Grand Valley State University — Attraction in Allendale Charter Township

My 4 years here have been just traveling from one dumpster fire to the next. From having a business college advisor promise to send an override request form for a class, and when I go in to see her about it she sends out her secretary to tell me that minors don't matter and they aren't required to graduate, to having the vultures at the parking office keep raising their permit prices and then raise ticket prices. Or maybe it was when the financial aid office tried cancelling my loans twice, or perhaps when the Student Senate tried killing off a club I co-founded by denying a budget (even though we checked all the right boxes, we survived). Perhaps it was the professor I had for macroeconomics who the University called up from retirement to fill a vacancy who did nothing but complain about his ex-wife and try to force his political views on us.

My experience with the University has been mostly horrible. But, there are a few redeeming qualities and people. My professors in the International Relations, Political Science, and History departments have been outstanding. They're all wonderful and knowledgeable people. My career advisor and counselor has been amazing and she genuinely cares about my success. I can't speak for many other departments, my gen ed professors were all fine, but Seidman doesn't care and the University doesn't care. Also, the University is beautiful and the study abroad experience is simple. So if you come to GV, find a way to study abroad all four years.

I work at a place filled with university students from GV, Calvin, Aquinas, and Cornerstone.Time and time again us GV students get to sharing horror stories about our experiences and they all are shocked by the stuff we have to deal with. Sure, they pay lots more, but perhaps that's worth it. I have heard stories about credits not being transferred (even though she triple checked with her program before paying for it), not finding parking even though you spent the $400 for a pass, getting charged $275 in late fees for books that they renewed online, getting robbed (that's not on the University, but come on).

Overall, I've enjoyed my time here at GV, but with no thanks to the University. I've made lots of friends, enjoyed almost all my professors, and made great memories. If you go here, just prepare for at least one huge "f* you" from...

Grand Valley State University deserves significantly more recognition as an academically superior school. Much of the course material is easily as challenging if not more challenging than University of Michigan and Michigan State. GVSU challenges students to rise to the highest of their ability while expanding their understanding of our world. I could not recommend this school more. If a student earns high marks at Grand Valley, it is because they deserved it. It is true that some students come to Grand Valley with partying in mind; however, that is not what this university is about. GVSU's police department is very active in the community managing partying. It is a shame that because a small portion of Grand Valley chooses to party, the rest of the community suffers with less recognition than we deserve. Employers, if you are considering hiring a GVSU student, do not assume that they went to a "slacker" school. Look at their GPA and that will easily tell you whether they were learning or partying. The difference between students who went to school to learn and the students who went to school to party will be clearly evident. Please do not allow the fact that some students party and ignore their education to reflect on Grand Valley's competence as a higher level learning institution.

Grand Valley State University is easily one of the best universities in Michigan; comparable with Michigan State and Michigan. Of the three, I would choose Grand Valley every time. The University is great and provides numerous opportunities for students to engage with the community in productive ways. Regardless of how humble this University may be about their educational value, believe me when I say that this University will give any student great potential. Looking good on paper is one thing; adapting yourself is another. Grand Valley does an outstanding job with both goals; achieving personal change and building a strong academic portfolio. I could not recommend this...

Would give no stars. Professors absolutely do not care about students. They do not even make an effort to get to know you. Essentially, you are a social security number in a lecture hall. Administration seems more concerned with the ways they can take your money than providing the best education for their students. NURSING STUDENTS BEWARE: Unless you achieve a 4.0 GPA I can guarantee you will not make it into the program. The nursing program here only cares about those who are at the top of their academics and seem to forget that bedside manner is just as important as being able to successfully complete the coursework. This school's total lack of diversity and the cliques make it nearly impossible to make friends and form study groups. Furthermore, the school seems more concerned with the statistics of their D2 sports teams than they are with how they prepare students for their careers. If you are a top notch athlete, I think you will fit in quite well. If you are an ordinary joe like myself, I would suggest you go elsewhere because nobody here will think of you any farther as a social security number...