Student Profile
Narissa
- Class: Junior
- Major: Education
- Gender: F
- High School: Jackson Memorial High School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
Monmouth is a great school in a great area in West Long Branch, New Jersey. In one direction is the beach and a bunch of boutique shops. In the other direction is tons of restaurants, the mall, the movies, Target, and anything else that a college student would need. Monmouth's academic programs are amazing, with a great curriculum and professors that are always willing to help. One thing that I would change about Monmouth is that it should be located near a Wawa. Coming from central Jersey, it was hard to adjust to college life without Wawa subs and coffee! Monmouth is also has a small enough community where students don't get lost in the shuffle. At Monmouth, there are 4,000 undergraduates and 2,000 graduate students, so you really get to know everybody. When I tell people that I go to Monmouth University, the reaction that I usually get is, "GOOD FOR YOU!!!" It makes me feel great that people recognize my school and the hard work that I do. I spend most of my time on campus in my dorm, my friends' dorms, and the dining hall. Although classes take up a lot of time during the week, when I'm not in class, I like to just hang around campus with friends. I think that the Monmouth administration does a lot of work but, as with anything in life, they could be better. I think that the biggest controversy on campus is the housing process. Housing is done by a lottery system, which is extremely stressful on students and causes many problems. I, as well as many others, feel that housing should be distributed based on GPA or on a first come, first serve basis. A fun, and unusual fact, about Monmouth is that the movie "Annie" was filmed there, in Wilson Hall, the center of campus. Wilson Hall was Daddy Warbucks's mansion in the movie. Also, Wilson Hall was the summer home for President Woodrow Wilson during his second campaign in office. Also, Woodrow Wilson's pets, Girlie and Fluffy, are buried out by the well that is located on campus. I feel honored to be able to walk on a campus with so much history. The most frequent student complaints are that academic advisors do not know what they are talking about; they usually end up hurting students rather than helping them. Word has gotten around that advisors have not had any formal training, which creates a serious problem when students need help making schedules and graduation plans.
Academic Life
Professors really want to get to know every student and they want to see students do well. Average class size, in the core curriculum classes (ie: Western Civilization), is 22, but the classes cap off at 35. Once students move up to the major requirements, the average class size is 18, but the classes usually cap off at 25. Class participation is mandatory in most classes and counts as part of the final grade. Students do have intellectual conversations outside of class and even tend to form their own study groups. My least favorite classes I've taken are Western Civilization and Chemistry, only because they have nothing to do with my major. I am an English and Elementary Education major, and I absolutely love it. It is A LOT of work but, if there is one thing I've learned in college, it is that nothing you want comes easy; hard work is essential for success.
Student Body
I find that most students are from the tri-state area, but some do come from the Connecticut are as well.
The Best Things
The people that are on campus and the surrounding area.
The Worst Things
Since it's located by the beach, it tends to be windy all the time!
