Student Reviews of Chester College of New England
Overall Rating for Chester College of New England is B.
Read the full student reviews below to find more specific ratings and students comments on Chester College of New England.
- 93% of reviews said they would attend Chester College of New England if they could start over.
- 7% said they would NOT attend Chester College of New England if they could start over.
- Academics Overall: B
- Quality of Program: A-
- Quality of Professors: A
- How challenging is the course work?
- 33% said the course work is Average.
- 67% said the course work is Difficult.
- Additional reviews of academics:
- This school is a mockery to any higher institution of education. Second-rate facilities, mediocre-poor "art" students. Though some excellent professors, many of them are juggling between other colleges to give the proper attention to Chester's students. The school is an absolute scam where the money you pay for doesn't seem to add up to the lack of...everything there.
- Chester College of New England challenges its students in unexpected ways. The members of faculty are brilliant, inspiring, and always there for the students. This is not a sleep-through school: you can't get away with dozing through your classes because the small size creates a competitive, challenging environment that will have you walking away with knowledge and new ways of thinking you never expected.
- I had my ass kicked constantly by some really awesome people. A few classes were maybe not quite up to snuff, but I think this is true at any college or university.
- I received a very strong education as an artist at CCNE. I learned the craft and mastery of my art. I wasn't limiting myself to exclusively learning about art: I took classes in history, science, social science, math, and various art forms. I felt very prepared for the work world and extremely well-rounded when I graduated.
- While I did take a few classes which turned out to be busts, overall I learned a ton in the CCNE writing program. The program helped me to become a better writer, which was what I was there for, and I didn't feel as though that help was lacking.
- The Academics at Chester College of New England have been criticized for being too easy, to the effect that someone trying their hardest in a class will earn the same grade as a slacker who sparknotes everything. I found in my time there that this was the case, but as I left major changes were occurring in the way classes were set up. I am confident that the academic programs will soon become more challenging.
- With small student to professor ratio, you get to know your professors really well. They become more than mentors, they become friends you stay in touch with after college.
- This school seems to be in a constant phase of transition--programs are being phased out and phased in constantly. The courses offered are inconsistent, but you always have the chance at something unique every semester.
- 80% said students are Friendly.
- 73% said students are Approachable.
- 80% said students are Open-minded.
- 27% said students are Arrogant.
- 13% said students are Snooty.
- 13% said students are Closed-minded.
- Students who reviewed Chester College of New England rated themselves as follows:
- 27% said they rate themselves as Average.
- 60% said they rate themselves as Above Average.
- 13% said they rate themselves as Rocket Scientists
- Additional reviews of students:
- Very immature. Socially-inept, the school seems to encourage the immaturity of "high school" with most of the student body. There is absolutely no real challenge for the real art world, and many students are left thousands in debt with a useless degree from a college with little, if not terrible, reputation.
- The students who come to stay at Chester College want to work hard, create something beautiful, and really learn, collaborate, and love. It's a good mix of students who are fun, open-minded, creative. Everything at Chester has the potential to become Art. Because it's such a small school, everyone knows everyone and the student body becomes very close-knit. I made many life-long friends.
- The college has varied in its student population over the years, but seem to have begun attracting more serious students.
- Close-knit, supportive of each other, fun loving.
- It is hard to fit the student body into categories, but it is very intimate. It's a small campus, and you have the opportunity to get to know everyone. As far as personalities and and artistic interests are concerned, the students are very diverse. The one thing they all have in common is that they are passionate about their art. Some students express it by being active and getting themselves out there. Others are able to quietly study and practice with a small group of friends or by themselves. The students generally respect each others' needs to make art and live how they are most comfortable.
- Being such a small school, the student body at Chester is highly, highly malleable. The school's student climate was worlds different when I arrived as opposed to how it was when I left. The Chester that drew me in - and helped teach me so many wonderful things about writing - was populated with inquisitive, analytical students with a passion for literature, and more to the point, a passion for discussion of literature, which is part of what made the experience so grand. The student body, as I left it, was not of the same caliber as it was when I arrived; both the literary passion and the analytical acumen of Chester's present-day student body have degraded considerably. Still, as I said at the beginning of this comment, Chester's student body changes rapidly, so it could get back to a really great place in just a couple of years.
- They're a good group of people. There is the occasional snoot who is of the opinion that their art is the best- these people should be ignored or critiqued, not fought with.
- The student body is very diverse which leads to a great artistic community full of idea sharing.
- 87% said faculty members are Friendly.
- 100% said faculty members are Helpful.
- 13% said faculty members are Condescending.
- Additional reviews of faculty:
- Some very inspiring, gifted people there.
- If you only come to Chester for one reason, it'll be the faculty. The professors at Chester are challenging and supportive in just the right mix, as well as fun. There's never a boring lecture class- everything is interesting, the departments work with each other to create a network of learning, and the faculty couldn't be more fun to hang out with outside of class as well. For me, they were more than teachers: they were (and still are) mentors and friends. You find yourself wanting to do well in classes not just for the grade, but because your professor and classmates are people you don't want to let down.
- Totally awesome.
- The best people to learn from in a small environment that lets them pay attention to everyone. A+
- The professors are very invested in every students' success. They gave me insight into the professional life as an artist and presented several opportunities that not only bettered my craft, but prepared me for the "real world." A year after graduating, I am still in contact with several of my professors and they are still my friends and mentors. They are a talented group of people who are very active in the current art community and often lead by example. It is very important to network as an artists, and the professors at CCNE are a great start.
- Some really inspiring people work here. All are willing to lend an eye or ear, regardless of department. Most of my professors quickly became both mentors and friends.
- Having a personable, individual-oriented faculty is what makes Chester work the way it does. The professors are attentive to the needs of the individuals in their classes, not just the classes as a whole. As an added bonus, students rate their professors at the end of each semester, ratings which are then used by the administration to consider whether to keep professors who are under-performing. No Chester professors have tenure, so they all strive to perform their jobs well - and the ones that don't, don't last.
- I have never met a more supportive group of people. Consider yourself lucky they stay and get paid the miniscule amount that they do.
- Everyone at the college is there to help you succeed in whatever way they can. Once you're gone, they keep you posted on any job opportunities as well.
- Very few professors are condescending--but there are a few.
- Local Atmosphere: C+
- Nightlife: C-
- Weather: C+
- Off-Campus Dining: C+
- Off-campus Housing: C
- Additional reviews of town:
- Although it is an aestically pleasing location. The town of Chester, New Hampshire pays little recognition to Chester College. Still referring to by it's old name of "White Pines."
- Chester is a very small town. If you're looking for a city, this isn't for you. But it's not far from Manchester and Portsmouth and the beach, and there are plenty of places to rent nearby, if you don't want to live in the dorms.
- It's a very small town--but close enough to large cities.
- Weather is tree to New England and usually enjoyable, surrounding area is fun to explore, find place to eat, play and live (if you chose).
- Chester is very small, quiet town, which is a great environment for art and academics. It is very much New England when it comes to weather: cold and snowy in the Winter, beautiful in the fall, hot in the summer. It's close to Manchester, Boston, Portsmouth, Derry, etc. so you can usually find some good nightlife scenes and some great food.
- The town of Chester, New Hampshire is VERY small. However, Derry, Salem, and Manchester are only a short drive and have plenty to offer in terms of entertainment, housing, and part-time jobs.
- The local atmosphere, when it isn't indifferent, is passively hostile. Chester locals - when you see them - mostly aren't thrilled that the college is where it is. There isn't exactly a "nightlife" outside of a few dances and other night activities the college puts on, but I still give it (relatively) high marks because that lack of a nightlife makes the college a little more peaceful. The cabin fever can get rough at times, but for me, 90 of the time I was glad I had a calm, quiet place to live and study. The weather is terrible. I like the cold, but being buried in snow two-thirds of the school year gets old fast. The ice storms were pretty bad too. Both off-campus housing and dining are available, if you're willing to drive a bit. There are a couple of places to eat (and live) right in Chester, but they're a bit expensive. Nearby Derry (a ten-fifteen minute drive) has more affordable housing, plus a selection of the finest in corporate fast-food dining. Basically, you're not going to get an apartment less than fifteen minutes from campus for an affordable rate.
- Chester New Hampshire is tiny and uninteresting. Nearby Manchester and Derry, however, make up for it. If you're willing to drive, you can find a nightlife. If you went to school for nightlife, don't even think about coming to Chester. We probably don't want you, and you wouldn't be happy with us.
- Chester is a small town that is 20 minutes outside of Manchester. It's perfect for a quiet, artistic atmosphere but still offers nearby city nightlife and such.
- Chester is at the center of the quintessential small town. Everything is at least a 20 min. drive avay.
- Diversity: D
- Guys: B-
- Girls: B
- Athletics: F
- Safety & Security: B
- Greek Life: C-
- Campus Strictness: C+
- Campus Maintenance: B
- Additional reviews of campus life:
- An unnecessarily strict, enforced "dry-campus," many talented aspiring artists have been unfairly disciplined.
- While it is a dry campus (bummer), Student Affairs does organize a lot of activities and students never fail to make their own fun.
- It's a quiet school, but you can have fun if you are imaginative.
- Campus life grows and changes every year. With such a small campus there isn't a ton of racial diversity, but it is very diverse as far as interests and personal backgrounds. The opportunities for activities and events are usually left up to the students. Students essentially get to vote on what they want and don't want on campus. There is a great student life team that will back up the student's needs and give them resources they need.
- Safe, clean, and quiet campus. Because of the small size, there really isn't much trouble with drugs/alcohol.
- Diversity: The student body is tiny and not very diverse, often leaving minority students as "one-man statistics." Racial and sexual tolerance have never been an issue outside of a few very small, very isolated incidents. The guy/girl ratio tends to lean towards more girls, less guys, but as with all demographics at such a small school, that could change in just one semester. Chester has no athletics outside of casual Sunday afternoon intermural sports and a relay running team which participates in the Reach the Beach relay race every year. I felt pretty safe at Chester, and more to the point I rarely had any reason not to. Any and all incidents involving safety and security were dealt with promptly. Chester does not have a Greek system, and don't expect one to spring up any time soon. Drug scene and campus strictness: Chester is a dry campus. When students are discovered with illegal substances, as well as alcohol, they're kicked off campus. There is no exception on this policy, even for students who are over 21 who bring alcohol; it's simply not allowed on campus, period. Other than that, Chester's policies are relatively nonrestrictive - quiet hours don't start until 11 at night and the policy on allowing guests to stay has been relaxed (although not done away with) in recent years. Maintenance: Kind of a tricky bag. Things, once again, have improved in this department over the years, but I recall freshman year putting a work order in sometime in September and having a physical plant guy show up to do the work in late January. The big stuff - door breaks, debris on the roads, shower water cold, etc. - tends to get fixed within a day or so.
- Chester College has a predominantly white student body, due mostly to our location in rural New England. It's rare that we get students who aren't white, but it would be nice if we could expand our cultural diversity a bit.
- Chester is unique in that it has no organized sports. Students who attend Chester are serious about their passion for art and devote themselves to it and therefore there is a zero tolerance policy when it comes to drug and alcohol abuse. Overall the campus is a safe environment to live in.
- Campus Dining: C+
- Campus Housing: B
- Computers: B-
- Facilities: B-
- Parking: B+
- Transportation: C+
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