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Hofstra University

How this student rated the school
Educational QualityC+ Faculty AccessibilityC
Useful SchoolworkC- Excess CompetitionC-
Academic SuccessC- Creativity/ InnovationC-
Individual ValueD- University Resource UseB-
Campus Aesthetics/ BeautyB+ FriendlinessC-
Campus MaintenanceC+ Social LifeD-
Surrounding CityD Extra CurricularsD+
SafetyB-
Describes the student body as:
Arrogant, Broken Spirit, Snooty, Closeminded

Describes the faculty as:
Friendly, Helpful

Male
Quite Bright
Lowest Rating
Individual Value
D-
Highest Rating
Campus Aesthetics/ Beauty
B+
He cares more about Social Life than the average student.
Date: Mar 07 2011
Major: Video/Media (This Major's Salary over time)
What I have learned from being at Hofstra is this: It is a degree mill. Meaning? You can get a degree and maybe open quite a few doors from you. That, on the other hand, is pretty much it. I've read through every single one of the reviews on this site. I have to say that most of the negatives ones are, unfortunately, true.

I TRIED to meet people. Really, I did. I joined clubs that I would have no interest in for that very purpose. Mainly, I've come across a few nice people, but most of them are just so bored out of their minds or flat out rude that I can't even bear to make eye contact with them. I also tried intramural sports, and people would either drop out halfway through the seasons and/or bail out of games at the very last minute. Therefore, I spent most of my time in my single dorm watching TV, which I could have done at home (Or I could sit in a room and play video games with others… which, again, I could do at home). Also, around 50% of the school commutes. Meaning? Once classes are over, time to go home. Not that they should be taken to task for it, but if you're here to meet a diverse group of people then I'd suggest looking elsewhere. As far as the party scene goes, I refuse to set foot in a club that calls itself "Nacho Momma," but I've heard that people have sex on the floor while dancing. How refined.

As far as courses go, I'd say they're not bad (Although I was asked last semester to write a paper on which was more important, the invention of the alphabet or the invention of the printing press… it was less than enthralling). You can learn quite a bit… but if you go to class early, you may want to bring some headphones and music to drain out the stupidity. Really, quite a few people will show up for the day of a big test and actually say "No, I didn't study at all… I think I'm going to fail." I'd say there's a pretty significant statistic (About half the population, I'd say) of people who say things like "I didn't study because I was having/I want to have a LIFE outside of school," i.e. people who don't seem to grasp the concept that school requires great concentration and effort. Even if they're working to put themselves through college (And most of them are not), that's not really an acceptable excuse (I got straight A's while working 18 hours a week last year). The most liked professors are the "chill" ones, meaning they don't ask for very much and don't force the students to admit to themselves that they're adults with responsibilities.

As a film major… I'm mixed on my department. I've met some people who have great spirits as filmmakers, and then some idiots who think that a good movie is rooted strictly in its concept. I don't consider myself better than anybody, really, but I've got to place myself above some of the people here, because I actually try to act my age. I've heard "That's something that hasn't been done before!" more than I've heard "You have great writing/directing/editing technique." So, for every profound storyteller/filmmaker there is, there's someone else who would make a movie about Godzilla transforming into an eraser and fighting a paper clip and s/he (as well as some of the people here) would dare to call it inventive. To draw on what I said in my previous paragraph, some people really are just lazy and are interested in phoning it in. While the faculty is actually very supportive (More so than other departments, as the comments here seem to indicate), the equipment we have to use is ridiculous. We're in an age where shooting on digital is a rising mode of filmmaking, and twice this year I've had to use a Bolex which admittedly does provide a certain aesthetic, but isn't going to help any us get technical jobs. Not only that, but we had to actually splice our film, which again provides a certain good feeling but is not good for school purposes because it's such an antiquated (… or extinct) style of editing. Furthermore, the equipment hereis AT LEAST ten years old. Many of the light meters and tripod plates are cracked, the lenses are always dirty, the splicers have rusty blades, etc. You can do an internship through the school and get two or three credits for it, but they're just basically second-rate companies that will treat you like a peon. People have gotten pretty damn cool internships, like at The Colbert Report, IFC Films and what not, but through their own and not through the school.

Overall, I'm very "meh' on this school. In fact, I think everybody else is, and we really ought to make that our official motto. I think the faculty wants us to do well, but all in all, they seem to realize how unambitious the students are and seem to pass students who deserve to fail out of good faith.

I would therefore say that the best part is my faculty and some (But most certainly not all) of the students, the worst is… um, everything else. I would recommend coming here if you are commuting and/or if the school is paying for at least half of your tuition. If not, go to a local state college and save yourself the headaches.

Responses
commentI wrote this review. Also, if you are a commuter, you'd better get late afternoon classes if you want to join a club, because nearly all of them meet no earlier than 8PM.
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