The University of Colorado - Boulder

Date: Aug 29 2007
Major: Electrical Engineering (This Major's Salary over time)
I chose CU-Boulder partially because of cost, but also because I grew up just outside of Boulder and really couldn't picture "college" anywhere else.

So far, most of my professors have been excellent teachers. Even the ones that seem to care only for research have been quite helpful so long as you take the time to visit their office hours and ask them questions. Also, my TA's have been incredible. Almost all are very knowledgeable and excellent teachers in their own right. I've yet to run into anyone with an accent that is out of the realm of understanding, although some have required a week or two of patience.

Likewise, the social life is excellent, though it can be easy to get caught up in if you're not careful. This is not a place to live the good Christian life, so stay away if four years of prayer and sobriety is your idea of a good time. The people are generally kind and polite, but not necessarily outgoing, which some people mistake for unfriendliness.

The activities are beyond amazing. Lots of club sports, intramurals, world-class skiing and rock climbing (5.14 routes a 45 minute hike from campus), hiking, mountain biking, the list goes on and on. The rec center also offers cheap introductory classes in several outdoor sports. The only thing missing is a beach.

The one caveat is that a lot of the humanities professors skew to the left politcally and won't let you forget it. I had an English professor that made me want to strangle her pinko-commie neck, and I consider myself to be left-of-center.

Ultimately, it's a big state school, which means no one cares if you slip through the cracks. On the other hand, there are so many opportunities available that it's hard not to take some of them. I suggest the school for anyone that can handle taking a little initiative.