University of Colorado Boulder Top Questions

Academics are challenging but applicable. Everything is geared toward learning for the real world. Professors are a bit detached and TA's take up the slack but this is because the school is big on research and the professors are busy with many things. They may not know everyones names but they have a LOT of research and job opportunities waiting!

I've loved almost every class, and have built pretty good relationships with my professors. CU is definitely more academically focused compared to other schools in Colorado. My Anthropology department is extremely involved and is constantly integrating new research into what we are learning.

Academics are tough, and it is important to know what you want and go after it. At a big school, you need to make sure you seek your advisor out and spearhead your future plans.

Mostly good. As a senior I am losing interest because the teachers are into their material but not necessarily into teaching

The business school and law school have really nice new facilities and competitive programs. Like any other university, pre-med students never stop studying or talking about studying. Geology has a great department with "rock star" (their words, not mine) faculty that do important work around the world. Journalism school (I'm in advertising) has great professors with experience in major agencies. Also, advertising agencies like CP+B are in Boulder and do work with CU professors. LIke any other research university, professors focused too much on research and not on teaching can be frustrating. If you have academic problems, it's possible to take a semester of evening classes through the continuing ed program to get back on your feet. The hardest thing is going to class - It's hard to go to class on the sunny beautiful days and it's hard to go to class in the snow.

Schools easy

Again, large school with lots of majors. Academic experience would vary greatly depending on course of study. First few years classes are large and it is up to the student to make the effort to go to office hours if you want the professor to know you exist, or to get help if you have trouble focusing in a large environment. Many classes are so large that 'participation' is quantified by students pressing a unique 'clicker' - essentially a TV remote with buttons A, B, C, D, E. This is great if you don't want to go to class and would rather have a powder day- just give your clicker to your friend! Its easy for many students to scrape along and just get a degree, and also easy for unmotivated students to drop-out.

Again, large school with lots of majors. Academic experience would vary greatly depending on course of study. First few years classes are large and it is up to the student to make the effort to go to office hours if you want the professor to know you exist or to get help if you have trouble focusing in a large environment. Many classes are so large that 'participation' is quantified by students pressing a unique 'clicker' - essentially a TV remote with buttons A, B, C, D, E. Its easy for many students to scrape along and get a degree, and also easy for unmotivated students to drop-out.

Boulder is generally considered a very strong school in the sciences (particularly physics and aerospace engineering). There is certainly a lot of focus on science, especially now that we have a former oilman for our president (who the geology building is named after, incidentally). That being said, the humanities and arts are kind of the forgotten step-children to the sciences, business and engineering. There are definitely good professors in the humanities, but you really have to work to get to know your professors, and unfortunately, many students do not really take academics seriously here. Many classes are full of students not really interested in the subject matter, and moreover, not willing to work hard. You can get a pretty solid education about Boulder, but don't expect a lot of guidance from advisers. If you're self-starting and willing to go the extra mile, you can find the good professors who will really help you grow academically.

Class is just like Boulder, you get really big ones and really small ones. Some teachers are great and some need a little work. Psychology, History and Italian are all great departments. It's hard sometimes, but it's really rewarding.