Iowa State is a large university with the small college feel. It has many students but everywhere I go, I see people I know, and that are in my classes. Everyone is very nice and the professors know what they are teaching.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
One thing I would have to tell prospective students is that they will never get bored at ISU! There are uncountable opportunities! Whether looking for clubs, volunteering, greek life, or just someone to study with there is always someone about doing something.
Don't be afraid of big lecture halls! There maybe a few hundred students in each class but if you have a question, raise your hand and the professor will answer it. If you don't get a chance to during class most professors stay after class to answer questions and also have office hours and you can email them too! Most professors also put up their powerpoint slides online so you can access them as well.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
The academic rigor really depends on the professor and what class you are taking. Biology and Chemistry have difficult tests and lots of reading, but other classes like dance and some english classes have less homework levels and easier grading. It all depends on your major and what you enjoy doing!
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Dorm life is all what you get out of it! If you sit in your room with the door closed all day, it is likely that you will live a quiet dorm life on your floor. If all your friends are on the floor below you or above you it is easy to take the stairs and hang out there. The learning communities, and houses are a good way to get to know the people in your hallway! You have meetings and events just to chill out with your neighbors! If you don't like your roommate it is EASY to switch and/or politely ask them to switch! If you know who and where you want to dorm with you have to option to sign up with them and where when signing your forming contract.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The food is delicious! The dining centers spend a lot of time working on different foods and the variety is great! If the dining center is closed then the C-Store will be open and have smoothies, made to order sandwiches, frozen food, and lots of other wonderful random food/refreshments! The Union Drive dorms also have access to Clyde's dining, which is more grill and pizza! It's delicious! So in other words you will never go starving.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
ISU has a wonderful green in front of the Campanile that can be used to play frisbee, football or hang out in the sun, read a book, what ever you wish to use it for. There are always performances going on in the CY auditorium. There is free performances and movies playing in the Memorial Union Building. You can just hang out in your dorm with friends or go out partying. One thing that is Huge at ISU is the football games! Everyone goes and the student section is so much fun! We love supporting our team and singing our school song!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
ISU has a very outgoing greek life! Yell Like Hell is a competition before homecoming that the sororities and fraternities pair up and create a crazy skit with cheers and chants talking about ISU! The performances are on central campus and after making second cuts those pairing get to be painted head to toe in red and yellow paint! It's fun to participate in and entertaining to watch! There is also lawn displays which a Fraternity and their pairing will create this huge stage on their lawn and put on a 10 minute skit for the public or anyone who wants to see it!
There is a tradition about kissing under the campanile. If you kiss someone under the campanile at midnight then you are supposed to be together forever, or something of that nature.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek life is very different then a lot of sororities and fraternities. There are so many fraternities and sororities that the recruitment opportunities really help you find a house that fits you! Each house has their own national philanthropy, meaning that they raise money every semester to give to that charity! They all have beautiful houses, and their are also fraternities and sororities that don't have houses so you can have the family feel but not have to pay house dues or live in house.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
The campus has a super safe feel, and public safety is always driving around if they are needed.
Iowa State is a large university with the small college feel. It has many students but everywhere I go, I see people I know, and that are in my classes. Everyone is very nice and the professors know what they are teaching.
One thing I would have to tell prospective students is that they will never get bored at ISU! There are uncountable opportunities! Whether looking for clubs, volunteering, greek life, or just someone to study with there is always someone about doing something. Don't be afraid of big lecture halls! There maybe a few hundred students in each class but if you have a question, raise your hand and the professor will answer it. If you don't get a chance to during class most professors stay after class to answer questions and also have office hours and you can email them too! Most professors also put up their powerpoint slides online so you can access them as well.
The academic rigor really depends on the professor and what class you are taking. Biology and Chemistry have difficult tests and lots of reading, but other classes like dance and some english classes have less homework levels and easier grading. It all depends on your major and what you enjoy doing!
Dorm life is all what you get out of it! If you sit in your room with the door closed all day, it is likely that you will live a quiet dorm life on your floor. If all your friends are on the floor below you or above you it is easy to take the stairs and hang out there. The learning communities, and houses are a good way to get to know the people in your hallway! You have meetings and events just to chill out with your neighbors! If you don't like your roommate it is EASY to switch and/or politely ask them to switch! If you know who and where you want to dorm with you have to option to sign up with them and where when signing your forming contract.
The food is delicious! The dining centers spend a lot of time working on different foods and the variety is great! If the dining center is closed then the C-Store will be open and have smoothies, made to order sandwiches, frozen food, and lots of other wonderful random food/refreshments! The Union Drive dorms also have access to Clyde's dining, which is more grill and pizza! It's delicious! So in other words you will never go starving.
ISU has a wonderful green in front of the Campanile that can be used to play frisbee, football or hang out in the sun, read a book, what ever you wish to use it for. There are always performances going on in the CY auditorium. There is free performances and movies playing in the Memorial Union Building. You can just hang out in your dorm with friends or go out partying. One thing that is Huge at ISU is the football games! Everyone goes and the student section is so much fun! We love supporting our team and singing our school song!
ISU has a very outgoing greek life! Yell Like Hell is a competition before homecoming that the sororities and fraternities pair up and create a crazy skit with cheers and chants talking about ISU! The performances are on central campus and after making second cuts those pairing get to be painted head to toe in red and yellow paint! It's fun to participate in and entertaining to watch! There is also lawn displays which a Fraternity and their pairing will create this huge stage on their lawn and put on a 10 minute skit for the public or anyone who wants to see it! There is a tradition about kissing under the campanile. If you kiss someone under the campanile at midnight then you are supposed to be together forever, or something of that nature.
Greek life is very different then a lot of sororities and fraternities. There are so many fraternities and sororities that the recruitment opportunities really help you find a house that fits you! Each house has their own national philanthropy, meaning that they raise money every semester to give to that charity! They all have beautiful houses, and their are also fraternities and sororities that don't have houses so you can have the family feel but not have to pay house dues or live in house.
The campus has a super safe feel, and public safety is always driving around if they are needed.