Arizona State Univ. (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe: apartment complex, hotel, jobs)

[scottie]

I post on here pretty often and am trying to make an important decision on college. I live just outside of Columbus, Ohio and will be starting this fall at an Ohio State branch campus (Main campus is getting wayyy too hard to get into, its ridiculous). After one year at a branch, if I keep my grades up I could transfer into main campus but am also seriously considering Arizona State. Im very familiar with Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe as my family and I have spent a few weeks there the past few years. Does anyone have any info on Arizona State that could help me? Is it a good school, what kind of rep does it have, do alot of the alum stay around the Valley? Thanks so much!

[jco]

The school is well-known for some programs more than others. What is your major?

[vegaspilgrim]

I go to ASU, junior year, so hopefully I can help. I would NOT reccomend attending ASU if you are an out-of-state student unless if you are full ride scholarship (the only reason I go there). You'll be paying up the wazoo for out-of-state tuition, almost as much as a private school, and yet you'll be going to a mediocre, underfunded school.

ASU is kind of a cross between a traditional college and a commuter campus. Most people live in the dorms freshmen year and then move out to nearby apartment complexes after that. The school does not have very many activities to do, especially when considering that it is the largest campus in the nation! The extra-curricular activities revolve around two things: drinking, and religion (or both at the same time). Mill Avenue can be fun-- although its activities revolve around drinking-- and more drinking. The campus itself is pretty dead at night. By most people's 2nd, 3rd, 4th, (or even 5th or 6th year), most students create schedules where they only have classes Tuesday and Thursday, and then work the rest of the week in a restaurant and hotel job-- jobs that high school dropouts can do. They spend more time working on their "job" than on their education. What a joke.

Also, the campus is ugly-- with brutalist-style architecture built in the '50s and 60s. Even the brand new dorms look like 1950s era project housing. Very little grass, very little shade. It doesn't even look like a traditional college. Overall, I'd say only come here if you are just dying to live in Phoenix and the desert climate. Don't come here for the school itself.

[rambrush]

I was on Campus last friday discussing things with a friend who works there and he advised buildings are coming down new ones going up. Sounds like they are trying to improve. He said it was like a square mile campus
Currently the whole area is in turmoil with light rail construction going on.

[irwin]

I live near ASU and I will second the advice that ASU seems more like a commuter school then a real university experience. I walk through campus sometimes to visit a friend who is a grad student and it just doesn't seem like there are a lot of people walking around, at least compared to where I went to school. Seems like everyone drives to the school from apartments way off campus. I think its interesting that people don't seem to want to live close to school. The exact opposite of my college experience (Texas and Georgetown).

As far as academics, I know it has a party-school reputation. Some of the "students" I see look like real morons (sleeveless undershirts, baggy shorts, hats turned sideways, tattoos, etc). You don't see people walking around G-town or GW trying to look like K-Fed. But that is probably more a symptom of Phoenix in general. But, there are some good students at ASU as well. I know because my friend is one of them!

Good luck.

[elghoul]

Hi, Guys
Recently accepted in a math/stats PhD program at ASU (Tempe)...would
you be willing to give advice on some near out of campus complex
apartments and some music connections (forums, bands, etc...). I play
blues harmonica and do intend to spend time improving my skills, play
with others and perhaps make some dough on the side...let me know what
you think...http://www.esnips.com/web/elghoul/
your help is greatly appreciated...Thanks.