Washington State University is definitely keeping true to their land-grant roots. Agriculture, animal science, and agribusiness are a huge part of the academics on campus. They are also big on conservation and sustainability. They even have a grizzly bear research center where graduate students study the habits and lifestyles of grizzlies in order to promote conservation. This school is truly doing what a land-grant institute was created to do.
I really loved the campus at WAZZU. There was a perfect mix of old-style buildings like you might see on an Ivy League campus and modern architecture. It is also very hilly, and its backdrop is beautiful wheat fields. You drive through rolling hills to get there and then come across a great-looking campus.
I learned that they make it very feasible for an out-of-state student to attend a public university. They have plenty of opportunities for merit-based scholarships, are part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), and also have guaranteed admission for students (even out-of-state ones!) that meet certain criteria.
WSU is a Tier I Carnegie research school, meaning that research is a huge part of the university’s mission and accessible to all students on campus. They are looking for students who are going to take advantage of this. They are also looking for well-rounded students. They want you to have been involved in high school and to continue that pursuit during your time at WAZZU. They are huge on volunteering, and it’s not uncommon for their students to reach 78,000 volunteer hours per year. They want you to be involved!
If they are looking to study anything related to animal science or agriculture and love the outdoors, this is the school for them.
I do believe it’s important because Pullman, WA is not exactly a “happening” city. It’s a smaller town where students make up the majority of the population, and the next nearest taste of any kind of city life is about 90 minutes away. The area is very rural, so if you come from a big city then a visit is definitely recommended!
Definitely check out what Pullman and the surrounding areas have to offer online. Scope out the weather patterns and see if it’s something you can get used to. Even though it’s not near a big city, they offer plenty of opportunities for student activities, including hiking, rafting, and camping groups. I would also encourage you to call and speak with an admissions counselor who might be able to answer any specific questions you have and so they can send you WAZZU information by mail. The pamphlets you receive before the tour are very informative.
Pullman, WA is primarily populated by WSU students, making it a true “college town.” Even in restaurants on the outskirts of campus you can feel the Cougar pride. Since it’s a large university in a small town, Pullman is very proud to be home to this great public university. Also, University of Idaho is just a 20 minute drive away, and even though it is in a different state, you can feel the friendly rivalry between the two.
Yes, freshmen are required to live on campus or in Greek housing. They have Living-Learning Communities that students can choose to be a part of, and they also have “First Year Focus” housing, where students live together with others enrolled in a common course.
Washington State University is in the PAC-12 conference, and football is popular on campus. Their football stadium and facilities are newer also. At every college football Game Day, you will see a WSU flag flying in the background. Look up the history behind that tradition because it’s pretty neat!
I got the feeling that if having an exciting football culture is important to a student, then they could make the most of the sports culture there. However, if sports isn’t your main concern, there will be plenty of other things for you to get involved in.
Eastern Washington (and Washington in general) is where you will find boundless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. People hike, float rivers, camp, and kayak. If you do not enjoy the outdoors, you may have a hard time making the most of your free time and bonding with others.
Even though there are roughly 17,000 undergraduates at WAZZU, you won’t have to worry about being lost in the background. They boast a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 80% of their classes have under 50 students, which is very good for a school of this size. It’s also a great option financially for both Washington residents and those from states that participate in WUE. With the cost of attendance at about $22k for WA residents/$37k for out-of-state students, you are definitely going to get bang for your buck. Also, tuition has decreased for WA residents for this academic year, and over the past 5 years the out-of-state tuition has increased by less than $50. If you are a fan of the outdoors, love to make a difference in your community, are ready to get involved in research, and want a school with strong pride… check out WAZZU!
