UAF has a beautiful campus and a lot to offer its students. The engineering department is very helpful, encouraging, and educational (which is the goal, right?). However, the math department seems to greatly detract from the school, often believed to weed out students.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
If you plan on transferring to UAF after a few years in a different, perhaps closer college, take all of your math first; don't take it at UAF. That's what I did, but I have heard from many how much more difficult it is to take a math course here, especially upper level. Also for transfer students, be sure to compare courses so that you transfer ALL of your credits; UAF is notoriously hard on transfer students. Other than that, in general, be prepared for an extremely cold winter: -30 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit is normal from November to February and maybe even March.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Expect to work your butt off the further you get into your major. Math seems to be exceptionally hard here, as the professors weed out students. Engineering students: expect to not have a life outside of your homework and projects if you want to pass.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I recommend having a roommate, even if you don't think you want one. This allows for you to meet someone new and potentially make a friend with whom you will spend a lot of time. There are showers (not group showers but stalls with doors and latches for privacy) in the bathrooms on every floor, a kitchen, and at least one lounge (depends on what resident hall you're staying in). RAs do their best to create programs, so you should grace them with your presence now and then as encouragement.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Many would suggest that you bring things to cook with, but I honestly believe that the food at the cafeteria is not that bad, although weekend meals are atrocious. It's all you can eat buffet style, but there is also a place where you can order something. There are many places you can eat around campus, too, such as Taco Bell, a grill, and a pizza joint all in the Wood Center. There's a small cafe within walking distance, although that would be charged from out of your pocket.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Spit in -50 degrees and watch it shatter as it hits the ground. Cross country skiing is fun and inexpensive to students if you rent skis at the Outdoor Adventures found in the Wood Center. There is one movie theater in the whole city of Fairbanks, but there is another one on the outskirts of town, if you can stand watching a movie in a barn. Chena Hot Springs is about an hour's drive from Fairbanks and is fun to go to in the winter to feel the extreme differences of temperature and watch your hair freeze. The Ice Park exhibits cool sculptures, literally, and the Pioneer Park offers mechanical engineering porn with its engines and whatnot. On campus, there is a gym of sorts. . . with a rock climbing wall. The Northern Lights are often very visible any time between December and February (about), although you might have to stay up a little late in the cold (or in a warm vehicle) to see them.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Students who like the cold, snow, clouds, nature, diversity, and physical activities will like it here.
UAF has a beautiful campus and a lot to offer its students. The engineering department is very helpful, encouraging, and educational (which is the goal, right?). However, the math department seems to greatly detract from the school, often believed to weed out students.
If you plan on transferring to UAF after a few years in a different, perhaps closer college, take all of your math first; don't take it at UAF. That's what I did, but I have heard from many how much more difficult it is to take a math course here, especially upper level. Also for transfer students, be sure to compare courses so that you transfer ALL of your credits; UAF is notoriously hard on transfer students. Other than that, in general, be prepared for an extremely cold winter: -30 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit is normal from November to February and maybe even March.
Expect to work your butt off the further you get into your major. Math seems to be exceptionally hard here, as the professors weed out students. Engineering students: expect to not have a life outside of your homework and projects if you want to pass.
I recommend having a roommate, even if you don't think you want one. This allows for you to meet someone new and potentially make a friend with whom you will spend a lot of time. There are showers (not group showers but stalls with doors and latches for privacy) in the bathrooms on every floor, a kitchen, and at least one lounge (depends on what resident hall you're staying in). RAs do their best to create programs, so you should grace them with your presence now and then as encouragement.
Many would suggest that you bring things to cook with, but I honestly believe that the food at the cafeteria is not that bad, although weekend meals are atrocious. It's all you can eat buffet style, but there is also a place where you can order something. There are many places you can eat around campus, too, such as Taco Bell, a grill, and a pizza joint all in the Wood Center. There's a small cafe within walking distance, although that would be charged from out of your pocket.
Spit in -50 degrees and watch it shatter as it hits the ground. Cross country skiing is fun and inexpensive to students if you rent skis at the Outdoor Adventures found in the Wood Center. There is one movie theater in the whole city of Fairbanks, but there is another one on the outskirts of town, if you can stand watching a movie in a barn. Chena Hot Springs is about an hour's drive from Fairbanks and is fun to go to in the winter to feel the extreme differences of temperature and watch your hair freeze. The Ice Park exhibits cool sculptures, literally, and the Pioneer Park offers mechanical engineering porn with its engines and whatnot. On campus, there is a gym of sorts. . . with a rock climbing wall. The Northern Lights are often very visible any time between December and February (about), although you might have to stay up a little late in the cold (or in a warm vehicle) to see them.
Students who like the cold, snow, clouds, nature, diversity, and physical activities will like it here.