NAU - Small Town College

I chose this college for its change in the environment and also the ease of the application process. It was only $50 to apply and was very easy to complete. I applied to only 2 schools and was accepted in just a couple of months. I also loved this college for its small-town appeal. Flagstaff is a beautiful and small city that was perfect for college students. I loved how the professors connected with me and my classes were never too big, so I could have that connection with my professors and other students.

The course curriculum was my favorite part of this university. I was given a large choice of classes and I was able to cater my choices to my major emphasis. For example, I focused on Human Resources and took classes that concentrated on the business side of psychology. There were also several elective options that were incredibly fun.

I only completed the ACT (31) and was accepted into my program. The SAT was not required for in-state schools. I did not need any prior credits to get accepted into this program and began taking entry-level classes. I do know that you can transfer in with several credits and begin taking 200 level classes.

Since our college is smaller scaled, students did not receive the same opportunities and interviews as other students. Our career fairs were on the smaller side and did not have many large companies present.

NAU offered several on-campus job opportunities. I was a Resident Assistant during my time as a student and they paid for my room and board, as well as a $1400/year stipend. This job required me to live on campus with freshmen and host programs for them. The hours were definitely crazy, but it was a great experience. I know that NAU offers several job opportunities that are available through our school job board.

Our college pushed for diversity, so we held several events across campus. One of our most popular ones was a homecoming, which included a parade and multiple activities. We also participated in Pride Week, Dia De Los Muertos and Black History Month across campus.

Since it was an in-state school, I paid $24,000 a year for tuition, room, and board and other miscellaneous fees. I was able to afford college by becoming an RA to get my room and board paid for. I did have to take out a few personal loans through Sallie Mae but also received a scholarship (President's scholarship, $6,000) that was awarded for my GPA.

It depends on the class, but the exams were very standard for the most part. 3 exams per semester, not including the final exam. A couple of professors allowed you to take the final and have that score replace another exam score, which was always nice.

I really enjoyed the faculty I came across during my time at NAU. The professors provided real-world examples, beneficial project work and I didn't feel like I was wasting my time doing busy work. I also think the small class sizes gave me the chance to really connect with my professors. They were also available often enough to answer my questions after class time.

I loved living on campus. My job allowed me to live on campus for all 4 years. It gave me the ability to stay focused on my school, have access to on-campus resources (dining, library) and keep my commute to classes short. The meals were a bit expensive, but there were several different options including Starbucks and Jamba Juice.