Grand View University Reviews
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Brian from Des Moines, IA
04/30/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 1 of 9
Categories Comments What to do for fun There are many things to do in the Des Moines area no matter what the season is.
Dorm Life I live off campus, but student housing looks very nice.
In three sentences I would give Grand View University an excellent rate. They are very helpful in many ways. It has many majors to offer and the major that I was interested in.
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Alexander from Urbandale, IA
05/14/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
2 of 9
Categories Comments Campus Safety The only time I don't feel safe, is crossing East 14th street here in Des Moines on campus. Yes there is a cross walk and such, but you never know. You always see Grand View Security driving around campus, all day, every day, in their Jeep Liberty.
Greek Life Don't have any that I'm aware of.
Clubs and Activities They need more activities! Students get bored! The clubs aren't well promoted and the school needs to work on integrating the commuting students into whatever activities that are planned.
Great for these types of students Great for students who are seeking a higher education at a four year school, who like being in smaller classes, and having a more personal relationship with their professors.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The library is the best spot on campus to hang out, meet up with other students, study, or just grab a cup of coffee. The parking lots are always full, so parking can be a hassle sometimes.
Bang for the buck Doesn't seem to be worthwhile so far. I feel like the classes I have taken weren't worthwhile and would have been better if I took them at DMACC, which is much less expensive than Grand View.
What to do for fun For fun, I don't ever have time for fun. I attend class Monday-Friday and work every night so that I can pay back my student loans. The school does small things from time to time like movie night or whatever the student activities group plans.
Food and Dining Although I'm a commuter student, I still have a meal plan because I spend a good amount of my time on campus each day. The quickest bite to eat is at Stacks and the Library cafe is where I always go for a cup of coffee between class. They have improved their greatly over the past semester. You used to have to wait in line for 30 minutes for a sandwich or 10 minutes for a cup of coffee!
Dorm Life I don't live on campus and one of the reasons is the dorms. They aren't the best for the amount of money that you, the student pay for. There isn't ever much going on, students seem to get bored, and so they go off campus and explore Des Moines.
Academic Rigor The professors are great, but not all the material they cover with you in class seems to be worthwhile. Some classes, mainly the general core classes, aren't stimulating, but required!
Tips for prospective students For prospective students I would say that they should really look in to the costs of attending school here. Yes, a lot is covered with financial aid help, but those student loans add up quick and have to be repaid one day. Just something to think about, that is why I live at home to save money.
In three sentences I enjoy attending school here because it's close to home and as a commuter student that's important to me. I have had some great professors, who are so knowledgeable, and personal with their students.
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Heather from Des Moines, IA
07/08/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 of 9
Categories Comments Campus Safety I feel safe on this campus.
Clubs and Activities I am not involved in on-campus activities. My activities include community-based organizing, and church activities. I tried not to rate this, but the web page insisted.
Bang for the buck I tried not to rate this, but the web page insisted.
Food and Dining I do not eat there, and I haven't heard if the food is good. I tried not to rate this, but the web page insisted.
Dorm Life I don't live on campus. I tried not to rate this, but the web page insisted.
Academic Rigor The classes have been challenging.
Tips for prospective students For the adult returning to school, don't get discouraged. Engage the instructors and try to engage the students. Be patient with the younger viewpoints.
In three sentences There are a lot of younger students here, which detracts somewhat from the learning experience. The class sizes seem nice and small, so I do feel like I can get the extra help and attention I need. The admissions and the financial aid offices have both lost paperwork that I have sent them, they could be more efficient.
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Nixon from Clive, IA
09/03/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
4 of 9
Categories Comments Campus Safety 24 hour securty so it's basically like you are protected by superman
Clubs and Activities intramural sports and volunteer opportunities
Bang for the buck Helps students in paying for tuitions through grants and such
Food and Dining many varieties throughout the college neighborhood
Dorm Life Have class diveded halls with luxuries that fit each person
Academic Rigor Trust me if you study hard, you are going to be sucessful. this college has caring teahers and they help you inorder to archieve your best
In three sentences I like this college because it has a varity of opportunities that suit each students desire for getting an education. It has good community and united feeling throughout the student body and it provides me with countless offers to engage in activities. Personally, Track rules :)
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Ivana from Des Moines, IA
09/15/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
5 of 9
Categories Comments What to do for fun There are soooooo many fun clubs and organizations you can join. There are also whole campus activities you are invited to attend
Food and Dining Great! There are places to eat all over campus.
Dorm Life I don't live on campus but I've heard that it is really nice.
Tips for prospective students Never be afraid to ask anyone at Grand View for help. They will help you no matter what. it is a really great school.
In three sentences They have really small classes so you are not forgotten. Your professors and your advisor will help you with anything. They are really there for you with any problems or questions you might have.
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Elizabeth
11/27/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
6 of 9
Categories Comments Campus Safety I always feel safe on campus. If you feel sketchy walking around campus at night, you can always call security and they will escort you. GVU isn't in the nicest part of Des Moines so there are always sirens going on but campus always seems really safe. There are lots of cars broken into though.
Greek Life There is no Greek Life here.
Clubs and Activities There are all kinds of clubs and activities to get involved with on campus. Education Club, Environmental Club, PRIDE Club, Viking Volunteers, RHA, Viking Council, History Club, Math and Computer Science club, SAC, etc...
Great for these types of students GV is great for commuter students and non-traditional students along with the normal traditional students (myself).
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus There is a tradition of painting the rock in front of the Humphrey Center, hiding Bud the Bird and there is a ghost named Sheila who haunts the Humphrey Center!
Bang for the buck GVU is a fairly expensive school compared to the Regents schools, but its worth every dime. The professors are some of the best out there!
What to do for fun Des Moines is such a fun city to be in! There are always games going on with the sports teams on campus and there's always something going on. Shopping and nightlife is less than fifteen minutes away. At least once a month the SAC sponsors Free Movie night at an area theater, there's free lazer tag some nights and there's always something fun going on!
Food and Dining There are 3 dining options, Jensen, Stacks and Knudsen. Jensen is an Italian type restaurant (think Fazoli's), Stacks is a sub shop like Subway and Knudsen is all you can eat style. Stacks has the best breakfast.
Dorm Life Everyone here leaves on the weekends, but during the week there is so much life in the halls of the dorms! We leave our doors open most of the time and its a really casual, fun time!
Academic Rigor Grand View isn't the easiest college but it is by no means the hardest either. The Logos honors program is so much fun and you learn a lot. The professors are great and really help if you don't understand anything. Being such a small school there's a lot of one-on-one time with professors.
Tips for prospective students Get to know your admissions counselor and get to know your academic adviser.
In three sentences Grand View is a fantastic college. I feel totally at home here, and the professors are incredible. I never would have thought I would love this place as much as I do!
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Devon from Des Moines, IA
12/21/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
7 of 9
Categories Comments Campus Safety On the first day of orientation campus security had every student take their phone out and put their number in it. I see these guys drive and walk all over campus. They take the little situation and make it seem like it is first priority. I have never felt safer in any environment that at Grand View.
Greek Life They have a few sorority and fraternity houses but they have more dorms than anything.
Clubs and Activities There are so many clubs to join! I can't even name half of them!
Great for these types of students Great for kids who start out shy and then open up after awhile.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus One thing I really like about Grand View is how they offer chapel every Tuesday and church every Sunday but they don't force people into going. Its very open and informal as well.
Bang for the buck Grand View can be pricey but they award a lot of scholarships and they help families work out the financial kinks. My family and I made an appointment with them and they answered every question we had.
What to do for fun There are always activities for people to do. Just a couple weeks ago there was a jello palooza and we played in the jello. So fun!
Food and Dining There cooks know what they are doing. There are three different dining options on campus and many restaurants around if you prefer a restaurant.
Dorm Life The only part I dislike about dorming is the community showers and bathrooms. I like my privacy!
Academic Rigor Professors are very open about seeing them in between classes. Plus there is free tutoring open to anyone!
Tips for prospective students Make sure you transfer you credits to them as soon as you get there. I took make college credit classes in high school and I waited until the last minute to transfer them and it caused way to much stress. Another tip is no procrastination! It isn't worth it
In three sentences Grand View is an excellent school if you are looking for the small university style. They try and make everyone involved and the staff and students are so nice. To me Grand View is like a small family
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Jenna from Norwalk, IA
01/29/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
8 of 9
Categories Comments What to do for fun Hang out with friends.
Food and Dining Okay. It's campus food, you won't gain the freshman 15 thats for sure.
Dorm Life Its Dorm life. It's kind of like camping all the time
Academic Rigor Awesome!
Tips for prospective students Study hard, GPA is everything in college. Most degree's require at least a 2.5 if not a 3.0
In three sentences Grand View has a great at home environment. The teachers and staff are amazing and your always seeing new faces. I wouldn't have choose a different school for my education.
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Football player
05/13/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
9 of 9
Categories Comments Campus Safety School Security jeeps drive around and monitor the campus and immediate neighborhood 24/ 7.
Greek Life None that I'm aware of.
Great for these types of students Majority of students are involved in athletics (20+ athletic programs), or nursing students.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Grand View Glow is an all student event in the spring. Giant paint party where everyone leaves with glow paint all over. A very fun event. - Spring semester ends near the end of April. Earliest semester end date I know of. Allows you to get home and find a summer job before the state schools let out.
What to do for fun The school sponsors free student outings. This year we had a few movie nights at a nearby theater and a bowling night. All free. These were fun. - Several malls in the area; minor league basketball, baseball and hockey teams.
Food and Dining Several food halls to choose from. Several near by off campus selections (within 1 mile or less).
Dorm Life Lots of very new, modern dorms. Traditional and apartment style.
Academic Rigor I used study groups to help me stay on track and balance study time.
Tips for prospective students The Administration wants you to succeed. I've always felt like my adviser is talking to me as an individual, who knows my strengths and weaknesses. Coaches me in the right direction, but when I hit a bump in the road can easily get me transitioned back on track. - Take advantage of the Writing Center. As a freshman the help I received here really helped me write college level papers. Helped me organize my thoughts and communicate them effectively. It was a very informal process, but it did help me. - Connect with some sort of group. At first when everything is so new, it's easy to want to just isolate your self, but everyone is looking for a friend. It helps to find a college sponsored group to join.
In three sentences - Small classes sizes (20-25 students) which allow ease in participation, and a comfortable environment to ask questions. Easy to talk to professors. Quick responses when I email them. - Small college located in the city so access to malls, shopping, employment opportunities, night life, sporting events. - Lots of activities and groups to become involved in. This helps to connect with a group of other students with same likes.
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