Review of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Describe your college in three sentences.
This school is almost a guaranteed way of learning everything you need to and more concerning your major, getting a great job with a great starting salary, and meeting new and interesting people. The people are generally all concerned about doing their best and learning everything they can to assist them in their future. Most of the staff share in the interest of their students' futures and are sure to help you to understand and do well, figure out exactly which major/area of study is right for you, and even get through all the new social situations that come along with starting college.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Do not come here thinking it will be easy. This is a tough school that is very serious about learning and preparing for your career. If you have not had a rigorous high school schedule you may not be prepared for what you find here. We do not have a high retention rate because we accept a lot of people who, in the end cannot handle what is expected of them, and transfer to somewhere else. If you are considering attending ask yourself if you are willing to not have a social life and put everything you have into your studies. If the answer to this question is yes, then this may be the school for you!
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
The first year, for many people, is very hard. Those of us that used to a rigorous and extensive schedule think that it is just as hard as high school. But after the first year, things get tough. You are expected to handle a lot more. Your classes get smaller as you are in more courses pertaining to your major but you also may have to take more credit hours to make sure you graduate on time. If you try your hardest and ask for help when needed you are sure to succeed, but if you think it is going to be an easy ride you are sorely mistaken.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
My dorm experience was phenomenal. The dorms are neither elaborate nor luxurious but they are great for a beginning freshman. All of the dorms have been recently updated so they are not dirty or dingy. The rooms are acceptable sizes living in the dorms offers a whole new life style. I met so many people because of living there my freshman year. Everybody hangs out with everybody and there are events you can participate in to meet new people also. You can leave when you want and come back when you want and there are no strict rules about girls or boys in each other's room. It really is the only way to go as a freshman at SDSM&T
Describe the food and dining at your college.
I'm not going to lie, the food is not that great. Or it wasn't this past year, though it isn't horrible either. The Miner's Shack is a great place to get snacks and the dining hall does have good dishes sometimes. The best time to eat there is when there are recruiting events as they make the food a lot better to impress people. There is always pizza, a salad bar, waffles, and cereal available, along with some fruit. You can eat as much as you want and drink as much as you want. The orange juice is AWESOME! And of course there are kitchens in most of the dorms so if you prefer cooking you have that option as well.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Our campus has many events for people to participate in, and the RAs try to put on events as well. The fraternities have parties at the beginning of the year for everybody but after that they are mainly for members, pledges, and friends. Rapid city has a great down town which is really fun to walk around. There are bars if you are of age, a hookah lounge, and the Elk's theater which shows out of theaters but usually not out on DVD movies for much less! Aside from that dorm life is really the most fun as you can hang out with many people and watch movies or play video games. It's not the most exciting campus but if you take advantage of what is offered to you it can give you many unforgettable memories.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Seriously this school is the best bang for the buck. Tuition may be a little more pricey if you are out of state but for the type of starting salary you are looking at it really is nothing. We have a really high placement rate and there is a career fair twice a year where you can get internships and jobs. This really is the best school to go to for science and engineering as we have all the connections of other schools at a lower price.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There are traditions concerning the freshman that amount to a lot of fun but you'll have to join us to find out!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
This school is really for those who are serious about having a good job and making good money in science and engineering. It is not for those who want to party their way through their college experience. I personally believe this is not a place for athletes only because many a time they come because of scholarships and are not prepared for what is expected of them, BUT that being said, if you're first priority is science or engineering but you love playing a sport as well, this could be a good match for you.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are many many clubs on campus that offer lots of entertainment and are a great way to meet people.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
The Greek Life on campus is not our first priority, though there is a place for it. It is not like the Greek Life you see in movies on TV though. There are parties but they are not crazy and big, most of the members are more concerned with doing well in school and will help you if you are falling behind. It really is a great place to meet people if you think it would be right for you.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
I have not every had an experience with our campus safety police but I see them around all the time so they must be doing their job! Our campus is extremely safe. I have never felt uneasy or unsafe and I have walked around at night alone. Though we are right in the down town area of Rapid City our campus i quite separate and it's small too. Not much can go on without someone being around to help so it really is a safe place.
This school is almost a guaranteed way of learning everything you need to and more concerning your major, getting a great job with a great starting salary, and meeting new and interesting people. The people are generally all concerned about doing their best and learning everything they can to assist them in their future. Most of the staff share in the interest of their students' futures and are sure to help you to understand and do well, figure out exactly which major/area of study is right for you, and even get through all the new social situations that come along with starting college.
Do not come here thinking it will be easy. This is a tough school that is very serious about learning and preparing for your career. If you have not had a rigorous high school schedule you may not be prepared for what you find here. We do not have a high retention rate because we accept a lot of people who, in the end cannot handle what is expected of them, and transfer to somewhere else. If you are considering attending ask yourself if you are willing to not have a social life and put everything you have into your studies. If the answer to this question is yes, then this may be the school for you!
The first year, for many people, is very hard. Those of us that used to a rigorous and extensive schedule think that it is just as hard as high school. But after the first year, things get tough. You are expected to handle a lot more. Your classes get smaller as you are in more courses pertaining to your major but you also may have to take more credit hours to make sure you graduate on time. If you try your hardest and ask for help when needed you are sure to succeed, but if you think it is going to be an easy ride you are sorely mistaken.
My dorm experience was phenomenal. The dorms are neither elaborate nor luxurious but they are great for a beginning freshman. All of the dorms have been recently updated so they are not dirty or dingy. The rooms are acceptable sizes living in the dorms offers a whole new life style. I met so many people because of living there my freshman year. Everybody hangs out with everybody and there are events you can participate in to meet new people also. You can leave when you want and come back when you want and there are no strict rules about girls or boys in each other's room. It really is the only way to go as a freshman at SDSM&T
I'm not going to lie, the food is not that great. Or it wasn't this past year, though it isn't horrible either. The Miner's Shack is a great place to get snacks and the dining hall does have good dishes sometimes. The best time to eat there is when there are recruiting events as they make the food a lot better to impress people. There is always pizza, a salad bar, waffles, and cereal available, along with some fruit. You can eat as much as you want and drink as much as you want. The orange juice is AWESOME! And of course there are kitchens in most of the dorms so if you prefer cooking you have that option as well.
Our campus has many events for people to participate in, and the RAs try to put on events as well. The fraternities have parties at the beginning of the year for everybody but after that they are mainly for members, pledges, and friends. Rapid city has a great down town which is really fun to walk around. There are bars if you are of age, a hookah lounge, and the Elk's theater which shows out of theaters but usually not out on DVD movies for much less! Aside from that dorm life is really the most fun as you can hang out with many people and watch movies or play video games. It's not the most exciting campus but if you take advantage of what is offered to you it can give you many unforgettable memories.
Seriously this school is the best bang for the buck. Tuition may be a little more pricey if you are out of state but for the type of starting salary you are looking at it really is nothing. We have a really high placement rate and there is a career fair twice a year where you can get internships and jobs. This really is the best school to go to for science and engineering as we have all the connections of other schools at a lower price.
There are traditions concerning the freshman that amount to a lot of fun but you'll have to join us to find out!
This school is really for those who are serious about having a good job and making good money in science and engineering. It is not for those who want to party their way through their college experience. I personally believe this is not a place for athletes only because many a time they come because of scholarships and are not prepared for what is expected of them, BUT that being said, if you're first priority is science or engineering but you love playing a sport as well, this could be a good match for you.
There are many many clubs on campus that offer lots of entertainment and are a great way to meet people.
The Greek Life on campus is not our first priority, though there is a place for it. It is not like the Greek Life you see in movies on TV though. There are parties but they are not crazy and big, most of the members are more concerned with doing well in school and will help you if you are falling behind. It really is a great place to meet people if you think it would be right for you.
I have not every had an experience with our campus safety police but I see them around all the time so they must be doing their job! Our campus is extremely safe. I have never felt uneasy or unsafe and I have walked around at night alone. Though we are right in the down town area of Rapid City our campus i quite separate and it's small too. Not much can go on without someone being around to help so it really is a safe place.