Mizzou is an incredible institution. There is no single glorifying attribute to the school, but rather several, unique aspects that make it the top choice for many Missouri high school seniors, and students around the world. Firstly, the school is very large. There are over 30,000 students currently enrolled. I love the size; there are always new people to meet and befriend. Many prospective college students worry about the school being too big or too anonymous: Mizzou is not like that. While it is natural to see new people often, it is very easy to make friends within the residence halls, in classes, in study areas, and around campus. People in this region of Missouri are very welcoming. Along with being welcoming, people here are also very proud of the Tigers. This is Tiger Country and no one will let you forget it. School pride is in heavy abundance. Black and gold are flown through every inch of Columbia. Mizzou students, parents, staff and even local Columbia residents are all Tiger fans, and are very proud of it. Columbia is a relatively large town. It is not a city, however. The downtown area consists of several blocks that meld mid-20th century architecture with modern tastes, exhibited through the many unique and beautiful shops along Broadway St. Columbia is definitely a college town; the stores, services, and restaurants are primarily appropriated for college students. The outskirts of the town and the residential areas even cater to college students.
I love going to Mizzou. When I tell people I'm a Tiger, they either ask about the Journalism program or reduced football ticket prices. I'm generally more eager to talk about the J-School (even though I do get in incredible discount on football tickets.) Mizzou's Journalism school is the oldest in the world, and is known as being the top Journalism school in the country. Famous for "The Missouri Method," a method of instruction that blends real-world experience with classroom learning, the J-School is very popular. I am actually a journalism student and can say with great pride that I attend Mizzou's J-School, (and love it.)
While at the school, I noticed several things the tour guides don't tell you. The first was the food. Several of my other classmates complain that dining hall food at their colleges is horrid. I can't say that for Mizzou. Mizzou's food is incredible. The dining halls provide a vast array of food, including several specialty places, like Sabai (Asian fusion) and Baja (Mexican.) On a strict diet? Mizzou dining halls are stocked with very healthy options, and each one has a full salad bar. Plaza 900 has a soup bar next to the deli. The second thing about Mizzou is the sheer number of student services. On-campus there is a wellness resource center, for weight management, smoking help, mental and emotional aid services and for general sickness. There is also a women's center (not to be confused with the gender studies department), a multicultural center, (not to be confused with the international center, which acclimates international students to college life,) a writing resource center, a financial aid center, and a student success center, which helps students plan for life beyond college. It is very clear that the administration cares about the individual student. The services provided at Mizzou are endless. Another great part of Mizzou life is the recreational complex, nicknamed "MizzouRec," or "the Rec." On an ESPN survey of US college rec centers, Mizzou's was voted #1, and for good reason. It is enormous: dozens of basketball courts, hundreds of square feet of workout space, full of machines, treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, and free weights. There are 3 separate weight-lifting rooms, a cardio room, a rock-climbing wall, a martial arts studio, racquetball courts, volleyball courts, a track (my domain) a dance studio, and fully equipped locker rooms. The rec is for many, Mizzou's crowning achievement.
Besides the food, the student aid, and the rec, the thing I love most is in the middle of campus. There is a large stone tower, known as Memorial Union, dedicated to the lost soldiers of WWII that sits nestled between Lowry Mall, Ellis Library and Water Hall. It is beautiful, stunning even. Inside is a Starbucks, a Wheatstone bistro and several dozen meeting rooms. I spend much time there: endless supply of coffee, warm, well-lit study space, towering windows showing off a beautiful view of the tower and a small chapel. It's my favorite place to be on campus. It's not frighteningly quiet like the library, and it has public computers. I love it. The final aspect to life at Mizzou that makes it an incredible school is the scenery. Columbia is beautiful; there are many forests to trek, run and bike through, there are winding country roads for lengthy car rides, there are horse farms for riding. It teems with natural, mid-Western beauty. Mizzou's campus is also incredible. Jesse Hall can be seen from most spots on campus. Lowry Mall is a pathway of old brick in the center of campus, shadowed by glistening Memorial Union. All the buildings are either of white stone, making them look quite majestic, or of red brick, mostly around the Quad, which look classic and stunning. The Reynolds Journalism Institute and the Trulaske College of Business look more modern, but are breathtaking inside. Mizzou may not be the school for everyone, but if anything, the campus can be truly appreciated.