New Mexico State University

Date: Jun 09 2014
Major: Mechanical Engineering (This Major's Salary over time)
I originally attended NMSU for the

great engineering program

only to find out that it has been going downhill for the past few years. In 2009, the program was ranked #62 in the nation and now in 2014 it is ranked #129, while UNM's engineering program went from #77 to #87 and is now the second best option in New Mexico, while NM Tech is the best.

A good portion of the professors here do not speak fluent English and tend to not comprehend question that you ask them and or give you completely irrelevant information. I know that this isn't necessarily their fault, but if you want to have a strong understanding of the material, you're most likely going to have to teach yourself most of it, and I don't mean the daily studying that is recommended by teachers, I mean actually teach yourself stuff. This was a huge complaint by many students, especially in the math department.

To the people who complained about the university discriminating against white people, you're absolutely right. As a Hispanic male, I definitely experienced this as I received more positive attention from professors and faculty, even when my "white boy" friends were smarter than me. Why am I complaining? I want to actually feel like I accomplished something that I worked for rather than be praised by the color of my skin. Unless you're Hispanic and or a popular, pretty girl in a sorority, you're going to have a bad time.

This university doesn't have their priorities straight. Millions of dollars are thrown away to historically failing athletic departments while STEM equipment rusts away in laboratories.

School-related material aside. If you're not into heavy drinking, smoking or partying, good luck making friends. I've been made fun of so many times for being a "lightweight" and many students still have their immature and entitled attitude as if they are still in high school. Most students here also don't care too much about their education or direction in life for that matter. Of course, there are those handful that actually do, but don't expect it often. It's a wonder why they can't get out of Las Cruces!

Las Cruces is a terrible place. The town seems very dirty and there's absolutely nothing to do, unless, again, you're a huge partier. If you want a bigger selection, you'll have to drive 45 minutes south to El Paso, and even there there's not much to do. If you really want to do anything, drive up north to Albuquerque.

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this school to anyone. If you can afford to go anywhere else, I would recommend that. I will be transferring up to UNM to finish my college career and hope it isn't Hell like it was here!