Ashbury College - Review #4

1. Unique campus set up, a good blend of both academic life and dorm life 2. Programs to encourage volunteer work as well as involvement programs for dorm residents

Just the amount of people I've met and built rapport with. I've never experienced anything like it before or ever since.

Go on a visit before attending the school. The school will arrange a student to take you around to all the classes, as well as dining hall for lunch hours and snack hours. Know that this is the lifestyle you want before heading into it just because of academics.

The connections that I'm able to build with many that last beyond my high school years. These will serve great importance down the road.

Check out the dining hall! It's magnificent. Sit and eat with some students - you'll see why this school places emphasis on building connections that last way beyond high school life.

The academics are very intense. There are plenty of good professors who are there to facilitate learning, and are genuinely interested in helping the students. Course choices are very diverse, and even though some lack depth, most are good learning experiences. Overall, the environment is fairly competitive, but through hard work, it's not hard to emerge out on top. Workload is very reasonable, thus it's fair to say that one can still have fun in such a learning-oriented environment.

This is likely the best athletics program in the Ottawa area. For a student athlete, this is a good school. Must be noted that because it's a boarding school that's private, the student population is smaller, and thus for a lot of its athletics and sports, the school competes in divisions of smaller schools. To my knowledge, the football program is the biggest, and the basketball program is the most successful. For those who are not necessarily varsity athletes, there are still plenty of intramural and casual sports options. Facilities are top-notch, and coaches are the best of the best - they definitely know what they're doing.

Was only involved in the music program, not the visual arts and theatre program. However, the theatre and visual arts programs often host shows or exhibitions that the whole school is involved in, and therefore is very facilitating and encouraging for students interested in this field. The productions are also very good. The music program is consistently one of the best in the area - all of the students involved in either junior or senior bands have fair music background and very qualified. A lot of these students actually play for orchestras outside of school such as Ottawa Youth Orchestra.

There are plenty of extracurricular opportunities - theatre, band, jazz band, and not to mention the plethora of sports options. Also, the duke of ed program encourages participation in volunteer work and students are recognized for their work. Community service is also very integral part of student life here.

Rooms are very spacious and roommates are generally very reasonable. There is good access to food, albeit a little pricey. Selection is largely randomly assigned.

Some of the best food around, and cafeteria has extended hours so athletes who stay after school for sports practices still have access to them. They're open from breakfast time all the way until end of day. No assigned seating, there are plenty of roundtable seatings that encourage association and conversation. The cafeteria set up includes different sections for different foods and entrees and has lots of variety of foods that cater to all taste. Slightly pricey.

This school is in the best area in Ottawa, surrounded by embassy housing. This is likely the most expensive area in the city. Very quiet and peaceful neighborhood, no chaos or crime whatsoever. Very safe neighborhood. A short walk down the hill can reach most foods and groceries and other services.

All the students know that they're there to build valuable connections for life in addition to studying academics. It's easy to meet similar minded people.