Appalachian State University

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Students Say - Academics
"Truly student-oriented" Appalachian State University amid "the beauty and serenity" of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains is a reasonably large and rapidly growing school with a "small college feel." ASU is a "great value," too, particularly for North Carolina residents. A textbook rental program reduces already low costs even further. "The academics here are tough," says an exercise science major, "but definitely not impossible." There are nearly 100 degree options. Business and music are solid. The education programs are "phenomenal." The faculty is "generally good." Professors are "personable and approachable in and out of the classroom." Some "tend to be a bit wacko, but in a good way." Appalachian "runs rather smoothly" as well. "With a school of this size you have to expect some flaws," but students seem pretty satisfied with the "accessible" and "very visible" administration. The chancellor in particular gets a lot of love. "He knows people by names and regularly meets with groups to find out what improvements can be made," gushes a marketing major.

Students Say - Campus Life
ASU boasts "one hell of an athletic program" and "the student population at large is steeped in school spirit." The football team is "awesome." "Games are a huge event" and people will brag about "the legendary upset against Michigan" for decades. Clubs and organizations proliferate. "Fraternities and sororities are a large part of student life," too. Students outnumber residents in the "tiny," "outdoorsy," "mountain town" that surrounds the campus. "The school practically is the town," explains a sophomore. Local coffee shops are "very, very popular" and they serve as a "big staple in socializing." There is also "an interesting music scene." "There aren't any nightclubs or big party spots," though. Instead, house parties are "frequent." "There is a thriving beer culture" and "there are also a lot of pot smokers." Perhaps the biggest draw at ASU is the "breathtaking" local scenery. "People are very active." On "pleasant days, class attendance dives" and you'll find students "playing Frisbee or just goofing around" "in the grassy areas around campus." "Tons of outdoor activities" are available nearby as well. There's hiking, rock climbing, kayakingâ€"you name it, really. "When it's cold, people go sledding." They also ski and snowboard on the handful of "gorgeous slopes" nearby.

Students Say - Student Body
ASU is overwhelmingly populated by "middle class" North Carolina residents and assorted southerners. "People are nice here." They are "very open and accepting." They are "extremely laidback lovers of the outdoors." "A typical student here would be a ‘mountain man' type person," reckons a sophomore. There are "lots of hippies," too. "Appalachian is the perfect home for the modern day hippie," notes a senior. At the same time, you'll find "a hodgepodge bunch of people" on this campus. There are "party freaks" and "high achieving," "studious people." There's the "frat crowd," the "artsy" crowd, the "environmental fanatics," and a sizeable contingent of tremendously religious students. Ultimately, suggests a senior, "there is not a lot of conformist behavior."

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