What’s the campus life experience at UC? Do the students who live on campus have a typical college experience? Are the students friendly? Are most residential students involved in on campus activities? Are there some students who live on campus through the full 5 years (assuming 5 year co-op program)?
My daughter recently learned that she was invited to the Lindner Honors Plus program, but she really wants a typical college experience and is worried that UC feels like a commuter school. Interested in hearing lots of opinions!
we live out of town. a lot of students do go home on the weekends but my daughter has found many things to get involved with. she got involved by volunteering to design the set for the CCM opera a few weeks ago, she participates in many activities with the hillel and actually traveled to israel during winter break with a group of students. she has made many friends on her floor in her dorm and friends that are in her studio classes. she has gone to many frat and sorority parties. this coming from a kid that is very shy. she loves it. there are plenty of clubs to get involved with. now saying that…she is a freshman ID DAAP student and this 2nd semester she has spent many hours in the studios doing work.
My experience dates back to long ago, but even back then, the campus was buzzing during the day and then things quieted down nights and weekends. I liked being on campus after dark and on weekends, because things were quiet and I could study and work on projects.
However, I did not live on campus. I lived off campus for 5 years, always within a short walk of the campus. I was involved with a few organizations – one engineering group, the campus radio station, and a couple of groups at CCM. I also held a job on campus, working in the computer room at Baldwin Hall (that job, and my co-op job, helped me pay for school). I was not involved with a fraternity – that wasn’t all that common among engineering students (although there were exceptions).
I also explored Cincinnati pretty well; back then, there weren’t that many record stores around (which tells you how long ago I was there!) but one good one was way up by one of the malls. I knew the bus system, and used it. Saw movies (downtown and Clifton), went to a jazz club (which no longer exists) often, went to the downtown library, went to Findlay Market and Music Hall, went to Reds games, etc.
Sorry, but I don’t have any current experience. But UC is a top contender with my son, and I have no reservations in telling him that he can figure out how to entertain himself while he is there.
Son has been @ UC for 5 years - from NJ. There are plenty of students on campus on weekends, year round. LOTS of activity on campus and in surrounding areas in which on campus students participate. Social, public service, athletic, Greek, the arts. I would not consider UC a “commuter school”. Many residential students live on campus first two years, then once they start co-ops (if they are in a co-op program) move into Greek housing or nearby off campus housing…and they continue to use campus as their hub.
Current sophomore at UC here! The campus experience at UC is great. Turner, where your daughter would probably live if she’s in linders, has a very friendly atmosphere and even though I don’t live there, it’s my favorite dorm to hang out in. Most everyone seems to know each other and it’s like a big family. I would also highly recommend she rushes in the fall, especially since she’s in business because a large majority of Greek life is made up of LHP and KBS. Besides Greek life, there are many other activities she can join based on her interests. There are great church groups and intermural sport groups and clubs for just about everything you can imagine. Honestly, most students move off campus after their first year. Of all my friends, I probably know 3 people living on campus next year and of my upperclassmen friends, only one lives on campus. But the houses and apartments people usually live in are all close enough together that there is still a really friendly feel even if people aren’t in the dorms. It has never felt like a commuter school to me and if your daughter is in LHP, she will always have a great group of people around her. Hope that helped and let me know if you have any other questions