Washington State University

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Students Say - Academics
It's "all about big-school pride in a small-town atmosphere" at Washington State University, a large state school in eastern Washington where students are "challenged and learn in an open and diverse community." For a big school, WSU offers a surprising degree of conviviality. It's the sort of school "where you will run into your professor at the grocery store and you'll stop to chat." "It has all the opportunities of a large research university but it still has that small-town feel," one student explains. A "reputable communications program," a "good business school," and a strong education program are among the top draws here; hospitality, veterinary medicine, and pharmacy studies are also reportedly strong. WSU professors "challenge us daily" but "are available when we're struggling and need extra help." They also point students toward "terrific resources outside of class," including "good books, conferences, and even articles that are related to our degrees that we might find interesting." The administration "works with students, especially on hot[-button] issues, but obviously not everyone can always be accommodated."

Students Say - Campus Life
Washington State "is very much like other universities. Some people party...and some focus on school." While hometown "Pullman has a reputation for partying, especially since some people look around the town and assume there is nothing else to do," most here insist that the school is not a big party school. There are "plenty of other opportunities for fun" on and around campus, including "free movies in the union every weekend, a movie theater, bowling alley, multiple restaurants, and many stores in Pullman." Performing arts, religious groups, school clubs and associations, Greek life, and intercollegiate and intramural sports all occupy prominent places in campus life. One student explains, "Because our school is in a fairly remote part of the state, the school and the various student groups are usually putting on some kind of event every weekend. There's the improv theater group 'Nuthouse,' which costs between nothing and three dollars." Pullman offers lots of outdoor entertainment options, so students "hang out at the river in areas called The Cliffs and The Dunes" and also "ski and snowboard in the winter." Moscow, Idaho, home to the University of Idaho, "is only eight miles away and offers even more opportunities for shopping and dining."

Students Say - Student Body
WSU "is a very large school, so as long as the student puts in some effort they can find a group of people that they fit in with." Undergrads enjoy "great student support systems for multicultural students, women, and the queer population" as well as "resource centers for anyone who wants to seek support in their college experience." The student body includes a mix of kids "from a big city or rural area, and these two backgrounds blend well." All that said, some warn that "There is not a ton of diversity on our campus, but [that's] understandable given the rural location of the university." School officials note, however, that diversity is increasing across the board. Cougars "like to have a good time." So much so that WSU has something of a reputation for "partying it up," but most here insist that "there is plenty of time dedicated to studying" and that only a small minority are "irresponsible." As one student points out, the popular perception is "that the typical student is a partier, but if you look at statistics taken, more than 50 percent of students living on campus chose not to party or drink."

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