Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus Top Questions

First things first is that We PARTY, thats probly the main thing about IUP, the construction sucks but it is almost all over, the best thing at IUP is homecoming

I love how in your classes your professors really get to know you on a personal basis. Their door is open any time that you wish to talk to them about anything.

IUP is rapidly changing. My college years were inconvenienced by the beatification of the campus. Incoming freshman will not share in my experience; they will be able to simply enjoy the scenery. The dust, traffic, and noise of construction that plagued my 4-year stay should come to an end fairly soon. The campus has obviously improved throughout the years, but the Oak Grove is timeless. IUP is the perfect size, allowing most of the class halls to be in one central location, The Oak Grove. It is a peaceful courtyard in the middle of some of the halls. It is usually alive with students socializing, drawing or reading in the grass, or simply running to class. There is a camera in the Oak Grove that is broadcasted on the Internet on the IUP webpage. It really does mean so much to the students that as alumnae you will want to take a peek to see what you are missing out on. Not to mention the added safety of it.

For me, the best thing about IUP is the people I've meet in my time there. Does that set IUP apart from other schools? Probably not...you can find your new best friends anywhere. Right now, the school is doing a lot of renovations, building really nice (yet expensive) new dorms/suites. The end result will be gorgeous, but in the mean time our campus looks like a war zone. There are always random pathways blocked off, which makes it a little more annoying walking to class. And then when it rains (which is often in Indiana) there is mud all over the place. When I tell people I go to IUP the usually reaction is "Oh ok...party school," but whatever, that's all some people know. I think the size of IUP is just right for me, but it would depend on what you're looking for. I find it crazy that I can walk through the Oak Grove on my way to class and usually see someone I know, everytime. Indiana, PA is definitely a college town, centering around it's main street: Philadelphia Street. The bars (The Coney, Culpeppers, Wolfies, Boomerangs) are flooded with college kids when classes are in session, and townies when it's not. I don't know too much about the administration, other than we got a new university president during my freshman year (2005-2006). The biggest recent controversy was over our mascot which used to be the Indians. It's been a big deal for a while, but just this past year we became the Crimson Hawks. Regardless, pride is there, especially at Homecoming.

The best thing about IUP would be the various extracurricular activities available to students, in which personally has made my college experience so much more worth wild. One thing that I would change is the diversity issue. I feel that in the three years that I have already spent as an IUP student there is still polarization between the international students and the American students. For me, coming from an international background it bugs me to see this. I wish there was more activities that would incorporate both the international community and the U.S. community. School size, I feel is just right for me. Reactions about IUP are all pretty positive. I usually do not spend most of my time in just one spot on campus. Reasons being, I'm involved in numerous extracurricular activities & have a double major. Yes, IUP is located in a college town known as Indiana which is in PA. IUP's administration is a funny subject. Let me say, as a spanish major, I am very disappointed with the lack of funding to the language depts. In addition, I am very disappointed with the spanish program in general. Also, I've noticed lately our administration has been putting lots of money into building new dorms to expand the size of our campus, but the building where both the history and political science depts are located has been long overdue for some major remodeling or rebuilding and that has not occured yet. There's other issues as well but I much rather not go into. Biggest controversy on campus was with the main graduation ceremony.However, I am not sure of all the details. One thing for sure, there is a lot of school pride amongst everyone. Nothing unusual about IUP that I know of. The experience I will always remember was studying abroad in Mexico for my spanish major. That was one of the best!! IUP made that avaiable for me. The most frequent student complaints are the cafeteria food, prices of the food at the hub, and the long lines for food.

I hate the fact that new residence halls are being built because they aren't necessary. They're just taking up tax dollars and causing people to have to make detours on campus. In addition, the old residence halls had nothing wrong with them, and they were part of campus history. I lived in Langham Hall my first 3 years at IUP, and then it was torn down. I was angry when I saw the large mechanical claw tear down the part of the building that contained my room. I lived in McCarthy Hall my senior year, and the thing I liked about it was that I had a larger single room than I had in Langham (My Langham room had been a small single). My freshman year, I avoided 3 places that I grew to love later: Foster Dining Hall, Stapleton Library, and the HUB Fitness Center. It shows that you won't be the same person when you graduate from college that you were when you first enrolled.

The Campus: the size of the campus is perfect. not small by any means, but you can walk from one end to another in about 15 minutes. it is also a GORGEOUS campus, minus alot of construction being done right now. The Town: DEFINATLY a college town. not much else in Indiana, PA. but while you are going to school there, you learn to loveee this little town like your own. You can walk everywhere. The Academics: very underrated. Iup is has some of the best programs in the country and definatly in the state. The Parties: hey, you've heard the rumors right? there is truth to every story.

I dislike going to IUP. i wish i never chose to go there and if other schools closer to home had my major i would transfer out in a second. The teachers NEVER email you back and are completely worthless in helping you in just about every situation. Ive emailed advisors who havent gotten back to me in weeks. teachers who havent gotten back to me in months and some that have never gotten back to me.That also goes for other people that i have talked to. when trying to choose a major a year ago i went to different people in the same dept and everyone told me something different and said the person i last spoke with was wrong. i left more confused than when i started. When i tell people i go to IUP i never usually get a good reaction. people that visit it said they didnt like it and people that have gone there said they hated it and wanted to transfer out or already had. I spent most of my time in my room. Everything else in that town is horrible. There is nothing to do and im usually bored. i wouldnt call it "college town" because there isnt really anything even in that town. id rather go to school in my own home town. Most of the students that complain about IUP say that same thing. The teachers are worthless and rude, the sports are horrible and the school is way over priced. The only thing i will remember from IUP are the few good friends i made. I wouldnt tell anyone to ever go there.

IUP - What can I say? I went to America to get the university experience, the 'American Dream'. IUP brought me a lot. I think its great, the campus is big, but not too big you can lost, you can easily find things and its a nice size when you want to clear your head and go for a walk. The Oak Grove being a perfect place to do so. I think its beautiful, its where I see people brough together by friends just playing frisbee, a group of students chilling on the grass playing bongos and acoustic guitars which can light up your day and other events such as 'Chalk on the Walk'. I spent most of my time in Elkin Hall where i stayed for the semester and met the most diverse group of friends i have ever met, who i will always remember, who i will never forget. Each individual from meeting new people and friends brought something new and fresh to my life, their unique propective on life itself, they have an opinion that cannot be shaken. They are their own person and no one else. IUP doesnt have much of a town, you would stroll down 'Philly' Street, a few shops and an old theatrical cinema that shows one film. Grab a nice chinese down there though i tell you! It's nice to just go down their sometimes and chill out. Or you'd walk a few minutes to Sheetz or Giant Eagle. Being a student, a good munchies at night, sheetz is great for that! The nightlife can be great, if you know what party to catch and who u know! Just have to be careful about the popo, but you will learn to be wise through time and what partys are a yes and what are a no no. I would say IUP is a laid back school, takes pride in what it stands for, stands tall and is what you see, is what you get. Most frequent complaints i can think about is the food at fosters, as everyone seems to need to the toilet afterwards! I just remember overeating there, and it was great. Foster times! I'll always will remember when i got my underage after being at IUP for just 3 weeks, its something i can look back on and laugh at. The police are pretty good across the pond, and the people in Indiana seem more contained and respectful in certain places compared to England. I had a great time, i will never forget it. Best time ever. Thanks IUP for such a great time!! Also like to say the International office team for the introduction week before starting was fantastic start to my amazing experience! Much love, Liana

I love the size of IUP. It's not too big, yet not too small. You can walk to all of your classes and it's very easy to navigate. The only downside is all of the construction going on now since the new dorms are being built. Indiana is really a college town. There is not much there except for the the college so it can get quite boring at times. It's a nice place though, just very limited in activities. The parking is horrible. If you're a commuter you will have to come really early to find a decent parking spot. If you're living on campus and plan to park in Robertshaw, the student lot, it's pretty far away and a little expensive. Buses run from the lot to places all over campus but it still can be a pain in the butt. Your best bet is to not bring your car at all or try to find decent priced parking off campus somewhere.