Great school. Good education for a good price. Lots of school spirit, and a generally good atmosphere.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Uconn is a big school, and potentially intimidating for an incoming freshman. I would request an all freshman dorm. It will help you to make a tight-knit friend group right off the bat. If scope out your own little niche, the transition from your high school to this large university won't be so jarring.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
I'm an English major, and I find that my coursework is challenging, but manageable. As long as you don't completely blow off your reading and studying you'll be fine. I've heard it's different in other major programs. Especially nursing, engineering, actuarial science, and computer science, people tend to have more trouble. But then again, that could have more to do with the nature of the subject. All in all, you should have the resources to do well, since all the professors hold office hours and tutoring is provided in the library free of charge (cha-ching!)
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I've been really lucky with my housing. My rooms were all pretty spacious...spacious being a relative term. They've at least been clean. My dorms also tend to be pretty lively, so if loud music bugs you, ya might wanna opt for a quieter building in East campus or a single sex building (those tend to be lower key for some reason.) But I kinda prefer a high energy atmosphere. The one complaint that I've heard about Uconn (though it hasn't been my experience at all) is that sometimes you'll be put in a double room with more than two roommates. There's a bit of a housing shortage, so I guess they get kinda desperate sometimes. While some people have had problems with this, other's have had it to their advantage. My ex boyfriend lived in a study room with three other guys. It was HUGE, and they decked it out with like three T.V.s and two refrigerators and stuff. They could probably fit like 20 people in their room, and wound up being the social place on their floor. They had to go to the library if they wanted to get anything done or else lock their door, but still it was a fun year. Anyways, it's pretty much luck of the draw when it comes to housing. Answer your preferences survey honestly in the beginning of the year and odds are you'll find yourself in a good fit. OH also, laundry is free now, you just have to bring your own detergent and fabric soften er (if that's your thing). They probs tacked on like $700 onto your tuition for that, so make sure to abuse the privilege with all you've got...kidding (sort of.)
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Uconn has a pretty boss meal plan. I mean, you'll inevitably get sick of the food, but it's generally good and you get free swipes to any dining hall at any time of day. Points can be used to buy (yummier) food from the Student Union and Cafes around campus during late night hours. On weekends you can purchase food with points until... I think 1 a.m.? They always serve pizza, Mexican, chicken wings, salads and paninis and sandwiches. Opt for the 500 point plan, if you can afford it. It's worth it just so you can be obese and stress eat during finals without having to budget all year. the only downside is that all your friends will mooch off you for food at the end of the year once everyone else has spent all their points. But who knows, maybe you can use them as leverage to get personal favors of some sort. ANyways, if you don't want to spend money on the meal plan, your options are kind of limited, since most dorms don't have kitchens. Furthermore, if you don't have a car, it's pretty hard to get to the grocery store. I'd say the nearest one is a good 5 miles off campus. I know there's a bus that goes to a Big-Y or Walmart or something of the sorts, but you'll have to look into it, because I never opted to go that route. Aside from all that, there are a few staple take-out places (Wings Over Storrs, DP dough) that you simply MUST try if you want to be a real UConn student. Other notables include the Dairy Bar, which is an ice cream parlor voted #1 in Connecticut (probably cause it's made out of milk squeezed from our very own UConn cows) and Chuck and Augies, a wannabe upscale restaurant that will accept points from your meal plan. (Can you say cheap date?) Alrighty, I wrote too much for this section already. I really like food. Sue me.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Hmm hmm, okay so this is a point of contention amongst us Uconn huskies. Some people say that there is nothing to do at Uconn, seeing as it is located in the midst of rural, cow land Connecticut. I tend to disagree, and I will tell you why: I feel as though Uconn can easily be as fun as any other school provided that you can make a fun group of friends. Which you will, if you can get out of your comfort zone just a little bit (and that means staying up at school on weekends). If you're into a party scene, you will most certainly experience that at Uconn, however, if you tend not to drink, there are other things to do as well. I am very big on the concerts, for example. We get an outdoor fall, a winter, and a spring concert which tends to be the biggest. Last year Sam Adams, Taking Back Sunday, and Wiz Khalifa headlined in each (though TBS was cancelled due to weather and general lack of interest), but artists varies from year to year. Also, the school organizes Late Night which is a themed gathering every Friday night, in which they provide activities, free stuff, food, and Karaoke (which is pretty hilarious, I highly recommend you check that out at least once. We've got some karaoke celebrities on this campus, let me tell you.) Furthermore, there are school trips, alternative breaks, and travel opportunities you can take advantage of. Sports are huge at Uconn. Tailgates are pretty popular around football season, but basketball is our main squeeze. Mainly because we are boss. I would trash talk some more but we're not exactly in the best place for that at the moment so I will refrain. Anyways, like I said, there are plenty of things to do at UConn. More importantly, though, you should find some cool, open-minded and fun peeps to hang out with. You can sit in your dorm room all day watching soaps and eating noodles from a cup and still have a grand ol time if you're surrounded by a good crowd. I would recommend being open to and experiencing all the types of fun y...
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
In state tuition is really good, especially if you plan to work in Connecticut, as it has a pretty good and rising reputation locally. Not sure what out of state tuition is, but from my prospective, it's a good education, especially the Engingeering, Business and NEAG education schools, so don't let your parents talk you out of it.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Oozeball (a.k.a., mud volleyball) each spring. It's pretty fun, I'd recommend it! Although two years ago I think a few people got carted away for hypothermia...check the weather before you sign up.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
People who want a quality education for a good price. Students that are self-motivated, optimistic, and open-minded. Students that don't mind being a little cold/snowed on sometimes. (Winter can be slightly soul crushing, but if you live in the northeast, you're used to it.)
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
You get out of it what you put into it. I'm on concert committee and have had a lot of fun with it, but you also have to put forth some effort.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I personally don't know too much about Greek life as I do not participate in a coed frat or sorority (except to attend their social gatherings of the dirty crowded basement variety). They do exist, though, and I know some people that love it. If you're interested, check out the rushing programs they have at the start of the semester. They are very vocal. You can't miss 'em (for better or for worse).
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
I always feel pretty safe on campus. There's always a cop breathin down your neck, so I'm never too worried about anything happening to me. There have been fights and stuff, though, and people have gotten hurt. Generally you're safe so long as you don't get belligerent and start something, or else get so drunk that you aren't aware of your surroundings. But then, this is true of all colleges. My uncle bought me some mace, which gives me peace of mind when I'm walking home late at night, but luckily I've never had to use it. Just be sensible and you'll be fine.
Great school. Good education for a good price. Lots of school spirit, and a generally good atmosphere.
Uconn is a big school, and potentially intimidating for an incoming freshman. I would request an all freshman dorm. It will help you to make a tight-knit friend group right off the bat. If scope out your own little niche, the transition from your high school to this large university won't be so jarring.
I'm an English major, and I find that my coursework is challenging, but manageable. As long as you don't completely blow off your reading and studying you'll be fine. I've heard it's different in other major programs. Especially nursing, engineering, actuarial science, and computer science, people tend to have more trouble. But then again, that could have more to do with the nature of the subject. All in all, you should have the resources to do well, since all the professors hold office hours and tutoring is provided in the library free of charge (cha-ching!)
I've been really lucky with my housing. My rooms were all pretty spacious...spacious being a relative term. They've at least been clean. My dorms also tend to be pretty lively, so if loud music bugs you, ya might wanna opt for a quieter building in East campus or a single sex building (those tend to be lower key for some reason.) But I kinda prefer a high energy atmosphere. The one complaint that I've heard about Uconn (though it hasn't been my experience at all) is that sometimes you'll be put in a double room with more than two roommates. There's a bit of a housing shortage, so I guess they get kinda desperate sometimes. While some people have had problems with this, other's have had it to their advantage. My ex boyfriend lived in a study room with three other guys. It was HUGE, and they decked it out with like three T.V.s and two refrigerators and stuff. They could probably fit like 20 people in their room, and wound up being the social place on their floor. They had to go to the library if they wanted to get anything done or else lock their door, but still it was a fun year. Anyways, it's pretty much luck of the draw when it comes to housing. Answer your preferences survey honestly in the beginning of the year and odds are you'll find yourself in a good fit. OH also, laundry is free now, you just have to bring your own detergent and fabric soften er (if that's your thing). They probs tacked on like $700 onto your tuition for that, so make sure to abuse the privilege with all you've got...kidding (sort of.)
Uconn has a pretty boss meal plan. I mean, you'll inevitably get sick of the food, but it's generally good and you get free swipes to any dining hall at any time of day. Points can be used to buy (yummier) food from the Student Union and Cafes around campus during late night hours. On weekends you can purchase food with points until... I think 1 a.m.? They always serve pizza, Mexican, chicken wings, salads and paninis and sandwiches. Opt for the 500 point plan, if you can afford it. It's worth it just so you can be obese and stress eat during finals without having to budget all year. the only downside is that all your friends will mooch off you for food at the end of the year once everyone else has spent all their points. But who knows, maybe you can use them as leverage to get personal favors of some sort. ANyways, if you don't want to spend money on the meal plan, your options are kind of limited, since most dorms don't have kitchens. Furthermore, if you don't have a car, it's pretty hard to get to the grocery store. I'd say the nearest one is a good 5 miles off campus. I know there's a bus that goes to a Big-Y or Walmart or something of the sorts, but you'll have to look into it, because I never opted to go that route. Aside from all that, there are a few staple take-out places (Wings Over Storrs, DP dough) that you simply MUST try if you want to be a real UConn student. Other notables include the Dairy Bar, which is an ice cream parlor voted #1 in Connecticut (probably cause it's made out of milk squeezed from our very own UConn cows) and Chuck and Augies, a wannabe upscale restaurant that will accept points from your meal plan. (Can you say cheap date?) Alrighty, I wrote too much for this section already. I really like food. Sue me.
Hmm hmm, okay so this is a point of contention amongst us Uconn huskies. Some people say that there is nothing to do at Uconn, seeing as it is located in the midst of rural, cow land Connecticut. I tend to disagree, and I will tell you why: I feel as though Uconn can easily be as fun as any other school provided that you can make a fun group of friends. Which you will, if you can get out of your comfort zone just a little bit (and that means staying up at school on weekends). If you're into a party scene, you will most certainly experience that at Uconn, however, if you tend not to drink, there are other things to do as well. I am very big on the concerts, for example. We get an outdoor fall, a winter, and a spring concert which tends to be the biggest. Last year Sam Adams, Taking Back Sunday, and Wiz Khalifa headlined in each (though TBS was cancelled due to weather and general lack of interest), but artists varies from year to year. Also, the school organizes Late Night which is a themed gathering every Friday night, in which they provide activities, free stuff, food, and Karaoke (which is pretty hilarious, I highly recommend you check that out at least once. We've got some karaoke celebrities on this campus, let me tell you.) Furthermore, there are school trips, alternative breaks, and travel opportunities you can take advantage of. Sports are huge at Uconn. Tailgates are pretty popular around football season, but basketball is our main squeeze. Mainly because we are boss. I would trash talk some more but we're not exactly in the best place for that at the moment so I will refrain. Anyways, like I said, there are plenty of things to do at UConn. More importantly, though, you should find some cool, open-minded and fun peeps to hang out with. You can sit in your dorm room all day watching soaps and eating noodles from a cup and still have a grand ol time if you're surrounded by a good crowd. I would recommend being open to and experiencing all the types of fun y...
In state tuition is really good, especially if you plan to work in Connecticut, as it has a pretty good and rising reputation locally. Not sure what out of state tuition is, but from my prospective, it's a good education, especially the Engingeering, Business and NEAG education schools, so don't let your parents talk you out of it.
Oozeball (a.k.a., mud volleyball) each spring. It's pretty fun, I'd recommend it! Although two years ago I think a few people got carted away for hypothermia...check the weather before you sign up.
People who want a quality education for a good price. Students that are self-motivated, optimistic, and open-minded. Students that don't mind being a little cold/snowed on sometimes. (Winter can be slightly soul crushing, but if you live in the northeast, you're used to it.)
You get out of it what you put into it. I'm on concert committee and have had a lot of fun with it, but you also have to put forth some effort.
I personally don't know too much about Greek life as I do not participate in a coed frat or sorority (except to attend their social gatherings of the dirty crowded basement variety). They do exist, though, and I know some people that love it. If you're interested, check out the rushing programs they have at the start of the semester. They are very vocal. You can't miss 'em (for better or for worse).
I always feel pretty safe on campus. There's always a cop breathin down your neck, so I'm never too worried about anything happening to me. There have been fights and stuff, though, and people have gotten hurt. Generally you're safe so long as you don't get belligerent and start something, or else get so drunk that you aren't aware of your surroundings. But then, this is true of all colleges. My uncle bought me some mace, which gives me peace of mind when I'm walking home late at night, but luckily I've never had to use it. Just be sensible and you'll be fine.