Appalachian State University

Date: Mar 23 2009
Major: Anthropology (This Major's Salary over time)
I originally came to this school because my parents moved in-state from Florida when I was a bit younger and I had heard it was a good school. Given that it would be much cheaper than going out of state for around the same quality degree for my field, I applied and was accepted straight away. I was young and naive, and assumed I'd be too busy with my studies to worry about the particulars. It was a mistake I highly regret. I'll start by breaking down each factor here that has lead me to leaving after four years.

The town of Boone:

There is absolutely nothing here. Everyone just buys from the liquor store and will crash in dorms and student housing all weekend. This happens every single weekend until the sun rises, and I do mean every weekend and even during the week. Weed is everywhere and you will smell it just driving through some areas. It's not something I'm against, but it's completely out of control. It's extremely redneck here and you will know you are in the stereotypical south. I don't say this as an off-color term. There are times when it's perfectly acceptable to make racist, anti-gay, and sexist remarks. To point them out as such is seen as strange! Giant pickup trucks with confederate flags driven by camo-ridden men with a beer in hand? Typical. The "Southern Hospitality" is also sickeningly frustrating. It's fake and just gives people a way to gossip. Or try to swindle tips from you at diners. If you hold a door open, you get a heartened 'thank you!'-if you don't, almost every 'sweet person' will give a pleasant "Fucking asshole". Such genuine politeness!

It is a wonderful place to be if you like hiking, snowboarding, or mountains. Or if you adore being constantly drunk or stoned (not bar-hopping, because they are in short supply). It's abundant. Otherwise, Wal-Mart is the biggest thing, even larger than the so called "Mall"…and it closes at 9, which should be an indication.

The School:

First and foremost, you must learn that there is ASU and then "The Wataugans", whom see you as beneath them. It is not the case and do not let them fool you. There is a program called the "Living Learning Center" for certain majors and classes (anyone I may add can get into this program). It is on one side of campus a hundred flight of stairs up in the cold. Students live in the same buildings as their classes take place and go to the classes in their pajamas. There are no desks, but rather sofas and comfy chairs that they sit in/sleep in and discuss the relevance of how "Four makes me feel purple". This meets their math requirement. However, if you miss a class you will be penalized severely! I suppose the grade has to be effective somehow. I quickly removed my second major once I realized it was equal to underwater basket weaving.

As for the main university, I suppose I didn't luck out much for that either. Anthropology is seen as a fluff major, and frankly there is little put into it. There is almost zero research or application. Nearly all classes in and outside the field are multiple guess. Your grade depends not on work but how many classes you missed or did not miss. A -required- Anthropology course wasn't offered for a full two years, and then it only had 25 seats available and only at one time!

The staff go back and forth. I have met great teachers here that have helped me through everything. I've even had some teach me outside their field-a history professor helping me with sociology, and a German Language teacher assisting me with French! However there are those too that are completely horrible. I've seen a teacher flat out tell a student her uncle's death would still count as a missed class, but 'It won't really affect you so long as you don't miss again.'?! There are also teachers that will read word-for-word from the book, rendering them useless. It's hit or miss, but I notice that if the teacher is considered a 'hard ass', it actually means they are a better person. You just have to talk to them and work. The "easy A's' professors stink and teach you nothing.

The students:

Most people will say hippies. I agree. While most of the time I'd find this as a plus, it really becomes quite annoying. I'm all for peace and love. What I'm not for is you smoking up outside my door, passing out PETA pamphlets that I already said I didn't want and dissing anyone you disagree with. The problem is that these people aren't hippies, but merely blabbering drones that will make literal drum circles outside your building at 3 AM and then yell at you for being upset over it. How dare you be such a jerk?! Of course, if it's not an extreme hippy, it's a conservative frat/sorority letting you know how much hippies 'totally suck' and passing out bibles/frat pamphlets at the same time in 20 degree weather. That really warms your mood. Then there are the rest of us who are just trying to get through it and realize that we can either get through quickly or transfer out.

Overall:

Visit first! Talk to people of both mindsets. The comments made from negative/positive views are thus far very accurate as to how life is here. If you like it, you'll end up loving it and coming back once you leave. If you dislike it, you're going to end up loathing it every day you're here.