Academics

I sat in for two classes during my overnight stay (they really want you to get a feel of the campus so feel free to ask about it). The professors were really cool. The professor of the gerontology course remembered her students by name and really connected with them if her jokes were anything to go by. She was engagingly and made sure student were not just writing, but listening to what she was teaching and form they're own opinion and get actual experience with the elderly. The Art History professor was someone to be admired to. Her class started with the breaking down of former conceptions of art and society and builds it back up with the addition of new information.

The classes actually seem challenging and stimulating.

I have had great professors overall so far (I have not been at AU long enough to make any judgement calls about particular programs however). A majority of the larger classes have extra help sessions if you have trouble understanding the material, but some courses schedule them at very inopportune or inconsistent time (I am fairly confident they will work on this, however). Even though there have been courses where I have struggled I feel like I have learned a great deal and enjoyed them a lot.

Everybody I've met at Alfred is highly intelligent. Even the least intelligent students are pretty dang smart. The courses are demanding enough to be a rewarding challenge, but they are not so difficult that you'll get burned out. When it comes to an Alfred education, you get out of it what you put in. If you're interested and hard-working and willing to ask questions, you'll be just fine.

Personally, I feel that my first semester of college was like the last two years of high school, however later on in the next four years Alfred will challenge you, no matter what your major. Be prepared for a LOT of home work and a LOT of studying!!! Take classes seriously!

Go to class and recopy you notes and you will be fine. Don't fall behind or you will never catch up.

The classes offer challenge, while still being manageable to those who put in honest effort. There's a lot of reading, and papers will take a while if you want a good grade, but honest effort will ensure academic success.

Being a Freshman, it is early for me to comment much on AU's academic rigor, but as an engineering student, the coursework is harder than I expected. You will be expected to study! There is plenty of help available for students who need it including a free writing center and a tutoring center.