火爆社区

Students at Allegheny College feel encouraged by the school鈥檚 distinctive and flexible approach to education to mix and match different fields of interest: 鈥淵ou have students who major in neuroscience and minor in English, or major in economics and minor in philosophy.鈥� This speaks to the school鈥檚 rigorous and rewarding academic program, which emphasizes 鈥渁chieving personal intellectual growth.鈥� This is proven in the classroom, where it鈥檚 said that 鈥渟tudents often ask questions in class and actively engage in discussions,鈥� and this 鈥減assion for education makes class discussion lively and enhances the overall experience of an education.鈥� Students note that 鈥渢he majority of professors at Allegheny are wonderful and extremely helpful,鈥� and the small class sizes create opportunities for meaningful interaction and guidance. Many students emphasize the accessibility of faculty: 鈥淚 love the fact that I can go speak to any of my professors about anything and get the help I need.鈥� Another hallmark of the Allegheny experience is the required senior research project. One student explains, 鈥淭he senior research project we are required to complete before graduating does a lot to bolster r茅sum茅s and prep students for graduate schools.鈥� Beyond strengthening academic and professional credentials, the project serves as a unifying experience that 鈥渋nspires a level of camaraderie and cooperation unusual for a college.鈥� As one student says, 鈥淎llegheny does a good job of making us think critically, while also allowing us to still enjoy our college experience.鈥�

Allegheny College has a 鈥渧ery welcoming, judgment-free student body,鈥� where 鈥済enerally people are accepting of your identity, restrictions and boundaries.鈥� Students appreciate the school鈥檚 commitment to admitting 鈥渟tudents from different cultures and a general acceptance of varying creeds, sexual orientations, gender identities, and races,鈥� and view Allegheny as an 鈥渆xcellent melting pot of ideas, experiences and identities.鈥� On the whole, 鈥渁cademics are important to Allegheny students,鈥� who are 鈥渋ncredibly involved, engaged, and passionate about what they do.鈥� The 鈥渕ajority of [the] student body prides itself on social justice and service work,鈥� with one student sharing, 鈥淛ust being on this campus is an education in politics鈥�and environmentalism.鈥� Students routinely refer to their peers as unique, 鈥渁ll with their own very different interests,鈥� forming a 鈥渄iverse community that offers many viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences.鈥� However, one thing that Allegheny students share is a strong sense of connection and belonging, often pointing to the college鈥檚 鈥渇amily-like atmosphere鈥� as one of its defining and best qualities.

鈥淭he campus is very lively,鈥� thanks in part to the requirement that students live in on-campus housing for four years, or eight full semesters. 鈥淚n addition to going to classes and studying in between, most students try to get actively involved with campus life鈥� and weekends often center around on-campus activities. And with numerous school-sponsored clubs and organizations, 鈥渆veryone can find something [they鈥檙e] passionate about at Allegheny.鈥� Students also take advantage of the 鈥渘atural beauty of this region鈥� through outdoor activities. Popular choices include Outing Club events, which range from backpacking and skiing to canoeing and white-water rafting. 鈥淐ommunity service and volunteer work are also important鈥� aspects of student life, along with athletics鈥斺�済ames are well attended and tailgating is popular among students on the weekends.鈥� For those interested, Greek life is also available 鈥渋f you want it to be a part of your experience.鈥� Overall, the campus is a tight-knit community that is 鈥渟mall enough that you will see a familiar face wherever you go, without feeling like you know everyone on campus.鈥�

Allegheny College students are encouraged 鈥渢o think about things in a completely different perspective, which aims to make us unique and specifically individualized for potential careers.鈥� Allegheny鈥檚 Office of Career Education is 鈥渧ery helpful and proactive with internships and job placement,鈥� and faculty members are excellent resources as well. 鈥淢ost 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,鈥� 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 鈥淕ator Days,鈥� 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.