Clarke University
Dubuque, IA, USA

Reviews

Clarke University

Rach

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
As a four year, private college, they sure teach a lot. The best thing about that is that it is all good stuff; it is not boring or useless homework. No matter if your class is in your major or not, you'll always find it valuable.
Am enjoying being here
The people and teachers are really nice and accomodating! You'll probably know their cell phone numbers.
Bang for the buck
I went to the University of Northern Iowa which costs like $15,000 a year. Currently, Clarke costs about $23,000 per year if you live off-campus, but with all of the scholarships they give, it is actually costing me a lot less than the University of Northern Iowa and I don't even qualify for financial aid. All the scholarships they gave me were solely academic.
Tips for prospective students
It is small, but you'll make more friends faster!

Kateri from Wisconsin

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
We learn about forming good and valid arguments, how to speak in front of an audience, and what scansion is.
Am enjoying being here
The students have movie nights and game nights and everybody tries to make everyone feel at home. You can take meals into class as long as you don't make a mess and you can run in the halls if you're running a bit late.
Bang for the buck
The food and the dorms are terrific, there is a great athletic center, and the campus itself is just beautiful.
Tips for prospective students
Try to stay for the weekends. Make friends with your Tuckpointers and your group during CONNECT (Orientation). Sign up for extra-curricular activities. Talk to your teachers outside of class just to talk.
Great for these types of students
Everyone who enjoys school and likes having fun!

Jordan from Dubuque, IA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Clarke is a great Private College with a sensational community atmosphere. The instructors make it very easy to communicate on a personal level as well as helping every student learn in whatever way suits them. Clarke's staff truly goes out of their way to make your day a good one and ensure your success while you're here.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved with the activities Clarke puts together, they really are fun and you meet a lot of new people that you wouldn't usually interact with. Attending sporting events is always fun and it helps when there's a variety of competitions that you can attend.
Academic Rigor
There's a lot of group projects that help you build skills that you'll use later on in life. Clarke integrates a lot of work that can relate to your life after college instead of having students do busy work to just earn a grade.
Dorm Life
The rooms themselves are very big compared to most schools that give you just enough room to breathe. They provide you with enough sinks and showers for the whole floor to use at once so there's never a wait if you're trying to get ready for the day. They also provide you with $60 per semester for laundry on campus so you don't have to travel off campus to do laundry, and you don't have to worry about having quarters to do it.
Food and Dining
The food here is all prepared right before it's served. There's a great variety for taste buds of all sorts and it's made by a cook who's been formally trained in food preparation and it's a full buffet's worth. There's also another food center that's grilled food, handmade subs/sandwiches, and salads that you can order at any time of the day as a part of your meal plan.
What to do for fun
Dubuque is a unique city where there's a lot to do that you may never know about that's close to campus. There's a beautiful downtown district with a river walk and museums that you can go see. On campus there's always activities that Clarke's Residence life is putting together to ensure there's never a dull moment even on the weekends.

Allison from Dubuque, IA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Clarke University is a great school for students who want a small school feeling. It is a very community based college so all the students, faculty members, and professors get involved with each other. It is also a school based on the students needs, where everyone cares about everyone.
Tips for prospective students
The best thing to remember here at Clarke University is to get involved.
Since it is a smaller school, the best way to have fun is to get involved in as many things as possible.
Academic Rigor
Academics here are great. All the professors care about the students and are willing to help all the time.
Dorm Life
The dorms here a pretty good. They are a little small and outdated, but they are a nice size and have everything needed, they even have a small sink in each room.
Food and Dining
Food and dining is amazing here. There is both a cafeteria, with fresh made food, and there is also the Crusader Cafe. At the cafe they have fast food, salad bar, fruits and vegetables, and a mini grocery store. It is a great way to get food if you need to get going quickly.
What to do for fun
Get involved. There are posters all the time that are put up about activities that are going on, especially on weekends. Go to those with some friends and enjoy! There are also many things around the area, closest is Kennedy Mall, and the River Walk is not to far away either.
Bang for the buck
If you don't have a car, and even if you do, the Jule is a great option. It is a free transportation system for Clarke students that will take you to many different places around Dubuque.
Great for these types of students
Clarke is great for students who want a small school feeling, like a community base.
Campus Safety
We have a security office on campus where students can go for anything. They are all friendly people.

Samantha from Dubuque, IA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It is a beautiful and comfortable campus. The professors are personable and truly care about their students' success. The students are warm, kind, and inviting.
Tips for prospective students
Do not be afraid to say hello to people you don't know, they will be doing so for you! Clarke is basically a big family, don't be afraid to ask questions and make some awesome friends!
Academic Rigor
The material is difficult, but the professors break it down to an understandable level. Each professor has their own way of teaching, and the methods differ enough to stand out.
Dorm Life
The people are friendly and the staff is personable and always there for you! The Resident Assistants plan fun craft or movie nights a few times a month to make sure there is always a good vibe resonating through the halls. The Director carries herself in a professional manner with a smile constantly occupying her face!
Food and Dining
Before attending Clarke, the cafeteria food was boasted about. All I had heard about it were good things. The cafeteria is only open certain hours but a grill type cafe is offered across the street most of the day. The best part is that the chef accepts recipes you bring from home and will attempt to recreate them for you, like I said, a big family!
What to do for fun
Activities planned by the Activity Board are always a good choice. The Men's Volleyball teams is a hit at Clarke. For a small school, they provide great weekend entertainment.
Bang for the buck
The school is pretty expensive but they do find a way to get you there. The scholarships they offer are wonderful. I have been learning a lot so it is totally worth it!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
We actually designate a soccer game for homecoming instead of football (seeing as we do not have a football team). There are many traditions during the holiday seasons. The cleaning lady has a competition for the girl dorms every year and the wing with the cleanest bathrooms gets her amazing cookies! In the dining room, if anyone drops any sort of silverware/plates/cups, the entire room claps for them. It's not to embarrass anyone, it's just a funny thing we all do.
Clubs and Activities
The best part is, you can create your own!
Campus Safety
Dubuque, Iowa is a very safe town and Clarke's campus is in the safest part. There is security patrolling much of the time making sure everything is right for Crusader comfort!

Traci from OREGON, IL

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Clarke University is a small school in the beautiful city of Dubuque, IA.
All faculty and staff are kind and willing to help.
With numerous opportunities available, it is impossible not to get involved.
Tips for prospective students
Don't be afraid to branch out and meet new people. Everyone is so kind and impossible NOT to get along with. Also, don't be afraid to ask questions. We're all here to help!
Academic Rigor
Clarke professors and staff not only make it clear that they want you to succeed, but they help you do so.
Dorm Life
Anything from a private room, to a double with one roommate, to an campus apartment with several other people...so many options!
Food and Dining
We have the Crusader Cafe and the Cafe. Both allow you to use Crusader funds, and both have oodles of delicious and healthy options to choose from.
What to do for fun
I hang out in the student activity center or meet up with friends in their dorm rooms. Even studying is fun here.
Bang for the buck
Clarke isn't the most inexpensive college out there, but financial advisers are ready and willing to help with any needs.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
I hear that the fourth floor of the building that I live in is haunted, and every Halloween the campus puts a haunted house up there.
Great for these types of students
Religious (Catholic) students, students coming from a small town.
Clubs and Activities
So many that it's hard not to get involved. From campus ministry to theater.
Campus Safety
When littering is the only thing that happens occasionally, you know you're at a safe school.

Jennifer from Ryan, IA

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Clarke University is a very good school to go to. They have all types of majors and things for you to do. Clarke is located in a city with many things to make you feel at home.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you have everything you need before you start any college. Also check with them about college credits tranfering over from High School. Have Fun!
Academic Rigor
Clarke University has an AMAZING art program. They have many ways for art students to get involved. Clarke also has its own Art Gallery made specifically for students!
Dorm Life
Clarke has friendly people, which make for great roomates. Some of the rooms can be a little small. They have free laundry facilities.
Food and Dining
Clarke has home cooked meals everyday. They ask the parents for recipes of the students' favorite foods the day of registration. They also have a small convenient store located in one of their buildings.
What to do for fun
Clarke has intramurals, which are non-competitive sports. It is also located in Dubuque, and there are a lot of things to do there. Clarke has many clubs and organizations you can join.
Bang for the buck
Clarke really tries to help you with tuition and scholarships. They believe you should spend the least you have to for a great education. Clarke has a great financial aid program.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There are no unusual traditions that I am aware of. Clarke does have a lower level off of the library that contains artwork of the students. They also have a day made just for students to break the ice and learn more about one another.
Great for these types of students
The art gallery in Clarke is great for all students. This is because all of the students may see what kinds of imaginations other students have. Art students can also help set up their artwork and work at the gallery itself.
Clubs and Activities
Clarke has quite a few clubs and organizations. If they do not have one that you are interested in you may start your own! Clarke also has intramurals, which are sports that are non-competitive.
Campus Safety
Clarke University has a very safe campus. They have security that will walk you to your dorms if you feel unsafe. Also they have underground tunnels going to each building and keys that will only let certain students in.