prospective students
Get to know the staff and fellow students attending Saint Ambrose University.
Academic Rigor
Your academic success is important to Saint Ambrose University Professors and staff.
Dorm Life
Brand New Dorms being built on campus.
Food and Dining
Great food with an executive chef and staff.
What to do for fun
The recreational department helps to encourage students to participate in events on campus and off.
Bang for the buck
It is a small University but it helps you adjust to life away from home to campus life. You will make great friendships here at Saint Ambrose University.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The campus Chapel was updated and the atmosphere is inspiring.
Great for these types of students
This campus is great for a positive student that wants to begin their academic career in a positive environment.
Clubs and Activities
Many clubs to join and participate in, you may begin a club if you desire.
Campus Safety
Camera's on campus help to secure areas and their are security throughout campus. They have installed safety stalls around the parking lots in case of any emergency.

Brock from Davenport, IA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
A strong majority of the professors at SAU are very good at teaching their students. Most professors emphasize the ability to think, opposed to the mere memorization of facts and terms. No matter the course, there are always a lot of critical thinking problems, case studies, and research assignments that increase real-world knowledge and understanding that allow us to build upon our textbook learning.
As an International Business major, my classes often have a heavy emphasis on adapting to and understanding different environments. Fortunately, even the more traditional business courses avoid a narrow American-in-a-vacuum theme.
Am enjoying being here
As good as the professors are at showing students how to educate themselves even after school, a lot of the students still only want to do the bare minimum. For me, it has been hard to go to classes every day knowing that I'm not going to get the same feedback from my peers as I'm willing to give. Still, the professors are always more than willing to work with students individually.
Bang for the buck
St. Ambrose is not the cheapest private university, but as one professor says, This isn't the Ivy League, but it's not the Little League either! The school offers a lot for a student who is serious about their education. They also have great facilities, including some of the nicest dorms around.
Tips for prospective students
Try to find scholarships and grants to help pay for tuition. St. Ambrose doesn't have great athletic scholarships, and most of their academic scholarships leave a huge amount to be covered by dreaded student loans.
The Quad Cities doesn't offer too many fun attractions, but it is close to Iowa City and only three hours from Chicago. There are, however, a lot of opportunities for volunteer work and internships for every college major.
Great for these types of students
St. Ambrose University is great for students who want smaller classes and the opportunity to interact with experienced and qualified educators and professionals. All of the dorms are apartment style; all have private bathrooms and most even have their own kitchens. It's a great place to make good friends and contacts, which can make a college career very fruitful.

Jerricko from Davenport, IA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
So far my experience at St. Ambrose has been a wonderful one. The staff are great and everyone is really nice. The only problem I have had is deciding on which dorm to live in.
Tips for prospective students
Make friends or at the very least close acquaintances. I know that sounds cliché, but it is true you are going to need all the support you can get and the best support is from someone who knows what you are going through. Oh and don't take a lot of hard classes all at once trust me you will regret it.
Academic Rigor
This depends on which classes you take not all of them are hard or challenging, but there is always something to learn.
Dorm Life
Depending on the dorm you are in you can expect to have anything from a quiet study atmosphere to partying till the sun comes up. Just a warning some of the dorms are old so here is a tip you get what you pay for.
Food and Dining
The food is better that what they serve you in high school and it is served buffet style so there is plenty of it.
What to do for fun
I like to spend time in the school library or in Vander Veer Park just down the road. Both are great places to hang out with others or to get some studying done.
Bang for the buck
I think Ambrose is worth every penny it is well situated with within walking distance of at least two grocery stores, three pharmacies, five place to eat and a beautiful park just next door.
Great for these types of students
This school is for students who like to have personal relastionships with the staff at school and like small numbers of class mates.
Campus Safety
The campus is very safe partly because it is not really spread out so you can get anywhere you need to quickly but also because security can respond faster that way. Also do to its small size everyone is within ear shot so if you need help just yell and someone will hear you.

Kelly from Mount Prospect, IL

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The community so welcoming. The school is beautiful. The classes are great and are taught by professors that enjoy what they do.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved. It's the best way to meet new people. Also, don't be afraid to apply for scholarships or talk to financial aid for help. The people in the finaid office here are great!
Academic Rigor
Every professor here takes what they are teaching very seriously. If you aren't interested in what you're learning, talk to the professor right away (esp. if it's a gen ed) to see if there are alternate ways to go about learning or a differnet course that fits your interest.
Dorm Life
All of the dorms are really nice and really big. I live in the new academic building, suite side (instead of apartment style), but everyone has enough to room so that it doesn't feel like you and your roommate are right on top of eachother all the time.
Food and Dining
There aren't that many options for food. The Rogo Cafe tends to have fresher food, but you have to Buzz Bucks instead of your meal plan. The Cosgrove Cafeteria is where you use your meal plan and the salad bar is always fresh, but the options aren't always that great.
What to do for fun
Every RA does a bunch of floor activites so that it's easier to meet the people you're living around. The campus also has a bunch of plays and stuff that students can get into for free. There are also usually parties every weekend.
Bang for the buck
It's expensive, but I think nearly everyone recieves some kind of scholarship. The campus is great and the education is top notch.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
First Thirst and Last Blast... I'll let you use your imagination.
Great for these types of students
Anyone; the sports here are pretty good, the academics are great, and the social life is always active.
Clubs and Activities
There is really something for everyone. I'm involved in a volunteer group, there are groups dedicated to specific majors, tons of campus ministry, and the activity board always has something going on.
Greek Life
Basically non-existent
Campus Safety
The campus is quite small and if it's dark and you don't feel like walking back to your dorm you can call security and someone will walk you back. The campus itself is very safe; the surrounding areas can be kind of freaky at night, though.

Joel from Joliet, IL

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
an outstanding university that offers a great deal of happiness, commitment, and great leadership. provides a great community for a good social life. the university enables its students to develop intellectually, spiritually, ethically, socially, artistically and physically to enrich their own lives and the lives of others.
Tips for prospective students
be committed, stay focused, and never give up
What to do for fun
go to the gym area and play pick up games. head to the rogalski center to meet and socialize in the game room. also, the lounges in some building are a great way to spend times with others around you!
Clubs and Activities
baseball is great here
Campus Safety
excellent!

Emily from Arlington Hts., IL

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
st. ambrose university is a small, liberal arts college. it is diverse in the acedemic and social possibilities for their students. laslty, it is a very warm and welcoming place, a home away from home.
Tips for prospective students
an important tip would be to use the small campus to your advantage. get to know all your professors because it is not hard in a small class room, and use your prrofessors for extra help when needed. also, get involved in all the extra organizations and clubs on campus to get to know different people.
Academic Rigor
it is a private liberal arts college, and is very competitive in the acedemic perspective. they have a higher grading skill compared to some universities, however it pays off with st. ambrose well respected reputation for higher educational excellence.
Dorm Life
one of the advantages of being in a smaller school is they don't need huge dorms to house all the students. st. ambrose university has been voted some of the best resident life facilities in the midwest. they are all updated, and very spacious.
Food and Dining
st. ambrose has a very diverse cafateria for all different kind of eaters. there is a great deal of different choices so there is something for everyone. there is also ragowski center that has a food court with different options than the cafeteria.
What to do for fun
there are always activities going on on-campus if your bored. there is inter-mural sports for every season which can be a lot of fun. there are also volleyball courts on campus for when it is nice out. davenport's downtown area also has many differnent fun things to do away from campus as well.
Bang for the buck
st. ambrose tries to give as much financial aid as possible. it is a smaller university and does not have a lot of extra funds to throw around, however they do a reasonable job trying to stretch their resources as much as possible to help as many people as possible.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
being a student at st. ambrose university gives you a sense of self pride and liek you are one big happy family. it is a small community so you know a lot of people on campus and a lot of the professors. everyone looks out for everyone's best interest, and the st. ambrose staff does a great job supporting their students.
Clubs and Activities
their are clubs for the popular majors. ex. psycology club, etc. we have habitat for humanity, students against destructive decisions club, peer mentors, national honors society, etc.
Campus Safety
we have a very dedicated and loyal campu security. they drive around the campus numerous times a day making rounds to all parts of campus. we have campus securty at all the dorms after 7 pm which require a student id to enter the building. we also have emergancy call post located at various locations throughout campus. lastly, the campus is very well lit at night so there are no dark areas when walking on campus at night.