Utah State University (USU)

Utah State University is a large, affordable, research-oriented school that offers over 200 majors and “one hell of an engineering program.� The College of Education is “top notch� as well and there are strong programs in agriculture and business. “General education courses absolutely suck to take� and they “are much too large.� “Stack ‘em deep; teach ‘em cheap,� says a poetic Spanish major. Overall, though, “the academic experience is superb.� “The professors are saints as far as I’m concerned,� declares a civil engineering major. “They are here because they love teaching and seeing their students succeed.� “I’ve had some crummy professors, but only two or three out of 30,� estimates an accounting major. “The good far outweigh the bad.� Administratively, “the registrar’s office could be a little more organized� and there are the typical big school frustrations but USU generally “runs very smoothly.� “The administration’s main focus is on the students,� lauds a speech communication major, “and that is apparent from the amount of effort that they put toward student services and functions.�

“Everyone is pretty laid back and conservative� at USU. Students describe themselves as “studious,� “very motivated to achieve,� and “nothing but welcoming and nice.� There’s a decent-sized contingent of international students on campus but there is “only a small percentage of minority students.� “This is northern Utah,� says a sophomore. “Most of the students are white and Mormon.� The Church of Latter-Day Saints has “a strong influence� here. Scores of students “do not drink, smoke, or have sex before marriage.� “Many are married� already and “have a part-time job.� Some students say that “it’s tough fitting in as a non-Mormon.� Others say that the “the LDS community at USU is very devout but at the same time very accepting.� There are “some overzealous Mormons� who are “pretty nearly intolerant and look down on other faiths,� they say, but “you get those nut jobs with every religion.�

“You can find a club or organization for just about anything� at USU. Sports are reportedly “quite popular.� “Aggie Basketball is huge.� However, other teams are “sickeningly terrible.� There is a smattering of Greek life and there are “parties with a lot of alcohol involved.� However, nobody really comes here for the party scene. This is “Mormonville.� “Dinner and a movie� and a lot of good old-fashioned dating are far more common than drinking. The surrounding town of Logan is “small� and “in the middle of the mountains.� It’s “pretty steep� around here but it’s “an incredibly beautiful and inspiring place to live and learn� and “a great place for the outdoors.� “Everyone goes sledding on Old Main Hill in the winter.� For serious skiers and snowboarders, there is a resort “really close� and “the snow in the canyon is awesome.� “A lot of people miss class after a good snowstorm to hit the slopes,� observes a junior.