Open House: What Did You Guys Think?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Marist College
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<p>To Anyone and Everyone Who Went to Marist on April 9 or 10, 2011:</p>

<p>What did you guys think about Open House. What stuck out the most? the least? What is your intended major? Anything memorable?</p>

<p>I'll go first!</p>

<p>Best thing: There was a lot! The campus was beautiful. It kind of felt like I was staying at a hotel, walking on the perfectly cut green grass overlooking the waters. The people were nice and very prim and proper. The guys were soooooo handsome and good looking :p! The students were really trying to help out. </p>

<p>Worst thing: Most people looked the same. I had that eerie feeling that I was watching the Stepford Wives and that everything was perfect but not really. People are judging you as they try to keep on their fake smile. Oh, and if you didn't have that certain look(which I for sure didn't), then you kind of felt like **** or at least I know I did. A lot of girls seemed to be into fashion, arts, and english, but I'm the exact opposite.</p>

<p>Intended Major: Math or Chemistry or Accounting/Finance or Finance/Economics or Math/Economics.... just call me indecisive.</p>

<p>Anything Memorable: The President's Scholarship Reception brunch. I've never been to anything that fancy in my life! (That's right call me middle class) But seriously, it was very fancy sitting on fancy couches and overlooking the green grass. And also, the funny male speaker at the Honors Seminar :p.</p>

<p>Will I Go Here: Still indecisive, but deposits aren't due until May 1st, right ;)</p>

<p>What About You Guys?</p>

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<p>My son was there today, CS major. He called very happy after chatting with a senior who has an internship with Apple this summer, his dream. He also posted about how the new Hancock Center for Computer Science looks like Hogwarts and even has a common room.</p>

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<p>@mypencilcase; I’ll say it again (see diversity thread you started) Marist is not a good fit for you. Not because of how people judge you, but how you judge other people. If you call out people as being prim and proper and Stepford Wives, you are judging them on their character, as you are claiming they are judging you. Can you not just focus on what you were doing there? Say Math, Chemistry, Accounting, Finance, Economics. I notice there wasnt a word about classes or professors you visited to learn about your possible major(s). I don’t have that “certain look” neither does my S, his friends male and female @ home or Marist. And nobody or nothing at Marist, or any other college we visited for either of my children made me feel like ****. And how did that occur while you were at the fanciest dinner in your life, overlooking the green and water feeling like you were at a hotel? Sounds like you trompled the red carpet a bit. Again, Lighten up. :)</p>

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<p>My son and I went to the Open House but couldn’t stay too long because we had to get home to get a younger brother to his activities. I now regret not making other arrangements that would have allowed us to stay a little longer since we didn’t stay for the Psychology session. We really liked the FOCUS presentation and the fact that the school really seems to do everything possible to help you succeed in terms of advising and academic support. The intern and career services seem to be strong. Every person from Marist that we talked to was very helpful and friendly. The study abroad program also seems strong and it seems as if they make sure you are productive while out of the country and will take the right courses to make sure you graduate within 4 years. We felt it was one of the least pretentious colleges we visited. We certainly didn’t feel like there was one type of student that attended and didn’t feel like anyone was judging us nor were we judging them. It wasn’t overly preppy, it wasn’t really one style at all. The campus is very nice. </p>

<p>The major con is that the area surrounding the campus didn’t wow us. It’s off a very busy road. There didn’t seem to be too much to do without a car. We didn’t venture too far because some of the surrounding area is sketchy. Anyone have any input on the location?</p>

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<p>^ HAHAAHAHAHA PetCat, you are seriously the most comical person that I have met on the internet!!!</p>

<p>You’re practically screaming at me from your computer and telling me that I’m a close-minded son of a ***** because I’m wary of the diversity issue at Marist and you’re telling <em>ME</em> to lighten up!!!</p>

<p>I’m just stating my opinion, which I have the right to do. I guess we forgot about the 1st Amendment ;). It’s ok, we have the internet…</p>

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<p>uh-huh so now I am being judged too…Guess you left your poor little me Im oppressed, misunderstood and middle class manners home today. I’m so glad you see how comical this is ;)</p>

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<p>@lovethecape-Marist is building a tunnel for pedestrian traffic over Rte 9, which is a terribly busy road. (I think it might be completed by Fall '11) Without a car a student can cross Rte 9 for restuarants and several stores, and as well as a Rite Aid. Theres Applebees, McDonalds, pizza, bagels, Starbucks, a deli or two and Home Depot and I believe Staples. My S has spent alot of time over there. Plus there is a bus that takes students to the large mall up rte 9 every weekend. He has survived his Freshman year without a car, and without friends with cars. Next year is when I worry- he can have a car on campus, which means travelling on rte 9 which is busy, and congested. Poughkeepsie is mixed, Closer to Vassar the area is more run down or lower income housing. I have stayed in the Days Inn in that area plenty of times and its fine. We ate at Uno there, as well as Wendys, and its such a short trip back to Marist. I think the worst thing of that side of town are the bars, and there are plenty of them, and Marist students find their way there, by cab! My S tried it and it wasnt for him, so thankfully didnt continue, but apparently that is one thing Marist is trying hard to break the cycle of. There are tons of clubs and other events on campus there is no need to venture off. I find the pros of Poughkeepsie outweigh the cons, and actually am enjoying visiting the surrounding area while visiting my S. Its very pretty, and with the Metro North station within walking distance students can get into the city fairly easily too. You know my one big concern before my S went? The Hudson. hahaha seems silly now, but I had all these scenarios created where students drink and fall into the water. P-Safe doesnt let that happen, silly me.</p>

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<p>That walkover will help a lot. Believe me, the Hudson and railroad tracks made me think of what stupid things my son might do. We did see the Pizzaria Uno and passed Vassar as I read my Mapquest and tried to navigate our way home. It’s between Marist and Loyola MD (which we visit next week). I really hoped he wouldn’t have to make a last minute decision but here we are.</p>

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<p>haha it’s a guy thing, I had to send overnight mail on April 30th last year. He vacillated until the last moment, when in actuality he “knew it was Marist all along”. My D did Early Decision at her choice. done. Ah well, gotta love em! My niece is a freshman at Loyola, she loves it, its a comparable school, she considered Marist in her many choices as well. Her thought was Loyola is further away from home (they live in NJ). haha Oh and my description was bad, the walkway is really a tunnel- under rte 9. Good luck to you & your S! Even though you are going crazy right now, enjoy the time together.</p>

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<p>o btw lovethecape-my S did the FOCUS program and it is wonderful, a very helpful, guiding way to ease into college life, esp if you are undecided. He had awesome courses that helped him and earned him credits as well. In his words, an easy A. He also took Psych 101, as well as Psychology this semester and loved them both, and apparently they are very strong courses at Marist. He had a section focusing on mind, body connection, that he loved, and is now considering Athletic Training as a major, however that probably will change as he has another semester before he has to choose. :)</p>

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<p>Petcat, you realize by saying that I’m judgemental, you are being judgemental as well?</p>

<p>Also, I am asking for help, not to be stigmatized by some middleaged adult. Don’t you have kids to take care of?</p>

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<p>Oh Oh Someones lost their sense of humor.:slight_smile: :slight_smile: :slight_smile: :)</p>

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<p>MyPencilCase, I’m not going to judge you. You’re just trying to find out info about a college.
I don’t understand why so many on CC seem to take things so personally. </p>

<p>It is difficult to find a truly diverse student community at many smaller private LAC’s. I do understand your concern as it is a personal reaction to your Marist visit experience. I don’t fault you for asking questions about the campus environment. How are you going to find these things out without asking the questions?</p>

<p>I can only give you an opinion based on what my son (current Marist junior) has shared with us. He has a very solid circle of friends and contrary to the homogeneous student body, it is a rather diverse group of students. His guy friends as well as his housemates consist of people with diverse backgrounds–economically as well as ethnically. Then again, my kids have always based their friendships on character and loyalty rather than race and ethnicity.</p>

<p>If Marist is still on your radar, know that there are current students who really don’t care about the color of your skin, how much money your parents make, or what language is spoken within your household. They base their friendships on who you are as a person.</p>

<p>Are you the one who posted about the academics at Marist being easy? If so, I tend to agree with you. My son has been on the Dean’s list every semester and he hasn’t had to struggle or sacrifice having fun because of the academics. In all honesty, his Dad and I feel that the academics aren’t challenging him very much. He is a naturally smart kid, but I think it’s very telling when he consistently earns 90’s, 96’s, and even 100’s on midterms.
I can only speak on his experience so I can’t comment on whether this is a pattern for the majority of the students. </p>

<p>I will also admit that the food is terrible—really bad. Again, that’s my son’s opinion. Rather than gaining the freshman 15, he lost weight. Once you live in the townhouses, you can cook your own food and eat healthier rather than having rely on the dining hall yuck. </p>

<p>I am impressed at how it’s almost impossible to fall through the cracks. They constantly send email reminders about everything to the students. They do a very good job at helping kids make the college transition during freshman year. </p>

<p>They tend to be strict with regards to underage drinking on campus. It’s not uncommon to get written up for underage drinking. Their priority point system does make residents think twice about taking the chance of getting caught drinking on campus. No one wants to have priority points taken away as a result of a housing/alcohol infraction.</p>

<p>Your comfort level on a campus is definitely something to consider when making your college choice. This is part of the “fit” equation. I don’t dismiss your feelings or opinions because they are yours to have and hold. When you make your final decision, remember that no college is perfect. There will always be some things you love about it and some things you hate about it. You just have to weigh the pros and cons and base your decision on the things that are important to you.</p>

<p>Good luck and I wish you well on your college experience. :)</p>

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<p>Thanks for an outstanding post nysmile; it was helpful to a lot of us I am sure. What is your son majoring in? Does he find everything to be not that challenging? What exposure has he had to the Computer Science part of Marist? My son is down to his final 3 and Marist is his top choice; I don’t want him to go somewhere that makes his life a living hell, but I don’t want him unchallenged either.<br>
As a junior can he see into next year and his prospects for a job coming out of Marist?</p>

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<p>We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
Martin Luther King, Jr.</p>

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<p>My daughter is also down to a few choices. Marist seemed nice, but the administration seemed more like corporate stuff shirts (IBM) and not collegial or stimulating intellectually. They are on a mission to raise the rankings of Marist (and they are succeeding, but at what price). At the open house this Saturday, I was less then impressed with the few students we met. And this was in the Honors section. She’s a solid intellect, although likes to look at herself as “cool and fun” I’m concerned she won’t be challenged.</p>

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<p>Did you think the 3 students at the honors reception were impressibe? I found them to be dull and stressed and didn’t appear to be having too much fun Thoughts?</p>

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<p>^I like the idea of the honors program. Marist is already selective and to be an honors student at the college(which comprimises 5-7% of the student body) seems special. Plus Idk if you went to the Seminar on April 9th or not, but that girl who majored in fashion merchandising mentioned she shows employers her resume, they’re impressed that she’s in the honors program.</p>

<p>I’ll admit the 2 girls were ehhh, but the guy was really laid back and wasn’t trying to show off the honors program but genuinely interested in his studies. Also, the parents really grilled Tracy Mcgill(?), the leader of the honors program. If you think about it, the honors program is a “special” program where you take extra and possibly “harder” classes, go on a field trip or two, and be in smaller class sizes. BUT, you’re not getting priority points, better trained professors, or even first dibs on classes like a parent pointed out. Even though I would love to be in honors, I’m considering double majoring and possibly a minor. Extra “fluff” courses is wasting too much time. I know one kid in my class whose sister double majored at Marist a few years ago, did honors and plenty of study abroad opportunities and couldn’t graduate on time. I’m not saying the honors courses were the reason, but they were part of the extra work she had to get done.</p>