Reviews

I'm looking to major in Biology, and this looks like a great place to go for it. The program is very diverse, and surprisingly varied for a school of its size. I haven't gotten to sit in on classes (I've been accepted, and they're at the top of my list right now, but I haven't made the final visit yet) but they have a lot of interesting offerings for such a small place. Particularly, their Biology department covers everything from Virology to Ecology, including some wild-cards like Herpetology (would so take that class if I go there!) and Glassblowing (it's not just for artists, but chemistry as well).

Many people complain that small schools have less of a social life, and that getting to know everyone so quickly is boring. But if you're like me, somewhat introverted but still social, the balance is perfect. I don't need a good party scene to be happy--I'd much rather be kayaking on the river (looks like fun!), hiking or just relaxing somewhere. It sounds like a very friendly place overall, and though there's no nightclubs (oh, darn), there's still plenty to do. Huntingdon's a nice little town, and if you really want something bigger, Altoona and State College are just a (perilous) hour's drive away.

I think so. The high price might be intimidating, as it is with private schools, but JC is one of the most generous with merit aid I've seen. I received a Quinter Scholarship (which is now $18,000 and requires a 3.75 weighted GPA), so I feel much better about the price tag. No matter what the cost, though, Juniata's a solid place to go.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THE COUNSELORS. Since the very beginnings of my college search, Juniata has stood out as being the most personable and friendly with the admission process. My counselor, Josh, has been in touch with me since my junior year, and has helped answer my questions. While that should be standard, Juniata's done more. I've gotten a personal phone call from a Juniata student who wanted to check in on my college searching and see if I had any questions. Josh has also sent me local articles on things I might find interesting about the school. Even my acceptance letter felt handwritten. They take a very personal interest in potential students, just enough that you feel important to them, without being spammy and obnoxious.
I also recommend the Open House events, or just visiting in general. (Plus, if you visit or apply online, there's no application fee!)

Science majors, those who work well with smaller groups, anyone looking for the liberal arts education--it's not just for art majors! Liking the outdoors is a must. Also must be okay with a more isolated school and less of the popular night life

Juniata is a perfect school if you like knowing students and professors on campus. It is small (about 1,600 students), with challenging professors, who love what they teach, and provide a learning environment that is both challenging and lots of fun. Their's always something to do outside of class, with a community of people who support whatever it is that you are passionate about.

Don't be afraid to try new things or to ask questions. Find your passion(s), be dedicated, stay busy, and you'll have a blast! Also, keep a good balance between your academics and social activities. Leave time to relax and have fun on the weekends, but stay on top of your workload.

Juniata's Bachelor of Science programs demand classes that aren't easy, like Organic Chem, but most of the professors are more than happy to help out. Art and Humanities classes aren't easy either, but as long as you are focused in class and stay on top of your work, the academic stress is definitely manageable.

Dorms, from the standard doubles to quads, apartments, and off-campus housing, are generally pretty decent. Freshmen are mostly housed together, sophomores often live in East, Lesher (the all-girls' dorm), or South, while Juniors and Seniors are given a greater variety of options such as living off-campus. All dorms are equipped with cooking, laundry, and lounge facilities. The dorms that I spent time in were all pretty pleasant and clean (though this sometimes varied dramatically depending on the occupants). The rooms had big windows, good closet spaces, and were generally furnished well.

There are a few choices for dining on-campus, besides cooking your own food. Baker is the main cafeteria, which offers standard food, such as pizza, grilled food, a home-cooked line, salad bar, and the local, organic option offered 3 days per week. Otherwise, there's 3 other venues where meal exchange is possible for take-out, or you can buy Starbucks coffee, snacks, sandwiches, fruits, etc. with DCB or cash.

Juniata is located in Huntingdon, a small town in the middle of nowhere in central PA. Being about 30 minutes from State College (driving), there are places to go shopping, but if you don't have a car, it's a little hard to get anywhere on your own. Huntingdon does have some neat little shops, bars, cafes, and an old movie theatre. Since I was so busy last year on campus, I didn't miss not being close to a large city. There was so much to do through the clubs that I was part of, and I had fun organizing my own parties and events as well.

Juniata, being a private school, is definitely not cheap. But it offers a variety of merit and need-based scholarships, along with various payment plans that help to make it a feasible investment for families of all income backgrounds.

There are so many traditions at Juniata! For Mountain day (which is different every year), classes get cancelled and everyone goes to Raystown lake for a fun-filled day of games, activities, and food. Then there's Pigroast, Lobsterfest, Madrigal dinner and dance, Storming of the Arch, Mr. Juniata Competition, and more. Inbound, the number one freshmen transition into life at Juniata is a great way to start the school year.

Juniata is a community of all kinds of people, but I think the students who like it best are those who want to learn, socialize, and be active in a variety of different disciplines. Many students create study programs that allow them to take classes in a variety of departments, and most are also involved in sports, music groups, and other extra-curricular clubs and activities.

There's always something to do at Juniata. About half the students are involved in sports, and there are club and intramural options for students (like me) who don't have time to compete and train full-time. There are also numerous music groups, art clubs, role-playing and gaming groups, and various field-trips and out-door activities available year-round for those who are interested. Some of my personal favorites include playing club Frisbee, touring in Ireland with Concert Choir, helping to sew costumes for various theater productions, and organizing events with the Alumni Association.

None. But that doesn't mean that Juniata lacks parties, or various social activities. Private or campus-wide, parties and social groups are easy to find.

JC Police are great - they're available around the clock, and they are good at fulfilling their job and upholding policies without ruining Saturday night fun.

The professors know what they are doing and teaching.

Juniata always has activities and events happening on campus for students to attend.

The education here is worth every penny. The professors are top quality teachers and will not disappoint anyone.

Take advantage at what Juniata College has to offer. The college gives so many opportunities to be active and to make a difference.

Great for students who wish to have an education that can make a difference in their life.

I am doing biology at this school and the program here is great. The classes are challenging and the professor engaging.

There are too many hics, the students do not provide and nurturing academic environment.

The education is great, a little pricy if you dont get scholarships. But the school gives mant scholarships.

Dont come here if you are a liberal, or are looking for intellectual conversations.

If you are an average student, dont really care about being in a small town this is a great school for you.

Because Juniata is a Liberal Arts school, students are exposed to many different subject areas than just their intended major. Classes are usually small and professors are always willing to help. You do have to apply yourself though, slacking won't get you very far.

The campus is beautiful and the people are amazing. You are surrounded by the wood and mountains and it is a very small cozy college. The teachers take time out their day to talk to everyone and even give out home phone numbers if their office hours don't work for you.

For me the cost is worth the education that I plan on getting there. It is a bit pricy but with scholarships from the college and applying for others it ends up being relatively less.

Have a car, Juniata is out in the middle of nowhere and to go anywhere interesting you need a car (or a friend with a car). Pack for all sorts of weather, you can experience all four seasons in a week sometime. Go to Lobsterfest to scope out all the clubs and societies but don't actually eat the lobster.

Anyone is welcome no matter your race, sexual orientation, or nationality.

Juniata College is a great place to learn, grow as an individual, and feel comfortable among your peers, staff, and professors. The people here are great and they really want you to succeed. As long as you put in the effort and commit yourself to being successful, the people here will help you in doing so.

Make sure to try and interact with the school as much as possible. Send e-mails to your admissions representative to ask questions and to ask for opportunities to visit/schedule an interview. However don't be too annoying. Also, make sure you keep your grades up in school and perform well on either the ACT or the SAT since Juniata takes either one. You can also apply here with no test results if that is what you prefer. All in all, make sure you have a good relationship with your admissions rep.

Juniata has very high academic rigor in terms of the workload and effort expected. The courses here are not easy per say, they are challenging enough for students that want a good and healthy challenge. Personally, I feel that Juniata has a perfect level of academics for myself.

Everyone on my floor is very kind and accepting. Throughout my whole time here at Juniata College, I have never come across anyone who is disrespectful when asked to turn down their music or their TV because it is quiet hours. The RA's and RD's are also very good and qualified people that can help you in many different ways.

The campus is very safe and the campus public safety crew do a great job in ensuring the safety of all students on campus.

Juniata College has a small town big community feel that is comfortable and relaxed. This college is relatively small, but provides large opportunities particularly through stellar academics and a strong push to travel and expand upon the curriculum outside the classroom setting. Faculty, staff, and community members are very approachable and make this campus feel like one big family.

Prospective students really need to visit the campus and sit in on classes while students are here to understand if Juniata College is going to be the right fit. The atmosphere of the campus, students, and faculty is one thing unique to this school and is either a hit or miss with many people. The small highly personalized classes and Programs of Emphasis (POE's, comparable to majors) are things that students really need to experience and hear about first hand from students to understand their uniqueness and significance in higher education.

Juniata's Program of Emphasis approach to Majors makes everything highly individualized and open to manipulation by students if they so choose. The courses here involve the same standard amount of work as courses at other colleges would, but Juniata also offers many less traditional courses (such as classes on Field Research where students travel across the country and do field research in the desert for credit). Each student can decide what he or she can handle and wants to be involved in, whether traditional or not, and course loads are manageable to encourage students to participate in Juniata's many extracurricular activities.

Juniata College dorms are, well, college dorms. Our dorms are clean and well maintained, but everybody wants more space. The dorms are a little overcrowded this year, forcing some groups to triple in a room meant for two, but a new super eco-conscious dorm building is being constructed to alleviate this over crowding. Dorm goers in different buildings have different levels of social interaction, but overall dorms are easy to travel between and are generally clean. Each student's gold card / ID will swipe them into any dorm building at any time of day or night, which is a luxury. Individual room doors have manual keys, which just means student's can't accidentally shut themselves out of the room!

Dining services at Juniata College are provided by the food company Sodexo. There is great variation in the buffet-style dining area. The pizza and pasta line, sub line, self-created stir fry, and grill area always offer varied options (including vegan, etc) to accommodate each student's needs. Various food areas around campus offer meal exchange that allows students to grab quick meals between classes without crossing campus and counts them on their meal plan like a normal meal. Dining hours can be inconvenient for some sports teams and depending on how students schedule, but the school is good at leaving doors open for specific teams and events as they learn of schedule conflicts.

Outdoorsmen and the environmentally inclined will love the numerous hiking trails, walking/running paths, and cliffs within a ten minute walk of campus. The nearby Juniata river provides an opportunity for many recreational activities. Raystown lake is about 20 minutes away, and Juniata offers free kayak, canoe, and watersport equipment rentals to students and faculty. Monthly bus trips take students to State College (40 minutes away) on weekends for shopping, etc and many students carpool to tailgate or go to football games. There are local caves that offer tours as well. Juniata also provides many on-campus activities such as movies on the grass, concerts, game nights, etc to bring people together on weekends and evenings.

Juniata College is small and private, so it is very expensive but holds the potential for great scholarships and huge reductions in cost based on both academics and financial need. The education offered by this institution is well worth the price, and they work to get scholarships, jobs, and internships for any student who expresses interest.

On the secret unannounced mountain day students on the activity board are called and provided air horns at 5am to wake all the students on campus. Classes, meetings, and jobs are cancelled for the day and the school hosts a huge number of activities on campus for students and faculty to get outdoors and enjoy the good weather. Mountain day is 'always tomorrow' until it actually happens!!!

Students that want their professors to actually know their names, students that want small classes, students that want to travel or study abroad, and students that want to embrace diversity and get to know the people at their school on a personal level would love Juniata. The college's international and study abroad programs are unmatched in participation and provide great opportunities for students!

Student run organizations are a big deal on campus. A big festival called Lobsterfest introduces them all to students during the first few weeks and students are free to choose what to participate in from sports to comic books to environmental coalitions. The variation is incredible.

There are no frats or sororities on campus... officially at least. The club sports teams sort of take that place, but parties are mostly contained to the upperclassmen dorms of East on Saturday nights and are nondiscriminatory. If someone wants to party, they definitely have the opportunity, but parties at Juniata are also easy to avoid for anyone who doesn't want to be involved.

There really aren't any security problems on campus, dorms are secure, and theft is rare if not unheard of. Students trust the system enough to leave backpacks and laptops out in public areas unattended without fear. The campus really feels like a family, rather than just different people living close together. That's the thing about a small campus, it has to be that way to work.

I love this school. They worked with me when I applied (after getting laid off from my job) so I could attend. The people and staff I've met are wonderful, and I know I'm building friendships that will last for a very long time.

Be prepared to work. Some classes are, of course, more intense than others, but for the most part, there are no easy As here. You will be made to work for your grades, but if you put in the effort and show that you're trying, teachers here are very receptive to it.

Don't come here expecting to breeze through! This is not a school where you can just sit back and walk out with high grades. I've attended Juniata for one year so far, and several teachers had attendance rules where you'd lose points if you were excessively absent. Basically, come to class, put effort into your work, and you'll be fine. Talk to your professors if you're struggling. They are willing to work with you.

I've lived in two dorms so far, the third floor of Terrace and the second floor of Lesher (the all-girls dorm). The rooms in Lesher seem much larger; the closet and mirror spaces are definitely twice as large as the spaces in Terrace. TnT (That's Tussey 'n' Terrace) are a bit farther away from other points on campus (with the exception of East Houses, which are WAY off compared to everything else), but right across the street from the ceramics studio. Both rooms I lived in were great; there weren't any problems that were so terrible that I wanted to leave.

Okay, campus food: You will likely get bored after a while. There are two eateries, Baker Refectory and Eagles Landing (which everyone on campus calls Muddy). Baker has lots of options, from pizza to classics to an exhibition line where they cook more specialized foods. There's a vegan area as well, and I believe there are gluten-free options available. On weekend mornings, Baker is the only eatery available, where they do brunch. (If you're going to the omelet line, be ready to wait, as it gets long! The cook makes six at a time, so the wait isn't too bad.) Muddy is kind of like a food court at the mall with different areas catering to different tastes (asian, grill, mexican, salads, and a sandwich line like Subway). The food here is available for meal exchange, and you usually get two or three options per line. The food up here is better than that in Muddy, but you have to be careful about not getting meal exchange items during their scheduled times: For that, you have to pay. I'm hooked on the make-your-own stir fry line in Muddy. I have to pay for it each time, but they're not stingy with the portions and it's worth it. There are places to eat in town--Boxers and OIP are great! There's also a Sheetz only a few blocks away for ready-made food and a Weis if you want to pick up ingredients or frozen foods to cook.

For those looking for parties, this isn't a huge party school. Pink and East Houses are mainly where the parties are. They can get pretty rowdy, but everyone has fun as far as I know.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, I wanted a school that was much smaller and rural, and Juniata is a perfect fit for me. It's an expensive school, but they are very generous with their aid, and if you ask them for help, they'll do what they can. This is one of the few schools I know of where you can combine pretty much any major with any other major.

Lobsterfest! It's the fall club fair, where all the clubs set up a table and basically talk about themselves. Students get to sign up for as many clubs as they like, and afterwards, everyone gets their own lobster (or steak) to eat. It's fantastic.

Students who don't mind the small-town environment. If you don't have a car, you'll have to make friends with someone who does, or just walk like my friends and I do. Downtown is only about a 20-minute walk away. Also, the students here are more or less very open-minded and accepting of others (there are a few exceptions, of course).

Advocacy, politics, religion, recreation--there's a club for pretty much everything. If you want to create a club, you can. I don't think there's much hassle in the process.

There is no greek life at Juniata, one reason why I chose the school. Everyone looking for greek life, this isn't the school for you.

I feel very safe on campus. Campus security is great. I've never had any problems. A word about drinking off-campus: Do NOT get caught. The school knows that students will drink on-campus and don't really make a huge deal about it, but getting caught off-campus will probably get you a night in jail.

Very warm environment gets hands on with everything, changing life.

Work hard

Talk and talk and talk

Concert, sports,

Juniata is a very good school that values its academics highly. The social aspects are valued just as much as academics. I tries to make each student happy with their experience.

Find a group of close friends. Regardless of whether there is anything to do on or off campus, if you have close friends, you will never be bored.

Juniata is a very good school that takes its academics very seriously.

If you are living near friends you will be perfectly happy.

The food is not the greatest.

Juniata Activities Board tries to make sure there are campus on a very regular basis.

You reap what you sow. the education you will get at Juniata more than makes up for the cost.

Mountain day, Lobsterfest, Madrigal, the traditions are campus wide events.

Great school for anyone who is focused on a good education but also wants to have fun.

Most students are involved with clubs and activities. They are plentiful on campus.

No Greek life.

No issues with campus safety.