What makes the University of Dayton a good choice?

The University of Dayton is on my list, but I don't know much about it yet. What are the academics like there? Does it have a supportive community, and what's the campus atmosphere like? Any personal experiences would be great to hear.

The University of Dayton is well-regarded for its academics, with an emphasis on experiential learning. The university offers a wide range of programs, with notable strengths in areas such as Engineering, Education, and Business. The coursework is challenging, but many students find the professors to be supportive and engaged, valuing not just academic achievement but also personal growth. Even though this is a medium-sized university with around 8,500 undergraduate students, it has an average class size of 27 students which allows for personal interaction with faculty.

Now, about the community. The University of Dayton is known for its strong sense of community, commonly referred to as the "Dayton Flyer family." Students often bond through shared activities and experiences, reinforced by the university's commitment to community service. In fact, the University of Dayton is one of the nation's best schools for service learning. It's a campus that values giving back, making real-world connections, and working together.

The campus is regarded as being user-friendly and walkable, giving students a close-knit, community feel. Numerous on-campus events, clubs and organizations keep the student life vibrant and engaging. You'd be hard-pressed to find a student who doesn't get involved in something, whether it be an intramural sport, a club related to their major, or one of the service opportunities. Speaking of service, there's a housing complex on campus known as the "Ghetto" where upperclassmen live in community and often host house events and participate in service activities together. This layout really fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie among students.

Keep in mind that the "fit" of a college involves a lot of personal factors, from academic to lifestyle. I encourage you to try and visit the University of Dayton to get a firsthand look at the campus, meet some current students, and perhaps even sit in on a class. That will really give you the best sense of whether it's the right fit for you.