Austin Peay State University

Date: Feb 18 2014
Major: Biology (This Major's Salary over time)
I loved Austin Peay, but wouldn't necessarily recommend it. It's a small regional school with a decent reputation, but definite lack of academic rigor. Almost everyone is local- it's 13th grade and it's non-selective. Campus is empty on weekends. I was not a local student and I think it would have been discouraging as an 18 year old, socially speaking. Some students complained of feeling isolated and un-cool. Greek life was one way of breaking into the local cliques. Academically it was adequate. I was prepared for work and graduate school later. Austin Peay was good for ME because I was completely self-sufficient and older (21 when I enrolled). I paid for it myself so financial aid was not an ordeal. I read the catalogs and did all my own academic advising and course selection (it's all spelled out in the catalog). The administration was no problem because I did all my research in advance. Zero surprises or frustrations, and no wasted time. The 100 level classes were a little frustrating because of the immaturity of the student body. All that is weeded out by the 300 level classes. I liked every faculty member I had contact with. Loved most of them. Did well even with those I didn't appreciate as much. All seemed accessible, but I wasn't at all needy. Clarksville is not much of a college town. It's small and closed. I go back there occasionally and still don't like it. Nothing like Nashville! At the time I needed a small, non-intimidating environment to study. I was there to work not to socialize. I thrived. After I took all the required courses outlined in the catalog, I applied for my degree and left. Just that simple. I was able to get decent work right after graduation. Grad school application was no problem. Why would I not recommend it?..It's a very competitive world and no one has heard of Austin Peay