Looking for insight into Susquehanna..

bloomfield
Tue, 12 Nov 2013 12:41:38 +0000

My daughter is a freshman there and absolutely loves it. She feels a part of the community and has joined numerous clubs. The academics are challenging and she is excited about what she is learning. I had been leery of the location, thinking that since it is in the middle of nowhere (and it really is in the middle of nowhere!) that the kids would get bored and say that there is nothing to do. However, the school makes an effort to have numerous activities planned during the weekend—there always is something going on. One good thing about the campus—over 90% of the students live on campus, so there is a sense of continuity among the students. My daughter says that the seniors love the school as much as the freshmen.

Every student participates in the GO Program –(Global Opportunities). It’s an immersion experience in a culture different than the student’s own and can be completed in either the US or abroad. There are 3 different programs:

1. Go Long—90+ semester long program abroad

2. Go Short – 20+ short term faculty led program (each at least 2 weeks) held during summer or during breaks

3. Go Your Own Way – students design their own program based on their interests and their advisor’s approval.

Many kids will do more than one program, such as studying abroad for a semester and then take a Go-Short program during the summer (such as studying art history in Italy). The financial aid transfers to the program, so it is easy for the students to participate. The school won the 2013 Andrew Heiskell Award (which I guess is like winning the Nobel Peace prize for colleges) for their GO program.

This is my 3rd daughter in college and I think her experience is one of the best. I’m really impressed with the school. My husband and I met many other parents during freshman orientation and it was surprising how many of them had also attended Susquehanna. Their pride in the school was evident and so many of them said that “Susquehanna made me who I am today.”