Greetings From Colorado!

(originally written 4/17/09)

Welcome to my tour of Colorado schools – 7 colleges in 5 days – let’s go! This is my first time in CO, other than flying through the airport. First, the weather here varies crazily, going from snow to 70 degrees and back within a few days, plus all temperatures in between. A common phrase is that “if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes.” Secondly, most of the popular cities are “a mile high,” which means they are closer to the sun. It’s easy to get sun-burnt with the 300+ sunny days per year, the air is surprisingly dry like a desert town, and the altitude can make physical activity an extra oxygen challenge, but you get used to it. Third, the snowy mountains are actually about 1-2 hours away – up in Vail, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, etc. The way some Colorado students talk, you’d think they walk out of their dorms and right onto the ski slopes – not so! However they do head to the slopes at crazy early morning hours to catch the first ski run or organize their classes for long weekends. Finally, there is the unbelievable stunning beauty of the surrounding mountains – the kind that makes you feel alive and in wonderment of the earth. If you haven’t yet visited Colorado – you should.

University of Arizona

Greetings From the Campus of….. University of Arizona!

(originally written 2/16/09) UofA is just two hours south of Phoenix, in the medium-sized city of Tucson. The UA campus is beautiful, with the historic Old Main building from 1885, its expansive grass mall traversing the 380 acre campus, and the many architecturally pleasing red-brick and stately buildings. UA definitely has more of a desert feel, from the landscaping to the ever-present sense of dryness. Students combat this dryness by hanging out on “4th Street,” just off campus. I was quite surprised though, that this “college town” measures only two blocks. Many upperclassmen live and hang out in downtown Tucson, a few miles away. Freshmen students have 21 dorms from which to choose.

A great deal of Tucson social life revolves around the university (festivals, art shows, concerts). School spirit is also pervasive here, with ASU being their main rival. The USS Arizona bell is rung in the Main Quad Bell Tower after each victory and the fight song was sung as part of my campus tour.

UA is known as a top research university. The Engineering department alone has 18 majors! Statistics for admittance vary by school and program, but in general, students have a 3.36 GPA and 1100 SAT scores. Astronomy and Aerospace are top programs. There is an Honors College (3.9 GPA/1340 SAT) that allows for priority class registration. Freshmen classes can be quite large, (as in ASU also), but class size diminishes with upper-level classes.

The University of Arizona seems to have a “prestige factor” over ASU, despite similar admit statistics. Students considering either Arizona school should definitely visit both to best determine fit. They are both excellent schools.

View my photo album at http://picasaweb.google.com/maritasurace/UniversityOfArizona# and please visit my web site at www.CollegeApplicationAdvisors.com