Academics
Tucked away in Montgomery, Alabama, you’ll find the “often quiet and calm” Auburn University at Montgomery. AUM has “degree plans for pretty much everything, no matter what job you’re looking for,” with students particularly praising the nursing, business, and education programs. Add to that “campus resources [that] are top-notch,” a “student to teacher ratio [that] is superb,” and professors who “truly care for your success and will help you in any way,” and you’ve got an academic experience that students fawn over. Plus, those professors are also “engaging [and] knowledgeable,” and show they “want to get to know their students,” offering “good instruction as well as career guidance.” The coursework they assign is “rigorous and challenging,” but students find it all “makes for a good learning environment.” Simply put, according to one, the faculty is “one of the best parts of AUM.” There are a few who cite underwhelming experiences with their instructors, but overall “they don’t teach … just for the paycheck—they care.”
Student Body
With “a lot of people of different ages and backgrounds,” AUM feels like “a huge melting pot” with “many religions, cultures, [and] races.” And students describe it as “one of the gems of the South in that it is much more diverse than many other places in the area.” But regardless of any differences, AUM’s is a “close knit campus” where everyone “feels almost like a family.” While some report that their peers “keep to themselves or their groups,” the majority find those on campus to be “respectful, helpful, and eager to learn.” Still, even with those who place “a greater focus on learning than socializing,” it’s “easy to find someone to talk to get help or ask questions about your classes.” In fact, “students help each other almost as much as the professors.” Overall, it’s agreed that this is “a very welcoming atmosphere.”
Campus Life
Attending classes and studying with fellow classmates may be the main focus at AUM, but “there is active involvement in student affairs.” Popular events include those hosted by the international student group and occasionally “the counseling center will have therapy painting or the library will host a haunted house.” Also note that while Greek life is present on campus, involvement wanes due to the high commuter population. Other nightlife options include off-campus parties or going downtown to bars—and students even sometimes attend events at Montgomery’s large public university. But this is not a party school; as one student puts it, “You go to [AUM] with your eyes on the prize, ready to work and get your degree.” Well, maybe there’s one eagerly embraced distraction: “sporting events bring everyone together.”