<p>"On paper" CSU looks like a good choice, and the WUE program makes it a financial safety school for us. But my S was turned off on his visit by the lack of aesthetic appeal of the campus. He said it felt like an industrial park.</p>
<p>I know people speak highly of Fort Collins, but does anyone have anything recent about the school to say that is positive?</p>
<p>I live in Fort Collins. The area is a beautiful place to live, work and play. I agree that the CSU buildings are a mash-up of styles. Too much pavement and not enough green IMO, especially around the dorms. But there is a lot of refurbishing going on. In the Spring flowers are everywhere. The charming downtown area and large, original City Park are within walking distance of campus. Biking is huge here. Trails everywhere, even up into the Foothills.</p>
<p>What does your son plan to study? This may be the best school in the state for Agricultural, Civil, Water Resource, and Environmental Engineering. My engineer husband got his BS at Mines but chose CSU for his MS. Natural Sciences are big. Pre-Vet, Microbiology, and Wildlife/Fisheries. Not surprising since the Vet School, the CDC, and many Federal Dept of Interior offices are here. Construction Management and Landscape Architecture are popular programs. The Music and Athletic Depts have large new facilities. Great Student Center.</p>
<p>I would say town and gown relations are excellent. The students seem well integrated into the community. The College hosts sporting and cultural events popular with everyone. Lots of alumni in town. Grads who didn’t want to leave! I know quite a few families with children currently attending. Off the top of my head I can think of 4 who transferred into CSU after starting elswhere.</p>
<p>CSU will be my son’s safety school. He wants aeronautical engineering, only offered in state at CU. But I will not be surprised if after a year in The Republic of Boulder, he wants to come home.</p>