Marist College

I just finished my freshman year at Marist, and I honestly couldn't be any happier with my school!
Size - I started at Marist as a girl coming from a graduating class of about 110, & I felt perfectly at home. Going to college, I obviously wanted to meet people, and I aimed for a school with 4000-10000 undergrads. I found that the size of Marist was absolutely perfect (for me!) because I saw friends & acquaintances as well as people that I didn't know. It was a nice change from seeing the same 110 faces everyday in high school!

Academics - Classes at Marist are small, and professors are devoted to helping you understand materials and ultimately earn a better grade. Like at any college, it's important to actually try. If you slack at Marist, don't expect an A.

Campus - The campus is absolutely beautiful. Staff keeps it so well-maintained, so you'll jump at every chance you get to go study at the Marist Beach (not really a beach, for all you newcomers!). The Hudson offers an amazing view, and there are plenty of areas to study outside. The buildings are all gorgeous as well, although the library has to be my favorite place on campus. But be careful when going off campus! Poughkeepsie isn't the greatest place to be walking around alone. Always have a couple of friends with you, and try to refrain from walking the streets at night.

Housing - You have 4 choices - Sheahan, Marian, Leo, & Champagnat. I'll make it simple for you. Sheahan & Marian have the least amount of people, but Sheahan is composed of triples and doubles while Marian has quads. Some of my friends lived in Leo & loved it because it has more people & is a happy medium between the solitude of Sheahan & the chaos of Champagnat. I'm a Champ girl all the way! Champ has the most people, but its also connected to the Student Center, which proved to coincide perfectly with rainy days and my unwillingness to trek outside. Upperclassmen housing is nice, but not guaranteed.

Nightlife/Parties - In the beginning of the year, there were a lot of sports house parties & frat parties, but as the semester went on, there were less & less. Bars, however, are huge. Typical freshman bars consist of O'Malleys, Cocos, & Ameers. However, freshman started taking over upperclassmen bars with 21+ ID's, which greatly improved the selection of places to go. There's always stuff to do on the weekends, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Just be careful as a freshman when coming back to the dorms. You have to swipe in at night, and if you mis-swipe your ID card 3 times, you're sent to St. Francis Hospital. It happens to more people than you think, so just be careful!

People - A lot of people complain that there's a lack of diversity at marist. While this is somewhat true racially & financially, the range of students' personalities & backgrounds is otherwise vast. All in all, Marist is great. Freshman year was amazing, & I expect nothing less of the next 3 years. Like at any other college, the experience is what you make of it. So get involved, make new friends, study hard, and don't forget to have fun!

1st Year Female -- Class 2015

Education Quality: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: B

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Education Quality: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: A-

I think Marist is the best school for people who are active, well-rounded students who love to get involved. There is always SO much going on around campus and I'm NEVER bored at school. Every weekend, there is a free movie, comedian, or coffeehouse concert for students to see or if you want to go out, there are parties and bars to go to. I like that Marist gives you fun options for the weekend if you just want to stay in. In terms of academics, I love that Marist is challenging but isn't cut-throat. I think too many schools (like Ivy leagues) focus too much on building a resume and on getting a high GPA and they lose sight of what's important about college: learning and developing. While Marist urges its students to get good grades, they also urge students to get involved on campus and to build our characters and not just our resumes. I love the friendly atmosphere at Marist and the way that it really turns into your home and your family.

3rd Year Female -- Class 2013

Education Quality: A+, Surrounding City: B