I can no longer recommend this school. I have gone to Carson-Newman for my full undergraduate and some of my Graduate program. There have been lots of much needed positive changes, but perhaps the most critical ones still needed are:
Environment (broken roads, limited parking, sidewalks, aesthetics)
Comfortable study environments. The library can be suffocating at times and it would be better to open a window than to suffer the uncontrollable heat and humidity. I've never had the dorms, but I know they aren't great from the stories I've heard.
Thoughtfulness for commuters. It's so hard to attend any events because 90% of them are geared toward on-campus people. From orientation to events or the staff, you get a low-key sense that commuters are not as valued.
Last I heard, there are 8 girls for every guy on campus on average. So much so, this school was once called the "Female Newman Academy" several years ago. There is a portrayal that guys are potential aggressors and females are potential victims. PLENTY of clubs/groups for girls, but programs for guys essentially do not exist unless you play sports. I've even had some professors be glaringly obvious with the amount of sexism they have towards males.
I was bullied by a group of girls and my professor in one class simply because the girls didn't want a guy in their group and the professor is completely sexist. The school did nothing to help, nor did they believe my experience was valid. So basically if someone doesn't like you, enough claims behind your back will prevent you from passing a class. They even used the fact that I went to counseling for this against me. So if you're a guy, the odds are automatically against you. There is no "truth, beauty, and justice" at Carson-Newman.
Everyone hates chapel, no that's not an exaggeration. You're required to get 10 CWL credits a semester and listen to some poor-quality sermons instead of going to your own church.
You cannot transfer unless your balance is paid in full, which is how I got stuck here. They also raise the price of tuition $500 EVERY YEAR. TRY to get the HOPE scholarship by getting a 21 ACT score and 3.5 GPA your first semester, I would've gotten so much from trying a 3rd time. After that it's too late.
The network is just plain awful. Email and websites go down in the middle of finals week, and are often spotty during the semester.
If you transfer, most schools will only accept SOME credits from CNU, while this school is very picky. It wouldn't let this one guy graduate because he took World history at Walterstate, and not American history from CNU.
There was a registered sex offender who lived in the girls' dorms for SIX YEARS and regularly used the school's buildings.
If your car has any problems whatsoever, school security cannot do a thing to help. Locked keys, battery issues, flat tires, NOTHING.
There is a reason that Carson-Newman's fasfa says there is a 70% transfer-out rate. In fact, most students transfer out within their first year of college here.
My best friend transferred to Southeastern University in lakeland, FL and absolutely LOVED their school. I highly recommend them for a Christian school, the professors will even stop a class to pray for you. Once you're past 24, you'll never have another chance to live on campus again, so I recommend you go there instead of other colleges that treat you like "just another...
Read moreI love Carson-Newman. In this review I’ll try to explain why, and address some false statements made in other reviews.
Carson-Newman is a small, Christian school. It consists of around 1,800 undergraduates and over 500 graduates. I’d guess around 700-900 students live on campus. The size of the school and the great professor-student ratio help make this place feel like a family. I know many of my teachers on a first-name basis and have kept up with them post-graduation. Unlike a massive school, where you are just a number, at CN you feel appreciated and important. Professors generally want to see students succeed and stay at CN.
To address some outright false claims made in other reviews:
Carson-Newman’s students body is not predominately female. One review claimed it’s 8-1, which is easily disproven. As of last semester it was just barely over 50-50, leaning towards women. I’d say the reason it seems like there are more women is that men are less involved in on campus organizations. This is not the fault of the organizations, but instead is because men don’t choose to apply (I’m not sure why).
Carson-Newman is not unkept. Campus improvements happen regularly and at a pace I’d expect from a private school. Just this summer many sidewalks were replaced and the men’s dorm had a new roof added. The school doesn’t get state money, so all income is through donations and tuition.
Carson-Newman did not let a sex offender live in a women’s dorm for years or months. A female resident of the college’s apartment style dorms (open air) allowed her boyfriend to move in (which is against the rules). CN was alerted after he updated his address to school grounds and he was immediately taken into custody and he female lost her room.
Carson-Newman’s network doesn’t suck. In fact, students get high internet speed and our IT manager is one of the most dedicated around. With some donations he recently began upgrading access points and all students get free access to Microsoft office.
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In general, I think people who have bad experiences are more likely to review that place. I want to counter that with my wonderful experience because I know when people are looking for a college they look everywhere for info. I loved my time at CN. It wasn’t perfect, but no school is. Like anywhere, you have to make an effort to be involved, but if you choose to dive in, it will be an utterly amazing and...
Read moreEven though I am a student at Carson-Newman, I am going to keep this review neutral. Carson-Newman University is an amazing place. While they place an emphasis on business and health sciences, all departments are up-to-date and run smoothly. I am a History major working on a teaching licensure. Both the history department and education department have fantastic individuals that will work with you throughout your college career, and I have heard the same in regards to the rest of the major department. The athletic facilities here are fantastic as well and are state of the art. One thing that I find intriguing is the learning environment. While Carson-Newman is a Christian Liberal Arts based school, they are a school of equality. Regardless of what background you come from, career path your choosing, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, you are treated the same throughout. The student-teacher ratio is very small. Therefore, professors know you by name, and they care about your success. They care about you in general. I have had to miss class on several occasions because I have had to take my 80 year old grandmother to her heart doctor, and all of my professors are understanding and are willing to work with me. I would not trade my experience at Carson-Newman for anything in the world. Even though I am a commuter student, the extracurricular environment is superb. While it takes a lot of commitment, I feel included in everything that goes on. If you are contemplating on going to Carson-Newman, I highly reccomend you come see the campus if you have not already. It is so beautiful nestled at the foot of the Smokey Mountains. Attractions of Pigeon Forge are just down the road. There are many parks and nature experiences in Jefferson City, and down the road in Morristown. Knoxville is about 20 miles down the road as well. And where else could you go that your campus is directly on top of a Civil War battlefield. It's true! Carson-Newman sits near the site of a small skirmish during the Civil War. During the battle of Knoxville in 1863, Confederate General James Longstreet marched toward Greeneville through these very hills. Come to Carson-Newman, your home away from home. You have to...
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