Roanoke College (RC)

Founded in 1842, Roanoke College is a private Lutheran school that wants students to leverage all of the academic, cultural, and practical resources the school has to offer. Real-world experiences such as “field trips, service components, [and interacting with guest] speakers” are encouraged, and there are also study abroad opportunities available in 50 different countries. Students value the flexibility and range of the Intellectual Inquiry curriculum, as well as a three-week Intensive Learning Program in which students focus on a single topic through a variety of activities. These help students “find their purpose on campus and explore several different fields of interest at once.” On the whole, “many classes are discussion-based,” and professors strive to engage their students and focus on critical thinking. “Some [professors] even encourage respectful arguments to show different views to get students thinking about [what] they are learning.” Many students relate that the professors are what they like most about the college. As one student puts it, “I always feel welcomed and listened to by my professors.” Another says, “I think it’s rare to have this many professors that truly care about your success and well-being.”

This “smaller, community-like college” has nearly 1,900 undergraduates, which “allows for relationships between students and faculty,” but it’s still large enough that “you can walk across campus and say ‘hi’ to five people you know and still see five people you don’t.” Though most here are “white and come from [an] affluent background,” the school is “steadily working toward a reflection of the diverse population of Virginia,” and students themselves strive “toward building a diverse, welcoming community for fellow peers on campus.” And as another student says, “Everybody is unique in their own way and makes you feel welcome.” Roanoke attracts “smart, kind people who are genuine and excited to get to know each other,” and even in class, students “are very open in sharing their opinion and personal life when it is relevant to the lecture.” The overall sentiment is that “the students are caring, determined, and outgoing.”

There is a “strong community both within and outside of the campus,” and the school does “an amazing job of emphasizing the ‘family’ aspect of what it means to be a Maroon.” Typical days involve some combination of the following: going to class, working out, eating with friends, doing homework, and hanging out on the Quad. Many students remark that they would like more on-campus dining options but note that there is a coffee shop just off campus that many students frequent. Athletic games (especially basketball) are highly attended, and students enjoy spending time outside playing games like spikeball or relaxing in hammocks. On Mondays, “most students go to Theology on Tap, which provides free food and is hosted by the chaplain.” Roanoke is located “in a beautiful area filled with hiking and kayaking nearby,” and “there are lots of hiking trips on the weekends.” In any time not spent studying, there “are always people hosting hangouts from Greek life” and people going into the towns of Salem and Roanoke to “take advantage of the things like outdoor gear rentals and movie ticket discounts.” In general, people “like to participate in many clubs.”