The Colorado School of Mines

Date: Dec 31 1969
Major: Chemical Engineering (This Major's Salary over time)
Mines is pretty amazing, but its hard work and takes a lot of self-motivation to make through. Without going to classes and doing homework that isn't required, it's hard to get a good understanding of the material. Most of the students here are all very intelligent, past valedictorians, 4.0 GPA's, etc., but even they have to study. There are a lot of introverted people who will sit in their dorms and play video games all day, but everyone is pretty friendly and willing to put down the X-box and talk with someone new; they're all pretty open-minded. There's not tons of activities to do in Golden, but Boulder and Denver are only a short ways away, and you can always find someone to hang out with in the dorms your freshman year. The faculty is approachable, and most of them make themselves available with open door policies, or by appointment. Some of them aren't great teachers, but, its easy to learn the material from the texts and with the help of other students and tutors if you're willing to put in the time and effort. With all of the extra academic support the school offers, it takes a lot of procrastination and slacking to actually fail here. Also, I'd say the Princeton Review is greatly mistaken. I have not met a single depressed or completely unhappy student here, and the dorms aren't that bad. Though, they are smaller on the first floor! The slate cafe's food is no where near a home cooked meal, but they always offer salads, cereal, and sandwhiches if you don't like what they prepare. Overall, Mines will make you work for your degree, but its not a bad place to be. I'm glad I chose to come.