University of Missouri-Columbia Top Questions

My classmates are spirited and love spending time with their friends.

My classmates are fun and interesting people who are fun to be around and have a wide variety of interests and backgrounds.

The classmates that I have here at the University of Missouri are upbeat, motivated, caring people that are quick to befriend you and the first to help you out when you need a hand.

My classmates are open-minded, caring individuals ready to help anyone with any problem.

My classmates are all very different. Some come in sweatpants and a Tee while others will come dressed up in jeans and a sweater. They are typically entertaining, but unwilling to talk in some class discussions. They work together to study for tests and prepare for finals.

Most people are friendly, attractive, and fairly wealthy.

They can be outgoing, interactive in class, have an open mind about learning new things, and different ways of thinking about everyday things.

Classmates are outgoing, nice, and very social.

Usually the people in the back of the lecture halls are going to talk, so if you want to pay attention, sit in front. People are generally considerate during class, but some spend the entire time texting or playing on their computers.

My classmates are self centered

MU is largely white, middle-upper socio-economic status, and Christian. This is obviously comfortable for the majority of students that fit this description. For those that don't it can be a struggle. Religion is the demographic I do not fit into, and Christianity is in your face a lot at MU. At speaker's circle there are always people preaching how the entire student body is going to hell, which at times is funny and at other times can get to you. Many students are active in their faith and don't hide it. Along with the Christianity comes conservatism. The campus feels evenly split on conservatives/liberals and some vocal political minorities on the edges. MU has a wonderful place on campus that is collectively known as "upstairs Brady", which refers to the Women's Center, Rape Education Office, and LGBTQ office. These are safe spaces that promote an accepting, safe, healthy, equal, and all around more harmonious campus. These are great sources of information, good people, and resources. I can't pretend to know what it's like to be a non-white, non-male, non-hetero person on campus. I can't imagine it would be easy, and it is mid-Missouri where lots of people from rural areas who know little diversity come to exist. I have met people at MU that have never met an atheist and others who claim they have never known a gay person. My Japanese roommate freshman year (who has spent his entire life in St. Louis) had his share of times being frustrated with assholes who would constantly ask what kind of Asian he was (he would say they just were curious, not purposely invoking anger). Again, there are tons of student groups on campus for every minority, a wonderful International Student Center, and a greater Columbia community that is very liberal and very active. I have many friends at MU that qualify as a minority and love the school, the city, and have very supportive friends and peers.

Lots of slutty girls and guys who are into material shit and have no personality whatsoever.

Determined and bound for success

Frat-tastic, athletic, hippie, nice, open-minded, fun, out-going, intelligent, and very interesting. :)

The students here are diverse in every sense of the word: race, goals, financial status, athletics, etc.

In general, my classmates are career focus and good people.

I have mixed thoughts about the minority organizations on campus. I think that they approach some issues well and some issues not so well. Regardless, it is nice for Mizzou to have such an active and diverse minority community which tries to reach out to anyone who might not initially feel very comfortable at the University for whatever reason. I feel like they are able to help successfully transition students who might otherwise not stay at the University. Students wear a variety of clothing to class, however, regardless of the particular style, everything tends to be very casual. Most Mizzou students are from the state of Missouri. Most Mizzou students come from the middle to upper middle class. Mizzou students are perhaps a little more politically aware than their peers. I find that they tend to lean slightly left, but it's certainly not Berkeley.

Most students are from Missouri. The student body is less liberal than the city of Columbia as a whole. I would say the students are mostly liberal, but more in a libertarian way than a feminist or socialist way. The school, as far as I know, is not hostile towards LGBT students and students of different religions and races. However, the student body is not extremely diverse. There are a number of political student groups on campus. Interesting mix of idealism and cynicism within the student body. The materialistic attitudes are rather excessive.

I don't necessarily get to interact with many different groups on campus, although I encounter them everyday! The diverse groups within Mizzou are just like everyone else...there is good and bad out there of everyone, not just a specific group of people! Many different students interact though on a daily basis because of the different organizations they're involved in and the classes they take together! I don't think there is any student that would feel out of place other than those who aren't willing to work for the education. Most students wear very comfy clothes. Many people wear Mizzou insignia, jeans, t-shirts, hoodies, and hats. I do feel like a majority of the students are from St. Louis or they are international students! Many of the students seem to come from very wealthy families and they are used to having their parents pay for everything!

Mizzou is more diverse than the burbs of St. Louis, but it isn't as diverse than I want it to be. The minority population is lacking, however the amount of people from "the country" is large. Most MU students are from St. Louis, then Chicago, and then KC. Lots of people here are surprisingly from TX. MU isn't as politically aware, as say UC Berkeley, but the amount of groups (College Republicans and Democrats) indicates at least a moderate involvement in politics. Again, this is Mid-Missouri, so most students and people from Columbia will me right. I don't talk about how much I'll earn one day (maybe other people do).

I feel that there is a good mix of ethnicity on the campus. I feel that everyone interacts with each other and most people fit in.

Campus is so relaxed and there are so many groups to choose from you really get to feel like yourself. I can't think of any type of club or organization Mizzou doesn't have. Theres club sports, even a rowing team, there's political groups, environmental groups and just for fun groups. Everyone is very approachable and I have never noticed anyone being pushed away for any social/economic reasons. Everyone knows what majors will make money and what won't, so its not an issue, we all just laugh that none of the J-school kids will make any money.

Our campus is open, but never open enough. The racial, religious, sexual orientation groups and others are very visible and are getting alot of great things accomplished on campus. Minority students may feel out of place,there aren't alot of minority students on campus. Students wear jeans and Mizzou sweatshirts. Lots of sweatpants. Orgnizations are mainly how individuals from different social groups interact and work together. Most Mizzou students are admittedly from Missouri. Political affiliations are very polarized on campus.

If you do not wear MIZZOU clothing to and from class, then you will be the odd ball out! Most Mizzou students are from Texas, Chicago, Kansas City, Chicago, and St. Louis.

I find that all the groups on campus interact really well and have fun together. I am part of SPA and it is a really great group of people! Most students- and i'm stereotyping here hard core- wear North face fleece, Uug boots (ugggg!) and a not pink PINK brand of sweat pants. I think it is so ugly! Get some fashion sense and don't follow the crowd- they are wrong!

I think that Mizzou has many different groups to get involved in. While I do not have that much time to get that involved in many of them, I am glad that they are offered and I wish I had more time to get involved.

I really havent had many experiences with these groups on campus. I dont think that any student would feel out of place at mizzou. This college seems very diverse and welcoming to every ethnicity, race and gender. Everyone should feel at home upon coming to mizzou. Most students usually wear semi formal clothes to class. I go out of my way to look presentable in case I meet a hot girl or something like that. I never go to class without showering and I think that can be said for a lot of students, however I have seen my fair share of grossness in the classroom. I've seen people with shirts stained with beer and drinks from the night before. I'd say yes, that different types of students interact. Like they always say, opposites attract! at the first table we see a big group of 8 sorority freshman girls all decked out in their respective sorority stuff. at the next one we see one guy eating by himself. I see a lot of stag dining hall people every now and again. at the 3rd table we see a table for 2 of a guy and his lady. The guy is talking about sports and the girl is freaking out about tests. This is common. And the last table theres a table with a bunch of guys who clearly met in the dorms. They all came together and no ones really saying anything. Kinda awkward, but isnt that how all friendships start?? Most mizzou students are from either Kansas City or St Louis. No doubt. It seems that most students are financially stable. You dont see too many rich preps or homeless people. YES. good god. I see way too many people around campus wearing their respective presidential candidate on their shirt. I'm politically apathetic so I could care less, but to someone who has a strong opinion about someone, I'm sure they have a big problem with this. Yea, I dont really know which way they are, but I'll just guess left. Students dont really talk about earnings. I think most students just want to get a job so they can get some income.

-I do not have to many racial experiences, I love in a very white house. Religiously very diverse, very heterosexual, and economically middle and upper class. -Latino students and out of state students feel out of place since it is heavy Missouri and hardly any truly Latino population. -Most students wear sweats and relaxing clothing. -No Mizzou is very segregated like high school in the same clique-like groups. -One table is the greeks, one is the racial minority group, one is nerdy guys and/or girls, and another is the down to earth people who are actually mature. -Most students are from STL and then all over the state. -I think Mizzou is a middle to lower middle class school. -Students are semi active politically, more left. -Future salaries are considered and thought of for sure.

Most MU students are from Missouri, followed closely by Illinois and other bordering states. The J-School attracts the most geographically diverse group of students. The majority of the students are white and middle-class. There is also a significant portion of students from rural areas. I used to joke that Mizzou was very diverse - we had all kinds of white people. There are rich white people and poor white people and white people from cities and white people from the country - and well, you get the picture. I'm trying to be funny, but the truth is that the school is not very diverse, and in some circles, not particularly inclusive. There was a pretty big controversy when I was there (2000-2004) about the ratio of white to black students. There were some issues regarding equal representation in various majors, social groups and campus life. On the positive side, there is a Women's Center, an active LGBT group as well as a Black Students' Union and a Black Culture Center on campus. I'm not confident if there have been any significant changes in the diversity on campus since I was a student. Increasing the diversity at the school did not appear to be a priority of the administration at the time. Listen, major state schools like Mizzou reflect the state population they serve. The diversity at the University may very well not be related to any policy or decision of the administration. I think that any minority student considering Mizzou should evaluate seriously whether or not the school is a good fit.

There is a lot of unfair stereotyping going on because of the limited background a lot of students come from. However, there are so many resources and outlets on campus and off for students to express them selves through.

Mizzou is really encouraging of all types of people. There are so many student organizations geared toward acceptance and different groups of people. I will say though, that the Greek community is primarily made up of white kids. I don't think any student could feel out of place at Mizzou. There's a spot for everyone to fit in. Most students wear t shirts and sweat pants to class. It's very casual! Of course there some who dress up, but those people are kind of made fun of. I'd say Mizzou is very diverse. There's really no one type or kind.

I think depending on how you push yourself you can interact with people from diff backgrounds-- dorms can at times mix people up or isolate people with the same qualities.... Racially id say that it is a very white school and religiously it is mostly christian two things that could use more evening out.... I'd also say because its in the middle of the country there is a large agricultural population as well

1. They all work very hard and you always hear about their activities. They do a lot of promoting. 2. A very quiet person, not wanting to meet people or open to others ideas. 3. Mizzou shirts, and jeans or sweat pants. 4. You see many different types of students interacting, but you also see those who don't interact with anyone different. 5. 6. Mostly in Missouri, but there are a lot of out of state students as well. 7. Middle to upper class 8. This is a very liberal school and that group seems very active. 9. people don't really talk about money a lot in the sense of in the future, you basically know someone's major and can figure it out.

I have found that there really does seem to be a place for everyone on campus, there are many different religious groups, many different organizations as well as sometimes even multiple organizations for the same interest. Most students wear whatever makes them comfortable to class, most common is jeans and a t-shirt or sweatshirt and sometimes sweatpants. In the journalism school sometimes people will dress up more often if they have interviews to go on, but for the most part students dress comfortably, there's no need to really dress to impress- but my advice would be at least to shower for the first day of class!

The only way someone could feel left out is if they didn't include themselves in something from the start. Most students wear sweatpants/jeans and t-shirts to class. Anyone will pretty much interact with anyone else, veyr friendly campus. There are many groups/meetings centered around politics.

I spend a lot of my time in CAFNR enviroment because that is where my area of study is. The students with in CAFNR are almost always heterosexist in their language and actions. Being a member of the LGBTQ community it is difficult to be out amongst your peers in this environment. Most of the students I'm around have varied backgrounds, but all look foward to what they will one day be earning. Especially since student loans are so high right now.

Racism: never had a problem but there is a black community and I'm sure there is an Asian Students Association and others. Religious: some weirdness. I'm Catholic and I knew some Presbyterians. Our friendships ended poorly unfortunately solely because they only socialized amongst other Presbyterians. LGBT: tons of activists, but as a hetero I got along with some gay guys. I never knew any lesbians or trannies, though. There is a place for everyone at Mizzou unless you want to go to a small school Students wear sweats or their Greek letters or jeans. Sometimes people dress up for various reasons. Costumes on Halloween and the like. Do different types of students interact? A pretty vague question but the sororities hung out with their sisters, the frats their brothers, the emos their groupies.. I definitely remember exclusiveness (one of the reasons why I transferred). Who knows, maybe it was just me. Financial background: all kinds. You have to have some idea of how much $20,000 really is though, if you know what I mean. There are students who are politically active and aware. There are groups. And their political preferences are found in wide varieties. I only remember College Republicans and Democrats but I'm sure there are other political groups. Dining Hall: referring back to the exclusiveness, it's like a larger, more independent high school scene I guess. Most share meals with friends, there are some who eat alone, some lunch-daters, etc... Earn what, money? No.

There is a definite divide in the Mizzou student body between greek and non-greek. You will feel pressure to go greek, but a lot of people just don't fit in. Your freshman year will be really awkward because there will inevitably be those girls in your dorms that won't talk to you because you aren't greek therefore cool. They will always be going out and coming home way too drunk and you will probably feel inadequate. Boys have it easier because the Frats require that you move into the house first thing, whereas sororities live in the dorms their first year and then move into the house their second. It's considered strange to wear anything other than sweats or jeans to class. If you're dressed up, you're probably a grad student. There is a really small minority group at Mizzou. I think black people make up less than 10{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the population, so that can be kind of difficult for a lot of minority students. Keep in mind that you are in Missouri and that up until 1960-something or other Mizzou still had a piece of the Confederate rock on campus. Most Missourians have done a lot to move on from that place, but a lot still haven't. Just be wary, certainly not something to base you decision on, because while this is all true, Mizzou does have a really great historically African American greek life that is a lot different from traditional greek life.

From coming to Mizzou, I've learned a whole lot about cultures. My roommate, a black girl from an STL suburb in Illinois, and I became, what we like to call, roomies for life. Even though she lives on campus by herself and I live off campus by myself we always get together to do art projects or watch Oprah. I like punk rock and she likes hip hop; I've taught her about bands like IMAROBOT and she's taught me all about Kanye...but we've found common ground with Justin Timberlake. I taught her how to skank in a pit and she taught me how to walk it out in the clubs. There are a lot of sorority and fraternity members on campus, and you can usually tell who they are. The sorority girls usually wear Northface fleeces, PINK sweatpants tucked into their Ugg boots, and giant diamond or pearl earrings. The frat guys wear Northface fleeces, light-wash jeans and a baseball cap. But generally, they're all pretty nice, normal and studious. The one thing I have learned is that many of the stereotypes about the greek houses are quite true. Another piece of advice is to avoid Greek Town at all costs; very few greeks use the sidewalks or drive properly in that area...many cars will stop in the middle of the narrow roads because they want to chat with someone in the next car.