Adelphi University (AU)

At Adelphi University, “students are encouraged to grow both academically and personally.” Thanks to “small class sizes,” students say, “you really get a feel for your professor and aren’t just another number in a huge lecture hall.” Many also highlight the school’s “strong nursing program,” which is “very inclusive and accommodating,” and offers opportunities like “clinical lab simulations.” Other majors also praise how “technology is integrated into a lot of courses.” One notes how access to virtual reality lets them “explore everything from ancient cities to chemistry labs,” while another brings up an “innovative” class where “the vast majority of…time was spent learning to fly and recording videos using the drones.” Despite these exciting tools, a handful of students do complain that some professors “simply lecture the whole time.” However, undergrads in the Honors College emphasize that their seminar courses tend to “prioritize class discussion above all.” Outside of the classroom, “there are great opportunities for hands-on learning through internships and research programs.” There’s also “a tremendous amount of support [available] for students,” with many applauding “the C.A.S.E. tutoring center” specifically. When it comes down to it, Adelphi delivers “strong academic programs [with] professors [that] genuinely want you to succeed.”

Students suggest that Adelphi’s the place where “everybody has a smile and is always kind,” not to mention “supportive…smart and ambitious.” As one student details, “Everyone looks out for each other, whether it is sharing notes, preparing for exams together, or talking through career goals and personal challenges. What makes our student body unique is that the support is never competitive; it is truly communal.” Additionally, undergrads note that while many classmates are “from the surrounding Long Island and New York City areas,” you’ll also find “students from across the country and abroad.” This “wide range of backgrounds, interests, and life experiences…creates a campus environment that feels both diverse and very community-oriented.” Students also value the fact that their “peers are not only academically driven but…deeply engaged in pursuits beyond the classroom—whether that’s athletics, arts, activism, or entrepreneurship.” Plus, the school’s relatively small size means that “people recognize one another quickly, classmates become familiar faces across departments, and conversations started in a seminar often continue in the library, the science building, or over coffee.” As this student concludes, “I have met so many new people who I love from Adelphi and believe it is truly a school where there is something for everyone.”

Adelphi has many commuter students, and some admit that it can feel like “those who commute tend to have a lesser social life on campus.” Nevertheless, the university is often buzzing with activities that everyone can enjoy. There are plenty of “one-off events…like goat yoga and formal etiquette class. It’s very exciting trying something new, especially for free.” Students also look forward to campus traditions like “Fall Carnival during Spirit Weekend, Casino Night, Panther Madness (our version of homecoming), and the winter lighting” along with “daily fun things like trivia nights, movie nights [and]...lots of performances.” Many also note that “athletics are big,” since “Adelphi fields numerous NCAA Division II teams.” Undergrads can find groups for nearly any interest. One student makes time for “fiber arts club, artivism club, students with disabilities club, [and] dungeons and dragons club.” And if you’re one of those who prioritize academics, you’re not alone: “One of my favorite extracurricular activities is participating in a work-study group with my classmates.” Undergrads appreciate being “just a train ride from Manhattan, giving students immediate access to internships, cultural events, and industry connections” while living on “a close-knit, suburban” campus. Overall, students find the school’s activities to be a good way to “explore new interests, collaborate with diverse peers, and add a fun, purposeful rhythm to student life.”