USI is the perfect school for me. There is a small town feel, where people actually care and it is still easy to make friends and be accepted, while having thousands around you everyday! The school work is challenging but there are professors who care and will help you if you need them and ask.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Relax your first year. Do not fret too much. Yes, you will have to study, this will be much harder than high school. Will this actually be fun? absolutely! you are studying for something that you WANT TO DO! Remember you are going to have to do core your first two years. So if you have to change your major you should be fine. Also, choose a back up especially if you are a nursing or engineering major. Half the nursing students will drop due to frustration with CHEM 141 or BIO 121. You will struggle. Everyone does. Even the geniuses.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
This all depends on your classes. PED classes like table tennis are easy and great GPA boosters. Pretty much every other class is hard and you have to work your tail off on in. Again, BIO 121 is HARD! Work at it from the beginning and please, what ever class you are in read the chapter BEFORE class. That way you have a head start on the material!
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The real question when you apply is apartment vs. dorm. I chose Dorm first. Though the location is great the meal plan for the dorms is pretty scary. It made me sick most of the time. My room mates and I typically avoid the loft. With the apartment you are further from the library (and Starbucks!!) but you have a kitchen and a bigger living space. The problem is the bus is not on time, so standing out in the cold or walking quite a distance(depending on where you live) may be necessary. Being close to the library will help your grades, but depending on where you live and who you live with (aka choose roomies that will study with you!) the apartments are a better choice
Describe the food and dining at your college.
I really do not like the loft and if you live in the dorms you have to eat there a lot. On the other hand with your munch money I recommend Salsa Rico and Cyclone Salad! Avoid the fatty fried foods and go with some greenery! Salsa Rico has great quesadillas, but be ware of the queso. Cyclone has marvelous salads and great baked potatoes!
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Join a club! Work on campus! Go to the Rec! During welcome week there are hundreds of activities to do that will be advertised all around campus. You can find your club or clubs during the club fair. Or possibly a group of friends during a trip to Starbucks or in one of your classes. Campus jobs are great because they work around your schedule. Everyone need a bit of gym time! Try zumba with Alice! It is one of the most popular groups on campus! Or check a rugby or basketball game! There is always something to do!
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
USI has a good price tag. It is decently priced school. Not to mention you can get a good degree for a good price.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There is a flag football game during welcome week, but you have to know someone who is going to find out the where and when. The Holiday lighting ceremony is always fun (free hot chocolate!). Don't forget each final has a midnight breakfast! Bring a canned good at about 9-12 to the loft during the advertised time and eat, hang, and enjoy then go back and study!
Psuedostarbucks! There is this area in the library on the opposite side from Starbucks that people hang out and study at. If you are in need of some friends find a group of loud friends and say hey!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
As far as I can tell, there is a club for everything. There are different types of religious groups, book groups, singing groups, Greek life, etc. Research before you join. Each group has perks but each has TIME COMMITMENT! Remember why you are here? It is to get a degree! So have fun, but not too much fun!
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Campus security is very vigilant! Use basic caution though. Don't walk home alone after dark, but if you do or are attacked there are tones of blue emergency polls that you can get to and push and security will be there asap! Oh, and if you go out and party, be careful... Go in groups! That is off campus though..
USI is the perfect school for me. There is a small town feel, where people actually care and it is still easy to make friends and be accepted, while having thousands around you everyday! The school work is challenging but there are professors who care and will help you if you need them and ask.
Relax your first year. Do not fret too much. Yes, you will have to study, this will be much harder than high school. Will this actually be fun? absolutely! you are studying for something that you WANT TO DO! Remember you are going to have to do core your first two years. So if you have to change your major you should be fine. Also, choose a back up especially if you are a nursing or engineering major. Half the nursing students will drop due to frustration with CHEM 141 or BIO 121. You will struggle. Everyone does. Even the geniuses.
This all depends on your classes. PED classes like table tennis are easy and great GPA boosters. Pretty much every other class is hard and you have to work your tail off on in. Again, BIO 121 is HARD! Work at it from the beginning and please, what ever class you are in read the chapter BEFORE class. That way you have a head start on the material!
The real question when you apply is apartment vs. dorm. I chose Dorm first. Though the location is great the meal plan for the dorms is pretty scary. It made me sick most of the time. My room mates and I typically avoid the loft. With the apartment you are further from the library (and Starbucks!!) but you have a kitchen and a bigger living space. The problem is the bus is not on time, so standing out in the cold or walking quite a distance(depending on where you live) may be necessary. Being close to the library will help your grades, but depending on where you live and who you live with (aka choose roomies that will study with you!) the apartments are a better choice
I really do not like the loft and if you live in the dorms you have to eat there a lot. On the other hand with your munch money I recommend Salsa Rico and Cyclone Salad! Avoid the fatty fried foods and go with some greenery! Salsa Rico has great quesadillas, but be ware of the queso. Cyclone has marvelous salads and great baked potatoes!
Join a club! Work on campus! Go to the Rec! During welcome week there are hundreds of activities to do that will be advertised all around campus. You can find your club or clubs during the club fair. Or possibly a group of friends during a trip to Starbucks or in one of your classes. Campus jobs are great because they work around your schedule. Everyone need a bit of gym time! Try zumba with Alice! It is one of the most popular groups on campus! Or check a rugby or basketball game! There is always something to do!
USI has a good price tag. It is decently priced school. Not to mention you can get a good degree for a good price.
There is a flag football game during welcome week, but you have to know someone who is going to find out the where and when. The Holiday lighting ceremony is always fun (free hot chocolate!). Don't forget each final has a midnight breakfast! Bring a canned good at about 9-12 to the loft during the advertised time and eat, hang, and enjoy then go back and study! Psuedostarbucks! There is this area in the library on the opposite side from Starbucks that people hang out and study at. If you are in need of some friends find a group of loud friends and say hey!
As far as I can tell, there is a club for everything. There are different types of religious groups, book groups, singing groups, Greek life, etc. Research before you join. Each group has perks but each has TIME COMMITMENT! Remember why you are here? It is to get a degree! So have fun, but not too much fun!
Campus security is very vigilant! Use basic caution though. Don't walk home alone after dark, but if you do or are attacked there are tones of blue emergency polls that you can get to and push and security will be there asap! Oh, and if you go out and party, be careful... Go in groups! That is off campus though..