火爆社区

Flexibility is paramount to an Alfred University education and the school wants its Saxons to avail themselves of the 鈥渧ariety of academic opportunities鈥� it offers in order to create a truly individual curriculum. While known for its 鈥渆xcellent art program鈥濃�攅specially ceramics and glass鈥攕tudents confirm that it鈥檚 鈥渆asy to take subjects outside your major,鈥� and they value the number of 鈥渙ther majors versus a traditional art [school] setting鈥� that are available. As one art student attests, 鈥淚f I had decided to change majors, Alfred has almost every opportunity.鈥� With fewer than 2,000 undergraduates on its sprawling upstate campus, students find 鈥渢he classroom size is perfect for a more personalized education.鈥� As one student says, 鈥淚t is the closest to one-on-one teaching you can get.鈥� Students also have access to hands-on facilities such as outdoor kilns and wind tunnels, as well as built-in funding for real-world experiences via the Alfred University Applied and Experiential Learning Program (APEX). For those who do conduct their own research or experiments, professors are 鈥渁lways willing to put time into student independent projects.鈥� Classes at Alfred are headed by 鈥渙utstanding, talented, dedicated鈥� professors who 鈥渁re always pushing you to reach your full potential鈥� and they 鈥渂ring a level of vibrancy and academic encouragement through enthusiasm to the classroom.鈥�

Alfred鈥檚 students freely mix and move between the traditional major-related groups to become 鈥渨ell-acquainted with people from a variety of studies and backgrounds and with a variety of interests.鈥� All first-year and transfer students participate in Alfred鈥檚 Common Ground program, taking part in small group discussions to learn about different backgrounds and assumptions they might have. While some say there is 鈥渁 pretty significant gap between the prevalent, spunky art students and the more reclusive engineers,鈥� most easily socialize across academic lines and 鈥渕ore often than not, you鈥檒l see engineers rubbing elbows with philosophy majors and artists chilling with math and chemistry majors.鈥� The art program draws a large creative component to campus, and while 鈥渆veryone finds their own little niche鈥� in this 鈥渨arm鈥� environment, it 鈥渄efinitely does not mean they stay there鈥攜ou are allowed to float between everything.鈥� Saxons are, as a whole, 鈥渇riendly, outgoing, and involved,鈥� and 鈥測ou can鈥檛 go down the street without receiving a smile.鈥�

Alfred is the second-oldest coed institution in the country, and the school has a long history of often quirky traditions, such as the Pine Hill Derby (soap box racing) and Hot Dog Day (just what it sounds like). School spirit is strong, with students donning purple and gold for Saxon Fridays, and 鈥渆very sports team is supported, and superfans are at every event.鈥� Part of the reason for this strong 鈥渟ense of community鈥� is the school鈥檚 鈥渟omewhat rural location鈥� in the southern tier of New York, where the 鈥渂eautiful鈥� campus hums with activities. Students say 鈥渢here are so many clubs and options that you can find something to do鈥� regardless of the day of week. This includes the 鈥渟trong equestrian program,鈥� as well as 鈥渟tudent club productions...and fundraisers and an excellent selection of movies shown on campus.鈥� As far as infrastructure goes, 鈥渢he facilities are amazing,鈥� particularly those for art and engineering. That鈥檚 a good thing, because it means that although 鈥渋t snows constantly鈥� in this bucolic location, students can carry on with their activities.