Sarah Lawrence College Top Questions

I'd say the best thing about it is the individual freedom to create your own academic structure and schedule. That freedom definitely starts to ripple into other aspects of your life. SLC kind of launches you towards creating yourself. If I could change anything, I'd add a little bit more diversity to the school. I LOVE having so many likeminded and engaged people around, but we can kind of lose touch with the real world when so isolated. I'd also want to be able to take more classes, but that's more a function of hours in a day, because as it is, the academic structure is perfect. Three classes allows enough time to focus deeply on conference projects and classwork. Too much more and overload would surely occur. I'll never know how music/theatre/dance thirds manage their 5 components AND conference work. Time management must stop eluding you at some point... As far as size goes, the campus is a little small for my taste, but the student body is well-sized at about 1300 undergrads, I believe? When I tell people where I go, if they're at all familiar with it, they're generally very impressed and interested to hear about the academic structure and my experience here. Like I said though, when they ARE familiar with it, otherwise, I get a vague look and asked, "Where is that, exactly?" Those two reactions occur probably equally... I spend most of my study time in the library, classrooms, or Heimbold Visual Arts Center. Otherwise, when the weather is good, I'm out on the lawn or else in the Teahaus or the Black Squirrel. I like the charm of the places on campus and definitely appreciate the spaces we do have. There isn't much of a college town atmosphere. While I've heard that the locals don't like us much, I haven't noticed any hostility. Bronxville is pretty nice, but there's definitely not much to do. New York City is definitely where it's at for entertainment. But I enjoy hanging out in Bronxville during the day to study in Starbucks or go out to lunch with some friends at one of the local restaurants. I also LOVE the health food store there. As far as I know, the administration is wonderful. It's largely democratic wherein the faculty and students have a LOT of input as to what happens policy wise. I get the feeling that we could be a little bit more fiscally savvy as far as fundraising goes, but I really appreciate that we continue to value our virtues and mission above fiscal security. School pride is come and go at SLC. It depends on the time of year, time of month, and time of day. Sometimes it gets a bit too cramped and claustrophobic and people lash out and grow apathetic about the school, but I think when it comes down to it, most people are really glad to be there and I know that last year was the best year I've ever had and that it wouldn't have been so if I were anywhere else.

I love my school; I can't say that enough. It's small, which is something I enjoy, especially in the classroom. After transferring from a school of over 20,000 students, it was refreshing to be in an institution where my professors knew my first name, and I knew and addressed them by theirs. The one-on-one relationship established between a student and their professor proves to be fruitful because they are often still active in their fields. At SLC, the classrooms are full of talent, skill and intelligence, which makes for stimulating discussion and a smooth-moving and effective curriculum. My first semester here, I was in awe at my peers, who all have something to offer- and I still am. It’s a very motivating and inspiring environment to be immersed in. SLC is very encouraging of one's individuality. It is a haven for the free thinker and someone who hates being told what to study and how to study it can really thrive here. For this reason, among many more, Sarah Lawrence pride is abundant. Many of the students love being here because of the professional and educational opportunities it provides, as well as the welcoming environment. Although not in a college town, however, the school’s surroundings are perfect. The train to NYC’s Grand Central Station is a ten-fifteen minute walk away in either direction. Sarah Lawrence is perfectly tucked away between the quaint town of Bronxville- with its boutiques, coffee shops and incredible dining options –and Yonkers, home to the Cross County Mall (Forever 21, H&M, Macy’s, Sears, etc) and a wealth of community outreach opportunities (such as America Reads) for a student of virtually any field of study. I honestly think that Sarah Lawrence is a beautiful place to spend my undergraduate years, and I don’t think I’d be this happy anywhere else. As a theater student, I remember the moment I knew that I would be just fine here. It was a late, light-homework night toward the end of a week in my first semester after I transferred, and it was the first time I had hung out with the girls that I can now say are some of the best friends I’ve ever had. At about 1am, after celebrating one girl’s birthday, we headed to the music building, settled into a classroom and sang together for a few hours. This may seem like nothing to some of you, to others this may sound just right. I will never forget that impromptu late night jam session, because I found myself surrounded by a group of exceptionally talented, encouraging and open-hearted people who are just as passionate about music as I am. And that was just one of the many amazing music-related experiences that I’ve had here.

It is so different that all the normal aspects of a school aren't important. If what others think about your school, where you are physically on the map and on the campus, how the administration is, campus controversies, school pride - if these things matter to you more than what you can create for yourself here, then just don't think about attending. There are pros and cons everywhere in every one of these aspects. Students will complain about anything just like anywhere. You can turn any corner and discover a conversation or happening that could not occur anywhere else.

The campus is beautiful (except the New Dorms, which are mainly freshman housing) and is actually rather large for New York, with a few fun spaces to hang out (The Blue Room and the Black Squirrel are my favorite). Bronxville, the town we're closest to, can be rather hostile, but there are many stores that welcome students by giving discounts (including a phenomenal coffee house). The administration can be less than helpful sometimes, but they're fairly pleasant--don't be put off by them. This year, the food services have been a point of contention. A new company took over services this year, and since then, there have been many complaints about worker treatment. The student body, faculty, and staff have been behind the workers from the beginning, encouraging unionization and regulation of the managers, as well as organizing protests. The issue still isn't resolved.

I’m $30,000 in debt thanks to Sarah Lawrence. Would I do it again? Without question, I would. I arrived at Sarah Lawrence as a curious, scattered, excited teenager; I left as a focused adult able to apply my intellect to the real world, to go forth into that world strictly on my own terms, to affect change, to be creative, and above all to be capable of processing what is supplied by the world into a clear understanding of who I capable of being therein. You’ll hear occasional complaints from SLC students, but when you listen closely, you’ll realize that the downsides are rarely consequential: the tofu at the salad bar is too soft, the walk to Bronxville train station is too steep, damn it’s expensive, where did all the testosterone go, etc. There’s no question that SLC doesn’t have the quality-of-life perks that you’ll find at schools that throw hundreds of thousands of dollars into climbing walls and watergun parties. But there’s a reason for that: every other week, you get to sit down with your brilliant professors in one-on-one meetings and talk about your ideas. You’ll never hear SLC students complain about what really matters: their intellectual experience on campus. If you let Sarah Lawrence do what it's designed to do (offer personalized, rigorous education centered on the cultivation of an idea on the student’s terms, rather than on filling in blanks on a test), you will thrive. Coming from the dusty corners of Texas, I can't say that Sarah Lawrence has an international reputation that will open doors for you in every side road of America. When people have heard of the school, however, their reaction is overwhelmingly and almost universally ecstatic. People believe in Sarah Lawrence's model, its potential, its effects. They respect its students and their intellectual independence and they understand that the SLC method of training students is far more effective a training tool for the workplace than some silly list of lecture-hall courses that add up to a major in four years. So what will life be like for four years at Sadie Lou? Ou get a gorgeous campus of shade-trees and Tudor mansions, thirty-minute access to New York City, and a student body filled with smart, active people. Nobody will hand anything to you, though. There are no keggers or drunken wheelbarrow races, so making friends tends to happen on your own initiative, but that’s how the real world works, so welcome to it. There will never, ever be a shortage of activities. The school calendar is filled with readings, guest lectures, music performances, theater productions, film screenings, etc., so all you have to do is pick. You can expect a campus that is buzzing with dialogue. You can expect to talk about the Palestinian Question, the Academy Awards, James Joyce, and pornography in a single conversation. You can expect to get hit by a snowball at least once. You can new music, new ideas, new authors, and new friends to come charging into your life. You can expect to be forced to be your own person, to do things on your own, to define yourself under your own steam. At SLC, you sink or you swim.

My overall experience at Sarah Lawrence was somewhat different from the "traditional college experience", due to the fact that I did not live on campus. I was born and raised in the city of Yonkers (which is the actual city SLC is located in, it just has a Bronxville mailing address), and as a result of my home being the city I went to school in, I didn't forget as many relationships as my peers who lived on campus. I was also not as active in campus activities as I might have been if I lived on campus. Sarah Lawrence is the kind of place where you can be whoever you are and your differences are embraced. Being unique seems to be a prerequisite to going to SLC. My brother is one of those 19 year old kids who wears the big, loose, white t-shirts and baggy pants, and when he came to a school event, security picked him out in an instant. There is definitely a "look" associated with the college. Whether it's preppy, or grungy, or frumpy, or plain ridiculous, and SLC student can be identified by looks alone.

Sarah Lawrence has a wonderful campus, and while some of the buildings may be in need of repair, the school knows this and is working to improve every year. The school is at a defining point - many of the great and more liberal traditions have been lost or outlawed by the administration, but the student body is inventive and there are always new ways of expressing the campuses liberal nature. While students will but heads with the school in the next several years, I think the mindset of the student body is more long lasting than the current administration. While it takes four years to be awarded the opportunity - senior week is the perfect conclusion to life in the Sarah Lawrence Bubble. In includes time with the President, Faculty and Staff for an informal send off that is a better celebration of students time on the campus than commencement.

I am transferring from Sarah Lawrence after my first year, so be aware that all my opinions are that of someone transitioning on.

It's like a college for students who don't want "the college experience." There is no school team to root for, there is barely school pride, unless maybe you get past freshman year when everyone at some point remarks, "I want to transfer." ( I will note I did not make it beyond my first year and transferred, so for older students, I don't know.) I was told that all first year students say "I want to transfer," when I went to the accepted students day, and when I started at SLC, it was actually very true, and very depressing. Students at Sarah Lawrence are all ironically conformists in their non-conformist ways. In my experience, if you did not match the single personality represented at Sarah Lawrence, you were not going to fit in. The school is so small, it felt like high school. There were cliques, and people trying to impress each other, and would only talk to you around a crowd if you were worth being seen talking to.

SLC... Administration- generally disorganized College town- Bronxville...not so much Extracurriculars- do exist, can be fun, but are generally unpopular Campus life- Insulating, interesting at time though Social scene- Small, and the self-selected population makes it a bit too much at times. People are generally unwilling to be outgoing, and cliques are unfortunate yet all too common

The school places heavy emphasis on quality education in an unorthodox environment. Having transferred from a large public university, I was unprepared for the unique flavor of this tiny campus that honestly feels like a cross between Hogwarts and Tolkien's Shire, with its pretty old buildings and abundant greenery. Manhattan is 45 minutes away, or thereabouts, and along with Brooklyn is the primary migration destination on weekends. Bronxville is a pretty little community, if a little whitewashed, with fresh produce and a trusty, affordable coffee shop. Administration at the school is undergoing massive change under the guidance of a new president, and in my opinion, the change is for the better. It can be difficult to connect with others on campus, speaking as a straight male with no interest in the drug subculture, but no matter who you are, you will find yourself forging at least a few solid bonds to incredible new friends.

Sarah Lawrence's slogan is "You Are Different. So Are We." In a lot of ways, this is very true. The SLC experience is different from most other college experiences. Because all the academics are self-directed, people actually care about their work, and not because of getting good grades (because we don't have grades!) but because of their personal curiosity and internal motivation. Because it's different, a lot of times the outside world is a little stumped by Sarah Lawrence. This is also because the school is very, very small. I think we have around 1300 students. Everyone knows everyone, if not by name then definitely by face. This, among other things, helps foster something called the Sarah Lawrence Bubble. The fact that students are so deeply engrossed in their personal projects, the fact that we don't have major newspapers or cable t.v., all contribute to a sense of isolation from the world on the campus. On the positive side, SLC is a 30 min train ride on MetroNorth (for $12 round trip) into New York City, which is an incredible asset. It's probably one of the best things about SLC, because while we have a very pretty, small, green campus, we are so close to everything that Manhattan has to offer without the craziness of actually living in the city. Bronxville, the town SLC is situated in, is cute, but not a major attraction and not really a 'college town' as such, and Yonkers, which the school is really situated in despite the Bronxville address, is not exactly somewhere you want to hang out. Most students go to New York City on the weekends. Sarah Lawrence is something like the 3rd most expensive school in the country (or at least it is at the time of me writing this). This is due to several reasons: a) we used to be a woman's college until the late 1960s, and women are paid less than men so our alumni aren't able to make big donations; b) most of the people who graduate from SLC become writers, poets, artists, dancers, actors, visionaries, etc., none of which pay very well, meaning that they can't really donate a lot either, so c) most of our income comes from tuition, which goes to pay the many teachers because d) we have a 7:1 teacher student ratio, so by the time you're done paying everything off, there isn't a lot left over. This means that our facilities aren't great, and the food is not great. But the education really is great, so there you go. The SLC community is interesting because I don't really know if I'd say there is much of one. Students at SLC are so independent that there isn't much Rah-Rah-Rahing, and the architecture of the school doesn't do much to make a place for students to really hang out together. When the weather is not nice (which is, say, november to march) there isn't a large student center, and all of the clubs buildings/the black squirrel, which is a cafe and game room with a tv, are all in Bates, which is the farthest building from everything else, and down a big hill. Pair this with the nature of many students to be somewhat introverted, and you get groups of 4-8 people gathering in various rooms around campus. In my impression, we are all fiercy proud of the education we're getting and many of our programs, and many people are proud of being an SLC student, but many won't really Rah-Rah about it because it's not very cool? Kinda lame, but there it is. It's kind of like your mother--you can talk bad about her, and see all the flaws, but if anyone else insulted her, you'd be on their ass in a split second.

When I tell people I attend Sarah Lawrence I get one of three major reactions, depending on the circle. The first is a blatantly clear dismissal of the existence of the place, "where is that, again?" "Never heard of it." "Sierra Lawrence?" "Oh, St. Lawrence. Excellent Institution." The next, "Ah. Sarah Lawrence. I had a girlfriend who went there. She was a nut." "Oh, you mean the most expensive college in the country where you guys sit around and do nothing? Your parents must be very proud." "I went to Smith." Most fulfilling however, and the only people really worth talking to anyway, of course, are those who respond whole heartedly, "Oh my god I love that school- it's like the Harvard of liberal schools it's amazing!" (this from a woman who does Yoga every day of the week twice a week who characterized the Muslim Religion as "peaceful, calming" as she breathed deeply and beamed her patchouli scented smile at me.) She of course had it right. Sarah Lawrence is tiny place on a tiny hill filled with enormous people. They may look skinny at first, but then you see what kind of clothes they wear and you realize it takes a big ego to pull that off (and I do mean OFF.) We are people looking for adventure, seeking the truth, and sometimes creating the truth in moments of self-absorption. We are scholars and artists, dialoging and laughing, yelling, professing and performing our love of concepts, falsehoods and new frontiers. Professors and studens alike ascribe to their beliefs, or non-beliefs and peers identify by first and last name scholars of Sarah Lawrence who create followings as students, who make the passionate offense rise up in all of us, who proclaim in class new complexities and leave us discussing and fuming late into the night, sipping espresso smoking a hookah, lying on couches and tiny beds, ruminating.

The overall stand-out characteristic of Sarah Lawrence is its academics and class-room environment. My whole way of thinking changed after the first year I spent there because of the professors and the other people that I met. This is a school for people who like to think a lot, and to deeply understand what they are working on in school. Though the lack of requirements makes the education less broad for some people, intellectual progress is a constant source of variation there. Social life: Though its a little on the small side, students are hip and into partying so it is fun to stay on the campus. Parties are usually small there are a lot of dance and theme parties. SLC and NYC: New York City is near-by and that is great for hanging out, it is great to be able to get internships there and get to know the city. For anyone who thinks that they might one day want to live in New York City, this school is a great way to familiarize yourself with it and build connections. There is a really good alum network in New York, and across the country actually, but I would say that about 60{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my graduating class moved to Williamsburg right after school. The uniqueness of the school's academic system and the kind of kids who choose to go there leads to an odd sense of school spirit. Students know that Sarah Lawrence is different than anywhere else and so they identify strongly with each other, and share a sense of pride and respect for each other's intellect and world views. I am making it sound like some weird kind of utopia but it kind of is.

the school is VERY small. social life could be better, but ultimately, with NY right there, and an AMAZING academic curriculum, the place has the potential to nourish you as both a student and a person. most frequent complaints pertain to having a limited, bitter social life. i admit the campus CAN get very gloomy, especially during winter, but it really is all about outlook. ive found a good balance between kicking it on campus and in NYC. it all depends on your method.

I love that I have a ridiculous amount of academic freedom, while still receiving feedback and support from the close relationship with professors. The professors are excellent extremely dedicated. I would change the name of the school (if it were called Lawrence college, the male to female ratio - another thing I'd love to change - would probab;y balance out in a few years). Although I liked the small size of the school (about 1300) when I first started, it does feel a little too small going into my senior year. There aren't very many hang out spots, but that's not such a problem as it just encourages people to socialize in their dorms. It's great to be near NYC (and there's a free shuttle every weekend), but Bronxville is a little stuck up and Yonkers is ghetto. Finally, if you have a problem with the LGBT crowd, and don't feel like addressing it, don't come to Sarah Lawrence.

The best thing about Sarah Lawrence? Tough call. It's between the students themselves, the amazing (and by amazing I really mean blow-your-mind-and-then-some) faculty, and the connections the school has (with other institutions in the NYC area/abroad as well as with companies/business entities [i.e. the Metropolitan Opera, Atlantic Records, various publishers, etc.]) One bad thing about SLC is that it has Small School Syndrome. Everyone bitches about it, and the social networks are so inbred that if they had children they would eat each other. However, S.S.S. can be entertaining at times, and downright hilarious when it comes to conference period, the SLC equivalent of finals (read: the SLC anonymous post on LiveJournal). The aspect of Sarah Lawrence that most moved me was the ability of my peers and professors to constantly challenge me, intellectually and artistically. Of course, this makes the 'Sarah Lawrence Experience' exhausting and daunting at times, but ultimately, it gives one the tools they need to mature as a student, intellect, and human being.

SLC can be boiled down very easily. The administration sucks, but the friends you will make at Sarah Lawrence, you will have for your entire life. I can already see all of my friends sitting around an old gay fire and just laughing our old wrinkly asses off. Security is a bitch and you really can't make noise anywhere on campus without being ticketed and told to shut up. Sarah Lawrence has a weird system where they can't actually do anything to you but fine you or take away housing. It also must be noted that Sarah Lawrence is not big. Most of the time you find out your drama from other people, which, I will admit, can be fun at times. The campus is in between the rich and quaint Bronxville, the first suburb in the US, and the run down Yonkers, the name should say enough. Although a dramatic school, it is one of the most accepting schools anywhere. If you're LGB or T, it doesn't matter because you're just another potential friend or the casual hello when you pass by. The administration will let you do anything as long as you have a fleshed out idea.

Sarah Lawrence focuses on very personal interactions between professors and students. There is a 1:1 ratio for your independent conference work, which is a requirement for most classes. You meet one on one with your professor once a week or every other week for 30 min to an hour while developing an in depth project in some way related to the course material. The class portions are also small seminars, with no more than 17 people per class. Most of the time on campus is spent in the social areas (coffee shop, tea house, outdoor patios) getting together or meeting up to go into NYC for dinner or a show. The college system is atypical by American education standards but bears resemblance to the Oxford system (but not as snobby). I won't lie, the biggest complaint by far is the food (but we have our own kitchens too!)

Sarah Lawrence is a school for some people. It is 95{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} true that it is a school of independent, free-thinking, loners. And the other 5{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} transfers their first year. SLC offers motivated students the opportunity to explore all of their potential interests and career pathways. A less-motivated or competitive student, however, might feel that SLC lacks guidance and may have trouble staying on track or even getting the most out of their education. For being so close to New York City, I find that many people don't take advantage of the city. And the ones that do, are never on campus, so consequently they aren't a part of campus life. It's kind of a give and take situation. There is no school pride, the athletic teams are purely recreational. SLC lacks a sense of community, at least in recent years. The school used to be united against problems such as gay rights or anti-war issues, but now few people seem to care about these issues. I like SLC, but its certainly not for everyone. It took me a long, long time to adjust. I had many, many friends in high school, but had an awful time making friends at SLC. I think this is because everyone is a leader- who is used to having followers. So put all the leaders and loners in one school and we have a lot of trouble building friendships and creating community. We all want to lead the way. I tell people that anyone who liked the football team at their high school, owns more than 3 items from Abercrombie, or values social cliques should steer clear of SLC.

The best thing about SLC is the PEOPLE. We have such interesting, intelligent, funny and opinionated students, and it's an exciting energy to be around. One thing I would change is how it's run--the offices tend to be slow and inefficient. You really have to tell them, multiple times, if you have a problem, or it'll probably get lost. A lot of students on financial aid or loans get flustered with it. I spent most of my free time at SLC hanging out with friends, drinking, and going to dances and events--which happen pretty frequently. There are poetry readings and coffee houses, which are always fun because of the amount of talented writers at SLC. There really isn't much of a college town near Sarah Lawrence, at least not one that actually likes us. We have a really bad relationship with Bronxville, so much so that we made Princeton Review's list of bad town gown relations. Answering the question of "is there anything unusual about Sarah Lawrence" is tough because there's really nothing ordinary about it. We don't have majors, we don't have finals, and we have very few tests. It's a lot of writing, and a lot of discussion. Our sports teams are practically non-existant, although our gym is great and there are some really good classes if you want to stay in shape. But "school spirit" is something that people at SLC generally feel too cool for.

The best thing about SLC: the pretty campus. One thing I'd change: pretty much the entirety of the administration. The size: I think it's perfect. I recognize people when I walk around most of the time, but I still see people I feel like I've never seen before in my life. People's reaction: "Are you a lesbian?" Spending time on campus: Heimbold, the art building, is where I spend all of my time. Townies: UGH Bronxville is terrible. And so is Yonkers. Administration: Give them the boot. They're doing a terrible job at uniting the campus. They deal with us like we're criminals, or treat us like we're in kindergarten. It's frustrating. Controversy: I heard a lot about the anonymous livejournal posts,and apparently everyone reads it and cries about the mean stuff people wrote about them. I've never read it, and I kind of want to keep it that way. School Pride: uhhhh, no. Unusual: There are too many things to name, but off the top of my head: LARP-ers, Art kids, hooka guy, suit kid, segway guy... basically, there are a lot of characters running around, and the craziest of the crazies get a reputation. One experience I'll always remember: Bacchanalia freshman year. My favorite band played at 1 in the afternoon outside, and it was so sunny and everyone was dancing. Student complaints: not enough parties, weed is too expensive, it's hard not to get distracted, no 24-hour transportation from NYC.

Sarah Lawrence is a place where you definitely get out of it what you put into it. You have so much freedom both academically and socially, that you both never get trapped in one social group or one subject. At the same time, however, this freedom means that it's completely up to you to get up and get motivated. It's both an amazing gift and a complete handicap. I personally walked out of there feeling like I was glad to have made good friends, but saddened that I wasnt more productive, or didnt take advantage of the freedom to have spent a whole year studying a subject I really was interested in.

Sarah Lawrence has a lot of school pride and none at all. Students are proud of the college's reputation for being academically rigorous, proud of being "smartypants" as one teacher accused us, and boast of the length of the essays they're assigned. Most students have little or no interest in "school spirit", and it is difficult to cajole people into attending a sports game -- even when a Gryphons team plays "at home" the bleachers are frequently empty.

Sarah Lawrence is really a fairly awful place. The student culture is withered to its core--activities rarely expand beyond sad, disparate "parties," and attempts to form clubs or other organizations fail routinely, much like planting crops in a desert. The administration has no interaction with the student body at all except to occasionally enforce its bizzare, archaic rules of behaviour by way of "making an example." For a sufficiently self-motivated student, though, it can provide a good base from which to explore New York City--as well as fair academic resources which also require a fair amount of self-sufficieny to take advantage of--just don't expect much from the "college" itself.

The best thing about Sarah Lawrence is that everyone is fundamentally on the same moral and political wavelength, so there isn't anyone here to find morally reprehensible. The worst thing is that people at this school are ready to strike out at each other at a moment's notice, or at the tiniest provocation. For a school with big minds, nuance is rarely regarded.

is a crazy mixture of different students.

The best and the worst thing about SLc is that it is small. Small classes enable you to delve in more deeply into your studies and be able to have an opinion and discuss it in class. But because slc is so small you know everyone at school and it feels like highschool again.

I feel that Sarah Lawrence needs to start making more of an effort to accept and draw in more men. The ratio is not something you find in the real world and as a girl who went to an all-women middle and high school, I wanted more of a balance in college. When I tell people I go to Sarah Lawrence people either congratulate me because they know of its strong reputation, or have never heard of it because it is such a small school.

SLC is the only school where you are able to shape your education and actually learn. It is a radical change from traditional forms of education and will only benefit the students if they dedicate their entire self to the institution

The best thing about SLC, probably, is the individualized education and the fact that the school is what you make of it. Students bring bands to campus, have film screenings, and organize pretty much everything, so if you want something to happen on campus, you've got to make it happen yourself. Bronxville is definitely not a college town, but there is a good coffee shop, a movie theater, and an ice-cream place, so we spend time there anyway. There's a lot of school pride but it's in a very quirky kind of way.

We have a grass campus and it is easy to get to midtown Manhattan, which is great for going shopping on 5th Ave or heading to Greenwich for a cupcake. If I could change something I would have more dances that are not in the Blue Room or the Basement - the formal that was set-up in tents out on the laws drew a bigger crowd and a friendlier, less dank atmosphere. Mostly I spend most of my time in the snack bar with friends waiting for attractive boys to walk in, which is rare case.

I hate it here. Everyone is dripping whiny, liberal middle class guilt. No one ever wants to do anything at all. There is no social atmosphere, no sense of school spirit, just boring, boring, anti-social, "non-conformist," that need to identify with a sub-culture to feel unique. All the same, how "ironic." Complainers who do nothing to make things more interesting.

The best thing about SLC is the small classes and the professor interaction. One thing I'd change is that although it is a small liberal arts school, it really doesn't feel like a community most of the time. People are often so into themselves that they don't reach out to other people. When I say I go to SLC, people know that it's a really good school, but they often think of the stereotypes that I wrote about earlier. I spend most of my time in my room or in the library. Bronxville (where the school is) isn't really a college town.

I like my film class. I would change the social scene. I spend time in my friend's apartment.

From the stories I've heard, the most common response to "I go to sarah lawrence" is "isn't that an all girls school?". It's not. and the gender ratio seems to be heading more towards 50/50 every year. I would say that the best thing about sarah lawrence is the freedom that you are given, both in academics and extra-curricularly. the only draw backs: you need to be driven in order to get the most for your money/time, and the buracracy can be a pain.

If there was one thing I could change about Sarah Lawrence it would be the money aspect. The reason that it costs so much here is that our endowment is so small, therefore there is less interest being generated from it to meet the costs of the school each year. We use most of our money keeping the student/teacher ration small (6 to 1). I love the classes here and feel that I am getting a great education but the campus facilities could use updating and more constant maintenance-something that the school just doesn't have money for.

I would advocate for a group on campus that is more active with the special needs population in the area. Beyond Compliance does not regularly meet and truly invest time into the growing awareness of those with physical and mental disability on or off campus, as part of our community.

SLC has nearly no ties between its neighboring town, Bronxville, or nearby Concordia or Iona Colleges. SLC is so much in its own little bubble that in fact, it is known that some people driving along Kimball Ave (the main road running through campus between Bronxville and Yonkers) will roll down their windows and throw stuff at Sarah Lawrence students walking next to the road. The school now makes sure this kind of stuff doesn't happen. They do this because they think we're "different". This hasn't happened to me, but it has to some of my friends. They just don't understand us. Not! They're actually just assholes. SLC is in the perfect location. Nearby is all the amenities one would need, like movie theaters, grocery stores, restaurants, etc. but you still have your own peaceful, secluded community. The best part about this is you're a short train ride away from Grand Central Station, so it is still convenient to get into NYC. You get the best of both worlds.

I'll always remember every time I had a dental or doctor's appointment in Bronxville, the receptionists always point out that I'm the "most normal" Sarah Lawrence student they have ever met. I always wondered if it was just because I smiled and always remembered to say thank you.

Sarah Lawrence was th greatest decision I could have possibly made. The education system is perfect for someone who wants to write seriously, and so on and so forth. I personally love the size, coming from a high school that had roughly three times as many students, but in the final analysis it feels kind of stupid to try and answer this question comprehensively because you're going to get thousands of different answers, the most extensive and exhaustive from people who absolutely hate it here and can think of nothing better to do with their time than complain. I love it here, and I hope that other people do, too, but often times that's not the case.

The school is a good size, in my opinion. The small size enables the teachers to be more attentive to their students, which is helpful because the class material can be quite challenging. The school is a little isolated from downtown Bronxville, and things like grocery shopping can be a bit of a challenge, so I purpose that the store provide a market on campus that sells food and household items. The administration is very accessible. Bronxville does not strike me as a "college town" per say. The biggest controversy on campus is was over exclusive gender terms like "male" or "female." Sarah Lawrence is unusual because of the faculty, which is accomplished and attentive to the students needs.

I love Sarah Lawrence. For me it's the perfect size although having a few more people may give a larger pool of people to draw from for service events, etc. When I tell people I go to SLC they usually pretend they know where it is, even when they don't. I spend most of my time on campus cooking food with friends, going to class and studying in my on campus apartment. I think the most unusual thing about Sarah Lawrence is how much everyone really does love to learn and talk about what they are learning.

Sarah Lawrence is small but this is what attracts students to come to the school. We emphasize a strong relationship with peers and professors. We spend a lot of time in class and with our professors which nurtures a cool environment.

I'm going to focus on the drawbacks for now, because if you want to hear all the good stuff you can just surf the SLC website. I think the most frequent student complaints are about the obvious lack of socializing on campus. SLC students are not the most outgoing, friendly group, and it is rare for someone to say hello to you as they walk by (even if you two are the only ones on the street). There have even been facebook groups made that make fun of this attitude. There are almost no parties, and if there are, they involve a group of 10 or so friends just drinking together in a room, rather exclusively.

good size. interesting classes. problem: no ability to focus studies, you may or may not get a class that fits your previous line of study.

This is self-design campus in many ways. You, the student, essentially design your classes. You live in a million different types of dorms. And you most likely have to make your own fun. While the college schedules events almost every weekend, the best times I have had on campus this year have been when a group of friends and I get together and have a dance party on the lawn, or just run around campus being goofy. If you are looking for organizations to supply parties for you to go to, like greek life, this is not your place.

Sarah Lawrence is a small school with lots of wonderful educational opportunities. I love the campus. I love my classes and my teachers. The size is perfect for me, not too small and definitely not too big. Some people know about Sarah Lawrence and are impressed, if they do not know SLC, i explain how it has an alternative educational system which is why I love it so much. I wish there was more community on campus, that people cared to get together and actually do things. I feel like a lot of people just talk about doing things and nobody does anything a lot of the time. I wish that people were a little more open minded and that we had more diversity, racial, religious, gender.

My favorite part about Sarah Lawrence is the Doning program. All first year students are assigned a "Don," their First-Year Studies Teacher. This professor acts as a guiding force for those students throughout the entirety of their time at Sarah Lawrence College. Over the course of the first year, this professor meets once a week with their advisees to discuss life both inside the classroom and out. I chose to take my First-Year Studies in Child Development, and now I have a member of the faculty who is on my side, and knows how I work.

People at this school either love it or hate it. You love it if you take responsibility for your experience because this school has unlimited possibilities and you can do whatever you want. The people who hate it don't take responsibility for their experience and then blame the school for it.