Going to college in Alaska (Anchorage, Juneau and: credit, work, home)

[Tiggey]

Well, I'm planning on going to college up in Alaska and, before my parents and I go visit campuses up there, I just wanted to get more information about the state.

We'll be visiting Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage to look at the colleges there, but before I go, I wanna make sure it's the place for me.

Now, I've always enjoyed the cold and I've had family that lived there (Uncle was stationed there, and two of my best friend's aunts lived up there). So I'm not necessarily worried about that. I wanted to get to know a little about each city.

From what I gathered, Fairbanks is a fusion between rural and somewhat urban Alaska, Juneau is only accessed by boat or plane, and Anchorage is the only urban city in Alaska.

I don't know as much as I should know, so I was hoping some nice people will help me out?

Any information would suffice!

Thanks!

[mal_flisk]

You got the gist of it. Fairbanks is coldest in winter and hottest in summer. Juneau is midrange most of the year, but gets more rain in summer. Anchorage is chilly in winter (not frigid) and around 60-80 in summer.

[alaskangirl]

Okay, so I am biased when it comes to colleges in Alaska. First of all, what are you majoring in? If you want to do something with engineering, then it's one of the best; whereas, an English major would do better in another college. Also, make sure that all of your credits will be accredited (they won't all be).
I personally believe that UAF (the one in Fairbanks) is the best one in Alaska, but then again, that's the city I grew up in. I believe it's the largest university there with the best teachers, but I never really looked at the other colleges. In the end, I decided to start going to college in the lower 48 since I wanted to major in English or go to UCLA's film school. But, my husband went to UAF and had a blast. I love the college hockey team by the way.
I only know about Fairbanks and Anchorage as cities because those are the only two that I've been to with colleges (except Barrow, but I wouldn't go there). Anchorage is beautiful. A lot of people moved there bringing their luggage with them (what my friends and I call gang-wannabees). In Fairbanks, there are several groups of people. Those who want to be somewhere else and pretend they are like those on tv (goths, gangsters, and preps). Those who act like they live in the bush. Those who don't care and live thier lives like normal. Fairbanks is fairly conservative, though not everyone is. UAF is definitely like any other College out there. Just talk to the students from each place and ask very forward questions about what you want. If you want something that's like Alaska in the movies, you won't find a village with a college that you'd like. But, I also know that UAF and UAA are connected, so if you want to go to Fairbanks, and don't like it, you can transfer to Anchorage, no problem.

[alaskangirl]

I resent the remark about Fairbanks being somewhat urban. I recently moved to NC and the city has about the same amount of things to do with more fast food chains and no nice restaurants. So, Fairbanks was more fun.

[AKMammabear]

Originally Posted by alaskangirl

I resent the remark about Fairbanks being somewhat urban. I recently moved to NC and the city has about the same amount of things to do with more fast food chains and no nice restaurants. So, Fairbanks was more fun.

Maybe what the sentence meant was that Fairbanks was smaller than Anchorage? Just MHO...

[Tiggey]

Originally Posted by alaskangirl

Okay, so I am biased when it comes to colleges in Alaska. First of all, what are you majoring in? If you want to do something with engineering, then it's one of the best; whereas, an English major would do better in another college. Also, make sure that all of your credits will be accredited (they won't all be).
I personally believe that UAF (the one in Fairbanks) is the best one in Alaska, but then again, that's the city I grew up in. I believe it's the largest university there with the best teachers, but I never really looked at the other colleges. In the end, I decided to start going to college in the lower 48 since I wanted to major in English or go to UCLA's film school. But, my husband went to UAF and had a blast. I love the college hockey team by the way.
I only know about Fairbanks and Anchorage as cities because those are the only two that I've been to with colleges (except Barrow, but I wouldn't go there). Anchorage is beautiful. A lot of people moved there bringing their luggage with them (what my friends and I call gang-wannabees). In Fairbanks, there are several groups of people. Those who want to be somewhere else and pretend they are like those on tv (goths, gangsters, and preps). Those who act like they live in the bush. Those who don't care and live thier lives like normal. Fairbanks is fairly conservative, though not everyone is. UAF is definitely like any other College out there. Just talk to the students from each place and ask very forward questions about what you want. If you want something that's like Alaska in the movies, you won't find a village with a college that you'd like. But, I also know that UAF and UAA are connected, so if you want to go to Fairbanks, and don't like it, you can transfer to Anchorage, no problem.

I was thinking in majoring in Marine Biology. A friend of a friend recommended checking out Alaska, along with a group of other out of state colleges.
As for the groups of people, I get enough of them here, but I don't mind them. In a way, I'm used to them. Somewhat.

I resent the remark about Fairbanks being somewhat urban. I recently moved to NC and the city has about the same amount of things to do with more fast food chains and no nice restaurants. So, Fairbanks was more fun.

I'm sorry if I offended you! It was just in regards to the size and populace of the city compared to Anchorage, like what Akmammabear suggested.

[niceplacetovisit]

Fairbanks IS somewhat urban. We used to call it "squarebanks". I always the people in Anchorage were a bit out there...good grief...they are sane compared to the population in Squarebanks. Hope you decide on UAA!

[Sheeboo]

I went to both UAA and UAF and they are both really amazing schools considering how far off the beaten path of academia they really are. Alaskagirl is right, UAF is the best of the three academically—they are a research I institution (Sea, land, Space grant). UAA is still in some ways a large community college—but, you will still get a decent education. UAF has more of a “college community” than UAA does—both by the way, have one of the highest rates of non-graduates in the country! I guess there is just so much else to do….

Juno might be a good choice if only for the proximity to the sea given your major—but there is always the claustrophobia aspect (can’t drive away).

If you are pretty sure you’ll want to do grad work, I’d pick Fairbanks, simply because you will be at a well respected institution with significantly more opportunity for research as an undergrad that might get you noticed….
Good luck--

[kirstiemarie]

I live in Juneau and have attended University of Alaska Southeast there. The school is VERY small (I attended a community college down south that was twice as big), but the staff are great and the atmosphere is very relaxed and friendly. I believe their biggest draw is for Biology students, but I took all my pre-nursing there and felt like I got a good education. The campus is located on the shores of Auke Lake, and it is quite beautiful.

Yes, Juneau is land/sea locked, but it's beautiful and has a lot of outdoor activities to do. If shopping is your thing, we are about ready to open a Home Depot and Walmart...and Fred Meyer is already here. I know - not a huge deal to anyone from the lower 48, but it gives us just enough convenience without being too urban.

[Jmanstation]

UAF is the place for you. It's the state's flagship university and, as such, attracts top professors especially in the sciences. I went to UAF for two years and had a GREAT time! The only reason I left was due to family reasons.