The University of Akron (UA)

A “growing, exciting, and really diverse institution with a tremendous vision for the future,” the University of Akron serves nearly 17,000 undergraduates, most in career-oriented programs. Business is one of the largest undergraduate departments here; engineering, however, is the most well-renowned, enjoying an excellent reputation in mechanical and chemical engineering and co-op programs that “can place any engineering student that wants a co-op very easily.” Other academic standouts include the “excellent biology and chemistry” departments, nursing program, education department, and “the only nationally accredited emergency management program in the country.” Students in all programs praise UA’s strong ties to the city and county, saying that “These ties offer students numerous opportunities not found at many other schools.” Undergrads also appreciate UA’s commitment to technology; “it’s one of the top ‘wired for wireless’ campuses in the nation and it makes it easy to get e-mail, notes, grades, etc. online. Practically every building has computers available to use continuously, called ‘computer trees.’” While students once complained about all the new construction on campus, most concede that the university is making all the right moves in its “transition from a commuter school to a residence school.”

UA is a large school where the typical student is “down-to-earth, working class to middle class, from the Akron-Canton-Cleveland area.” Otherwise, students “vary tremendously,” and have “diverse backgrounds” that often include “average to slightly better academic achievement in high school” and a “serious” attitude about college.” Two-fifths of the student body is at least 25 years old; most of these are part-time students juggling jobs and families. Then there are “the frat and sorority people, the people who are always studying, the people who never go to class; you name it, there is someone like that at UA.” Another common type of student, we’re told, “is the beer-drinking sports fan. You can’t go wrong with that!”

UA is a large community that students say is divided roughly in half. One half “is trying to survive and thrive in order to build a future. The other half is just here to have fun.” The first group “lives off campus and only gets slightly involved with student organizations or campus life.” The others go “west a few blocks to all the clubs over on Main Street. Those who are more into sports will hit up the bars that are a block south of campus,” while still others head “east of campus one block for the parties along ‘frat row.’” All students enjoy the new “multimillion dollar recreation center and student union, with thirteen billiard tables and eight bowling lanes and lots more.” They’re even prouder of their 2005 MAC champion men’s soccer team. Students with cars note that “the campus is pretty close to Cleveland,” which presents various opportunities for having fun “ranging from rock to theater to even partying!” As one student sums up, “How good your life is at UA is up to you.”