About

See what students say:

Academics

Established in 1960, Michigan’s Grand Valley State University is a large public liberal arts university that offers over 90 degrees to more than 21,000 undergraduates across its campuses. The school “has the opportunities that a large university can offer but it feels like a small college.” While the school is “large and full of connections,” the nearly 1,800 faculty members, the “great campus, and [the] nice and new class buildings” help to break the school up into smaller academic communities that let students “build meaningful connections with professors.” Added to that are small class sizes (twenty-six students per class on average), which lend themselves “to a better and more immersive learning experience.” There are also “so many different free resources” for students, including a Writing Center, academic tutoring, “several types of counseling, [and] individual and group tutoring sessions.”

Professors “are extremely knowledgeable in their fields of study, and that shows in lectures and discussions.” Their classes utilize various pedagogical techniques, including “inquiry-based class,” where “traditional lecture time [is] devoted to going over the homework and asking questions about the lecture.” Teachers take students “on field trips to areas in the community to see what [is] learned about in lecture in the real world,” and others utilize “technology to ask practice questions in class to test students' understanding of the material.” Additionally, some “make use of videos to provide a more visual means of learning.” Overall, Grand Valley is “very involved in student life and encourages everyone to get out and get experience.”

Student Body

With this “always kind” group, “you never feel like you can't ask someone for help or guidance when you need it.” The campus has a generally “open and friendly atmosphere,” and due to GVSU’s size “there is a community for everyone.” Plus, the school “works hard to ensure everyone feels like they belong.” That’s good news because students “vary from different ethnic background, cultures, [and] families,” even if some students admit that for the most part this is a “mainly white student body.” Others claim you’ll find “a good mix of conservativism and free thinkers” on campus. Either way, people “are active when not studying in the amazing library,” but most people “don’t party too hard” and “seem to enjoy smaller group settings.” One Lake sums Grand Valley up: “The school is just big enough that we do not have to worry about small school drama where everyone knows everyone, but not so big that I do not see any of the same people each day.”

Campus Life

With more than four hundred student organizations and intramural sports, “student life thrives on campus” and there's “a lot to do always,” particularly when you factor in what nearby Grand Rapids has to offer. Speaking of which, in addition to “lots of internship and volunteer opportunities,” with “a popular and safe city nearby,” students have access to “the full college experience” and can “go downtown and spend time at a local coffee shop [or] at a sports or music event.” On campus, “everything is very updated and modern” and “dorms are nice and a good size for freshmen and upperclassmen.” Generally, students “keep to themselves and study and then get together on the weekends.” Other activities include the “very popular” football games, as well as heading “to the recreational center to exercise or participate in a group class, or [getting] involved with an on-campus club.”

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Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Admissions Receptionist

Address
1 Campus Drive
300 Student Services Building
Allendale, MI 49401

Phone
616-331-2035

Email
go2gvsu@gvsu.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Living Centers
Cook DeVos Center for Health Sciences
Recreation Center and Fieldhouse
Laker Turf Building
Kirkhof Center

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Downtown Grand Rapids
RiverTown Crossings Mall - Grandville
VanAndel Arena
DeVos Place Convention Center
Lake Michigan Beaches

Campus Tours

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
Saturdays and Mondays

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly

Advance Notice
1 week

Contact Email Address for Visit
gvsulakers.cstv.com

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Limitations
Sunday to Thursday nights only

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Gerald R Ford International Airport, Grand Rapids; Amtrak - Grand Rapids; Greyhound Lines - Grand Rapids; The Rapid - campus shuttle and Grand Rapids metro area

Driving Instructions to Campus
Driving instructions from Detroit, Chicago, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids appear on the web www.gvsu.edu/admissions. Select visit Grand Valley Driving instructions

Local Accommodations
Hotel information from nearby to far away appear on the web www.gvsu.edu/admissions. Select visit Grand Valley Hotel information
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Admissions

Applicants: 17,509
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average HS GPA: 3.60





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