Appalachian State University or ETSU (Johnson City: how much, schools, living in)

[conleysd]

I am posting this in both the Tennesee and North Carolina forums. I am curious about your experiences at either university. I have narrowed it down to these two for grad school. Overall, we would like eclectic town. We will be visiting both schools,but wondered about personal experience with either school or the towns themselves. Also, what is the driving distance between the two? Thanks!

[jchometeam]

What college (Arts & Science, Nursing, Medical, etc.) at ETSU are you going to? Your experience and my response will largely depend on this

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by conleysd

I am posting this in both the Tennesee and North Carolina forums. I am curious about your experiences at either university. I have narrowed it down to these two for grad school. Overall, we would like eclectic town. We will be visiting both schools,but wondered about personal experience with either school or the towns themselves. Also, what is the driving distance between the two? Thanks!

ASU is a great school and undeniably eclectic! My son graduated from there and loved the entire experience AND living in Boone! I guess it would depend on what your desired grad degree would be and who your professors might be. My son has retained ties with several brillant professors who helped shape who he is today.

Boone's about a half-hour to Mtn City and from there 45 mins + to JC.

[conleysd]

I am going for my Master's in English.

[rccrain]

For education, I'd go with ETSU for the value - this is a cost to quality evaluation.

For campus experience, ASU, easily. ASU's culture, athletics, and aesthetics are far better than ETSU's.

[jabogitlu]

I don't know what ASU's tuition is, but you're going to be out of state (for tuition purposes) at either school, right? I would definitely visit both. Johnson City is quite a bit larger, but ASU and ETSU are roughly the same, give or take a couple thousand students. That provides a much more heavy mixture of students and professors in Boone.

Boone is also a much nicer city. There seems to be a good amount of planning in its development, and Johnson City has roughly zero planning going on. Also, Boone is IN the mountains, whereas in JC you can see the mountains. Boone is probably more eclectic than Johnson City overall, but JC does have very strong pockets of eclecticism.

As far as academics, I'm not sure in English :/ I know that Boone's anthropology and sociology departments seem quite strong, and usually when those are, English is as well...

[jchometeam]

The English Department is solid and has a good reputation at ETSU. Academic wise I am sure you will be happy with ETSU and their English faculty.

As for the city itself, it totally depends on your tastes. Many on this board do not like the layout/feel of the city. On the other hand, many love exactly what the other's hate, so it depends on personal preference. Like another poster pointed out, it also depends on whether you like living in the mountains, or having mountain views (and how much snow you like to receive).

[Beretta]

I don't think you can go wrong with either campus. Go visit and see what feels right.

[tonypitt]

You might want to factor weather into your evaluation as well, especially if you'll be commuting. Weather is colder at ASU in the winter, and there will be more snow to contend with.

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by tonypitt

You might want to factor weather into your evaluation as well, especially if you'll be commuting. Weather is colder at ASU in the winter, and there will be more snow to contend with.

Ah, Yes!! So true.. When my son was there and called us in Mtn City, the temps were generally at least 10 degrees colder than MC - only 30 mins away - plus there was more wind. If you dislike frigid winter weather, Boone's climate may be a determining factor.