Bryant University
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Majors: Biology & Communication double major
Minors: Spanish & Information Systems double minor
Student Self Identifies as: White Straight Female
Summary
I used to play [a varsity sport] but stopped, I’m part of Women in Technology, and the Pre-Health Association.
Background
Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: White
Sexual Orientation: Straight
High School Experience: Private Catholic high school in Woonsocket, RI with a graduating class of about 180 students. There was a culture of going to college.
First-Generation College Student: No
Majors: Biology & Communication double major
Minors: Spanish & Information Systems double minor
Extracurricular Activities: I used to play [a varsity sport] but stopped, I’m part of Women in Technology, and the Pre-Health Association.
Did any of your extracurricular activities have a particularly big impact on your experience?
Women in Technology and the Pre-Health Association both helped a lot with what I’m studying and opened up doors for jobs in the future. The Pre-Health Association is affiliated with other medical schools, so they assist students on how to apply to medical school, what courses you need, and MCAT preparations.
Academic Experience
Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
It’s mostly essays and labs, and the exams make up the largest portion of the grades. I usually have homework almost every single night of the week.
Is there anything you feel your major’s department does especially well or poorly?
I think the science departments could be better because Bryant is mostly a business school, but it’s been trying to grow. Whenever I tell people I’m studying science, they’re shocked because they didn’t know Bryant even had that. The class sizes are super small and there aren’t many designated lab rooms at Bryant. [The average class size is 26 students.]
For the Information Systems and Communication majors, I think they’re both pretty good. For the Communication department, they have lots of internship opportunities, and you can use some of them for school credit. The Amica Center is constantly advertising for it. They have a data science lab you can go into to help you out with learning computer software for Information Systems. [In 2016, the most popular degrees awarded were Marketing, Finance, and Accounting, which are all in the College of Business.]
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
There’s a mix of students and everyone generally wants to do well. I feel like it is competitive, especially because of the graduation rate and percentage of students that get jobs after. It’s competitive for themselves, not really against each other. It’s to make themselves the most successful and intelligent for themselves and their careers. [99% of the Class of 2018 received full-time jobs or were enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation.]
How accessible are your professors?
They are very accessible. For instance, I missed an anatomy quiz and couldn’t meet my professor for office hours, so she offered to come in early so I could take it. All of my professors have gone the extra mile to meet with the student and make sure we’re understanding everything and doing well.
Why did you choose your majors? Are you happy with your choices?
I’ve been interested in the sciences since I was little. Since elementary school, I wanted to be a doctor. I had no intention of majoring in Communication, but I became interested in majoring in it because I’m awful at public speaking, so I thought taking courses in this would benefit me. I ended up really liking it.
How was managing both your sport and coursework?
It’s difficult at first, but once you get a set schedule and stick with it it’s manageable. Plus, there are study hall hours you can do as well. You really have to commit yourself to both athletics and academics.
In what ways do you feel the education at Bryant has prepared you for life after college?
As much as I hate group projects, I think that really does help because you’re with a whole new group of people. In life you’re going to get thrown into different scenarios with some people who won’t do a ton of work, some people who are going to take charge, and also I’ve had a lot of real-life scenarios used for projects or homework examples. It helps put your mind into the perspective of the real world.
Reasons to Attend
1) If you’re looking for a small school, Bryant is good for business, it’s in a good location, and the class sizes are small. [The average class size is 26 students.]
Reasons Not to Attend
1) The location would be a con. If you don’t want to be in a smaller state and want a broader campus life.
2) If you’re not too interested in business. Not a lot of people seemed too keen on having to minor in business if you major in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Around Campus
How has being a commuter student impacted your experience?
At first, I felt like I wasn’t meeting as many people, but I started staying on campus more and joining other organizations. Honestly, it’s fine. I basically do live there so I don’t think it has a huge impact. Sometimes I’ll stay at my friend’s dorms, and Bryant is super close to my house so I’m able to go back and forth pretty easily.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
It’s pretty safe overall. I’ve never had any dangerous encounters.
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
I don’t go out that much. I had an off-campus job, so I usually had work. If I did go out, I’d go out to a bar in Providence. Usually, people hear about things through word of mouth, and I’ll go with a group of friends. Things tend to happen on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
What is the impact of Greek life on the weekend options at Bryant?
I don’t think it’s that big. They don’t have official fraternity or sorority houses. One of my best friends was in a sorority, but it’s not the [stereotypical] Greek life at college.
When you were a freshman or less socially established, how did your weekend options differ from now?
Not too much because I’m familiar with Rhode Island, so I know the good places to go. I go out a lot less now because I’m over going out and there’s not a big hype about it.
How happy are you with the weekend options at Bryant? Is there anything you would change about them if you could?
I’m fine with it. Sometimes I wish we were closer to different locations or a city. Other than that, people at Bryant are generally pretty nice.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends at Bryant?
I met my closest friends through someone who was in my [Global Foundations of Organizations and Business (GFOB)] group. I was doing homework with them and he introduced me to a few other people in his hall and we became close friends.
How would you describe the overall social scene at Bryant?
I feel that the social scene at Bryant is good. There’s a good mix of students and people from all over and different countries. I think it’s good to be with a group of different people because in the future and the work environment you’re going to be surrounded by all different people. I feel those are good tools for the future. Also, overall, I feel that people at Bryant are pretty nice. I remember getting lost on campus and was scared to ask people where to go, but everyone was super friendly. I’ve never had a mean or bad interaction with anyone. [Students represent 49 different countries and 38 different states and territories.]
To what extent do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
I don’t know much about different sexual orientations because people I know haven’t voiced it or I haven’t seen people like that. I’d say race-wise they mix in well. Everyone is seen as equal and everyone is friendly. [The undergraduate population is about 7% Hispanic, 4% Black, 75% White, and 1% Asian.]
How do you like the size of Bryant in terms of undergraduate enrollment? How has it impacted your experience? [There are about 3,700 students at Bryant.]
Since I went to a small high school, I wanted a college that was a small to medium size. Bryant is probably a little smaller than I’d like, but overall, I’m happy with the size.
To what extent do people in Greek life and not in Greek life mix socially?
They mix pretty well. What I like about Bryant is that people don’t shove it down your throat that they’re in Greek life. I have friends that are in Greek life and I have friends that aren’t.
How would you describe the student body?
I’d say that people are generally pretty nice, friendly, and kind. Everyone is pretty driven and focused on doing well for themselves and their careers, but not in a selfish manner.
Careers
What have you used the career office for? How helpful have they been?
They’ve been super helpful. I’ve used it to build my resume and cover letters. They’ve helped with internships and interviews. They have packets on things you should and shouldn’t do. I’ve gone in during walk-in hours and people have been able to help me any time of the year.
Have you learned any computer programs or computer languages that will be helpful professionally?
I’ve learned several programming languages. We learned Java and Python and I took web development where we learned HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Currently, I’m in a database class where we’re learning SQL. This will help me with my career because I want to go into the medical field, but I also want to combine computer science and coding with it so I’m looking into a few graduate programs.