In keeping with the school’s Augustinian tradition, Villanova students practice and preach the importance of serving their community. “I wasn't involved much in service in high school, [and] I was not expecting a very service-oriented school to change my mind,” writes a freshman business major. “That changed about 2 weeks into school when I signed up to work at the Special Olympics. Since then, I have become so involved with service that I feel like I have done it my entire life. It is such a rewarding experience to participate in service with your peers.” With many students stressing how important their involvement in one or more of Villanova’s plethora of student organizations has been to them, Wildcat spirit is ever-present on campus. “Basically, I used to make fun of those people obsessed with their schools, but I'm literally obsessed with Villanova, and I'm not the typical school spirit type of person. It really is amazing if it's the right fit for you,” writes a sophomore.
Indeed, although many students wouldn’t change a day of their Nova experience, some warn that not everyone will immediately find their place on campus. “The majority of [female] students wear dresses and cute outfits to class with their hair and makeup perfectly done,” writes a sophomore from Connecticut. “The boys are more casual with their outfits and there are some people who just don't care...I definitely wore pajamas a lot to class but I stopped doing that because I just stood out so much and felt like it really was not okay...I got a lot of weird looks.”
The school’s student body does have a bit of a reputation for sameness. “‘Vanilla-nova’ is a term that gets thrown around a lot on campus, mostly because of the perceived lack of diversity,” writes a junior involved in Habitat for Humanity. “Yet while in the past there may have been some truth to this nickname, the university is very conscious of this problem. They have come up with what they call a ‘Diversity Blueprint’ and have been addressing this problem for the past several years.” Then there’s the moniker for the university’s social life: “As for ‘Villa-no-fun,’ that stereotype is pretty much completely false. Villanova is located on the Mainline in Pennsylvania, which is full of restaurants, bars, movie theaters, etc. The R5 Septa Rail is also located directly on campus, with trains that run every half hour to take you into Philly. The train ride in is only about a half hour, so even if there's nothing going on at Villanova one night, there's always something going on in the city.” In spite of the school’s perceived diversity deficit, there are a number of students from different backgrounds who claim that they do feel at home at Nova. One senior involved in several student groups, including the Black Cultural Society, writes that “as a minority student on campus I find that the center for Multi-Cultural Affairs is an amazing support system for students who might otherwise feel somewhat alienated. Even given some of the negative stereotypes that do accurately depict Villanova students, everyone is very friendly.”
While some students grouse about the diversity issue, few find fault in Villanova’s academics. “Classes are in general very good, you will run into a few terrible professors, but that's [the same] everywhere,” writes a freshman studying engineering. “Overall, professors make a great effort to get to know your name and try very hard to help you. They are all available for extra help and there are so many resources to get even more help, such as upperclassman tutoring, the writing center, etc.” Prospective Wildcats should, however, be aware that the university has an extensive core curriculum. “Villanova's academic requirements sometimes annoy me because there are a lot of core requirements, but at the same time I am receiving a well-rounded liberal arts education. I think the education at Villanova does both prepare you for a job and help you learn for its own sake,” writes a sophomore communications major.
When they’re not in class, students partake in numerous extracurricular events, from NovaFest to Balloon Day, and of course men’s basketball. “I'd heartily recommend going to as many games as possible,” writes a freshman from Minnesota. “You meet people, see some great b-ball, and might even win something yourself. Everything at Villanova tends to sell out, or get close to it.”
Most students conclude that a Villanova education entails a number of benefits, if also the occasional drawback. “Villanova is a bubble, filled with good-looking, well-dressed people,” writes an alum from Puerto Rico. “At times,” she says, “if you do not fit the exact mold of the white, rich, Catholic, mama’s boy / daddy's little princess, it can be really frustrating.” But as for the big picture? “Overall Villanova's experience is great; you become a Wildcat and you love it.”
