The University of Arizona

Date: Nov 19 2010
Major: Sociology (This Major's Salary over time)
If you live in the dorms and don't have a car, Tucson is pretty limited as far as things to do. Public transportation sucks (people who ride SunTran are scary, and its not safe after dark. I've seen a fight on one of the busses). Greek row gets old fast, and all of the guys at the frats are creepers. University Blvd and 4th Ave are only fun if you have money (which most college freshman don't) or if you're 21.

Greek life is dominant on campus, and if you're not a part of it, you might feel left out at times, especially if you're a guy, because frats never let "outside" guys into their parties. However, if you're lucky you will make friends off campus to party with them in their houses/apartments.

The dorm I lived in, Coronado, was always patrolled by cops. The presence of cops on campus makes you feel safe, but there is no tolerance for drinking or smoking here. There isn't much crime, so the cops have nothing better to do than hand out MIPS to everyone.

Tucson gets better as you get older. Once I got a car here and moved off campus, I had a much better experience. Tucson has enough things to do if you look (botanical gardens, natural parks, hiking, biking, movies, clubs (though most are 21+), decent malls, plenty of concerts - rock, techno, dubstep, almost everything). Tucson is really great if you're 21 because there are great bars all over (so I hear).

As far as the campus itself, it is beautiful. When I think about how much anything sucks, like the self-absorbed student body or the way the university makes you feel like a number, I look at the sunshine in the sky and the beautiful campus and sometimes that makes up for it.

Classes are interesting, but even when you get into your major (mine is sociology) it is still very impersonal and professors always act too busy.

Overall, my experience here wasn't what I'd hoped for.