John Carroll University (JCU)

Founded in 1886, John Carroll University is a private Jesuit institution that offers its 2,300 undergraduates the opportunity to study in 70 major fields across the College of Arts & Sciences and the Boler College of Business. Community service is a pillar of a JCU education, required for some core classes, and the "mind-blowing in the best way possible" number of opportunities to "immerse yourself in Cleveland and provide support to struggling community members" often leads them to be "passionate about service and social justice." When it comes to religion and academic pace, the school "gives everyone a chance to test the waters and figure out what works for them," and the workload "is doable with content that is challenging and worthwhile" and which "really helps to teach you time management." Regular open study tables in the library "help to cover anything that is confusing," and the school "has fantastic academic advisors" who make it "clear that they actually care whether or not you succeed." The alumni network is equally as strong, and JCU "has many connections with employers" so that there are "great opportunities to add experience on your resume and to your skill set."

Professors "truly have student interests at heart when designing their courses" and "try to make class entertaining and insightful." They "create environments where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings without intimidation or fear" and are "fantastic, captivating, and caring people." Many "devote time to class discussions and applied learning rather than a typical lecture," and student-run research, immersion trips, and lab experience are always a possibility.

This "incredibly welcoming" and "very inclusive" community is "full of genuinely kind people." The campus is "predominately white and of European descent" and, being a Catholic institution, "a large portion of the student body relates with a religious or spiritual identity." Regardless of a student's beliefs, the school's religious values seem wellrepresented, with reports of "a lot of selflessness" and a suggestion that each student "embodies the Jesuit tradition of being with and for others." This also enables a culture of collaboration at JCU, where "innovative ideas are constantly bouncing from student to student." It helps that the campus's size "allows for everyone to know each other," especially "great if you want to make an impact or be known around campus." As an undergrad puts it, when "every face is a friendly face...that makes it feel like home."

Located in the "safe, peaceful residential neighborhood" of University Heights just 10 miles outside of Cleveland, students like to "gather outside to do homework and appreciate our beautiful campus," and nature lovers enjoy "hiking through Cuyahoga Valley National Park or simply hammocking between two sturdy stumps." That said, the "very involved" campus culture-23 Division III sports, numerous intramurals, a "very popular" renovated gym, and more than 90 student organizations-tends to leave "little free time for most students" during the week, and many can be found studying in the library during the day. Weekends may involve trips to downtown Cleveland or participating in some of the "random weekend events that sometimes happen, like mini golf in the gym."