Morris is a lovely little college campus in the heart of rural Minnesota. Because it is a University of Minnesota school, I like to think students here get the best of both worlds - the resources one would find to be available at a larger institution along with the small, close knit feel of a private college. To make it even more awesome, the campus-community relationship that you'll find here is unlike any other that I know of.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Stay overnight with a current student. I think this is a general rule for any prospective student who is seriously considering a college. It's a great way to see what college life is like on that particular campus. My overnight experience was one of the main reasons I ended up choosing Morris.
Also, get to know the admissions counselors here. They will remember you. You are more than a face to them, you are a name and someone that they'd love to see on campus as a student in the coming years! Also, many of them are Morris graduates, so they not only have experience at Morris as an employee, but also as a student.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
It depends on the class and the professor. My first semester was extremely easy, but my second semester has been more difficult. I do feel like my high school prepared me extremely well for college, which I think has made a difference in how I view the college course load. However, I am expecting my workload to become more difficult as I move up into upper level classes.
In general, the professors are very approachable and the class sizes are smaller, which I think makes a huge difference in the academic experience here.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
AWESOME. I love the sense of community here at Morris. The Community Advisers (our version of RA's) work hard to bring the floors together and to ensure that first year students have an easy transition. From talking with friends who go to other colleges, Community Advisers are much more involved with their residents here than RA's at other colleges. The dorms are very nice and well taken care of. Also, the furniture is very nice. Other colleges that I've visited have the desks and drawers built into the rooms, but the rooms here have movable furniture which gives you a plethora of options when it comes to arranging your room! The bathrooms are smaller, but the trade of for that is large, spacious lounges and kitchens that are nice meeting places for the floor.
Many people do move off campus after freshman year because it is much cheaper, but there are options for upperclassmen who like the the community that dorm life offers, or simply the convenience of living on campus.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
It depends on the day really. In general, food on the weekends is really iffy. There are some meals that food service has nailed and that are delicious. Other times, the selection leaves many of us wondering what were they thinking?! The desserts are continuously delicious though. :)
Also, as a vegetarian, I think food service does a pretty good job of serving to people with special diets. I can always find something to eat.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Because Morris is in the middle of nowhere, many people get the impression that there is nothing to do here. That is so far from true it is almost laughable. There is ALWAYS something going on on campus whether it be a club meeting, a concert, or a dance.
There are also lots of opportunities to make your own fun here, whether that be staying in and having a movie night with the floor or going out and making a visit to Pomme de Terre.
Also, a car can get you to Alexandria or Willmar in under an hour if you're feeling like a trip to a more populated area for the day.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Private school feel for the public school price.
Because the Morris campus was originally a school for Native Americans, students with Native American blood get free tuition.
Also, there are fantastic scholarship opportunities for those students who exceeded in academics in high school.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Zombie prom. Yeah, we love zombies here.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Students who are open-minded and friendly will thrive here.
I think it is important for me to stress that Morris is not for everyone. It is a fantastic school, but the remote location and small student population is not going to be everyone's cup of tea.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There's always something going on here on campus. There are tons of clubs and activities.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
I always feels safe here. The campus police are on top of their game if something goes wrong but, generally speaking, nothing of concern ever happens.
Morris is a lovely little college campus in the heart of rural Minnesota. Because it is a University of Minnesota school, I like to think students here get the best of both worlds - the resources one would find to be available at a larger institution along with the small, close knit feel of a private college. To make it even more awesome, the campus-community relationship that you'll find here is unlike any other that I know of.
Stay overnight with a current student. I think this is a general rule for any prospective student who is seriously considering a college. It's a great way to see what college life is like on that particular campus. My overnight experience was one of the main reasons I ended up choosing Morris. Also, get to know the admissions counselors here. They will remember you. You are more than a face to them, you are a name and someone that they'd love to see on campus as a student in the coming years! Also, many of them are Morris graduates, so they not only have experience at Morris as an employee, but also as a student.
It depends on the class and the professor. My first semester was extremely easy, but my second semester has been more difficult. I do feel like my high school prepared me extremely well for college, which I think has made a difference in how I view the college course load. However, I am expecting my workload to become more difficult as I move up into upper level classes. In general, the professors are very approachable and the class sizes are smaller, which I think makes a huge difference in the academic experience here.
AWESOME. I love the sense of community here at Morris. The Community Advisers (our version of RA's) work hard to bring the floors together and to ensure that first year students have an easy transition. From talking with friends who go to other colleges, Community Advisers are much more involved with their residents here than RA's at other colleges. The dorms are very nice and well taken care of. Also, the furniture is very nice. Other colleges that I've visited have the desks and drawers built into the rooms, but the rooms here have movable furniture which gives you a plethora of options when it comes to arranging your room! The bathrooms are smaller, but the trade of for that is large, spacious lounges and kitchens that are nice meeting places for the floor. Many people do move off campus after freshman year because it is much cheaper, but there are options for upperclassmen who like the the community that dorm life offers, or simply the convenience of living on campus.
It depends on the day really. In general, food on the weekends is really iffy. There are some meals that food service has nailed and that are delicious. Other times, the selection leaves many of us wondering what were they thinking?! The desserts are continuously delicious though. :) Also, as a vegetarian, I think food service does a pretty good job of serving to people with special diets. I can always find something to eat.
Because Morris is in the middle of nowhere, many people get the impression that there is nothing to do here. That is so far from true it is almost laughable. There is ALWAYS something going on on campus whether it be a club meeting, a concert, or a dance. There are also lots of opportunities to make your own fun here, whether that be staying in and having a movie night with the floor or going out and making a visit to Pomme de Terre. Also, a car can get you to Alexandria or Willmar in under an hour if you're feeling like a trip to a more populated area for the day.
Private school feel for the public school price. Because the Morris campus was originally a school for Native Americans, students with Native American blood get free tuition. Also, there are fantastic scholarship opportunities for those students who exceeded in academics in high school.
Zombie prom. Yeah, we love zombies here.
Students who are open-minded and friendly will thrive here. I think it is important for me to stress that Morris is not for everyone. It is a fantastic school, but the remote location and small student population is not going to be everyone's cup of tea.
There's always something going on here on campus. There are tons of clubs and activities.
I always feels safe here. The campus police are on top of their game if something goes wrong but, generally speaking, nothing of concern ever happens.