University of Montevallo
Montevallo, AL, USA

Reviews

University of Montevallo

Catherine from Cropwell, AL

a current student here
16 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am currently a sophomore at the University of Montevallo and am definitely learning a lot in my classes. Due to the small teacher to student ratio, all of the teachers will at least recognize you as one of their students, if not know you by name and major. They realize that all students learn in different ways and will help you try to understand, or direct you to someone that may help you more.
Am enjoying being here
The campus is beautiful and small, with brick streets(careful, it's easy to trip!) and buildings. There are many events throughout the year, so you will find yourself meeting people and having fun no matter what. Everyone is really sweet and acknowledging, too.
Bang for the buck
If you have an average-income family, then you will get by alright with a scholarship and some loans. A lot of different majors that I've encountered have all seemed quite happy with their education here and I would have to agree. Montevallo is not insanely expensive and will not fail to impress.
Tips for prospective students
Get your financial aid in early and do as well as possible on your ACT tests, as general tips. If accepted, get advised as soon as possible when the time comes and stay on top of everything that you need to get done. Make lists if you need to!
Great for these types of students
All types! Unless you would rather be anonymous to your teachers and never get help. Many of the teachers are laid-back and fun to be around, but can still call order to their classes and can help when needed.

Alexandria from Alabaster, AL

a current student here
8 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I have learned so much here. I feel like I'm getting a private-school education. The professors are really passionate about what they teach which makes learning so much better.
Am enjoying being here
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTEVALLO. The end.
Bang for the buck
The money that I have put into this University is most definitely worth it.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved. Yes, this is a small campus but there is so much to do!
Great for these types of students
If you like small classroom sizes this school is PERFECT for you. Plus, over 95% of the professors here have there doctorate in their fields of study.

Hannah from Mc Calla, AL

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
All of my classes are so small that I can tell that I'm really learning a lot. All of my professors are extremely approachable and always willing to help.
Am enjoying being here
The small campus is my favorite thing. After my first few weeks at school, I began recognizing people everywhere. Now I can't go anywhere on campus without seeing someone I'm friends with! The caf was intimidating at first, but now I never have to worry about going in alone--there's always a friend there to sit with.
Bang for the buck
I feel like the quality of UM's education is extremely under-priced. It would be nearly impossible to find such a small, quality, liberal arts education at the price UM offers.
Tips for prospective students
Get to know your admissions counselor! I still stay in contact with mine, and I know he is always someone I can go to on campus if I'm not sure about who to ask. Your admission counselor will be a helpful resource during the admission process as well as during your college career.
Also, make sure to come visit campus! Come multiple times, if you want.
Great for these types of students
Montevallo is great if you want to be involved on campus

Kaitlin from Roanoke, AL

researching this school
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
Small teacher-student ration. There will be more hands on learning and you won't be just a number at most universities, they will know you by name.
Will enjoy being here
Such a beautiful,small campus. You won't get lost at all.

Anna from Birmingham, AL

accepted here and planning to attend soon
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
This school has small classes sizes which allows a more focused and close relationship between student and teacher which is very beneficial. The campus itself is beautiful and antique with its tall trees and fresh walking grounds. Montevallo is a Arts and Science school and expresses great appreciation for students abilities and talents in everything from theatre to basketball.
Tips for prospective students
The staff and board is very friendly and eager to get to know you on a personal level. Introduce yourself to professors in your major before school starts by going to the collage days offered during the summer. If you have a passion, they are ready to help you soar.
Academic Rigor
Teachers are eager to help you in and out of the classroom. They want to get to know you and help you. This changes everything when it comes to collage education and what you can achieve.
Dorm Life
The dorms are very nice and well kept by faculty and students. It's nice living on campus because you get the full experience of collage life getting to attend events and gatherings. It is very safe. Security will even drive you to your dorm from the library late at night
Food and Dining
Montevallo uses a point system for the food on campus. The dinning hall has a variety of meal options every day and it is a great quaint place to visit with fellow students and friends on campus.
What to do for fun
There is an indoor swimming pool open to students during the school year. The email you receive for the Montevallo website also sends you notifications on campus parties and events going on. There are many clubs you can join to get involved as well.
Bang for the buck
Montevallo is one of the more economical schools in Alabama. It is worth every penny to live on campus and to attend a school that is so interpersonal with each and every student.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Every year students take part in an event where students choose a team (purple or gold) and compete in their every talents ranging from play-writing, acting, singing, ect. to sports, basketball. The campus is rumored to be haunted because it is one of the older campus' around. The is a graveyard located on campus
Great for these types of students
Theatrical, Baseball, Physiology, Art, Basketball, Foreign Language, Communications, Behavioral Sciences
Clubs and Activities
Collage Life, Ultimate Frisbee, Psychology Club, Math Club, Chemistry Club, Biology Club, Astronomy Club, National Broadcasting Society, Alabamian(Newspaper), Montage(Yearbook), The Tower(Lit Mag), Baptist Campus Ministries, Catholic Campus Ministries, Chi Alpha Christian Ministries, Episcopal Student Fellowship, Environmental Club, UM Anime Club, Young Democrats , Montevallo Organization of Gaming,
Greek Life
Greek Life provides a good democratic social experience, value beyond the college years, creates through their ideals, an ever-widening circle of service beyond the membership, develops the individual's potential through leadership opportunities and group effort, and fills the need of belonging.
Campus Safety
Montevallo is considered one of the safest campus'. Parents agree when seen the careful and caring watch security and staff have on their fellow members.

Tamara from Pleasant Grove, AL

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The University of Montevallo is an amazing place to further your education.
Everybody at the university is extremely friendly.
The people at this university takes the time out to give you true hands on help--true definition of hands-on is what they give.
Tips for prospective students
Everybody is friendly, so its easy to make friends.
Never have to worry about not having help--free tutoring, free writing enrichment--truly amazing, no exaggeration needed!
Dorm Life
Dorm life is a fun experience at any university, everybody should try at least once. At Montevallo, the sororities have their own section in the Residence halls( we don't like to call them dorms :) ) You almost get the glimpse of sorority life without being in one. We would have sleepovers every week, everybody is nice and its easy to feel at home upon arrival.
Food and Dining
Pretty good, not home cooking! But there is something different everyday.
What to do for fun
Basketball games, college night--its like our homecoming since their is no football team. During the first weeks, we have a bunch of parties including Foam parties, Movie nights on Fridays out on the quad, On the weekends buses takes us to the shopping center every Sunday, and for early Sundays there are many churches to go to.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
College Night--We have teams Purple and Gold, you pick your team, each team(whoever wants to) puts together a play and performs, thats the last night of college night, the nights before games go on and at the very end of college night the points get tallied up and we see which team wins either purple or gold. And its this big fun rival thing for the rest of the year, its a fun and tradition for the University of Montevallo Family.

KanJalla from Tuscaloosa, AL

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Montevallo is great school the people are nice and friendly and the classes are interesting with teachers who care.
Tips for prospective students
Don't be afraid to come here and not make friend, because you will can you find them everywhere.
Academic Rigor
You have to get a C or above to get credit but they only do that because they want you to succeed and the teachers will help you along with the other students and tutors on campus.
Dorm Life
You will be come a family with people on your hall. It is awsome and you can meet new people.
Food and Dining
We have the Caf but you get tired of it sometimes so it's good that we have lots of fast food places in walking distance and a mall 45 mins away.
Clubs and Activities
There are clubs for everything on campus and students are always making new one so you will always find something you like. And on campus we have UPC event that are run by the school and they are always fun.
Campus Safety
The campus police will go out of their way to pick you up at night if you call them and say you don't feel safe walking back to your dorm.

Rachel from Birmingham, AL

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
A well structured school with a beautiful Campus. It focus mainly on the arts, but has wonderful Business and Sciences programs, along with a new Game Studies minor. Great place where nothing is really out of place.
Tips for prospective students
As long as you study, you will enjoy this school. Everyone is friendly, and all it takes is you introducing yourself to have friends for a lifetime.
Academic Rigor
Grades are a big focus, and this is definitely not a party school, though we do have fun.
Dorm Life
People in the dorms are the type to invite you over for a movie. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself! The RA's are really cool too, in the majority.
Food and Dining
Naturally there will be the grease soaked something, but overall everything is great.
What to do for fun
Hang out in the game room, or visit on of the many club on campus like the anime Club, the Enviromental Club, or the Montevallo Organization of Gaming (MoG). Then there's always just hanging out with friends or outside the caf chatting it up. Never a dull moment at Montevallo, that's for sure.
Bang for the buck
Some of the the dorms are better than others, depending on how well the students have treated the buildings. Not to say that they aren't clean, but places like Napier may seem pretty bad because most of the guys aren't big on cleaning up after themselves.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
College Night, the oldest running homecoming tradition in the state (and maybe the US) is a yearly contest between students of opposing school colors, gold and purple, and they each write their own plays and perform them. We are also located in the center of the state of Alabama, with a star on the steps of Main Hall marking the point.
Great for these types of students
Anyone, unless you want to go to college just to party
Clubs and Activities
See previous statements
Greek Life
Wouldn't know about that. Avoid them like the plague.
Campus Safety
Very, very low crime rates. Always one bad apple in every bunch.

Patricia from Brewton, AL

researching this school
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
I am a small-town girl. I noticed that the student to teacher ratio here is somewhere along the lines of 20-1, this excites me because I am definitely not a fan of big classes.
Will enjoy being here
I am sure I could give it a better rating, however, I have not visited the campus yet, I plan to attend next week however. I have researched this college extensively and the campus looks beautiful, and the staff and students seem beautiful.
Bang for the buck
My family is currently strapped financially, so the estimated cost of attendance for me is a very crucial factor in choosing a university. Montevallo is not very expensive, and the educational opportunities here are plentiful, so I believe that you will get your money's worth for attending this college.
Tips for prospective students
My best tip is to work hard and apply for scholarships. Work hard to keep your grades up and keep them up.
Great for these types of students
Montevallo is great for students who do not want to leave in a big city, or who enjoy small classroom settings.

India from Loxley, AL

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
UM is a great school! The campus is beautiful, the students are friendly, and the classes are interesting. Also, they offer a lot of financial aid.
Tips for prospective students
If you're not looking to attend a liberal school--both in terms of education and politics--then this probably isn't the place for you. If you're an art or theater major, though, or just a free spirit, then UM is perfect for you. Also, if you don't want to attend school in a small town, you'd better look elsewhere.
Academic Rigor
The classes are challenging, but the professors are fair, for the most part. Also, UM offers a lot of interesting classes, like a Harry Potter course.
Dorm Life
The dorms are pretty nice, and the RAs are always hosting activities for the residents, like movie nights.
Food and Dining
The cafeteria is a lot better than I expected, and they even offer vegan and vegetarian options.
What to do for fun
Like I said, it's a small town, so there isn't a whole lot to do. There are several nice parks and trails if you're an outdoorsy type, as well as a lake where you can rent canoes and kayaks. There are also a few boutiques if you like to shop, and several restaurants (we just got a Taco Bell). And if you want some real excitement, you can always drive to Birmingham, which is only 45 minutes away.