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Paradise Valley Community College Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

See Paradise Valley Community College reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Paradise Valley Community College. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Paradise Valley Community College reviews, or contribute your own Paradise Valley Community College review if you're a current student there.

  • 4 out of 4 people found this review useful.

    Stephanie from Phoenix, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    I know many preconceptions about community colleges revolve around them not providing the same quality of education as the big universities do, but I'm happy to report that those judgements are sadly incorrect. From learning how to successfully construct a ten page or more research essay to learning how to create a lesson plan for future students in my introduction to education course, I can confidently state that I've learned many new skills, structures, and techniques to further my education, and undoubtedly myself. Because I had the opportunity to work in groups and compose projects together with other students, I also polished my interpersonal skills and learned how to work together with many different people since there are always students of all ages in your classes. Also, if you're looking for rigorous courses, PVCC has an honors program with specialty classes to give you the focused academic experience you want.

    Am enjoying being here

    Though the campus may not be as pretty as some universities and it lacks the tightly knit campus life you can only find at a university, PVCC still contains friendly people and the services you need for your education. PVCC has a quality Learning Support Center that is open Monday through Saturday, which has tutors that are always available to help you with any homework and writing issues you may have. In addition, PVCC has a Computer Commons section located right next to the Learning Support Center that houses a wide variety of computers, printers, and rooms for all of its students. Overall, the ambiance around the campus is a positive, warm one and if a student ever needs any kind of help, there are 600 work stations to go to and there is always someone to help you. Counselors, academic advisers, financial aide advisers, and librarians can be reached at any time classes are in session.

    Bang for the buck

    With only seventy-one dollars per credit hour, it can't be more affordable to receive an excellent education. Moreover, PVCC offers the opportunity to receive certain bachelors degrees from Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University right at their campus, via online and in classrooms so students don't have to relocate to attend either university. Also, there is a convenient on campus daycare, wonderful honors program, and a multitude of affordable extracurricular activities that one would all find at a regular university, except at a much more economical price.

    Tips for prospective students

    Utilize the Learning Support Center. Tutors are always there to help you with whatever question you may have on your homework, no matter how stupid you may think it is. Along with receiving help on homework, students can also have their writing looked at and edited in the Learning Support Center, so make sure to take advantage of this service. Having your work edited can especially help if you're writing an essay for a scholarship.

    Great for these types of students

    PVCC is great for students who are looking for a cost-effective education with all the same amenities that a university offers, students who would like to participate in distance learning or independent study, and students who would like to someday transfer to a university. In addition, PVCC is a wonderful choice for students who would like to join a valuable honors program or extracurricular activity.

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Mariel from Phoenix, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    paradise valley is a school with many different types of ethnic groups and they find a way to adapt to all the needs. their safety department is very useful and quick. thus, the flexibility in its class hours makes it easy for anyone to adapt and attend school.

    Tips for prospective students

    engage in activities and get studies groups. doing this will make your college experience run smoother and fun.

    Academic Rigor

    the teachers are very well prepared and show experience by the many techniques they use to engage the students and help them to learn and understand the material.

    Dorm Life

    we have no dorms, but i spend so much time their it's like a second home.

    Food and Dining

    the food verity is great. a very wide verity of salads, sandwiches, pizza, hamburgers, mini buffet, so many drinks to choose from and great deserts. the prices are very reasonable .

    What to do for fun

    i like going to the soccer games with some friends after having a long study session in the library.

    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    at pvcc their is a tradition with barbecues. every time their is a set up of clubs trying to recruit or a big announcement their will be food involved.

    Great for these types of students

    great for young students and adults.attending a community college allows more freedom and flexibility . many students at a community colleges have kids and jobs like many at universities might, yet the flexible hours and smaller classes allow better interaction among professor's and students.

    Clubs and Activities

    their are dance clubs, drama, hiking, christian, study, art anything you can really think of its here..

    Greek Life

    haven't experienced.

    Campus Safety

    campus safety is like a life guard anything you need they will be their from jump starting your car to a lost memory chip.

  • 1 person found this inaccurate.

    Taylor from Phoenix, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    PVCC has a variety of stimulating classes. The advisers there are also very helpful. And the campus is very clean and modern.

    Tips for prospective students

    Make sure to sign up for classes ahead of time and keep up with classwork. It's very easy to get behind so make sure to keep in communication with your instructor to know what you have to do.

    What to do for fun

    There are a lot of extracurricular activities, such as sports, performing arts programs and a student lounge to just hang out in between classes.

    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    There's a meditation garden just outside of the Humanities building, which includes a few fountains, a non-smoking area and comfortable benches to sit on.

    Great for these types of students

    There are all types of classes to choose from, but the best ones, in my opinion, include the Theatre Workshop and the community plays that are open to anyone interested in performing arts.

  • 0 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Courtney from Scottsdale, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    classes are small and professors are willing to help. the campus is pretty and there are alot of clubs to join.

    Tips for prospective students

    be active in clubs.

    Academic Rigor

    some teachers are easy than others but the academic rigor is good.

    Food and Dining

    they offer vending machines all around campus and the cafe is full of food. plus its open till 8pm.

    What to do for fun

    go to sporting events, club functions, and theater.

    Clubs and Activities

    join clubs....they have tons to offer.

    Greek Life

    join phi theta kappa its a honors program that offers multiple scholarships

    Campus Safety

    well!!!!

  • 0 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Brittney from Phoenix, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    paradise valley community college is a 5/5 college. the professors are friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to help. campus is beautiful, clean, and is very easy to find your way around.

    Tips for prospective students

    get involved and make the most of your time at pvcc. never be afraid to ask questions, or get help because no matter who you talk to they will be willing to help and if they can't they know who will be able to help you.

    Academic Rigor

    you will learn the information and material presented in your classes. they are not super easy but they are not unbearable, you will have to work for your grade and you will earn what you work for.

    Food and Dining

    depending what you get some prices are a little high but the amount of food you get it great!

    What to do for fun

    the student life center is awesome, there is always something to do. there are games you can check out with your student id card. there are grassy areas to throw around a football or frisbee or even relax and read a book.

    Bang for the buck

    what you pay for is what you get. the professors all have at least master degrees, all offer office hours, and are willing to help you out whenever you need it. the campus is beautiful and have plenty of options if you need something to do between classes.

    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    the only unusual location on campus is the q building which is the math building. it is located south of the softball and baseball fields. it is the newest building on campus but unfortunately a little further from all of the other buildings.

    Great for these types of students

    all types of students have a great experience at pvcc. pvcc has wide variety of education programs suitable for any area of study.

    Clubs and Activities

    there are so many clubs and activities on campus. pvcc has a two week 'club rush' allowing students to be aware of clubs as well as sign up for those that interest them.

    Campus Safety

    campus safety is always on patrol. there are police officers on campus and safety is 24/7. they will also jump your car if you are having car troubles.

  • Kayla from Phoenix, AZ

    Reviewer is A past student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    PVCC has good teachers, for the most part. The staff is friendly too, but beware of the financial aid office, they suck and don't care about you. I went to PVCC for 6 semesters and for 5 of them, they either lost my paperwork or refused to talk to me about anything, because of various reasons, and they're condescending.

    Tips for prospective students

    Definitely get to know some people on campus. It really helps. Phi Theta Kappa is a really good idea, and can make you eligible for scholarships that otherwise wouldn't be accessible to you. A campus visit isn't really necessary, as the campus is smaller and pretty easy to figure out, but if you have classes in the Q building, I would highly recommend a campus visit, because it's confusing to find even if you've been to PVCC before. Otherwise, just know who to talk to and where to go for any questions you might have. I highly suggest utilizing the counseling department. Marianne Roccaforte is one of the best, however she is really popular, so make sure if you need an appointment, make it at least a couple weeks in advance, especially around busy times. The advisors are kinda rude for the most part, but if you know what to ask, generally they answer your questions satisfactorily. Cher is a really nice one.

    Academic Rigor

    The instructors really seem to know their stuff, and I have never had an instructor that missed more than a couple classes. However, as with any school, there are teachers you should definitely avoid, but overall, I learned a lot and did really well.

    Dorm Life

    No dorms here.

    Food and Dining

    The food is pretty overpriced for what it is, so I would recommend going elsewhere for food breaks, or bringing your own meals. The salad guy is really good and is reasonably priced for what you get. But they have different people there every semester so for all I know, he won't be there. The grill is reasonable, but since everything there is fried, you may as well eat fast food every day and get the same nutritional value. Avoid the coolers. The food is terrible, and it's overpriced.

    What to do for fun

    There's many clubs, and the people are really nice. It's really just a matter of putting yourself out there. If you make a lot of friends, that will open up more windows of opportunity for fun. Plus there's a lot in Phoenix you can do anyway, so campus isn't the only place to have fun.

    Bang for the buck

    You get what you pay for, and then some. Obviously, being a community college, it's cheaper than a university, but that means the educational value is mostly just a bunch of lower-level division classes, and a ton of intro classes. It's the perfect place to go to transition you from high school, or being out of school for a long time, into university, and I never once felt like I was getting ripped off. Don't buy your books on campus though, because you'll end up paying 2 to 4 times more for books than you would buying them online. Use the bookstore as a source for ISBN numbers so you can find the books online.

    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    There's a homecoming and spring fling week, and they highly encourage new students to get involved. Lots of volunteer opportunities too. With all the clubs, and theatre, and on campus events, there's really not a time when something isn't going on.

    Great for these types of students

    All kinds! Of course, if you're more social and mature, you're more likely to have a good time. Just like with any school you have your introverts and extroverts, your partiers and non-partiers, drama queens and mature people, etc. It's just a matter of who you associate yourself with.

    Clubs and Activities

    As I mentioned before, there are tons of clubs and tons of things to do at almost any given day. The school always lets you know when a big event is happening, and there's always a club fair early on in each semester, so you'll know what your options are pretty early in the semester. And you can always visit student life and ask, or start your own club!

  • Jeremy from Phoenix, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    The GREATEST math teachers that provide excellent help and feedback to students. Small campus and class sizes to provide one-on-one assistance. EXCELLENT resource centers and tutoring facilities.

    Tips for prospective students

    First thing is to get in touch with the financial aid department and have your questions and concerns written down before you get there.

    Academic Rigor

    The classes are harder than high school classes but the teachers and faculty are available almost all day to help.

    Food and Dining

    Reasonably priced food and fairly good quality.

    What to do for fun

    Tons of plays, film festivals, music to see and listen to. This place even has a student lounge room that has a gaming system and baby grand piano.

    Bang for the buck

    Great pricing for the classes and lab fees.

    Great for these types of students

    Fantastic teachers for serious students straight out of high school.

    Campus Safety

    Superbly safe campus with traffic security in golf carts constantly patrolling.

  • Marissa from Phoenix, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Paradise Valley Community College is truly a college about community. There is a close relationship between the students, teachers and administrative staff that is beneficial to a fulfilling college experience. The best choice of my young life was to attend Paradise Valley Community College before transferring out to finish my bachelors.

    Tips for prospective students

    Students should highly consider getting involved in all the clubs and organizations the school offers. The school is great with helping out the local community and it builds a lot of self confidence by helping others.

    Academic Rigor

    The teachers are very understanding that many students have to work for a living, hence they do not overload you with pointless homework assignments. They go over the course work in great detail and the smaller class size ensures that no one willing to put in the effort gets left behind. Paradise Valley Community College thrives in getting students the best education possible.

    Dorm Life

    There are no on campus living arrangements, as it is a Community College. Fortunately the neighborhood it is located in is thriving with affordable housing options and safe, low crime areas.

    Food and Dining

    Paradise Valley Community College has a great cafeteria with hot, fresh food that is cooked right in front of you. The prices are reasonable and they have a continually changing menu so you never grow tired of the offered selections.

    What to do for fun

    Living in metro Phoenix leaves you with a plethora of activities to enjoy. From nightlife in downtown Scottsdale, Tempe, and Glendale to hiking and museums, there is no shortage of entertainment in Arizona.

    Bang for the buck

    The low cost of classes makes Paradise Valley Community College an amazing deal for students who are paying for their classes out of pocket or adults reentering education.

    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    The Meditation Garden is a beautiful spot to sit between classes and listen to the beautiful water feature splashing around you, in the shade of full luscious mesquite trees.

    Great for these types of students

    Students of every type would love attending Paradise Valley Community College. They offer classes day and night, online and in person. Whatever your needs, they will be fulfilled at PVCC.

    Clubs and Activities

    PVCC offers dozens of clubs for students to join that will host different activities for students. One of the best events the school puts on is the School Involvement Fair, where you can see all the clubs the school has to offer and join them the same day.

    Greek Life

    The only downside to life at Paradise Valley Community College is the lack of Greek Life. Most students use PVCC as a starting line before a transfer to a major university, which will often have a great Greek Lifestyle in action if that is the route you want to go.

    Campus Safety

    The campus security officers are truly devoted to your safety. If you are locked out of your car, or just need someone to walk you there, they are more than willing to help. They are so friendly, you may find yourself stopping by the security office just to chat!

  • Alicia from Phoenix, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    It is a helpful great school. I love going here and it has so many different groups, you never feel left out. A wonderful school.

    Tips for prospective students

    Be yourself and try hard!

    What to do for fun

    There is a goodwill down the street

  • dj from Glendale, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    I really be enjoy my prof.

    Tips for prospective students

    If you need help, the prof will take time to talk to you.

    Academic Rigor

    You really need to study depends on class

    Dorm Life

    No dorms on campus

    What to do for fun

    The clubs do have activities for the students

    Campus Safety

    Campus is very safe

  • Victoria from Phoenix, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    This school is huge and yet simple to navigate. The campus is widespread and has various sports courts. Each subject has a different building too.

    Tips for prospective students

    Don't be afraid to ask for help and carry a map with you. It might take a few weeks to get accustomed to the layout.

    Academic Rigor

    Academic Rigor really depends on the classes you are taking but I haven't had any problems yet.

    Dorm Life

    Dorm life is not offered here. But there are plenty of nearby apartments

    Food and Dining

    I haven't yet been to the cafe but it does smell good and there are tons of soda machines everywhere. There is also a Starbucks in the Q building

    What to do for fun

    Tons of sports courts! There is a computer commons and a huge library.

    Bang for the buck

    Of course community college is cheaper than a univeristy so you can't beat that. Its about $72 per credit so $300/class is what it comes up around.

    Campus Safety

    I take night classes and I always feel safe. There are cameras everywhere, security patrol everywhere and there is an on site security office.

  • Ryan from Phoenix, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    I believe that Paradise Valley Community College is one of the best community colleges in t he country. For the fact they put you first above all things. They help you succeed to your fullest potential.

    Tips for prospective students

    The first semester of college will be the hardest of your college career. Stay focused and attend every single class. Its all on you your the person in charge and responsible for you going to school.

    Academic Rigor

    Being able to but education above tall things in your life and realizing how important it is for you. Focusing and attending every class, asking questions, and study for tests.

    Dorm Life

    There arent any dorms at Paradise Valley Community College.

    Food and Dining

    the food there is really well made and presented. IT also is a an affordable price.

    What to do for fun

    I am in a club called Christian Challenges which i attend every tueday at 1:3o.

    Bang for the buck

    I love the college life i get at PVCC. it may not be a university but it sure does seem like im walking at ASU.

    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    The Q building which was recently built this last year is very eery for the fact it was were an old library use to be. and to see it new and updated is pretty cool.

    Great for these types of students

    EVERYONE!!

    Clubs and Activities

    Christian Challenges.

    Campus Safety

    VERY well.

  • Tessa from Gilbert, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Amazing friendly atmosphere. The staff are all friendly and want to help you succeed. I wish I could stay here forever.

    Tips for prospective students

    Register early for classes and if you have no idea who you want as a teacher look at ratemyprofessor.

    Academic Rigor

    Amazing

    Dorm Life

    No dorm life on campus.

    Food and Dining

    A small cafeteria on campus, not much but the food is pretty good.

    What to do for fun

    There are some fun areas around campus and in Phoenix its self.

  • Eric from Cave Creek, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Good school with a organzied program for students who want to move on after they complete associates. Great veteran services department.

    Tips for prospective students

    Make sure that all the credits you take apply towards your degree, and get ahead with classes for your Bach.

    Academic Rigor

    Put in what you get out. Work hard and smarter.

    Dorm Life

    No on campus dorm life.

    Food and Dining

    Small, but pretty good food.

    What to do for fun

    Join clubs, socialize, Learning support center has internet access, as well as on site tutoring.

    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    Puma Pride

    Great for these types of students

    ALL

    Clubs and Activities

    Plenty to choose from.

    Campus Safety

    Reliable and safe.

  • Taylor from Scottsdale, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Academic Rigor

    challenging courses, good place to get basic courses out of the way if you plan to transfer to a university.

    Dorm Life

    there are no dorms.

    Food and Dining

    there's a pretty decent sized cafeteria.

  • Melaney from Phoenix, AZ

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The staff is very good. People don't expect much from community colleges, but the education you can get here is on the same level as any Arizona university.

    Am enjoying being here

    It's a good school. I'm just waiting to transfer off to university.

    Bang for the buck

    Explains itself.

    Tips for prospective students

    Score high on your placement tests-- it makes for less work in the long run!

    Great for these types of students

    Needing to save money, maybe didn't do so well in high school, returning to school as an adult, etc.

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