Idaho State University Top Questions

It is a great institution for learning. I received my master's degree there, my automotive technicians certification and will receive my automotive collision and refinishing certification.

The school isn't too bad. I love the campus, but not very many people get involved in the activities that the school has to offer. ISU is a great size. Not too big and not too small. I wouldn't consider Pocatello a "college" town. A lot of people say that there isn't much to do in Pocatello. The faculty is very nice and very helpful in class. I haven't had one bad teacher yet.

I like this school, I just wish it was in a different city.

ISU is not small but is not too big either.. You get to meet a lot of people along the way but at the same time you it is easy to be in a small group of close friends. This school is very good academically level, all teachers are really engaged in your personal development as a person and as a professional, but that is not it. It's installations for sports are very nice and in very good state. It is located in Pocatello, Idaho, close to many places you can visit like lava hot springs, Salt lake, Idaho falls, Boise etc.

Idaho State University's campus is a very fun environment. The school is just big enough where you can meet new people in new classes, but not too big where you never see them around campus so I think it's a good mix. We have a lot of school spirit and like to go and cheer at basketball and football games. Also, we have a ton of international students like many from eastern Asia, France and Germany, and from the middle east. It's fun to get to meet people from different parts of the world and learn about their cultures first hand.

One of the top reasons I decided to go to ISU was the class size. It is a perfect fit for those who want more individual attention. While some of the 100 level classes are larger, once you get into the upper division courses, the class size goes down and you start to get to know the people in your major very well. It makes learning easier because you can always find help with familiar faces and the professors. The one thing that I wish would change is our “college town” status. Most people would not consider this town very “college-town” like. However, the current Mayor, Brian Blad, is working hard to break down what he calls the Invisible Wall that separates the university from the community. He has had some success so far, and I expect to see more in the coming years. I think one of the biggest complaints I hear around campus are "They keep raising tuition, the admin doesn't care about us." Reality check: many schools are raising prices, and in comparison ISU has not raised it as much as other private and even public schools have. I am a person that believes that it does cost way to much to get an education, especially in today's world where you have to have one to even get by. However, in the grand scheme of things, ISU hasn't raised tuition as much as some other schools. This problem is not as exclusive as some students think. ISU may not rank as high as some universities, I'll admit. And we most certainly have some problems that must be worked out. And yes, it wouldn't hurt the admin to be a bit more interactive with students. But our academics are are good. If you are going to college to learn, then ISU is a good option. Read my other post for my take on the professors and students.

One of the top reasons I decided to go to ISU was the class size. It is a perfect fit for those who want more individual attention. While some of the 100 level classes are larger, once you get into the under division courses, the class size goes down and you start get to know the people in your major very well. It makes learning easier because you can always find help with familiar faces and the professors. The one thing that I wish would change is our “college town” status. Most people would not consider this town very “college-town” like. However, the current Mayor, Brian Blad, is working hard to break down what he calls the Invisible Wall that separates the university from the community. He has had some success so far, and I expect to see more in the coming years.

Overall ISU was rated 622/650 (http://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list/#p_1_s_arank_ID) by forbes of the top schools across the nation, and sadly the bottom 5{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} is a fitting place for her. With a small school size you'd expect to have more student/faculty interaction but the teachers seem just as absent-minded, the administration just as unresponsive, and the services provided just as low as a huge school with huge student populations. We recently had a change in the schools presidency per the huge dissatisfaction by the faculty, however the scars of the past regime are still visible all around campus. High prices for all services and charges for nearly every service imaginable make it seem like this is more a business than a school. The major issue is unresponsiveness to the students needs and this has been my experience since enrolling in 2008. In light of this in the spirit of Thanksgiving I am greatful for the surrounding community; ISU offers a unique experience to be within 3hrs of anywhere in the Northwest. So if you are into the outdoors this is a great place to be

Idaho State University is great! Like every school, it has its flaws (dealing with the administration can be a nightmare), but on the whole it is wonderful. It's many attributes include a mini on campus Starbucks and Jamba Juice, a movie theatre that is free for students, and a super inexpensive (and often free) health clinic with a kind and caring group of medical professionals (ask for Dr. Solbrig). The gym is very nice. A new work out room that connects to the gym was just completed. It has new equipment (some cardio machines even have cable TV) and the walls are covered in large windows. There is also a very big, extreme indoor rock climbing wall. There are some nice new dorm rooms (in the Rendezvous building) with a very large common study area that connects to several halls of classrooms, the Starbucks, a little store, a grill and other food stations. There are many outdoorsy things to do. Through the outdoor adventure center students can do such things as canoeing, camping, rock climbing, horseback riding and more. It also has a challenge ropes course, where students can climb tall towers and take a ride in the giant swing. The forests and lakes are just a few minutes away from campus, and the weather is wonderful. The summer temperatures get up into the 90's, the fall colors are gorgeous and the campus is beautiful after the first winter snow storm (which usually doesn't yield more than a few feet of snow). But the best thing about this school is definitely the fact that while it is a university, it doesn't have a gigantic campus. Unless you have a class in the gorgeous theatre building on the hill, you will almost certainly be able to walk to all your classes.

ISU in Pocatello has made Pocatello more of a college town, but in Idaho Falls there isn't that feeling so much off campus. On Campus though it is a lot of fun. There is also a lot of work but always a lot of fun. We are working on adding even more classes to the Idaho Falls campus and we are really excited about that. The administration of the Idaho Falls campus and those in Pocatello that I have met are all awesome! I like to work with them and they all have good insight and make you feel comfortable enough to greet them on the street or at the grocery store.