Stonehill College
Easton, MA, USA

Reviews

Stonehill College

Nina from Mount Sinai, NY

a current student here
11 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
At Stonehill, I feel as though I am learning a lot. I am currently a biology major. My classes are challenging although they are doable. There are only 2,500 students in my school which leads to an average classroom size of 25. My professors all know me by name and face. I can email or call them at any time of the day or night and I know that they are there to help me. This is to your academic advantage because you can get more one on one time with your professor. It is very hard to not do well because your professors are always looking out for you. They really care about how you do in your classes. This is one of the many perks of going to a small school.
On the other hand, the only downside to this is that there is not a large a selection of courses as you would get at a large school. Your counselors do their best to accommodate your first choice in schedule though and, if you play sports, they can work around that as well. I have not had a problem with my scheduling at all and I’m only a freshman!
As well as having outstanding academics, Stonehill College has an awesome career services program. If you are looking for internships or need help preparing for an upcoming interview, you can make an appointment or stop in to ask for help. They have people working just to help you succeed.
So do I feel like I’m learning a lot? My answer would be I learn a lot every day. Something new is constantly being discussed or debated whether in you major classes or just general requirement classes. My thought process has been expanded greatly and I know that in the coming years my knowledge will increase tenfold.
Am enjoying being here
Well, Stonehill College wasn’t ranked the number seventh happiest students by the Princeton Review’s “Best 371 Colleges” for nothing. Everyone I have talked to on campus loves everything about Stonehill. It really is a community that helps you grow academically and socially. In addition, Stonehill made the Princeton Review’s list for “most beautiful campus” and “easiest campus to get around”. And there is so much to do on campus! Our school sponsors’ three mixers (like our famed “Graffiti” Dance) a year and we are constantly having themed weeks such as Spirit Week, Freak Week, and most recently our Holiday Week. There is so much to do off campus too; our central location to Boston and Providence is perfect for a day off campus. We have numerous clubs and activities which are great ways to get involved on campus and meet new people. For example, student participation in intramural sports is among the highest in the nation (if you aren’t playing for one of our Division II sports already!) There is plenty to do here and we always have a lot of fun on campus.
Bang for the buck
Stonehill College is a private catholic college and therefore the price tag is not cheap, but our financial aid office works with you as much as possible to make sure that you will be able to attend. For me, financial aid is very important and Stonehill offered me the most money out of all the schools that I applied to. Every little bit counts and the school really works for you. This money is really going towards our school though; you can see examples of that just by walking around campus. For example, Stonehill just opened a new science center with state of the art labs, new classrooms and a glass encased atrium for students to study. It’s a real asset to our campus and I’m glad that my tuition money is going toward something as useful as our science center. I really feel as though the money I’m paying to attend Stonehill is really helping to further my educations and help me for the future.
Tips for prospective students
For prospective students, my advice would be to pay specific attention to your essay. At Stonehill, there is a limited amount of spots that the admissions officers can fill and you need to stand out more than the next person. Put as much of you into your application so that the officers can get a good sense o f whom you are. Also, if you are thinking about attending, VISIT THE CAMPUS! That is so important. I made the decision to go to Stonehill only after I visited the campus. It’s important to see if you could see yourself on that campus. Lastly, relax! Try and have fun with the college and scholarship applications!
Great for these types of students
Stonehill College is great for students who like a feeling of community, who don’t just want to be a number at a huge university and who are serious about their future. It is a small school and so you will know five out of the ten people you see walking down the street. For me, I didn’t want to go to a small school, but now that I’m here, I wouldn’t have it any other way. There are so many opportunities at Stonehill to find where you belong. I know that I did.

Stonehill Senior

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Stonehill College provides a well-rounded, liberal arts education to students majoring in everything from English to Chemistry. You will never meet a friendlier group of students, faculty, and staff because Stonehill is such a small, close-knit community. The only downside is that admissions seems to want the school to expand; however, the number of classes offered and faculty members available to teach seem pretty stagnant, which leads to issues during course registration for underclassmen.
Tips for prospective students
- Make sure Stonehill has the major(s) you are looking for or could potentially be interested in if you are coming in undeclared - many people change their mind and you don't want to be forced to transfer because we don't offer classes for your major (you can make your own interdisciplinary major, but you still need classes in your discipline)
- This is a small school - news, rumors, and gossip spread like wildfire, so either keep your private life private or find a bigger school where this won't be such an issue
- Befriend your professors - the faculty here are fantastic and many practically live on campus because they are here so early in the morning and so late at night; they love students to come ask them questions, whether it is about course content or their favorite sports team - so don't be shy!
Academic Rigor
If you do your work, study, and participate in class, you will do well at Stonehill; the grades definitely tend to be on the high end of the scale (A, A-, B+) for every major. This does not mean you are guaranteed one of these grades, but if you put in the effort it is definitely possible. That being said, I have taken some incredibly challenging courses at Stonehill and have never been prouder of my grades.
Dorm Life
More than 90% of students live on campus at Stonehill and none of the dorms are incredibly far away from the rest of campus (besides the Sem). Most students live in doubles, whether it is in hallway style housing (mostly freshmen and sophomores), small houses of 20-30 people (mostly juniors and seniors), or suite style living (mostly juniors and seniors). There are some rare singles and quads. The lottery system for housing is based on merit points that you earn by attending clubs during the year and individual merit point events. You start each year with 10 merit points and can earn as many as 15 (but don't get written up, otherwise you will permanently lose a merit point per infraction). The RAs are a great group of students - definitely people you can turn to if you need to talk and don't want to go to a member of the professional staff. Both the RAs and hall council frequently put on programs at night for when you are not busy doing homework, watching tv, or hanging out with friends. And on the subject of friends - definitely get to know the people you live near freshmen year - they have become my greatest friends at Stonehill and people I will definitely keep in touch with after graduating. The downsides of the dorms is that most have limited (if any) control of the temperature - so some parts of the building will be freezing while others will be boiling in the middle of the winter. There are also space problems living in a forced triple and frequently conflicts living in quads.
Food and Dining
Compared to most college food, the food at Stonehill really isn't that bad. Is it going to be like a gourmet, home-cooked meal every time? No. But will it be acceptable the majority of the time - yeah. There are two cafeterias on campus - the main one where everyone eats is the Roche Dining Commons (known as the Commons), which contains The Hill downstairs, and the Sem cafe, which is mostly frequented by students living in the Sem and people looking for Sem brunch on the weekends (definitely worth a trek to the Sem at least once a year for brunch - yes it is that different). The Commons opens at 7 am for a la carte and 7:30 for hot food. There is a good variety in breakfast items from cereal to breakfast sandwiches and a fruit and yogurt bar to freshly baked pastries. The Commons stays open until 10 for breakfast and then you are left with a la carte again until 11:15 when lunch starts. There are generally 5 or 6 options for lunch (vegetarian, pasta, international, main line, grill, and sandwiches). Lunch remains open until 3, but I am pretty sure the last hour is just deli and not hot food. Some of the most popular lunch options are crispy chicken wraps, buffalo chicken penne, taco Tuesday, and burger mania. Dinner runs from 4:45 to 6:30 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and from 4:45 to 7:30 Monday-Thursday. You definitely have to plan when you go to dinner because the crowds can be insane at certain times (I'd give you pointers but it seems to vary from year to year - but the best bet is to stay away around 5:30). Dinner favorites include pastabilities, grilled cheese bar, and pancakes, however, there are many other options as well. Food is definitely better during the week than on the weekends. The Hill is very convenient on the go (if you grab something from behind the registers - not so much if you order food) - and offers mostly fast food types of meals. It is also great because it is open later at night (until 11 pm on weeknights and 1 am on the weekends) ...
What to do for fun
Many people get involved in intermural sports in the free time. There are also tennis courts, a beach volleyball court, and basketball courts around campus. The main quad and smaller stone quad by O'Hara are often used by students to lay out, play frisbee/catch/lacrosse/etc, or studying in the sun. Movie nights are frequently sponsored by the movie/comedy committee, trips are planned about once a month or so by trip committee, and the ever popular bingo nights are held about once a month - with some of the best prizes you have ever seen. Many clubs and organizations will hold events on the weekend and weeknight evenings to give students something to do as well.
Bang for the buck
Tuition is pretty high, but we do have a fair number of perks. Printing and laundry are both free (which you won't see as a perk until you talk to friends/siblings at other schools who spend hundreds of dollars doing both during their college careers. There are also many resources available to students - from tutoring in many classes to health services (though their competence is often brought to question, so take their opinions with a grain of salt) as well as the counseling and testing center.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The most exciting night on campus is probably the Thursday before Halloween when Haunted Sem and Midnight Madness are held. During Haunted Sem, each of the residence halls are assigned a wing of the Sem to decorate and form a team of scarers to terrify fellow students and members of the surrounding community. Following that is Midnight Madness, which is the official launch to winter sports (with a strong emphasis on basketball). More than half the school comes out for Midnight Madness, and even if you don't care about sports, it is one of the craziest environments you will ever experience.

Jamie from Milford, CT

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Stonehill College is my perfect fit. I transferred mid-year from a public university, and fell right into place. The small classes, overly-nice people, and comfortable, safe atmosphere all help to make Stonehill a close-knit community.
Tips for prospective students
Definitely visit! The campus is absolutely gorgeous, and you'll really get a sense of where you'll be spending most of your time depending on your intended major. Every building is clean and modern, the dorms are a generous size, the campus activities are endless, and the impact you'll make on campus as an individual, and not just a number, is incredible.
Academic Rigor
For a science nerd like myself, the classes I'm involved in are definitely challenging. You'll typically find me posted up at the library or science center studying. However, that's just the kind of student that I am. I take my grades seriously, and my professors recognize that. They are always available to help if necessary. Put your best foot forward with your classes, and you'll do just fine.
Dorm Life
The dorms are a generous size, and aren't cluttered with furniture. You definitely have breathing room. Each dorm has its own kitchen, common room, and study room, so you'll always have a place to go. Housing applications are simple, and selecting a roommate is effortless. You are expected to do a bit of work for the better dorms; Stonehill runs on a Merit Point Program, where you must be active on campus to gain points which determine when you are allowed to choose your dorm coming housing selection time. It's Stonehill's brilliant way of making sure you get out there!
Food and Dining
The Sodexo food is AMAZING. Everything is cooked to order, and is fresh unlike university buffet style services. There are two dining halls and one specialty dining option, The Hill, for quicker meals and late-night snacking. There is such a variety of food, with menus posted daily online for easy access. Also, any meal can be made to go, so you're more than welcome to grab something on your way to go study!
What to do for fun
Stonehill prides itself on its shuttle, which allows students without cars access to a local movie theater, Target plaza, South Shore Plaza mall (which is AMAZING! - google it!), and the T-station, where you can get about anywhere. Also available to students are Zip-cars, so you can rent a car whenever you want. But, coming from an actual student, you'll rarely use those ammenities. There's ALWAYS something to do on campus; sometimes, you're stuck with a tough decision on what to do when two activities are at the same time. Trust me, you won't be bored.
Bang for the buck
Stonehill is definitely an exceptional school that I genuinely love, and can't wait to go back each semester. However, it is a bit pricey, and is rising. For a student like me, though, that loves the school, I'll pay anything for Stonehill.
Greek Life
None!
Campus Safety
Campus Police (Campo) make rounds every 15 minutes on foot, bike, or car. There are plenty of blue-lights around campus, though they're unnecessary. Stonehill is a gated community with watchful eyes. You're always safe!

Michelle from Massachusetts

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
stonehill is a small catholic school just outside of boston. despite its size, it is nevertheless a great school academically. stonehill is a great place to live if you're looking for a tight-knight community full of awesome people; both faculty and students.
Tips for prospective students
apply! that is all.
Academic Rigor
classes can be challenging, but like any school, it's all what you make of it. you can slide by (probably) and take easier classes, or you can take more challenging classes that you will get a lot more out of in the end.
Dorm Life
there's a wide variety of housing arrangements, from hall-style dorms, to trailers that accomodate eight people, to houses that twenty people live in.
Food and Dining
the food in the dining commons does get a little old after a while, but that is true of any college by the time the second semester rolls around. however, we do have the hill, which is pub style food (for example, you can get a burger and fries there).
What to do for fun
stonehill's small campus can feel stifling by the end of the week, but a shuttle bus offers you plenty of chances to get away. the shuttle goes to target, the movies, and the quincy adams t station, which will take you right into boston, a fantastic city.
Bang for the buck
stonehill, like all private colleges, is not cheap. at times it can feel too much so. however, the atmosphere, the community, the faculty, the opportunities, and the experiences at stonehill are too good to pass up. it's worth it in the end.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
beware ohara pond! many a student has jumped into it on a dare or after losing a bet. it is not worth it. we have lots of other traditions as well, like sledding down donahue hill in the winter. we also have a brand new outdoor ice skating rink on campus - it's awesome!
Great for these types of students
to be honest, stonehill is great for anyone who considers themselves preppy. however, that label does not begin to cover the student body in the slightest. there's actually a lot of variety in the types of students that go here.
Clubs and Activities
there are plenty of clubs and activities on campus. if you want to get involved, stonehill allows you to do that. there are many activist groups on campus that are passionate about their causes.
Greek Life
there is no greek life on campus; stonehill does not offer sororities or fraternities. however, if you're looking to live in an on-campus house during college, that style of housing is available for sophomores-seniors.
Campus Safety
campus police (or campo, as we like to affectionately call them) do their job well. stonehill is a relatively safe community and is not exactly a hotspot for crime but campo is always immediately accessible whenever they are needed.

Briana from Elmont, NY

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
the professors are professional, extremley intelligent and engaging. the campus grounds are beautiful. stonehill has opened up endless opporyunities for me inside and outiside of school.
Tips for prospective students
be disciplined with your studies. bring tons of sweaters and warm clothing for the winter, its bitter cold.
Academic Rigor
the work is very demanding, mentally speaking. the work load isn't overwhelming but if you slack off it can be. time mangaemnet is also a plus.
Dorm Life
small campus so limited options as to where one can live depending on their year. regardless, all residence halls are pretty good.
Food and Dining
its pretty expensive for a college student, but its better than nothing. the cafe staff is really nice.
What to do for fun
go to boston or providence. go to the movies, mall or just hang out with friends.
Clubs and Activities
lots of clubs, best way to connect with the rest of teh student body being that it is a small campus.
Greek Life
none
Campus Safety
campus police is staffed with off-duty or retired cops so they have guns and know how to use them. they are prompt and efficient.

Mia Janay from San Pablo, CA

researching this school
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
At any college you decide to attend, you're guaranteed to learn something. At Stonehill, I believe you will not only learn a whole lot, but also retain all of the knowledge you gain. Their academics are quite exceptional.
Will enjoy being here
For sure! The campus is breathtaking and the atmosphere is very welcoming. There tons to do and the student life seems very active.
Bang for the buck
It is on the pricey side, but they are willing to work with you to try to meet the majority of your financial needs.
Tips for prospective students
- Visit and meet with someone in admissions
- Take a tour of campus
- Ask lots of questions!
Great for these types of students
Stonehill is great for students that are looking for a school with a sense of community, beautiful environment, wonderful people, and somewhere that you can enjoy yourself and get a quality education all at the same time!

Jennifer from Salem, NH

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Stonehill College is by far one of the most outstanding colleges in the nation, rated #9 in the country after the Ivy Leagues. Not only are the opportunities for employment connection, internships, and employment after you receive your degree at an exceedingly high percentage, but the professors, classes, and the methods for the holistic education of a person also go above and beyond to really create the best imaginable education for you. And besides the brilliant educational aspect that the school has to offer, Stonehill's community is so tight-knit and caring for one another that you would rarely find such an atmosphere at any other school.
Tips for prospective students
If you are looking for a smaller campus in which you would really be able to become involved with activities, work, studies, and service, become close with your professors and peers, and get one of the best educations in the nation, then Stonehill would be a perfect fit for you. It has so much to offer in the sense that the college really aspires within its mission to create a holistic education and development of each individual, and pushing forward a chain reaction to the world within that formation of each student.
Academic Rigor
The courses and the professors can be quite demanding at Stonehill. The course-load does depend on each professor, but most of the courses are thought-intensive and promote a progressive philosophy within the educational methods so as to encourage students to think critically and to apply what they are learning to different areas of their lives and to the issues that the world is facing currently.
Dorm Life
The dorm life is a good time; granted, yes you have communal bathrooms as a freshman, and the rooms are by no means what you would call a suite, but they are still roomy enough that you would have extra space left over if you kept it neat. The RAs are also awesome and plan many activities for their residents so that the community within a certain hall is able to come about. The dorms are not really too noisy and many people are very respectful of one another. Another great thing that can't be stressed enough is the sense of belonging and of community within the dorms; for an example, over Christmas time, every specific hall in my building had a contest against one another to see who could decorate their hall the best, or who could come up with the best theme. It was all in good fun, of course, but the whole building came together to decorate and to get everyone in the Christmas spirit, and it was always uplifting to come into a place that looked and felt like home.
Food and Dining
Stonehill's food comes through Sodexo. Sodexo does have a wide variety of options every night, from the deli to the pasta and pizza, to the main dish, to the vegetarian, to the international, to the bakery, and more. Of course, having a home-cooked meal is always preferred, but the food options that Stonehill has are always edible and most of the time delicious. The distance to walk to get the food is not that bad either, it is located pretty centrally on campus for everyone. Plus, Stonehill has Dunkins and Starbucks on campus, which is awesome for people who prefer one over the other. The meal plan is also very reasonable as well; it is a set balance of a system, so you swipe your card for the set amount of money that a meal/food costs, and you can upgrade or downgrade to a new plan based upon your needs. After the first semester, any money leftover from your card is transferred over as an addition for the next semester, so you can even splurge second semester if you really wanted to!
What to do for fun
Easton is a pretty quaint area, but it is located very conveniently about a half hour from Boston, and it is also right near the Braintree Mall Plaza, which the Stonehill Shuttle takes you to both (for free!) around the clock! With those areas, there is no way that you could get bored! Also on campus, there is a wide variety of clubs and sports that could fit the need/passion of any student. Also, for those that like to go outside, there are two nature trails on campus itself! In walking distance from the school, there is also Daddy's Dairy (which has its own purple Stonehill sprinkles for school pride!), Bertuccis, Panera Bread, the famous Back Bay Bagels, and an Orange Leaf! There are so many things to do on campus and off that I never find myself bored.
Bang for the buck
Stonehill is definitely an expensive school, but the money that it gives back totally makes up for it. Multiple notorious magazines have designated Stonehill as one of the financially smartest schools to look into, and the opportunities and gateways that the college opens up to its students is priceless.
Great for these types of students
Students that want to really excel in their education, who want to make a difference, and who want to become involved closely with their community and friends would find themselves at home at Stonehill.
Clubs and Activities
There is something for everyone at Stonehill: Outdoors Club, Ski Club, Theatre (Company and Musical Theatre Club), multiple choirs to choose from, Into-The-Streets (a service club), the Diversity club, different varsity and intramural sports, among so many other things. Someone would always find something that suits them here.
Greek Life
There is no Greek life, but I feel that this adds to the community and the equality that the college stands for.
Campus Safety
I feel completely safe on my campus at all times. Even when we do have health/safety scares, I see the community coming together to help each other in times of need, always caring for one another to make sure that everyone is okay, and that family sense in itself makes me feel very secure.

Lori from Dorchester, MA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Stonehill College is and absolute joy! The students are so friendly and welcoming that its hard not to make friends. They are so driven for academic excellence while giving back to the community and there's so many fun things to do!
Tips for prospective students
Try to get know the people in your classes and dorms, you never know who'll come through for you! And get the Stonehill College app! Best choice ever!
Academic Rigor
The professors and the courses range from Ok to really strong and tough. However, they never reach impossible. As long as you reach out to Professors and classmates, even the hardest of classes and challenges can be overcome.
Dorm Life
Dorm life is fun! RA's do everything in their power to make students feel like they are living among friends and family. They put on events to help with getting to know other students and faculty members during the semester.
Food and Dining
Food and dining for what it's worth is pretty decent. not everything is good but it is still decent. We do have sushi which is absolutely GREAT!! It's never going to match up to home cooking but its still good!
What to do for fun
There's so many clubs to join, from sports to anime and student government if you're into politics and such. They have discounted movie passes, a shuttle to the mall and red-line station. You can basically do whatever you like!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There's a really weird but fun tradition that students at stonehill have. Basically, whenever our sports teams wins their champions ship, Superbowl etc, everyone jumps into the very shallow pond near the shields center. Halarious and fun!
Great for these types of students
Great for students who like to give back to the community and like to spread out and be active in clubs and events. Good fit for the over achiever as well as the students who like to unwind from course work with fun get-togethers and gatherings.
Clubs and Activities
Anime, Sci-fi, Asian American, French, Mock UN, Bowling, Volleyball, soccer, habitat for humanity. You name it and I'm pretty sure Stonehill has it. There's so much to choose from.
Campus Safety
Campus police are so nice and willing to help anyone. Stonehill uses the blue-light system to help keep students and faculty safe. They respond with in 30 seconds of call/button push.

Ahmed from Revere, MA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The Campus is beautiful, seeing the animals left and right makes me smile. Nice professors that like us to visit office hours. Professors challenge us so we can succeed.
Tips for prospective students
Make friends, everyone is very friendly!!
Academic Rigor
Professors like to challenge us.
Dorm Life
I live in a pretty sweet dorm very comfortable, RA is very nice.
Clubs and Activities
Lots to choose from, fit around your schedule.
Campus Safety
Campus police very reliable and friendly. We are there #1 concern!!

Anthony from Waterville, ME

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
Stonehill has a wide range of academics with plenty of majors to choose from.
Will enjoy being here
The campus is gorgeous and the people are friendly. There seem to be a lot of activities available such as sports, extracurriculars and volunteer programs that allow one to be able to explore different areas of interest.
Bang for the buck
The overall cost is pretty expensive, however, the financial aid seems to be fairly good at 91%.
Tips for prospective students
Campus Tour, Interview, Solid Essay.
Great for these types of students
Caucasian, Well-To-Do, Overly Friendly, Preppy.