Princeton Review Survey Shows Stonehill Students Are Among Happiest in Nation

EASTON, MA (07/28/2009)(readMedia)-- The Princeton Review's 2010 edition of the "Best 371 Colleges" revealed that students are very happy at Stonehill as the College ranked seventh on its list of "Happiest Students." In addition, the school ranked in the top 20 of nine other categories, including "Most Beautiful Campus."

The book contains 62 total ranking lists which are based on surveys of 122,000 students (325 per campus / average) at the 371 schools featured in the book during the 2008-09 and/or previous two school years. The 80-question survey asks students about their school's academics, administration, campus life, student body, and themselves.

Accompanying Stonehill on the top ten "Happiest Students" list were Brown University, Yale University, Stanford University, Clemson University, Claremont McKenna College, Bowdoin College, Rice University, St. Mary's College of Maryland and Colorado College.

Stonehill students noted the school's small and interactive classrooms, its "amazing" and helpful professors, and its central location to Boston and Providence.

"Stonehill provides wonderful educational opportunities in a community based atmosphere where people are encouraged to be themselves and grow both intellectually and socially," said Travis Kumph '10 in his testimonial for the survey.

Students also love the array of activities Stonehill offers each night as well as the "beautiful" dormitories and the point system used to determine housing. The more active students are on campus, the more points they earn in their housing lottery.

Elementary education and French major Samantha Marcin'10 said Stonehill offers the perfect college experience through its many activities and its strong sense of community in her survey comments.

Others surveyed also acknowledged the courtesy of their fellow students, using the words "kind, considerate, friendly and smart."

"Stonehill has the quintessential New England collegiate setting; a welcoming community located just outside of Boston full of intelligent students and caring professors who make an effort to get to know you and to help you succeed," noted recent graduate Susie Lipinski '09.

The College also received positive remarks for its town-gown relations, ranking sixth on that list. Student participation in intramural sports is among the highest in the nation as Stonehill ranked seventh in that category.

Student interest in politics and activism ranked highly in comparison to other schools as Stonehill placed eighth on the "Election? What Election?" list. In the "Easiest Campus to Get Around" category, the College ranked 13th and in the "Most Beautiful Campus" category, it placed 14th.

Other lists Stonehill made its way on to included "Most Popular Study Abroad Program" (13th), "Best Career Services" (17th), "Most Accessible Professors" (17th), and "Most Discussions Encourage" (20th).

Neuroscience major Zack Decker '10 didn't participate in the survey but shared his thoughts on the results. "I think the fact that Stonehill offers so many varied opportunities to its students means that everyone finds his or her niche. Everything offered here has a wholehearted effort behind it, whether it's academics, student government, athletics, international study, religion, fine arts... everything."

"I think it would be hard for a Stonehill student to say that his or her passion isn't supported and encouraged here," added Decker, who is working in the College's Advancement office this summer.

Founded in 1981, The Princeton Review is an education services company known for its test-prep courses, tutoring, books, and other resources for college and graduate school-bound students. It is headquartered in Framingham, MA with editorial offices in New York City and test-preparation locations across the country and abroad.

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Stonehill is a selective Catholic college located near Boston on a beautiful 375-acre campus in Easton, Massachusetts. With a student: faculty ratio of 13:1, the College engages over students in 70+ rigorous academic programs in the liberal arts, sciences, and pre-professional fields. The Stonehill community helps students to develop the knowledge, skills, and character to meet their professional goals and to live lives of purpose and integrity.