<p>Yes, all American Universities have swimming pools.</p>
<p>But one pool may be new and terrific and the other may be ancient! You can ask the admissions officers to put you in touch with a student who should be willing to answer all sorts of questions. </p>
<p>The cost difference between the two is small. It might be worth it to go to the more expensive one if it felt more comfortable. SD has brutal winters! Making friends will be important. Look at the lists of clubs and ask if there is anyone from your region already attending. </p>
<p>You are brave to choose a school without having visited. Please know there are four stages to trying a new country or new experience:
- Euphoria. I’ll love it. I’ll learn all the traditions. I’ll try everything. It will be a great adventure. (Now until Week Two after arrival)
- The Grind begins. Wow. This is weird. Why is this so hard? I miss my mom. (about Week four)
- The Misery. This is awful. The food and the clothing is so irksome. Everything is just . . . wrong. What was I thinking? (Week 12 -16)
- The Adjustment. OK. It’s all a mix. I love some things. Some things I will never like. I feel like I can manage and I am proud of my abilities. (Week 24 +). </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>^^ Thank you so much Madam Olymom and Midwestmom</p>
<p>Yeah the cost difference is very less, I know, but comparing both of them is becoming hard! 
I had asked for an student with whom I could talk out, but they said that it was private and cannot put me through. So I took help of Facebook, Although I could not find an SDSMT graduate who would reply to my messages, but 5 SDSU people did correspond with me. And I felt they were quite warming and very friendly.</p>
<p>The swimming pool fact was quite a relief. I’m into swimming and SDSMT has no Athletics regarding Swimming! </p>
<p>“You are brave to choose a school without having visited.”… Well, Ma’am, I stay 12000 miles away from both Rapid City and Brookings, so visiting the school was not an option. 
That’s why I have asked help from this CC forum, because College Website can sometimes be misleading…</p>
<p>The chronology was very nice, loved it!</p>
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<p>PhoenixR, MidwestMom2Kids said easier to GET TO, not easier to get into - in other words, travel to and from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology should be easier given that it’s a larger city.</p>
<p>^^ Oh i see.</p>
<p>The material I gave is not original. It is from a series called “Culture Shock”. You might have some fun posting a thread that asked something like “Will a senior International advise a new International?” and ask others what wisdom they would like to pass on. </p>
<p>I have heard that Americans “walk big” – we also tend to do the hard stare direct eye contact that some other cultures find intimidating. It might be nice to hear from other college students who have made the adjustments and can look back and laugh.<br>
(We were out of the country when Starbucks hit it big. When I heard there was a drink called a “frappe” I couldn’t stop giggling. To me “Frappe” was a rude sound – not a beverage!).</p>
<p>Regarding the Mines graduation rate, it may be due to credit requirments. At CO School of Mines, engineering degrees require 140+ credits (as opposed to 120 credits at many schools), so it is tough to finish in 4 years.</p>
<p>^^^ Hmm… I understand and will indeed follow your advice. Thanks Colorado_mom.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your help. But now I have another option available that is Cleveland State University. Any input on this Univ will be greatly appreciated.</p>