The University of South Dakota

Date: Sep 15 2008
Major: English (This Major's Salary over time)
In the last few years the academic programs offered at USD has become quite stringent and challenging. There are very few teaching assistants now and almost every faculty member who does not hold a PHD has been let go. The only exceptions are some very notable writers and researchers. Different departments have different reputations but as an English major I must say that the program is quite challenging and even difficult at times. The majority of my Professors are graduates of Ivy League schools and other notable east coast Universities such as SUNY and CUNY which leads to a very interesting atmosphere since the majority of the students are conservatives who are being taught by some very liberal teachers. The creative output at the school is very low. Original and creative ideas do not go over well and many programs are not flexible at all but require many courses outside of your interests and program. The social life varies from good to downright horrible at times. The Greek scene is massive and pathetic but there is a small-underground band scene brewing that attracts the hipsters and there is a few quirky social activites that can be quite amusing such as adult swim night, a gathering of fans who appreciate animation and club sports that vary from lacrosse, fencing, and ice hockey. The study-abroad options are great and are priced very reasonable. I participated in two of them and spent a few semesters abroad in Europe. All of my classes transferred without a problem and there was never any problem whatsoever with the paperwork. The students are generally friendly but reserved and very hard to get to know. The sports scene is also huge at USD and attracts the worst student-atheletes and of course small-town groupies but overall its possible to have a good (I didn't say great) social life without the greeks or the assletes (not a spelling error). The drinking scene is huge at USD too so keep an eye on your drinks and always bring protection with you since the conservative christian values seem to be forgotten by most of the students after about 11pm. The campus is nice and is currently being renovated with many new buildings and the school is situated in a small town so a car is essential to getting away for the weekends to the nearest city which is Sioux Falls (so be nice to some of the older-non traditional students who commute because chances are they live in the city and will invite you to crash at their place after a night out in the city). To wrap things up here is a recap: Academic wise, its pretty damn good. Social life is weak but improving (but that is probably a generation thing)and the only thing that probably hurts this campus the most? The fact that it is in a rural area in the middle of nowhere and its bad enough that the state is in the middle of nowhere. But on the plus side the city of Sioux Falls is growing and is more than likely to grow to the city limits of Vermillion in about 4081 AD. Other than that; go here for the academics you still have plenty of time to get drunk and get laid after University four years later.