Villanova University Top Questions

With class sizes so small, you develope a relationshp with your teachers that other schools with 300 students per classs don't get a chance to do. If a grade comes down to the line, or you want to get written into a class, the teacher and help you get it. Academics is definetly tough, but if the proper time is allocated per class, its no problem. The majority of students work hard and play hard. They get their school done first, and then go out and have a good time. Teachers love when students participate, because not many do, and if you do talk in class, your grade can be affected positively. The business program makes you meet the regular requirments normaly make you take but they are coming out with a new curiculum as we speak. The teachers in the business school are very real life orientated. Most professors spent time as professionals in their areas of expertise. They relate stories and scenarios to real world situations.

Pretty satisfied with my English and French majors. however, many students (and the admin, perhaps) tend to look more favorably upon business and engineering majors... this is unfortunate. more attention needs to be paid to the college of arts and sciences. ive learned a LOT being an arts major. students need to be less afraid of having intellectual conversations-- so many people have a "too cool" attitude towards this. upside to this: few students brag about accomplishments. sadly, nova seems to aim its students toward getting a JOB rather than learning for learning's sake. it promotes the business and engineering schools like crazy, and hooks up many of those grads with some sweet jobs after graduation. yep, it's a hard knock life for an arts major...

Professors always know you by name. Most classes are never bigger then 35 students. If you have a lecture which is for sciences and some others its max 150 students (most schools have HUNDREDS). Even in my science lecture, my professor knew me. The small classes are great but it does mean you have to participate. A lot of professors do account for participation in your final grade. Professors hold regular office hours and are willing to schedule appointments that work for you. If you put in the effort, professors and faculty will too. There are always renown speakers that come to the university as well which stipulates intellectual conversation outside the classroom. The requirements for arts and sciences seem excessive but in the end you are thankful because it exposes you to a ton of classes you may never have tried otherwise. Two of which ended up being my double minors (Philosophy and Political Science) The career center will help you to all ends to assist in getting summer internships. Everyone is helpful but you have to be willing to have papers in on time etc.

The academics are by far the best part about Villanova, which is the reason I go there. The requirements are definitely steep, but also extremely manageable if you think them through. As far as schoolwork goes, if you don't fuck around for the whole semester, you should have no problem staying on top of your work. Villanova is a great place to go for self-motivated people who really want to learn and grow as individuals, but it definitely takes some extra effort to break from the crowd and be true to yourself. A lot of kids at Villanova don't exploit the facilities and amenities available, which is a huge shame considering the amount of money that is being put into their education. Also, there are ALWAYS opportunities to go to meetings, assemblies, speeches, documentary-showings, thesis presentations, lectures, and much more, on and off campus. Philadelphia is a great resource, and one trip there will almost always result in the furthering of your self-knowledge. Get out there and learn, people! Life is too short to be stupid

Professors usually know your name, classes are small. In liberal arts, there are various requirements that must be fulfilled, but many options within those requirements. Although I didnt feel all the requirements were necessary looking back on it I feel like they give you a very well-rounded background. Participation is encouraged but not required for most classes. Some teachers expect participation in order to get a good grade. Students are rather competitive. My major had increidible teachers, very interesting and caring professors. The most unique class I ever took was called Sustainable Development in Latin America, during october break we traveled to Costa Rica and learned about ecotourism and sustainable development.

Academics at Villanova are tough, there is no doubt about that. I came from a very prominent academic background from one of the best high schools on Long Island, but I had to relearn how to study once I got to Villanova. My professors challenged me so much, they wanted to know why I believed what I believed. A lot of them tried to shake me from my comfort zone a little bit so I would be able to see the things I have been blind to my entire life. All of my professors knew my name this year. My largest class was about 60, and my smallest class was about 10. If I was not in class, I knew I had to email my professors to tell them of my whereabouts, because if I didn't, they would. They were genuinely concerned about my well being. My favorite class was called ACS (Augustinian Culture Seminar). We all have to take it as freshmen, and it is a discussion based class. I learned a lot about different perspectives on religion, modernity, the self, and so on. I really was able to interact with my small class of 10, all of whom lived in my co-ed dorm. I didn't like Business Law, but that is probably because I find no interest in the subject. Students definitely study some major hours during the week. However, they always make time for fun, sitting outside in the nice weather reading their material, or hanging out in their rooms and relaxing after class. Finals week has a kind of quiet atmosphere. The borders of fashion come down as everyone walks around in sweatpants. The library is packed. The hours put in during that time are definitely intense. Depending on which class you're in, there will be more or less participation. Obviously, in a lecture class, there is not as much participation as there will be in a conversation-based class. Outside of class, I'm surprised about how much I speak of politics and challenging issues for our country or simply our school. ACS definitely provoked some interesting conversations about our beliefs, and led to debate among my friends and me. Some students are competitive, but mostly we try to work together to help each other out. No one maliciously uses competitiveness to gain edge in class, but then again, teachers do not favor students in my experiences. My most unique class was my leadership class that I took in my dorm. Since I lived in a learning community, I was required to take a class in my dorm with fellow dorm mates. For about 2 hours a week, I learned about how to become a better leader, develop people skills, and excel in my own atmosphere. It taught me a lot about how I can improve on my own life. I actually went to my ACS professor's home for dinner at the end of this past semester. He entertained us and treated us as adults. It was very rewarding that, after a semester's worth of hard work, my teacher made me dinner and spoke to me about what was happening in my life. It was one of the best experiences I have had at Villanova. I think that Villanova's academic requirements have enabled me to gain a broad view of the different careers I may choose. Since it is a liberal arts school, I am required to explore outside the realm of my particular major so I will have a better understanding of what I want to do. I think it's an amazing way of learning. In high school, going to school was all about the rat race of getting the material for a test and acing the test so you could go to college. At Villanova, it's all about understanding the material, and I had many more papers than written or scantron tests.

Villanova is a strong academic school with a great reputation. For the most part the teachers are very qualified. The Business and Engineering schools are defiinitely top-notch. Most classes are very challenging. I like how the teachers are approachable after class. However, I think the Arts and Sciences requirements are absurd. There is no need for so much foreign language, theology, and sciences. If you don't take AP courses in high school, you will suffer the consequences.

Classes require alot of work. I hate the core requirements and theology/philosophy. Love the biology and sciences.

Most of the classes are a very nice size, usually less than 30 students. Some intro science classes, however, are run as lectures, but they are also broken up into smaller, more intimate labs.

I have found many of my classes interesting and intriguing. My favorite classes were the ones where the professor shows much enthusiasm and engages the entire class in discussion. Intellectual conversations happen between close friends once and while. Students are most likely competitive with themselves; no one judges anyone else for their academic work. Since I'm a history major with an interest in the liberal arts, I don't mind the academic requirements. Other majors, such as math and science, don't particularly enjoy the required courses geared towards liberal arts.