Arizona State University - Tempe

I am an out-of-state student from Atlanta, Georgia. I applied to University of Alabama, University of Mississippi, Georgia Southern University, and Arizona State University. I was accepted into all of these schools yet I chose Arizona State because of my desire to change environments (Southeast to Southwest). As soon as I arrived in Tempe, I realized just exactly what I was in for.

First off, the students. ASU is comprised of kids from mostly rich, suburban areas in California, Wisconsin, New Jersey, and every other state where its really cold. Most of the students picked ASU because of the climate, not the academics. That says a lot about the population at ASU. Every ASU student cuts off the sleeves of their shirts, wears gel in their hair, talks about how much their cars are back at home (that their daddy's bought them for their 18th b-day), and most agree that ASU is "the number one party school in the nation." The majority of ASU students say "brah," "hella," and "gnarly." If Spiccoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High graduated, his first choice would be ASU. The girls here bring nothing to the table except fake boobs, a slur of make-up, and a blowjob. Trying to find something to build a conversation on with one of these girls is like trying to play a jazz concert with Bob Dole. I had a girl ask me last week, completely serious, "Is Georgia in Atlanta, or is Atlanta in Georgia?"

The most plastic and unintelligent douche-bags who dominated high school flock to Arizona State. The ridiculously hot girls came to ASU just to be wooed by guys who wear almost (if not more) makeup and have almost (if not less) of a brain.

The social life at ASU is pathetic. Where do I even start? The fraternity houses are 1 story pieces of shit that are disgusting. If you decide to go to one of these lame frat party's, expect to stand outside with about 70 other people who are trying to get in. They literally have a list that you have to be on in order to get in. If you don't want to wait on the list, you can always bring 9 girls with you to be allowed in. However, after you bring the 9 girls, don't be surprised if Joe Frat comes up to you and asks you to leave. Hell let the ladies stay.

Want to drink at the bars? Think again. The bars in Tempe are incredibly strict. I've seen on a number of occasions, people who are visibly well over 21, getting their ID's scanned, shined with a black light, and shown to Tempe police before being let in. This is across the board with any store that sells alcohol in the Phoenix/Mesa area. Well drinking is hard to do, what about smoking a little pot?

Nope. In Arizona, possession of marijuana is a FELONY. Thats right, if you and your friends are caught smoking a joint, expect to spend close to 5 days in jail, pay upwards of 5000 dollars in fines, and never have the ability to work a job that makes more than 20,000 dollars a year. This isn't your typical west-coast relaxed marijuana policy that you might find at UCSB or University of Colorado.

Arizona also has a huge influx of meth-addicts. If you go anywhere in downtown Tempe (Mill Ave.) expect to be hassled by several meth heads for change. Theyre really pleasant when youre walking home alone at night.

Academics?

The Academics at ASU are a joke. Most of the classes at ASU are hybrid courses which means that you will have several assignments and tests online. When not dealing with a shitty wireless internet connection EVERYWHERE on campus, have fun trying to pay attention in a class of 300-500 students. The departments at ASU are mediocre with exception to the Journalism school and the Industrial Design school.

The most repulsive trait that ASU has is their admissions policy. The current headmaster at ASU has decided to let 95% of applicants in to the university. This is higher than any other major university in the country. His idea is to let everyone into the university, but make it hard to actually stay enrolled in the university. You have a 2 year grace period to earn the grades you need to transfer into the college of your choice or you get the boot. Due to this policy, the population at ASU has skyrocketed to 60,000 students. Showing an employer an ASU degree is equivalent to showing them a GED. Everyone gets into ASU so in the employer's mind, they have to be thinking…

An ASU degree, who DOESN'T have an ASU degree?

It costs a shit load of money to come here too. (16-18,000 dollars per semester for freshman students without an academic/sports scholarship.)

I am from the southeast and I am telling EVERYONE who lives in the southeast to not come to this school. It is completely different and you will spend a week trying to figure out what some of these kids are even saying. You will also need to start spending all of your money on different hair products, Abercrombie & Fitch cologne, and a spray-tan membership. You might want to pick up a sickin' new skateboard and a hella good pair of oakleys to wear inside and at night.

If you want to spend the best years of your life with Jessica Simpson and the guy from "My New Haircut" ( then ASU is YOUR school.

If you know what a college town is (Amherst, Athens, Charleston, Charlottesville, Boulder etc.), you care more about your future than your new iPhone, and you want to meet people who have a general understanding and passion for something other than whats going on in the newest season of The OC, then look elsewhere, Brah.

I am transferring at the end of the semester back to Georgia. The only good thing that has happened so far at this school was watching the Sun Devils get shit on by the Georgia Bulldogs back in late September. Go Dawgs!