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Marietta College is a regional destination for students who are "goal-oriented hard workers during the week" but who aren't afraid to "let loose on weekends." The school boasts several high-profile academic offerings, among them a petroleum engineering program that is the largest such program in the eastern U.S. (and the only one of its kind at a liberal arts institution) and the McDonough Leadership Program, which features both curricular components (either a 20-hour minor or a 15-hour certificate program) and co-curricular activities such as internships and study abroad. The school also has a respected sports medicine program. Students in all programs benefit from "a small school that presents a great learning environment" created by "a unique, tight-knit community of diverse students and professors." The "small-town atmosphere" is "also nice," ensuring "the teacher will remember you in class." Upgrades are afoot here, including "a brand-new library opening January 2009 that will create great opportunity in a beautiful structure."

The typical student is Caucasian and upper-middle class at Marietta, where "there is little diversity" in terms of race and "minorities sort of stick together in their own group." Most of the minority presence comes in the form of "a proportionally large population of Asian students, thanks to our exchange program." There is some diversity in terms of point of origin, as "you have students from both rural and urban settings," with students largely drawn from "West Virginia and Ohio, typically Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, and occasionally western Ohio as well." Undergrads here tend to "go to class regularly and are concerned about their grades," and "most are involved in activities on campus, such as clubs, sports, or Greek life."

"The week is about classes, the weekend is about fun" at Marietta. "A lot of people go to the bars on the weekend," as "The town of Marietta is small but has a few stellar nightspots that attract a lot of college students on weekend nights." A "fair amount of drinking happens all through the campus" even though "the governing alcohol policy is quite strict and, if caught, you can face fairly rough punishment." Some just don’t risk it; explains one such student, "Although there is a good portion of students who tend to spend their free time drinking and partying…most students tend to find fun in other activities. If you read the bulletin boards or even simply step outside of your dorm room enough, you will find that there is always something going on at Marietta College: a sporting event, a comedian or musical act sponsored by the College Union Board (CUB), a campus organization meeting, and more." Among intercollegiate sports, baseball is the biggest, “as it always does the best. Rowing does well as well, but does not have as many fans." Intramural sports are also very popular.