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Roger Williams University

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Roger Williams has been an amazing experience forQuite BrightArt & Design Department
Roger Williams has been an amazing experience for me so far. I am only a second semester freshman, so I'm still learning as I go. There are things that I love about it, but at the same time there are things I hate.

The campus is obviously in a beautiful setting. I think people overrate just how beautiful the campus is though. Theres many parts that are unbelievabley beautiful, but others that are kind of gross (i.e. where some of the dorms are). The food here is amazing, theres a lot to choose from (sandwiches/wraps/paninis, mexican, stir fry, grilled foods, pasta, pizza, etc). Theres always something to choose from, except sometimes I get sick of the food ; however the take out options aren't horrible. The location of the school is ok. Theres really not much to do on the weekends, unless you want to sit on the disgusting RIPTA for a solid 40 minutes. I personally snuck my car on campus, honestly, public safety here are assholes, they ticket like crazy. Theres no way I can be stuck on this campus for more than two weeks because I go crazy! The town of Bristol is really cool, lots of restaurants and small shops, beaches and parks, but other than that there is nothing to do. Newport is definitely a great place to escape, and I guess Providence could be too. To me, Providence is a poor excuse for a city, so unless you want to go shopping at the mall, don't expect much more to do.

The education here is better than people give it credit for. Obviously this isn't Yale or Harvard, so I don't really know what they expect. People criticize some for coming here, and that they can't get in anywhere else. I also got into other schools like Quinnipiac and Drexel, but I thought Roger Williams was equally as qualified. I came in as an engineering major, but I changed to graphic design and visual arts. They really focus mainly on architecture, engineering, and business at this school, so I am applying to transfer, but I don't know if I actually will. The classes really aren't as challenging as I expected them to be. I can honestly half ass my work in a matter of minutes and still receive an A. All of my professors so far have been pretty great, and I've formed relationships with them. As long as you put in effort and stay organized, you'll be fine.

I've made amazing friends here at RWU. I was fortunate enough to become best friends with my floor mates, which makes living in my dorm more fun. Sometimes I feel like the school is an over sized high school. People are EXTREMELY clicky, and tend to stick in groups. People are snotty, rude, and think they're better than you; however, there are a ton of down to earth people. I only have 3 or 4 friends on campus that I consider genuine life-long friends, the rest are just there. I do have a ton of other "friends" though, and its nice to recognize people as you walk to class or are in commons. Honestly, as long as you are yourself, people will gravitate towards you. College is less judgmental than high school.

Parties at the school are overrated. People say "Rager Williams", but trust me- there ain't no ragers. You can either go to the beach where everyone huddles in circles, or you can go to a stuffy dorm room and sweat your ass off. I've only gone to a handful of parties on campus, and they all sucked. It's all just a bunch of people on top of each other sweating because it's so hot. (Not to promote drinking, but unless you're extremely intoxicated, there's no point in leaving your room). The beach is fun because, well, who doesn't love the beach? The only thing is a lot of people do drugs there, and it's risky. Personally, I just hang out with a group of friends in our dorms and it's still just as fun for us. Overall, college is exactly what you make of it. All the people on here can moan and complain about the school, but it's their own fault. The school doesn't make you feel shitty, you make yourself feel shitty. As long as you be yourself, make some friends, work hard, and have a positive attitude, you'll love it. Not everything is about the aesthetics of the campus, the attractiveness of the students, or the loyalty of the professors. You're here to get a degree, not live the high life.

1st Year Male -- Class 2017
Faculty Accessibility: A, Surrounding City: C-
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I am about to enter my second semesterBrightUndecided
I am about to enter my second semester at Roger Williams University and I wish that I had gone anywhere else but here. First of all, they lure you in with the perfectly manicured lawns and beautiful vistas. I will give the school that, it is a gorgeous campus; however, its beauty does not balance out the fact that this school is a waste of your time and money.

Basically my work load is so underwhelming that I am paying for an extremely expensive gym membership. My 14 year old brother easily has more homework than I do, and from what I understand more thought-provoking class discussions than what I've endured over the last semester. Is it a new thing to not participate in class? There has been more than one class where it is just the Prof and I having a conversation while the rest of my classmates sit there drooling on themselves not even aware what day it is. Sometimes I think that some of my fellow students need to be reminded how to breathe. I have had some of the worst professors of my life at this school. I feel like my intellect is decreasing every second I spend here.

If you consider yourself a person that thrives off of being around strong and independent individuals then do not even consider this school for another second. I have never been more frustrated being around others than I have been at RWU. I am living with children. This college is more or less high school, except you cannot leave. And the immaturity does not stop with the Freshman class! There are plenty of upperclassmen that should still be in diapers for all I'm concerned.

I wish someone would explain to me why on Earth this school is nicknamed "Rager" Williams because let me riddle you this, the parties are some of the stupidest gatherings I have ever wasted my time at. Basically, a party at this school entails drinking in a dorm room that you are stuffed into and forced to stand around looking at all of the idiots around you because nobody is ever interested in actually socializing. Every time I get dragged out I always see girls who are apparently impervious to the elements and walking around in no clothes. I'm sorry but don't these people have friends to tell them they look absurd? Going out is a waste of beauty sleep and make-up.

I find it ridiculous that this school claims to have 5,000 students. WHERE ARE THEY ALL? Every weekend the campus is completely dead because basically everyone who can escape (you cant have a car first year) flees to go hang out with their significant other at URI.

The town of Bristol is quaint, quiet, and windy as all hell. Beautiful sea town with a lot of patriotic history; however, it is unbelievably boring. Although there is a great nail salon right in town that has single handedly saved my sanity at this god awful institution.

The public transit (RIPTA) is the worst creation of all time. It is either 10 minutes early or 30-40 minutes late. Rhode Island is the size of a Wheat Thin, how hard is it to make it on time to the stops?

Providence is cool if you have something already planned out, if not, you just end up spending too much money on pointless bullshit in order to mask the unhappiness you feel attending this school.

Ultimately, I am transferring after the second semester. This school has a terrible freshman year retention rate and now I understand why. So far, they have done nothing in their power to make me want to stay. I cannot wait to attend a real college and begin feeling like I am doing something worth while with my time.

1st Year Female -- Class 2017
Campus Aesthetics: A, Education Quality: F
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RWU is a sad example of a university.Quite Bright
RWU is a sad example of a university. It is nothing more than a community college with money. If you get accepted to any other college, by all means, go to it! The only kids who go here are from the east coast with money who couldn't get in anywhere else. There are also tons of sailors and rowers from the west coast who come to RWU because they obviously were too dumb to get in anywhere else...classes are easy as hell and don't challenge you at all. If you go here, you are paying for a less than community college education, in which you will be surrounded by dumb, underachieving people.
2nd Year Female -- Class 2016
Campus Aesthetics: B, Education Quality: F
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