Iowa State University

Date: Dec 20 2016
Major: Unknown (This Major's Salary over time)
I am an older, non-degree seeking student who is attending ISU to complete prerequisites for a professional program in the health sciences. If you are one who LOVES science, mathematics, technology, and engineering, Iowa State University is an EXCELLENT choice for many reasons - affordability, aggie funding, campus aesthetic, safety, general "live and let live" attitude among (mostly) politically moderate students, etc. People have commented that there is a lack of an exciting night life or a decent social scene at ISU: dude, you're in the middle of a cornfield in Iowa. Ames is a major aggie town. You want urban culture, night life, and excitement? Apply to major urban universities like NYU, DePaul, or UCLA. Many of the students here are young and brilliant and wholly invested in their work. Wholesome and small-town friendly come to mind as adjectives to describe ISU undergrads; with that said, there are a few rotten apples in the bunch who run their mouths, talk sh*t, and are judgmental. Politically, I would say the student body is moderate to slightly right leaning, but I haven't encountered any real discrimination. Lots of openly LGBT students and Muslim students here. Great school if you really want to be challenged, study hard, and enjoy the more difficult STEM subjects. One big important thing to remember: ISU IS NOT A PARTY SCHOOL! These are small town, hardworking farm kids and bright suburban kids with German last names, some athletes, who are sharply focused on academics. For biology/life science majors, THIS SCHOOL WAS MADE WITH YOU IN MIND - check out the course offerings for biology, microbiology, etc. I can't recommend ISU enough!