Christina earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Marist College. She specializes in elementary math tutoring, chemistry tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Marist College.
Describe the campus setting and transportation options.
Christina: The campus, located directly on the Hudson River, is one of the most beautiful in America. It’s fairly small, with a lot of greenery and an amazing view from the majority of student housing and academic buildings. Students are often found relaxing or studying on campus—whether it be by the river, on a patio, or in the newly renovated library. Students walk to their classes from their dorms, and can reach any establishment on campus within ten minutes.
How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants?
Christina: Professors host office hours multiple times a week and are very accommodating to their students’ needs. Advisers, too, are very accommodating and always available to meet and discuss whatever questions their students may have. Additionally, the science department’s academic advisers host presentations about how to prepare for graduate schools in the health professions and how to prepare for a successful career post-graduation.
How would you describe the dorm life – rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students?
Christina: The dining hall looks like Hogwarts from the Harry Potter movies. It’s brand new and the food is great. Options include sandwiches, rotisserie chicken, and sushi, among other things. The freshman and sophomore dorms are close to the dining hall, one of which is directly connected to it. Marist is well known for the upperclassmen dorms, as they are huge and rated as one of the nicest in the country.
Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?
Christina: Marist has a very strong science program. I was enrolled in it as I prepared for medical school. Marist now has a physician assistant program and offers other graduate degrees in the health professions. All of my professors taught our classes, and most had a PhD. They were all very attentive and passionate about their field of study and excited to be teaching at the college. The fashion program is very strong and highly reputable at Marist, too. Most students graduate from the Marist fashion program employed and earning above average salaries.
How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life?
Christina: Everyone makes friends in the dorms and through extracurricular activities. Greek life is present on campus, but very small. Most students opt not to become involved with it, as they are able to meet others who have things in common with them without doing so.
How helpful are the Career Center and other student support services?
Christina: I am not too sure about the Career Center, as I was always taking the initiative to seek employment in my related field on my own during school. From what I've seen through the opportunities my peers have been given, companies like KPMG, Morgan Stanley, IBM, and other respected businesses do recruit Marist students for internships and permanent positions.
How are the various study areas, such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges?
Christina: The library is the best place to study. It’s three floors and has plenty of room for students to prepare for their courses. It also has quiet rooms, small meeting rooms for groups, and numerous computers available.
Describe the surrounding town.
Christina: Students mostly stay near campus. While there is a nightlife scene in the city of Poughkeepsie, most choose to only go to that area in large groups and on Friday and Saturday nights when establishments have their venues reserved for college students. The Culinary Institute of America is down the street from Marist. I would say this was one of my favorite parts of being in the area. The food is unbelievable, as is the food at many of the restaurants in Poughkeepsie and in the surrounding communities.
How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes?
Christina: The student body was about 3,500 undergraduate students. My classes typically had anywhere from 10-20 people in them.
Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most.
Christina: One of my most memorable experiences was when my general biology class had one of our lab sessions on a sailboat on the Hudson River. I probably would have never gotten the opportunity to sail if we had not done that. It was an experience I’ll always remember.
Check out Christina’s tutoring profile.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.
