Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley is one of a kind! The faculty and staff are friendly, the school is big enough to where it doesn't feel small, but small enough to where you're more than just a number. Greek life is the best I've seen anywhere! Chapters love and support each other and unlike other schools, there is NO hazing! It may not be well known, but for being 50 years old, it's HIGHLY respected in west michigan and is expanding daily.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2013

Education Quality: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: C

I decided to go out-of-state for college, due to my home state having insane tuition rates. I wanted to go to a respectable, academic-focused university with a large campus and small class sizes. Grand Valley was just what I was looking for. They provide all the resources needed to succeed and the faculty really work with you to help you set up your career. The major complaints against Grand Valley is that it seems too much like high school, but keep in mind most students area from Michigan and the surrounding area and entered the school with multiple other people from their class; I entered knowing no one and I never had an issue with this. People tend to complain that the surrounding area is boring: the Allendale campus has so many extracurricular activities that its easy to get involved and Grand Rapids is just a free bus ride away. I know people who transferred from other universities, Grand Valley does offer one of the best quality educations in the state. The professors here are all understanding and are very clear with what they expect. If I had to do it all over again, I would choose Grand Valley again. My only advice is to take as many AP courses as possible and try to do a major that you really love; it can be a pain to switch your major after investing a year or two into one program.

1st Year Female -- Class 2015

Individual Value: A+, Innovation: B