<p>well i got into fairfield and i was wondering how is the social life here? ive heard everything from theres always a party to theres never anything going on on campus. how much dirnking is there and how many nights a week? also how is the campus i visited it but i dont raelly remember much, ill be going back in feb for the accepted students open house. also are there any plans for future construction? well basically any information about the school would be helpful(from fairfield students preferably)...thanks so much for any information</p>
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well i got into fairfield and i was wondering how is the social life here? ive heard everything from theres always a party to theres never anything going on on campus.
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<p>Whoever told you that nothing goes on campus couldn't be more wrong. With any college campus, there are going to be the party nights (Friday, and Saturday), but if you want to party on Tuesday or Thursday? I'm sure you'll be able to find one. If you want to study, relax a bit, then you can do that too. The social life is pretty awesome, you'll find a lot of really nice people (I have yet to find anyone that I extremely dislike). There are plenty of events put on by the students association (for example there is Extreme Bowling usually once or twice a month on a Thursday). They made the first two weeks or so for the Freshman packed with activities every night in order to meet new people (this is where I met the core of my friends).</p>
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how much dirnking is there and how many nights a week?
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<p>I'm not much of a drinker, so for me it's only Friday or Saturday nights (and even then, it's not a lot). But it's really your own choice on whether you want to drink-- every night or never. That goes for any college you visit and apply to. A big thing in college is becoming responsible academically and socially. You are at college to get an education, but if you're partying every night then that will be in serious jeopardy. The key is to balance to two so you get both at their maximum value.</p>
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also how is the campus i visited it but i dont raelly remember much, ill be going back in feb for the accepted students open house. also are there any plans for future construction?
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<p>One of the users posted a review that pretty much sums up what I would say. The campus is really beautiful, however, I'm not so sure how pretty it will look in the dead of winter (February).</p>
<p>Fairfield has so much more to offer than parties and drinking. You're going to be going to college to get a degree, and while the social life is great it's not everything. All of the professors that I've had have been really awesome. They really do care about their students. None of my classes have been painful and incredibly tough, but they all do require work (a lot of reading!). It is a lot different and a lot better than high school in every aspect.</p>
<p>If there are any other questions I'd be glad to answer.</p>
<p>have you had any issues with like snooty-ness and like the keeping up with the jones's type thing at fairfield? i mean its an affluent place. also how were dorms frosh year? is there a/c? im assuming doubles with community showers/bathrooms type situation with avg room size</p>
<p>Snooty-ness? No, Fairfield itself might be affluent, but we the same poor college students you'll find anywhere else. They do call us J-Crew U, but it's not like everyone is wearing a collared shirt everyday.</p>
<p>Frosh dorms-- yeah pretty much typical setup with double rooms. Although the dorms are coed. Community showers and bathroom shared by your half of the floor (the other half is girls, they have their own bathroom on the other side of the floor).</p>
<p>Room size varies between dorm, none of them are cramped though. It's not exactly spacious but it isn't a closet. After frosh year you'll get much more variety in what type of room you want to live in (suite style for example)</p>
<p>The town Fairfield itself is really awesome. One of my classes did a tour through the town to look at the houses and there were some really nice homes. I go into town for food (meaning: snacks, pepsi at Stop & Shop) and I haven't had any problems with the people.</p>
<p>There isn't any ac in our dorms, but you'd be hard pressed to find any school with ac in the northeast. The heat really isn't much of a problem with it only being a couple months of the year, a fan or two does the trick.</p>
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<p>thanks for all your help. also hows the food here? and do you know if they on plan building or renovating anything? idk if youd know that or not but i figured id ask. could you please enlighten me on your bests and worsts of faifield. btw i really appreciate everything youre telling me its giving a greater understanding of the school....thanks so much</p>
<p>You asked for the worst of Fairfield in the same post as the food, which is kind of ironic because the only thing I somewhat look down on is the food.</p>
<p>However, I like the system they have in Fairfield where it's a buffet style cafeteria as opposed to paying for each item. So you can go up multiple times and get another sandwich, a burger, a coke, etc without having to pay extra each time.</p>
<p>The only thing is- after awhile you get sick of the food. I suppose it's natural because it seems like all my high school friends have the same issues with their food at college too.</p>
<p>But the cafeteria isn't the only place to eat- there are two other places ("The Stag" and "The Levee") where you can get pizza, deli stuff, etc. Sometimes it's a relief to go there instead of the cafeteria.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure the campus tours they do on accepted students day go through the cafeteria and the tour guide will explain it better than I can.</p>
<p>As for construction, I don't know about that. They probably do stuff over the summer if possible, I don't think there are any major projects (ie new buildings) in the works, but I could be totally wrong.</p>
<p>Other than food, I can't really list anything that would be considered a worst. I'm glad I came to Fairfield, I applied to a lot of schools and I have no regrets turning down scholarships to come here.</p>
<p>I know this is a little late, but I figured I would give my two cents to the poster to help him/her figure out how to make a deciscion for May 1st.</p>
<p>I started looking on college confidential again a couple days ago because I have just recently started thinking about transfering. Fairfield has been a great experience and stepping stone for me, but I have a lot of major issues with this school. In an abbreviated list: I've had very few professors that actually care about their students. Out of two semesters here thus far, I feel llike I have only connected with two of my profs. Of those two, one is my advisor-- who also is on sabidacle (sp?) this semester and completely unavailable for the most part. Core class professors in particular are really hit or miss. You can get a great prof, or you can get stuck with a real stick-up-my-butt pin head. Core classes themselves are a pain-- if you are like me and am not a language person, you get saddled with up to 4 semesters of taking a language. And up to 2 of math... not cool at all for those of us who are arts and humanities oriented. Additionally: do not be fooled by the great course book. Not all of those courses are offered every semester, or even on a yearly basis. I'm having a HUGE issue right now with not getting classes that I'm mildly interested in, which is NOT OK considering that this place is costing my family over 40 k a year, and that there are only about 4,000 students here. </p>
<p>The second, and equally important, issue I am having here is the lack of lasting friends here. Unless you are interested in doing a hell of a lot of drinking in college, you will not find many friendships here. I don't know anything about you, but I have to say that I come from an urban area on the opposite side of the country. The idea of drinking cheap beer and vodka in someone's basement until you are sick and taking drunken facebook pictures of yourself was a completely foreign concept to me until I arrived here. My high school experience was completely different than everyone's around me-- I'm not saying no one drank, but what I am saying is that people had more important things to do in the city on a nightly basis than drink every night. My closest friends here (and yes I did find some) are definately in the minority.... they study, care about school and their future, and are not caught at Tuesday night bar night at the "Snickering Squirrel" in Bridgeport. Even so, the type of relationships I have found here are ultimately much different than those I had in high school.... none of my friends here are in any way to be considered city savy, or have much interest at all in city-related things or culture (for the most part). </p>
<p>If you let it, Fairfield can be a wonderful experience. As a student who is not only out of state but on another coast altogether, it was disappointing to find that Fairfield is an EXTREMELY local school. The local aspect itself isn't really a huge issue for most people, but for me, it was hard to connect with people who didn't feel ready to fully leave home, whereas I live a country's distance away. </p>
<p>A couple other things to think about: the food. Really, and I mean REALLY bad. Same type of things every day. Now if you're a guy, maybe its not an issue. For me however, I have to say that the freshman 15 comes really easily, even when trying to eat healthfully. Dorms are not bad though, I really lucked out with a great dorm and floor. Past sophomore year you would like in a town house or suite, which sounds like a good deal, but the townhouses are DISGUSTING. Think like decades of over-partying and not having good upkeep. Additionally, I've heard that they are really overcrowded too. </p>
<p>I'm sorry if this seems like a long rant, but I'm trying to step up and help some of the seniors who are looking to use college confidential as much as I did last year. Although I myself am looking to transfer out, it is mainly for academic issues. As to whether you would like it here.... well that really depends on what you are looking for. If you want to drink a loooott than you'll be fine. If, like myself, you despise what is called the "Fairfield Bubble," the invisible bubble that prevents people from venturing far off campus, then you might have some issues. Don't get me wrong, I love my advisor, he is def one of the best professors here. As an experience, Fairfield has been wonderful. I've really learned a lot about myself this year, but then again that may because I am having a bit of a different experience than someone who lives close by. If you have any other specific questions, feel free to ask.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for your post windylane! I am considering fairfield for next year. When you say most of the kids are local, would you say it is a suitcase school? Also I am dissappointed people to do not go into the city more often. When I visited I felt like there was a lot going on campus with FUSA. Do most students go to these outings? Thank you so much for the information!</p>
<p>I would say that for the first couple months, many of my friends went home a lot, especially on long weekends. Most stop after the first semester it seems.
You are right in your belief that people do not go into the city often. I'm realllly happy that I have my own non-Fairfield friends nearby.. I would have gone insane without at least monthly visits into NYC!! I think that I might be unique in this regard though-- most of my friends are not from urban areas and are not particularly enthralled with the culture of a city, thus feel minimal need to be in New York City ever. </p>
<p>There definitely is a lot going on with FUSA. They sell tickets to Broadway maybe once a month or so, but these are almost impossible to get. There's an availability of maybe 30 tickets and people line up for them hours before they even start selling. Campus wise... well, I'm not all too sure what goes on with FUSA these days. They host a lot of great activities, but I do think that it is mainly freshman and some sophs who attend. I'm really not sure because I haven't gone to that many of them. The social life of Fairfield University mainly revolves around alcohol. "Partying" refers to alcohol. I have no idea why so many freshman feel the need to party so hard and so often.. its pretty much every Friday, Saturday, Tuesday, and occasionally Thursday night. I really don't mean to put Fairfield in a negative light.. I have enjoyed my time here on the most part. </p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Fairfield U seems to be a pretty nice place and campus. One problem is the lack of diversity.</p>
<p>@ windylane - I am curious as to what drew you to FU in the first place. It seems such a mismatch for you. Also, if you dont mind sharing where you are considering transfering to.</p>
<p>also how did you feel about the lack of diversity?</p>
<p>Does anyone have any experience with the waiting list at Fairfield?</p>
<p>Joix-- I came to Fairfield for a variety of personal and family reasons. At the time it seemed like a great choice for me.... and it really has worked out well. If you put yourself out there, Fairfield is a great place to find leadership positions and get some good grades. It has mostly been a great experience. I haven't finalized my list for transfering yet, since I'm aiming for fall 2009 transfer, but probably a bigger and urban school. My reasons for transferring are partially academic-related but also related to the different environment I would like to be in. </p>
<p>I do need to note that I come from a very diverse and very liberal area, and it was a bit of a shock coming here. I do believe there is a lack of diversity, but I do not mean racial diversity. Most kids come from the tri-state area and are from typically middle-to-upper-middle class families. Interesting, I've observed that people tend to be more cliquey here: ie, white kids hang out with white kids, and black kids hand out with black kids. I do generalize, but this is just what I have seen so far. It hasn't really struck me as a big issue... but if you are looking for a racially diverse university, unfortunately Fairfield is not it. </p>
<p>About the waitlist.. I don't know anyone who was waitlisted and then came here, but I'm sure it is possible. Try calling the admissions people and telling them how interested you are. Fairfield is small enough so that I think that would make a difference.</p>
<p>Hi Windylane - I am just reading your comments. thank you for them...very insightful. I wish you all the best for the future. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>To answer your question about future construction, they are thinking of renovating the townhouses and turning them into apartments so that more students can live in that area. They also are thinking of getting rid of the traffic circle and making it all grassy land. But that probably won't take place in a few years.</p>
<p>As for diversity, coming from NYC it was a big change because a lot of the students there haven't been exposed to much diversity. But I've met a lot of people who just seem to try to understand and learn more about differences in other regions. I think as far as cliques, almost anywhere you will find people sticking with others who are like themselves, but I think at Fairfield people try to be friends with anyone and don't stick to just one group. Of course you'll have the friends you stick around with the most, but I find it easy to socialize with one group of friends to another.</p>