Academics
鈥淟ocated in the heart of super-friendly and considerate Middle America,鈥 Ashland University hosts 鈥渁n odd mixture of academic diehards and stereotypical party enthusiasts, which means that there is something for everyone.鈥 A small university with ties to the Brethren Church, AU 鈥減rovides individual attention to each and every student while also offering the college experience, an abundance of great majors, a liberal arts education, personal growth, and future success.鈥 The education program 鈥渋s what Ashland is known for,鈥 but the school also excels in history, political science, chemistry, and business; the last of these 鈥渋s getting to be very advanced, and the finance program at Ashland is one of the only schools of finance that allow students to manage a real portfolio inside a class where they also prepare you for the Series 7 test.鈥 Students also laud the Spanish department (that 鈥済reatly supports study abroad鈥) and the small but effective criminal justice program. As at many small schools, students complain that 鈥淐lasses also need to be offered on a more regular basis.鈥 鈥淓very semester I have to pray that the classes I need to graduate will actually be offered,鈥 says one student. 鈥淭oo often major classes are only offered 鈥榠n the spring of even years鈥 or 鈥榚very other fall.鈥 Classes here are like trains. If you don鈥檛 catch them when they come around, you鈥檙e screwed.鈥
Student Body
The typical student at Ashland 鈥渋s probably a party enthusiast, interested in Greek life and somewhat dedicated to their schoolwork.鈥 That said, there is 鈥渁 huge range of students and student interests on campus, from Greek life to theatre to community service to international students to diehard political and philosophical fans and religious conservatives. Each group manages to find people with similar interests, so no one group is alienated.鈥 The school鈥檚 church affiliation attracts a lot of 鈥渃onservative Christians with a strong family background,鈥 including more than a few 鈥渙f the bible thumping variety.鈥 Students here not that because 鈥渢he typical Ashland student grew up either in Ohio or very close by鈥ur student body is relatively homogenous鈥 racially, but 鈥淭hat being said there is a bit of diversity and a particularly large group of Asian students.鈥
Campus Life
Students largely concur that 鈥淭here is really not a lot to do in Ashland,鈥 that 鈥渢here is only one bar here and Wal-Mart is just about the only place to shop,鈥 and that 鈥渋n order to find even a decent restaurant you have to drive 30 minutes.鈥 Many further complain that 鈥淪ince [Ashland] is a dry campus, it is difficult to have a normal college experience.鈥 Not surprisingly, 鈥淢ost people go home on the weekends.鈥 And yet, a vocal minority here assures us that 鈥淭here are numerous groups onand off-campus to be a part of and almost any student can find a fraternity or sorority that would suit them. Greek life alone offers plenty of social opportunities. If partying is what you are looking for, Ashland may not be your best bet due to the strictly enforced alcohol and visitation policies, but if you do like to party you will not have a problem find places off campus. There are many house parties and bars located near campus [where] you will find a lot of AU students.鈥 Students also brag about AU鈥檚 rec center, where they can enjoy 鈥渆verything from kickboxing classes to intramurals to club sports鈥 or 鈥渟wim, climb the rock wall, or just hang out.鈥 One student notes that the school has 鈥渁lmost 20 club sports that the majority of students participate in and become very serious about.鈥
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