Allegheny College (AC)

Allegheny College, a small liberal arts school located in rural northwest Pennsylvania, has a campus "full of different interests, experiences and talents." Students highlight Allegheny's diversity and stress that they "are engaged in helping our campus community as well as the community of Meadville." In terms of a diverse educational experience, one of the college's draws is students' ability to mix and match majors and minors from different disciplines, leading to Allegheny's motto of "mind over major." This approach "toted by the Allegheny College curriculum board [resounds] not only in the academics but in the people and opportunities that are a part of this unique campus." Professors here are "dedicated to helping [students] succeed and they genuinely want to see [students] do well." With small class sizes and "classes taught by professors," students say the academics are rigorous at Allegheny, but professors "go above and beyond to make themselves available to help them through [difficult times]." The mandatory independent senior research project is "challenging," but it "does a lot to bolster résumés and prep students for graduate schools."

Allegheny has a "very welcoming, judgment-free student body," with students who are "incredibly involved, engaged, and passionate about what they do." While students who hold more conservative viewpoints say that the school's generally liberal stance "may be alienating to conservative students," the majority of Allegheny students seem to applaud the college's emphasis on "welcoming students from different cultures and a general acceptance of varying creeds, sexual orientations, gender identities, and races." On the whole, students describe Allegheny as a "very active campus" and the "vast majority of people are involved with more than one organization on campus and are extremely invested in their studies and the school." Even though some say to "be prepared to have the majority of your life revolve just around what the school provides, which is a lot," adding that "the location is definitely a drawback," others add that students find plenty to do on campus and with off-campus trips to Pittsburgh and Erie, Pennsylvania, when Meadville gets too small.

Though some say Allegheny is "the school that studies like an Ivy and parties like a state school," others contend that most students' weeks are full of books and weekends revolve around some sort of on-campus fun. (A few students bristle at Allegheny's four-year residency requirement, but most find ways to stay occupied.) Meadville is a small town but with over 120 school-sponsored clubs and organizations, "everyone can find something [they're] passionate about at Allegheny." Greek life is "an important component of the school, but with only 20 percent of students involved, you'll never feel obligated to participate." The tight-knit school, with roughly 1,600 students, is "small enough that you will see a familiar face wherever you go, without feeling like you know everyone on campus." As one student puts it, Allegheny is "a school with traditions and weirdness," and during a pre-college campus visit it just "felt right." A very liberal campus, students note that while "there is always space for further diversity," the "majority of [the] student body prides itself on social justice and service work."

Allegheny College students are encouraged “to think about things in a completely different perspective, which aims to make us unique and specifically individualized for potential careers.” Allegheny’s Office of Career Education is “very helpful and proactive with internships and job placement,” and faculty members are excellent resources as well. “Most of my internships have come from [a] professor recommendation; as in they found the opportunity, made me aware that I would be a good candidate, and then helped me with the application process,” says a student. Over the past five years, 75 to 89 percent of Allegheny graduates completed one or more internships prior to graduation, enhancing their job skills, experience, and networking opportunities. And one day each semester, students set aside classes and schoolwork for “Gator Days,” where student explores what they are interested in doing after graduation via alumni panels, department open houses, and other professional opportunities. PayScale.com reports that Allegheny alumni earn a median starting salary of $58,700, with 33 percent working in a STEM-related field.