StudentsReview :: Iowa State University - Extra Detail about the Comment
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Iowa State University

How this student rated the school
Educational QualityC- Faculty AccessibilityF
Useful SchoolworkC Excess CompetitionC
Academic SuccessF Creativity/ InnovationD
Individual ValueF University Resource UseF
Campus Aesthetics/ BeautyB FriendlinessF
Campus MaintenanceA Social LifeF
Surrounding CityF Extra CurricularsF
SafetyC
Describes the student body as:
Afraid, Arrogant, Violent

Describes the faculty as:
Arrogant, Condescending, Unhelpful, Self Absorbed

Female
ACT:23
id='quarter' class='snapshot' style='color: #970016; line-height:80px';float:left;
Quite Bright
Lowest Rating
Faculty Accessibility
F
Highest Rating
Campus Maintenance
A
She cares more about Friendliness than the average student.
Date: Jan 21 2013
Major: Genetics (This Major's Salary over time)
Before you choose to set foot at ISU, there are a few things you should know:

The Office of Disabilities as well as School Counselling aren't at all helpful. (Having problems? Get ready to be put on a year + waiting list.) If you have problems that are a bit more advanced or complicated than test anxiety or ADHD, they will not be of any use whatsoever.

If you have any sort of difficulty, expect most of the professors to be fairly unhelpful. Yet there is a point between wanting your students to figure things out themselves, and flat out insulting a student's intellect in front of his peers if he gets confused along the way. (Unprofessional and shameful behavior coming from an educated adult - I have seen better behavior from children.)

Professors will have very limited office hours, and no guarantee they will actually be in their office. In frustration, I have been left waiting for an hour at Bessey just for the chance to talk to one professor for no more than two or so minutes. He never showed up despite rules dictating that they must hold a set amount of office hours. This happens regularly depending on which professor you get, but from others' experience as well… be ready to be frustrated with zero options at your disposal if you ever need further clarification. These people obviously do not want to teach, period.

As far as academics goes, most classes seem to expand on the curriculum of Iowa's high-school classes, making things a bit harder for transfer students. They automatically assume you have a high amount of lab experience in science courses, for example. In my hometown, we never had the opportunity for labs and I only had what would be considered a vague lecture on biology. Assumptions that you have intermediate experience with Apple computers are also troublesome, as most students are PC (less expensive) users.You will be expected to use Apple products on the regular and keep up with graduate students and professors that have had these tools at their disposal for quite some time. There is no time to adjust and adapt to this switch in technology, and you will end up running out of time to finish assignments or slowing down the class progression. Frustrating does not cover it. I have even considered buying a Macbook just to help me with one particular class, unfortunately, such expenses are not an option for every student.

The social life is hit or miss, during class days most students are generally frustrated and unpleasant, and I cannot blame them. Binge drinking is a problem as well as STIs and promiscuity, as with any college. However, parties seem to be restricted to VEISHA week and breaks, as most students are overwhelmed. Clubs are impossible to attend if you are trying to maintain a part-time job as well as attend classes. They will kick you out if you miss a certain amount of meetings, even with a valid excuse (medical, employment, etc.) As far as recreation goes, you have the option of several small gyms scattered around campus (expensive equipment with little variety) and no actual place to sit down comfortably and relax. I spend most of my time in my apartment and with a few relatives, the opportunities are very limited.

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