Hofstra University Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of Hofstra University?

Is Hofstra University a good school?

What is Hofstra University known for?

Alexandra

Hofstra University is a great school that offers you opportunities to figure out what you want to be in life. It has a great environment where one can feel safe and the people who attend the school have great attitudes and are always nice to each other. The university provides great food thats enjoyable to all and the housing provides great space for personal items and studying. The location of the school is convenient near the mall, close to many food places and a hospital. I believe that going to this school is a great decision to go to because of all it has to offer and the great atmosphere they provide.

Malcolm

I think as far as opportunity goes, Hofstra is a great location to be in. Students have every opportunity to ride into New York City and search for opportunities there. Each department is always sending emails regarding internships frequently. However, the food is over-priced and not that good, neither is the scenery/view. It is rare that you would come across a person who really likes the options it has to offer, in terms of food. If I had to change anything about the campus, it would be those two things.

Griffin

All I can say is don't Hofstra seems appealing with it being so close to NYC, but that's really the only good thing. I majored in drama, and half the professors were educated at Hofstra! No one in any department knew what they were talking about and they told us if anyone came up to ask why the tuition was so high we should avoid the question. The so called "BFA" program is a scam, and without it you're basically paying 60k for no major. The kids who had gotten in came out with no connections, about the same education that AMDA could give you (except 50k cheaper) and a school that looks the other way when you ask why you don't have a job. It says a lot when someone transfers to a community college just to get out of the trap that is Hofstra. The food is awful and the amount of times people found bugs in their food was too many to count. Hofstra is located in the lovely town of Hempstead, known for its gangs and high crime rate. My first year I got three emails a week telling us to travel in groups because there had been students mugged walking back from parties. The school totes their proximity to NYC as a feature yet sets a time limit on the shuttle that takes you to the nearest train station, saying that after a certain time it's too dangerous for them to come, and if you find yourself stuck there then you better know someone with a car. Even the attendance policy, which varies per major, is insane. If you find yourself in the hospital, or just sick, then you better show up to class with an IV because if you're absent more than 2 times they drop your grade and recommend you drop the class. If I could give this school 0 stars I would. If you're even thinking of attending simply because you didn't get in anywhere else (like the majority of people who go to Hofstra, it's a 'well I didn't get into my top choice but this will do' school), I implore you to look elsewhere. I didn't do well my first semester of freshman year due to my family moving and it being a new environment. As a result I lost my scholarship, but when I tried to explain that I was simply getting used to being alone and not having any family close they told me that it didn't matter and that I could appeal again next year. They rope you in by showing you the gym, which is about the only thing they'll spend money on, and have the student guides, who are paid to lie (I know because I went to the training to be one, but when I was told about the questions to avoid: tuition, do people drink/ do drugs). The dorms are small and packed (they have 4 people to a room the size of a normal dorm, they call it a quad). There's so much to say about why this school is terrible, but I'll leave it at a simple DON'T. Don't go, no matter how appealing it sounds, it's not.

Griffin

Not good.

Griffin

All I can say is don't Hofstra seems appealing with it being so close to NYC, but that's really the only good thing. I majored in drama, and half the professors were educated at Hofstra! No one in any department knew what they were talking about and they told us if anyone came up to ask why the tuition was so high we should avoid the question. The so called "BFA" program is a scam, and without it you're basically paying 60k for no major. The kids who had gotten in came out with no connections, about the same education that AMDA could give you (except 50k cheaper) and a school that looks the other way when you ask why you don't have a job. It says a lot when someone transfers to a community college just to get out of the trap that is Hofstra. The food is awful and the amount of times people found bugs in their food was too many to count. Hofstra is located in the lovely town of Hempstead, known for its gangs and high crime rate. My first year I got three emails a week telling us to travel in groups because there had been students mugged walking back from parties. The school totes their proximity to NYC as a feature yet sets a time limit on the shuttle that takes you to the nearest train station, saying that after a certain time it's too dangerous for them to come, and if you find yourself stuck there then you better know someone with a car. Even the attendance policy, which varies per major, is insane. If you find yourself in the hospital, or just sick, then you better show up to class with an IV because if you're absent more than 2 times they drop your grade and recommend you drop the class. If I could give this school 0 stars I would. If you're even thinking of attending simply because you didn't get in anywhere else (like the majority of people who go to Hofstra, it's a 'well I didn't get into my top choice but this will do' school), I implore you to look elsewhere. I didn't do well my first semester of freshman year due to my family moving and it being a new environment. As a result I lost my scholarship, but when I tried to explain that I was simply getting used to being alone and not having any family close they told me that it didn't matter and that I could appeal again next year. They rope you in by showing you the gym, which is about the only thing they'll spend money on, and have the student guides, who are paid to lie (I know because I went to the training to be one, but when I was told about the questions to avoid: tuition, do people drink/ do drugs). The dorms are small and packed (they have 4 people to a room the size of a normal dorm, they call it a quad). There's so much to say about why this school is terrible, but I'll leave it at a simple DON'T. Don't go, no matter how appealing it sounds, it's not.

Gillie

To be honest, I was really nervous to head off to school for the first time. Not the 'I wonder what grade I'm going to get on the quiz' nervous, but more like 'this is the biggest decision of my adolescent life and I hope I didn't mess it up' kind of nervous. I knew why I chose my school: a nice scholarship, right location, good program, etc., but suddenly, in the days before heading to school suddenly everything seemed to be in peril: why didn't I just save money by going to a state school? Why did I a University so far from home? What if I didn't like my major anymore then what would I do. Luckily for me, all those fears and nerves were put to sleep when I came to Hofstra. While it's not the school for everyone, so far I've had the best 4 months of my life. The campus is beautiful and just small enough so you always see friendly faces on the way to class, but just large enough so you don't know everyone and their business. Though the surrounding city of Hempstead isn't much by way of a college town, and can be dangerous and different parts, the town next door, Garden City is very beautiful and has plenty of little shops, restaurants, and one of the biggest malls in America. Also, our school is about an hour trip into the city, making New York accessible for fun on weekends or any necessary trips during the week. The one major thing I could complain about in regards to my school is a slight lack of school pride. Since the football team was abolished due to budgetary restrictions sports aren't a huge part of campus life. Because we don't have that united sports atmosphere, there are definitely many people who could be more prideful about our school. Overall, the academics are good with many programs for many different degrees, allowing people to pursue all different interests. I'm so glad I chose Hofstra University where I've met some of the best people and had some of the best moments of my entire life.

Gillie

To be honest, I was really nervous to head off to school for the first time. Not the 'I wonder what grade I'm going to get on the quiz' nervous, but more like 'this is the biggest decision of my adolescent life and I hope I didn't mess it up' kind of nervous. I knew why I chose my school: a nice scholarship, right location, good program, etc., but suddenly, in the days before heading to school suddenly everything seemed to be in peril: why didn't I just save money by going to a state school? Why did I a University so far from home? What if I didn't like my major anymore then what would I do. Luckily for me, all those fears and nerves were put to sleep when I came to Hofstra. While it's not the school for everyone, so far I've had the best 4 months of my life. The campus is beautiful and just small enough so you always see friendly faces on the way to class, but just large enough so you don't know everyone and their business. Though the surrounding city of Hempstead isn't much by way of a college town, and can be dangerous and different parts, the town next door, Garden City is very beautiful and has plenty of little shops, restaurants, and one of the biggest malls in America. Also, our school is about an hour trip into the city, making New York accessible for fun on weekends or any necessary trips during the week. The one major thing I could complain about in regards to my school is a slight lack of school pride. Since the football team was abolished due to budgetary restrictions sports aren't a huge part of campus life. Because we don't have that united sports atmosphere, there are definitely many people who could be more prideful about our school. Overall, the academics are good with many programs for many different degrees, allowing people to pursue all different interests. I'm so glad I chose Hofstra University where I've met some of the best people and had some of the best moments of my entire life.

Jared

Hofstra is gorgeous. The amount of trees and plants on campus really blows your mind. Compared to the most prestigious and beautifully built campuses in the country, Hofstra still beats many out with the suburban feel of its South (academic side) Campus. I would encourage the administration to focus more on improving the aesthetics of the dorms, which in some cases they have, i.e., replace furniture, update HVAC system, light system, redo bathrooms in the high rises, and build more dorms at a more affordable price. People tell me its a good school and a real campus unlike many Long Island colleges, with good job prospects, but way too expensive of a price tag. I spend most time in the Student Center hanging out or on sunny days in Breslin quad inbetween classes. Its a college town in part. It has many restaurants and delis in the area that make-up a Hofstra discount and welcome Hofstra students and a lot of students live in off-campus housing. Overall the town and local village are not welcoming of college students. Its suburbia and they don't want intoxicated, loud messy kids in their area. Hofstra is also located in one of the worst neighborhoods in the county. This neighborhood has a high volume of minorities and a high crime rate. The county police and campus public safety are very good at making students feel safe not only on campus but off it as well. Still security could be improved. Not all the campus is gated. The administration while clearly trying and succeeding in improving Hofstra's status in national rankings and academic quality, Seems more focused on the school's appearance to the educated community than to its student body. It doe snot focus enough on improving dorms or social life. Becoming very anti-greek, not following most colleges in the leave it alone or turn a blind-eye rule. It has no greek housing and very little money for any clubs. The rape scandal brought to light the security flaws of so many non-students on campus and how security measures should be changed. Parking, price and dorm quality are the most frequent complaints of students. The university has not accurately addressed any of these issues over the past ten years.

Tristan

The food is great (there's about a million places to choose from), but get a meal plan because it gets pricey after a while. Still worth it though. Hofstra is the perfect size for me; big enough to have a real university feel to it, but small enough that all my Profs know me by name and face. I do still wish we had a football team :( BUT our basketball and lacrosse games are really fun, and people still have plenty of school pride. Not sure if you can tell, but I LOVE this school haha.

Sheryl

People are always proud and encouraging when I tell them i go to Hofstra, of course those who are not from NY won't know about Hofstra. There is a lot of school pride. I must say even those of us who usually don't care much about the school we go to express pride in our school.

Mike

Hofstra is a great campus. It is beautiful and not that big. Everything you could want can be found within 10 miles of campus. Every chain restaurant you could think of is around campus. Student accounts is horrible because it is worse than the DMV. You wait for a long time because the employees do not do there job the best they can do. As long as you do not have to deal with them the experience is good.

Joe

The best thing about Hofstra is the people here. My friends that I've made are a large group of intelligent and fun people. I am very lucky to have found a large group of intellectuals who also know how to have a good time. As we have grown through the past 3 years we have become very close, and I really appreciate the time we've spent together. I think that Hofstra is the perfect size, because there are a lot of people here, but not too many that you can be completely lost in the crowd. At home people don't know much about Hofstra, so they think it's cool because it's near NYC. Here on Long Island, when I tell people that I go to Hofstra sometimes they seem impressed, sometimes they laugh... As if Hofstra is a joke. That's pretty disappointing.

Nora

i get a good rection when i tell people i go to school at hofstra, im happy that i attend hofstra and im very proud to be from this school

Michael

The best thing about hofstra is that it has a homey feeling to it, the campus is very nice, the teachers and faculty are all very well educated in their fields. You can learn a lot better in a small classroom setting which hofstra can provide with its student to faculty ratio, and that is how you can get acquainted with the teachers at the school, who usually have connections on the outside walls of hofstra and could help you for your future when looking for jobs in the related field anyone is interested in. I feel there is a lot of school pride here especially among the freshman. i spend most of my time in bits and bytes which is a nice food building. I will always remember the good times I had when i was dorming on campus.

Emma

food is overpriced. not too much to do. the school size is comfortable, no over crowded classes. dorm rooms are pretty good.

Kayla

The best this about Hofstra is the amazing faculty. I have enjoyed almost every professor I have had. Our school is a very good size: there is diversity and variation, but you are not lost in the crowd. I wish people in the administration were kinder and more respectful to students. The professors are wonderful, but the administration is often rude. Many people are impressed when they hear that I go to Hofstra, especially now that it is receiving more attention for the presidential debates and for the addition of the Medical school. I spend most of my time on campus in my room. There is no "college town" at Hofstra. I am afraid to walk off campus, especially at night. The most frequent student complaints involve the administration, tuition costs, and food costs and poor quality.

Joe

Good School, good professors and classes. Lacks connection between diverse groups of people. Expensive

Sharon

I wish Hofstra was in a college town. The city it is in, Hempstead, is not the best neighborhood to hang out in, and there isn't much within walking distance. Unless I can find someone to give me a ride somewhere, I'm pretty much stuck on campus. However, I think that being close to the city is better though.

Tammy

Hofstra is a nicely sized private school on Long Island. Its not huge and its not tiny. Its rare to find someone who knows EVERYONE, but its not impossible to know a large percent of the school population. It all depends on how much you're willing to get out there and meet people. The landscaping is gorgeous here, since it is a national arboretum. There are big grassy quads where (when its nice out) you'll find big groups of kids sitting on studying, reading, listening to music, playing games, or just hanging out between classes/avoiding homework! Its like a picture straight out of a college brochure. Hofstra doesnt have the greatest reputation (because of the stereotypes) but its becoming a better school everyday. The one big flaw is that it lacks a college-town. Since it is located in Hempstead, students dont have the opportunity to walk "up-town" and catch a movie, or grab dinner, or do some shopping. Campus is very safe (its a closed campus after 10:30pm) but walking around Hempstead at night isn't the best choice. Although there isn't a college-town, we have NYC! It's only a 30-40 minute train ride away, so that opens the door for sooo many opportunities! Its a fun place to spend the weekend, and allows for many internship opportunities.

Christine

What I love about Hofstra is the great opportunities for my major (Video/Television). Being so close to NYC, there are great internship opportunities, and I got to start with hands-on work in freshman year, which not many schools offer. I like the size of Hofstra: it's big enough to avoid people you don't like but no so big that you get lost all the time. I spend most of my time out and about on campus; I love to be outside when the weather is warm: the campus is gorgeous! One of the things that's a turn-off about Hofstra is the lack of support for sports. I love college sports, but most kids on campus could care less.