Is Clark Uni nice? (Boston, Worcester: middle-class, lawyers, home)

[florencee]

hi,I have received an offer from Clark Uni (worcester,MA).
I want to know what local people think about this uni,is it worth going?
I am an international student ,so how is this city?
Thanks!

[goyguy]

In a state and region overloaded with well-known and prestigious colleges - even Worcester's Assumption, Holy Cross, and WPI fall into that category - Clark is a hidden and underrated jewel. For a school with "university" in its title, its student body is actually quite small, which means that you'll have plenty of room to stretch in most of your classes (LOL!) There's a fair quantity of "international" students, though many colleges can claim this at present, and Clark has a pretty noticeable Jewish presence. The political climate is heavily liberal/progressive, with numerous future teachers, public-advocacy lawyers, and social workers matriculated.

The campus is relatively compact, and is a pleasant place with attractive 19th-century buildings. But, like many an older college, it's situated in a sketchy sector of Worcester called Main South: poverty, drugs, some street crime. The school itself is kept well secured, but people tend to venture out at night only in groups or by car. The city as a whole is mainly working- to middle-class, with most visitors in town only to catch a show at the DCU Center or the Palladium. Since the Worcester Common Fashion Outlets downtown withered away, "shop-a-holics" have had to content themselves with excursions out to the Auburn, Greendale, and Solomon Pond malls.

You would enjoy Clark if you have an independent style and know how to make your own fun. OTOH if you crave a big-city environment filled with shopping and night life, you could be climbing the walls in a matter of days. Worcester does have a good-sized student population (three colleges that I can think of in addition to Clark, WPI, Holy Cross, and Assumption) but a lot of it is from within a half-day's drive and clears out on weekends.

Are you considering any other colleges in Massachusetts or New England?

[brightdoglover]

Clark is a fine university.
Worcester is a lousy city to live in, and it's 50 miles to Boston/Cambridge.

[florencee]

i have no other choices in new England.
Only one in Beloit ,WI

Do you mean if i have other choices,i should consider them other than Clark?

[brightdoglover]

Depends on why you'd come here for college. If there is some specific course of study that you want, you should likely go where that's offered. If it's an "offer," that is, scholarships, that could make a big difference as to your choice, costs being what they are, especially at private colleges.
Are you a grad student, or a lecturer? Clark has grad student housing, I'm sure. Sure, Worcester isn't much of a place to live, but it is relatively near nice stuff (Boston, mountains, ocean, culture) for the occasional trip. Worcester isn't some hellhole, it's just kind of limited, has crummy areas and way too many drug addicts, and is struggling in many areas. If Clark has a good deal for you and/or a good course of study, you should probably go there.
If you want an interesting place to live in the U.S., maybe a post-school job would be the best way to go someplace else.
I say again, Clark is a fine school.

[scf79]

I graduated from Clark 7 years ago ... I loved it. Yeah, Worcester isn't the best, but the campus is pretty (which is amazing, given the area it's in) and the academics are challenging. For me, it was a great experience.

[florencee]

thanks for your replys!
I am going for undergraduate edu.

[goyguy]

Beloit is about the same distance from Milwaukee and Chicago as Clark U is from Boston. What SCF79 said is all I've ever heard from Clark alumnae: "Wusstah" is a pit, but the campus is nice and the educational quality's great. (I've visited there and can vouch for the first two parts of that.) You're a short road trip (or bus/train ride) from Boston, and only about 4 hours from NYC when you need a change of pace. Ditto for "getting back to nature," skiing, etc. And you're also an hour, at most, away from the collegiate Mecca called the Pioneer Valley: home to UMass-Amherst and four other schools, with something "always" going on.
Check out the clark.edu Website - should be all kinds of info there, probably including a "slide show" of the campus and links to student organization + course descriptions + so on.

[jmdregs]

I'm 60 yrs old and have lived in several different countries and states. However, I grew up within twenty miles of Worcester and relocated back here some fifteen years ago. I go to work in Worcester everyday and have several co-workers who are Clark graduates as well as several friends who attended Clark. In each case, everyone of them presents a knowledgeable and professional demeanor which I strongly feel reflects the educational experience they received at Clark. I'm familiar with some of the Clark U. programs and in short, I think its a great school. For the record, I didn't attend Clark so I consider myself an unbiased observer.

As far as Worcester goes, Its an old, working class City that's run-down in parts and has a large immigrant population. However, I feel that Worcester has a lot to offer and is certainly no hell-hole. It apears to be a city that is moving forward. There are no shortage of restaurants, clubs, sporting events etc. and one can be out of the City and out in the country in a flash if it suits you. Check out the area, it has a lot going for it and if you're lucky enough to be accepted at Clark, I'd say go for it.

[florencee]

thanks a lot