Academics
Manhattan College isn’t actually in Manhattan, but is close enough—a quick 30-minute subway trip from the Riverdale section of the Bronx. A Catholic university, Manhattan honors the “five LaSallian values” of “faith, respect, education, community, and social justice,” which shape the culture on campus, primarily in its commitment to “service,” but also apparent in the presence of Catholic brothers, who teach some of the courses. Students overwhelmingly praise professors who are “not only outstanding in fields they teach, but [who] also care very deeply for their students.” Most “are industry professionals, or PhDs that have a lot of experience in the subject matter that they are teaching,” providing “an academic experience where one is able to connect the theory behind a certain subject to practical real world applications.” The school “carries prestige” and has “a lot of connections,” in the “public sector and private industry,” so students have a “greater chance of being placed/connected with an internship that closely relates to their field of choice.” This is “especially true for the engineering and education departments.” Manhattan “gives you room to take initiative, but also does a good job of keeping students on track.” Manhattan has “an outstanding internship program, and “good rates at helping students finding jobs after college,” especially with the help of the strong alumni network.
Student Body
Manhattan has “an eclectic mix of students, typical of an institution within…New York City.” Many students are “relatives of alumni that have gone here, usually their parents,” and many are also “first-generation college students, which is something LaSallian institutions pride themselves on.” Students boast of the campus’s true diversity and familiarity: “Coming back to school at Manhattan after a break is like going to a family reunion,” a student says. “You meet people from NY to Alaska” and “all over the world.” Students are “generally engaged in class discussions and are passionate about their studies and extracurricular activities.” Students get a chance to “make a ton of friends and build relationships that will last a lifetime.” One comment sums up the general student body sentiment: “I am very lucky to call myself a Jasper.”
Campus Life
Students say Manhattan College’s location—last stop on the 1 train—can’t be beat for ease into the more bustling parts of the city, but if you stay on campus, “the size of the school is large enough that there are plenty of people to meet and activities to participate in.” In nice weather, “everyone hangs out outside on the Quad” or at “Kelly Commons.” “Van Cortlandt Park is also very close so people will hike and just hang out” in the “green spaces” there. Manhattan College “isn’t considered a party school; however, most people do party and go out on the weekends,” including those thrown by “frats” or a sport’s team’s house, or they head over to Fordham’s college bars. At the end of the night, however, “everyone always ends up at Fenwick’s (the only bar at Manhattan College). Dorms are “a pleasure,” though students point out that “the campus itself is fairly spread out, with the Engineering building being separated from what is called Main Campus,” which effectively “separates the student population.” Yet “you seem to meet everyone, whether it’s in the small classes or sitting next to them in the student section during a basketball game.”
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