CSU is known as the "Harvard of the West." It is one of the most affordable public universities in Colorado and is nationally renowned for many of its programs as well as research. Also, it is in one of the most beautiful places in the country: Northern Colorado's Front Range!
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
If you can, go to campus and meet with the departments you are interested in. They will provide you with free parking for the day, give you a tour of campus, and let you sit in on any of the classes that are happening. It will really give you a feel for the university and what departments you would fit best in. Remember that they want you to attend their school before any other ones, so don't be shy!
Also, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions about cost of attendance, scholarships and financial aid. If you go to the Student Financial Services office try to talk to the nice lady with black, braided hair: she is extremely friendly and helpful!
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Each academic major will have a "capstone" class in your senior year. It will be difficult, and a lot of work, and it will come with a "capstone project" that will showcase the skills and knowledge you have developed over the last four years.
Many departments and majors are also starting to require real-world experience. Some majors (like mine in Health & Exercise Science) implement this through required practicums. These you register for like a class, but spend most or all of your time in an internship-like experience. Other departments require documented community volunteer service or shadowing hours before you can register for certain classes and graduate.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Many of the dorms are organized into "academic villages" around campus, and you will be put in a dorm with other students from your academic department. The main floors of these villages have dining halls, lounges, and study/meeting areas for individuals or groups to work on homework. These villages develop personalities and you really feel like you are a part of a community when you are living here.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Like I mentioned in Dorm Life, many of the dorm villages have their own dining halls that are open early/late and even all night in some places! There is a huge dining hall in Lory Student Center on the main floor with restaurants like Panda Express, Subway, Hardees and others.
But the very best part is that there is a pub in the basement of Lory. Seriously. If you are at least 21 years old, you can purchase beer from local breweries and buy pizza or other pub food to be delivered to your table as you study. It is the best place ever.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
On campus there are numerous activities. You can go to the fitness center and climb the rock wall, take group fitness classes or rent outdoor equipment for a camping trip. You can join any of the hundreds of student clubs on campus: anything from intramural sports, book clubs, religious groups, to Greek life. The university regularly hosts musical acts throughout the year. Mackelmore did a show my senior year!
Off campus there is even more to do. Fort Collins is renowned for its "bikability" and hiking trails. You can take a bike ride anywhere in the city limits, follow the paved trail all along the Poudre River, or go up any of the dozens of hiking trails in the surrounding foothills. Horsetooth Reservoir is a great place to spend hot summer days swimming, boating, water skiing, and getting a nice tan.
Fort Collins is also known for its microbrewery industry. If you are of age, touring the breweries around town is a lot of fun. The famous New Belgium Brewery is on the east side of town, but I preferred the atmosphere and beer at Odell's.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
If you work hard, get good grades, and develop a portfolio of work/practicum experience, you will have an outstanding resume by the time you graduate. CSU has a great reputation for producing intelligent and skilled professionals, and employers will like to see that you have a degree from here.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
If you are lucky, you might get to witness (or participate) in the annual Undie Run. Mostly involving freshman at the end of their first year, a large group is organized to run across campus in nothing but your underwear once finals week is over.
There is also the Tony Frank's Beard fan club you can join if you learn to love the university president and his beard as much as everyone else does.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
If you love the outdoors, hiking, mountain biking, camping, agriculture, diversity, beer, pizza, and the color green you will like it at CSU. If you are environmentally conscious, a sun-lover, interested in health and fitness, and like Rams you will like it here. If you don't mind constant construction and remodeling, lots of snow, and the huge flock of Canadian geese that land on campus each year, you will do just fine.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Literally anything you are interested in, there is a group for it at CSU. And if not, you can make your own group and will definitely find other people with similar interested.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I wasn't a part of Greek Life, but I can tell you that many of the houses have upstanding reputations in town. They do a lot of community service, host their own scholarships, and provide a really tight-knit family to their members.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
I won't lie to you, it is not safe to be female and alone on campus after dark. There are reports of mugging and sexual assaults on campus every year.
The CSUPD provides 24/7 patrols on campus, and there is the Safe Ride program where you can call a number and get a free ride across campus (and sometimes to locations off campus but close-by) either from the CSUPD or a group of security volunteers. There are free services to help keep you safe, but CSU does not have a good reputation here.
CSU is known as the "Harvard of the West." It is one of the most affordable public universities in Colorado and is nationally renowned for many of its programs as well as research. Also, it is in one of the most beautiful places in the country: Northern Colorado's Front Range!
If you can, go to campus and meet with the departments you are interested in. They will provide you with free parking for the day, give you a tour of campus, and let you sit in on any of the classes that are happening. It will really give you a feel for the university and what departments you would fit best in. Remember that they want you to attend their school before any other ones, so don't be shy! Also, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions about cost of attendance, scholarships and financial aid. If you go to the Student Financial Services office try to talk to the nice lady with black, braided hair: she is extremely friendly and helpful!
Each academic major will have a "capstone" class in your senior year. It will be difficult, and a lot of work, and it will come with a "capstone project" that will showcase the skills and knowledge you have developed over the last four years. Many departments and majors are also starting to require real-world experience. Some majors (like mine in Health & Exercise Science) implement this through required practicums. These you register for like a class, but spend most or all of your time in an internship-like experience. Other departments require documented community volunteer service or shadowing hours before you can register for certain classes and graduate.
Many of the dorms are organized into "academic villages" around campus, and you will be put in a dorm with other students from your academic department. The main floors of these villages have dining halls, lounges, and study/meeting areas for individuals or groups to work on homework. These villages develop personalities and you really feel like you are a part of a community when you are living here.
Like I mentioned in Dorm Life, many of the dorm villages have their own dining halls that are open early/late and even all night in some places! There is a huge dining hall in Lory Student Center on the main floor with restaurants like Panda Express, Subway, Hardees and others. But the very best part is that there is a pub in the basement of Lory. Seriously. If you are at least 21 years old, you can purchase beer from local breweries and buy pizza or other pub food to be delivered to your table as you study. It is the best place ever.
On campus there are numerous activities. You can go to the fitness center and climb the rock wall, take group fitness classes or rent outdoor equipment for a camping trip. You can join any of the hundreds of student clubs on campus: anything from intramural sports, book clubs, religious groups, to Greek life. The university regularly hosts musical acts throughout the year. Mackelmore did a show my senior year! Off campus there is even more to do. Fort Collins is renowned for its "bikability" and hiking trails. You can take a bike ride anywhere in the city limits, follow the paved trail all along the Poudre River, or go up any of the dozens of hiking trails in the surrounding foothills. Horsetooth Reservoir is a great place to spend hot summer days swimming, boating, water skiing, and getting a nice tan. Fort Collins is also known for its microbrewery industry. If you are of age, touring the breweries around town is a lot of fun. The famous New Belgium Brewery is on the east side of town, but I preferred the atmosphere and beer at Odell's.
If you work hard, get good grades, and develop a portfolio of work/practicum experience, you will have an outstanding resume by the time you graduate. CSU has a great reputation for producing intelligent and skilled professionals, and employers will like to see that you have a degree from here.
If you are lucky, you might get to witness (or participate) in the annual Undie Run. Mostly involving freshman at the end of their first year, a large group is organized to run across campus in nothing but your underwear once finals week is over. There is also the Tony Frank's Beard fan club you can join if you learn to love the university president and his beard as much as everyone else does.
If you love the outdoors, hiking, mountain biking, camping, agriculture, diversity, beer, pizza, and the color green you will like it at CSU. If you are environmentally conscious, a sun-lover, interested in health and fitness, and like Rams you will like it here. If you don't mind constant construction and remodeling, lots of snow, and the huge flock of Canadian geese that land on campus each year, you will do just fine.
Literally anything you are interested in, there is a group for it at CSU. And if not, you can make your own group and will definitely find other people with similar interested.
I wasn't a part of Greek Life, but I can tell you that many of the houses have upstanding reputations in town. They do a lot of community service, host their own scholarships, and provide a really tight-knit family to their members.
I won't lie to you, it is not safe to be female and alone on campus after dark. There are reports of mugging and sexual assaults on campus every year. The CSUPD provides 24/7 patrols on campus, and there is the Safe Ride program where you can call a number and get a free ride across campus (and sometimes to locations off campus but close-by) either from the CSUPD or a group of security volunteers. There are free services to help keep you safe, but CSU does not have a good reputation here.