Arizona State University - Tempe

Date: Mar 09 2007
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
I have recently spent my last semester at ASU after 4 wonderful years. I'd reccomend this school for anybody and often have.

I came all the way from Virginia and am now looking for a career in Arizona so that I may call it my permanent home.

I had never visited the school before the first day of orientation but have not doubted the decision once. The atmosphere at the school promotes a laid back collegiate experience. Honestly, you can get your degree anywhere and unless it's ivy league no one really cares. go have fun for four years and still get an education. spend it in the warmth and sunshine surrounded by fantastic people.

It's a big school absolutely but never did I feel like a number. Every day walking down Palm Walk I would stop at least 3 times saying hi to friends or people I knew along the way. And I am by no means some super social kid. It is just easy to get to know people there, most everyone no matter their personal status ( as there are a lot of obviously wealthy people who go here ) are affable to an extreme degree.

The educational quality has been consistently rising as funds are recycled into the school.

Tempe can't be beat for a college town, but add on to it the SHORT drive to Scottsdale or Phoenix or even Mesa (where I lived for my last year and a half). All are beautiful areas, and have great social aspects.

Speaking of the social aspects, they are really unrivaled. I was a fairly anti-social kid in highschool but have done a 180 in four years. Its not just the Greeks that go big ( get past the stereotypes and consider joining one - fantastic decision ). Tons of other student clubs are well known for their dedication to having a good time. No matter what your current social status is, don't thing that at ASU you won't be able to find similar peers with similar interests. One of the great advantages of such a big school. Even if you don't do clubs or greek there is still almost no way you can't land yourself into a good time unless you can't find the door leading out of your place. couple other points- everything you need is right there. I lived on campus for first two years without a car, never had an issue.

Like at every big school, parking sucks, and the people working for them get off on writing you up.

Beginning classes can be huge but after you decide upon a paticular set of studies you will grow with the same set of people in ever shrinking classes. Sit up front and introduce yourself to a professor and class size won't matter. Professors love the students who talk to them and go out of their way to give them good grades, anyone who complains about class size is just lazy.

don't stress out over where you are going to go to school and then get into some prestigious university where you will scratch your eyes out from the stress. Personal example:

I went to ASU. Loved every second and was never stressed. Did a lot of networking just by attending class and having a good time. Still got a great practical education. Worked contacts and school resources when I graduated ( many that I met at bars or parents of friends ) and now have a great job out of college.

Friend went to University of Virgina. Fun school at times but the work load often piles up. She was often stressed out and doubted her decision to attend that school to have that name up on her wall. She was in the same program I was but doesn't have much lined up still.

Just my own personal example and certainly doesn't apply across the board.

Bottom line: Go here, you'll love it and wish you could make a 4 year experience a 10 year one.