Reviews
Simmons University
Anne from Philadelphia
a current student here
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Am enjoying being here | My classes at Simmons have proved to be exciting and stimulating, and there are also a lot of social opportunities at Simmons. This includes frequent events such as plays, movie nights, sporting events, city outings, special guests and more. Not to mention, Simmons is located in Boston, one of our nation's best college towns. The city is full of great dining, night life, music, museums and parks. There is something to do for every interest and every budget. |
Bang for the buck | Simmons College is equipped with the most up-to-date technology in all of it's computer labs and its newly-renovated library. Students will find everything they need here, including a gym, great food, student lounges and fun clubs and activities. One of the great values of Simmons College is that accepted students can enroll in classes in five other colleges that belong to the Colleges of the Fenway Consortium. |
Tips for prospective students | Come visit Simmons! You will feel welcome right away. Plan an overnight visit with a current student, and definitely try to sit in on a class. |
Great for these types of students | Everyone! Simmons has a very diverse population and opportunities for you to express all your extracurricular interests. And, if you can't find what you're looking for, you can start your own club or organization. |
Natalie
a current student here
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Am learning a lot | I just completed my first semester at Simmons and found the transition very smooth. My first set of classes provided an easy transition from high school to college level learning because there are opportunities for help through study groups and tutors, the teachers really get to know you and the student atmosphere is enthusiastic. We all want one another to succeed. |
Am enjoying being here | I have found that meeting people here is easy. The students are warm and welcoming. I have joined several academic liaisons and social organizations and the upperclassmen I have met through the programs want me to feel comfortable. They answer any questions I have and request to meet for meals often. I have found that I am never alone because there are so many opportunities to stay occupied. |
Bang for the buck | Application was free when I applied. Most students also received generous scholarship. Being a member of the honors program I also receive an annual book stipend and the program pays for outings and nights in. I suggest taking advantage of the minor activities fee because the funds are used towards pizza nights, movie viewings, bake offs and more. |
Tips for prospective students | Visit the school and attend the prospective students days. They are geared toward introducing the school and the surrounding area. Half the battle when choosing a school is determining where you want to live and what you want to be doing in you free time. These days will lure you in to the area and from there it is clear how many opportunities there are to get off campus. I suggest applying to the honors program to anyone who has the academic standings required. |
Great for these types of students | The all female classes make concentrating in class easier. It also makes the dorms very home-like and warm. We understand that we need a certain level of testosterone so there are always opportunities to get off campus and meet guys from the surrounding schools. (Tufts, Northeastern, Harvard, Berklee) Simmons is great for any girl who want to meet and learn with other ambitious women. Why overlook a school designed specifically to help women achieve? |
Melissa from Boston, MA
a current student here
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In three sentences | simmons college is a prestigious all women's college with a tight knit community in a large city. simmons is your first stop to success! they set you up for not only your major but for becoming a powerful woman in the work field. |
Tips for prospective students | simmons is a stepping stone to your successful future. they are willing to help you in every way possible with the many different opportunities that surround our school. our professors are constantly in the news for their research in their field. |
Academic Rigor | the academic course load is top notch here at simmons college. your professors expect the best from you but are willing to work with you and your schedule to achieve success in their course. professors know you by name and are beyond helpful and great possible references for later job opportunities. |
Dorm Life | dorm life at simmons is above average of normal dorm living. there are nine different dorms all suited with lounges, kitchens, big screen tvs, and other amnesties. simmons quad is a great place to hang out and do whatever. it's our oasis in the city. |
Food and Dining | simmons dining is very user friendly and willing to adjust and offer whatever we prefer. there is a great selection for vegans, vegetarians and we have a gluten free section. both of our dining halls are self serve and will go out of their way to give you what you need. |
What to do for fun | there is non-stop things to do for fun at simmons. a big perk to simmons is how accessible everything is from the school. boston is an amazing city with so much history, culture, museums, festivals, restaurants, sports venues, and outdoor activities! anything you can think of there is! even when you have a tight budget just being able to walk around and see all the different areas of boston is fun and being a student is a huge plus. there are many student discounts that we can take advantage of. |
Bang for the buck | simmons is great for setting up students with successful futures because of their great opportunities through internship. simmons is also located in the heart of the hospital district in boston. so if you're looking into the health science field you know that a great opportunity is just around the corner. simmons is partnered with harvard medical school and the hospitals located across the street. |
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus | i would say being 5 blocks away from fenway park is a pretty unusual location near our campus! also there are nice locations on top of our main college building, management building, and library that have awesome views and places to eat. they are hidden gems about the school. |
Great for these types of students | simmons is welcoming to all kinds of students. there is a wide range of different students that attend simmons. simmons is known for their library science major and their health science majors. |
Clubs and Activities | there are many clubs and activities to do at simmons. the lgbtq community is well known as well as our hillel group. every day an email is sent out about all the activities going on in campus that week or day. it could be from a hall tea to a well known speaker. there are always activities to do at night such as karaoke night, bingo for groceries or hosting events for watching our city's amazing sports teams dominant. |
Greek Life | their is a greek life through colleges of the fenway (cof) and also through neighboring schools. |
Campus Safety | campus safety is on the clock 24/7 even on holidays. there are here for whatever needs you may have. our gates to our residence campus is locked promptly by 11pm and all of our buildings are secured by a id check to get in. |
Shawna from Nobleboro, ME
a current student here
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Am learning a lot | Most of the teachers are very helpful, and more than willing to answer questions in or out of class. A number of them will go out of their way to help you. When I was struggling in Calculus, my teacher pulled some strings to get me a tutor that would help, and another teacher went so far as to install a particular program on a few computers so I could finish a project I was working on at the time. |
Am enjoying being here | As with most places, there are good and there are bad people. You have to pick and choose your friends, as not all the girls attending the school are friendly. But there's a wide variety of folks so you're guaranteed to find a social group, even if you're a wallflower. The location is ideal, and both campuses are within walking distance of public transportation, the Landmark Center, and the Museum of Fine Arts. The academic campus even neighbors the Isabella Gardener Museum. Anything you could possibly need is no more than a T rideor a walk away. |
Bang for the buck | It's an expensive school, and you will need financial aid, but the classes are very good, and very thorough. The only way you won't learn something is if you're not paying attention. Many of the classes are hands-on, especially in the science departments, where they have several long labs that apply what you've learned in class. |
Tips for prospective students | Don't be afraid to speak up. About anything. The teachers are generally even-handed, and won't judge you too harshly for anything you say so long as it isn't too offensive. The most common reason a class stagnates is because people won't talk, or because the same few students keep talking. Talk to someone. Everyone is nervous, and the best way to make a social group is to just find someone and talk to them. You don't have to stay within your grade or major either. None of my closest friends study what I do, and it'll help when you're filling out class modes. Don't go in if you're still indecisive or unsure of what you want in a major. It might be better for you if you try out a couple of majors in a less expensive school first, and after a point there's only so much wiggle room you have if you change your mind. Although there are art programs and Simmons claims to be a school for Arts and Sciences, the truth is it's primarily focused on science. The art classes are still fairly scientific, and generally sub-par compared to what a more art-oriented school would offer. |
Great for these types of students | As I said, this school caters to it's science students much more than it's arts. This school is best for those going into Computer Science, Math, Biology, Nursing, or something similar. It's also fairly good for English students, and decent for Communications. However, if you want to go into Art, Language or Music, these courses are offered, but it's better if you look somewhere else. As a side note, this school does cater to Nursing students, sometimes to the detriment of other majors. Finals, classes, even buildings will and can be re-purposed at any time to make room for Nursing classes. |
Katrina from East Dennis, MA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot | All of my classes have been instructed by extremely knowledgeable professors and they are always available for outside questions. |
Am enjoying being here | Simmons College is in the perfect location because it is in a city without feeling as though it is in a city. There are tons of opportunities to expand oneself at Simmons. |
Tips for prospective students | Go on campus and take a tour or even spend the night with a current Simmons student to get the feel of the school. |
Great for these types of students | Simmons is great for a person who is looking for a small liberal arts college that provides a great amount for their students. |
Colette from Portland, OR
a current student here
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In three sentences | A strange fishbowl bubble of alternate culture, mostly students from Massachusetts and New England, seriously I'm one of about five students in my class from west of the Rockies. Very warm and friendly, just large enough to find a nice close circle of friends and acquaintances. Stellar professors, ineffectual administration, lots of acronyms. |
Tips for prospective students | Like many many schools, the profs are fantastic, the adjuncts are so-so, the staff are angels, and the administration is middling-terrible. Many of my classmates (and I myself) have been burned by misleading or straight-up dishonest course catalog information. There is no 4+1 MA/MFA in Children's Lit. I repeat: there is none. Talk to your department heads, talk to the head of the school of management or nursing if that's your program, talk to actual professors who have advised students like you through their programs. I guarantee they will know what is and is not possible for you. Academic advisors are kind of hit-and-miss; I got a good one but I've heard some unfortunate stories from other students. When in doubt, talk to your department head. Also, do not be afraid to make yourself a nuisance. Follow up with your advisor, follow up on your paperwork, follow up on everything. Whichever school you end up at, college is a system that you work best by engaging. |
Academic Rigor | Your mileage may vary. Our biggest programs are School of Management, School of Nursing, Communications, and SLIS (library & information science). I came to Simmons under the impression that it was a good school for English and Music, and ended up defecting to Communications and Music with an English minor. In the year I've been here, my professors have been fantastic. The adjuncts (we do have adjuncts, no matter what the pamphlets tell you, mostly for FYS and as substitutes for profs on sabbatical) range from so-so to pretty bad. But I felt consistently challenged by my professors and engaged with my peers, and the course material is usually pretty darn cool. |
Dorm Life | A-mazing. I lived on the Arts Floor my first year, we were pretty close (at times we had to be - blizzard cabin fever is not fun). Wherever you end up going to school, I highly recommend living in a theme community for your first year - it's a great icebreaker. Be aware: the gossip mill is pretty relentless, but I've found it's in the spirit of checking up on each other and making sure we're all ok. If you think a women's-only college environment will diminish the presence of relationship drama, think again: there is a thriving LGBTQ community here and many students date both outside and inside the Simmons community. Facilities may vary depending on your hall - I lived in Morse this last year, which was sort of a trial-by-fire rite-of-passage experience. I loved the people, but the building itself is not stellar. Do not underestimate the power of the box fan on move-in weekend: South Hall is the only residence hall that has air-conditioning. The rest of us get to suffer. |
Food and Dining | Our service people are saints. They stayed with us through all three of our blizzards, and are very kind and friendly. The food is middling-ok, you can usually find at least something edible and in the range of balanced. However, we are supplied by a large corporation and mistakes do happen. It's very hard to resist the temptation to eat pizza all day every day, since it's the one reliably delicious option. But once you get over that mental hurdle, it's not super hard to eat healthy. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free mileage may vary though. Our staff aren't super good at labeling things. The baked goods at Common Grounds, however, are fantastic. I could live on those double-chocolate muffins. |
What to do for fun | Boston! It's right there. We're a T ride away from Newbury Street, Boston Common, Faneuil Hall, and the North End. If you have work-study, absolutely ABSOLUTELY get a job at a local nonprofit through the Scott/Ross Center - it's good work experience and often will get you out of the college bubble and into real neighborhoods in Boston. You meet pretty cool people too :) There are clubs and orgs you can join through the Colleges of the Fenway consortium, and also a long tradition of Simmons students attending parties at other schools (Tufts, Northeastern is literally around the corner, etc) if that's your scene. |
Bang for the buck | I wish our music department was larger than one prof (he's awesome, but he's just one guy, there's only so much he can do), but there are some cool cross-enrollment options with the New England Conservatory, and music is not the major I plan to make a living with. TBH if you're majoring in one of the big programs I mentioned above, you're getting the best deal - that's where the college's energy is focused and that's where its reputation and industry connections are strongest. We have a Music major, for example, but it just won't have the same strength as, say, a music major from St. Olaf or Juilliard. In fact, do this with every college you plan to apply to: take their course catalog and flip through it to see which majors have the largest amount of course offerings. Just go by the numbers. This is a pretty reliable guide to which majors are strongest at the school. I wish I had thought to do this when I was applying and making final admissions decisions. Another major factor, of course, is financial aid: the application fee was waived when I applied and I was fortunate to receive a considerable academic scholarship and grant funding. Simmons was the least expensive of my out-of-state college options. In my conversations I've gathered that many students here receive pretty good financial aid, but of course this will vary depending on your academics, your financial circumstances and where else you apply. |
Great for these types of students | Socially conscious nursing/management/comm/ed/CS students, athletes. Our CS BA/Library Science Masters dual degree program is really good, I've got friends in it who are loving it. LGBTQIA students also have a huuuuuuuge representation on campus. I think SWAG (Sexuality, Women & Gender) is actually a more powerful org than student council now in terms of member population and social influence on campus. Our FYS (First-Year Seminar) program introduces all incoming students to sexuality & gender lingo, and is trying (bless them, they're trying) to instill in us a habit of introducing ourselves with pronouns (Hi my name is X and I use she/her/hers for example). |
Clubs and Activities | There's some cool stuff happening here. Connections Carnival is held in both the fall and spring, so don't worry if you miss it the first time around. You can also join clubs and orgs at other colleges of the Fenway - I'm in the chapel choir at Emmanuel next door, and I started learning capoeira through our sports center. |
Greek Life | There is none. This is honestly part of what attracted me to Simmons. |
Campus Safety | I have felt one hundred percent safe one hundred percent of the time I've been on campus here. Campus Safety is on duty day and night - I was woken up by them at like four in the morning when they came to talk to my neighbors after a fight. Also we've got a pocket-sized two-campus arrangement, so there aren't any shady semi-hidden spots or creepy shortcuts. We literally live down the block from five different hospitals, and while the ambulance sirens at all hours get old, this is probably the best place in the world to get sick or injured. Medical professionals abound. We also don't lose power during blizzards, as I can attest. Our campus police just got an accreditation of some kind. Seriously, this is a pretty good school to choose if you/your parents are worried about moving to a big city. |
Erika from Boston, MA
a current student here
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In three sentences | Simmons College provides an excellent learning environment for its students. The faculty truly do care about their students. There is always something to do near the school and the location is great. |
Tips for prospective students | Research your major. We have many accelerated programs or programs that allow you to receive a higher degree in a shorter amount of time. Take advantage of small class sizes and really get to know your professors. This will help with networking. |
Academic Rigor | These programs are difficult, but are also very rewarding. If you put in the work, you will be rewarded. |
Dorm Life | Our Residence Life staff is wonderful. My first year here, I had a very difficult room mate situation, but everyone was very helpful and got me to a place where I was comfortable. We have a variety of building styles that students can choose to live in. |
Food and Dining | The food is decent and the dining staff does a decent job with food allergies. Those with allergies may face a lack of options at times. |
What to do for fun | Boston is a wonderful city to be in. There is absolutely always something to do. Despite the academic rigor, you do still have time to go out and have fun too. |
Danielle from Maine
a current student here
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In three sentences | Simmons College is a great school and I'm very happy with my decision to go here. Everyone is very nice and accepting, and even though it is an all girls school, it isn't very cliquey and its very easy to find cute boys nearby. Honestly, I don't even notice that it's an all girls school. |
Tips for prospective students | Do not look at the big ticket price. Simmons College is a private school and they absolutely love dishing out HUGE grants, which is free money in the sense that you will never have to pay it back or anything. It would cost me more money to just own an apartment in Boston than it does for me to live here, get fed, and get a quality education. |
Academic Rigor | I'm a current freshman, so I'm not sure about how hard the higher level classes are, but the classes I'm taking right now aren't particularly that hard, however it is a lot of work. You have to put in the time outside of class to really master the material. This is typical for most colleges though, my friends at other schools are having a very similar experience with the increased work load. |
Dorm Life | The dorms are great. I live in Simmons Hall, its where most Freshman live, and it's very nice. There are laundry, kitchen, and lounge areas/rooms on every floor, and the second floor has a computer lab.There's also an elevator. About half of the dorms here seem to have elevators, which is awesome after a really long day! |
Food and Dining | There's two dining halls here. Bartol and the Fens. Bartol is on the residence campus. Brunch at Bartol is always the best, lunch is usually boring, but they really bring it for diner! The fries are so good! The Fens in on the academic campus. They have a lot of variety and we have our own sushi chef. Its amazing. I have never been let down by the Fens. I'm not personally gluten free or a vegan/vegetarian, however I know we have some promising options for people who are! Its not incredible because we are a small school, but the dining staff is really flexible and there's always a couple options! |
What to do for fun | The nightlife in Boston is incredible, but Simmons itself doesn't host anything crazy, so it is never too loud or crazy, but its easy to find something like that if you want! |
Bang for the buck | Financial aid is amazing, so I'm practically being paid to attend here and I absolutely love it! |
Greek Life | Simmons College doesn't have greek life. We are an all girls school. We are practically one big sorority. |
Campus Safety | Public Safety is on point. They are all so nice and very quick to respond to emergencies or even just to help when you get locked out of your room. |
Heather from Boston, MA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot | Simmons professors are so knowledgeable and they always share interesting information that deals with the course. I have learned more in the first semester than a year of high school! |
Am enjoying being here | Simmons is located in Boston, MA and it is awesome! The residence campus is a short walk away from the academic campus. Also, there are so many other schools around that you can always find something to do and meet new people. Being in Boston is great because you never get bored and don't have to go to a party every night. |
Bang for the buck | Although Simmons is very expensive, you can definitely tell what you're spending your money on. There are computers and printers everywhere around campus for use. The classrooms are so nice and have smart boards and computers in them. The desks and chairs are comfy. Whenever there is a problem in the residence halls, it always gets fixed and as fast as possible. |
Tips for prospective students | One tip is to definitely plan financially! College is so expensive and you don't realize it until you start taking out loans. Scholarships are a great way to pay for college because you don't have to pay them back. However, it takes a lot of research and time but it's worth it! Talking to your financial aid adviser is also important because they can give you tips. Also, buy a planner. There is a lot more free time in college and staying busy will help you beat procrastination. |
Great for these types of students | Simmons is great for strong, independent women who don't mind being in a classroom with other intelligent women. It is also a great place if you are not the biggest party goer and just want to relax and watch movies or stay in on the weekend. Simmons is small and has a great community, so if you want to meet and stay close to as many people as you can, Simmons is great! |
Nicole from Malden, MA
a current student here
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Am learning a lot | Where to start... as a double major in English and Information Technology (IT), there is definitely a lot to learn. I really don't know how to explain how much I've learned in my classes. I've loved them all. Subjects range from science to sociology to English to arts administration... there are so many classes to pick from that it seems a little intimidating at first. Take classes in several different areas to see where you feel the most comfortable. God luck! |
Am enjoying being here | I love it here! It was the perfect choice. Classes are not to big and not to small. My largest class this semester is of 70 students, but it doesn't feel that large at all. Once you find a club, sport or organization that you like you'll make friends fairly easily. All my friends are part of our new Science Fiction and Fantasy club. Branch out and meet others! |
Bang for the buck | There is so much to learn, you might not know where to start. Talk to your adviser about classes, and talk with your friends about professors they've had and classes they've taken. Also, if you find out what books you need for classes, see if you can by them online, bring them from home, or borrow them from friends, family or your local library. The prices at the bookstore can be higher than you expect. |
Tips for prospective students | 1. Get to know your professors and classmates as soon as you can. The more comfortable you feel with them, the eaasier it will be asking for help. 2. Try your best in figuring out what the professors want from you. When you do that your classes become a bit easier. 3. Bring rain boots. Trust me, you'll need them. 4. Many of the first year dormitories don't have overhead lighting, so double check if you need to buy lights. 5. The walls are thin, so monitor your noise level in the dormitories . 6. Explore the library. It has so amazing hidden study areas. 7. Apply for work-study jobs early, as early as the summer before. |
Great for these types of students | Anyone and everyone who wants to come to Simmons should come! People are extremely nice and they're always there to help if you need it. |