<p>My son just got accepted to Iowa State. He was accepted into their computer science program. We have not visited yet, but will soon. Can anyone give me information about why Iowa State would be a good choice? I'm a little nervous because we are from N.J so its far away. We have heard great things about the school and the people. I would love to know about the program, internships, career fair, and anyone else that's from out of state and how they like it. </p>
<p>Also, he did receive a award for competitive excellence which gives a specific amount for each year. It says its a "special award for NJ residents". I'm sure they have something like that for each state. He also received a small amount of money from computer department. Does that mean that is all they will be giving him or is there a possibility there could be more? </p>
<p>Congratulations! We are also from the Northeast but had the opportunity to visit ISU over the summer and spend a few days there. They have some great STEM programs and facilities and enjoy a very strong reputation. </p>
<p>As an OSS, let me give you some potential cons first, at least from our viewpoint:</p>
<p>-It is tough to get to Ames from the New York/New Jersey area. They only have connecting flights available, most of them through Chicago.
-They are dealing with some overcrowding issues in the dorms due to the number of students. Most study halls have been converted to dorm rooms.
-If your son has allergy issues, only about a third of the dorms are air conditioned.
-Campus is huge
-Ames may be a bit of a culture shock.</p>
<p>The pros are substantial, however:</p>
<p>-Ames is a great college town.
-ISU seems to have a real sense of community and it’s students were very down to earth.
-Tuition, even for OSS, is great for a school with their STEM reputation.
-It offers that quintessential “college experience” that so many students seem to be looking for.
-Campus is beautiful.
-It has a tremendous alumni network</p>
<p>It is one of my daughters top two choices. It does not offer a lot of the non-STEM programs that interest my D and it is difficult to get to so my D needs to measure those. However, for someone majoring in Computer Science I think the pros far outweigh the cons. I posted a visit report if you would like anymore insight. Also feel free to PM me. Good luck!</p>
<p>It was accurate for the scholarship offered to my daughter last year. Actually, they upped the scholarship by $1K a couple of months after we got the initial letter. </p>
<p>Good luck. My daughter chose another school which fit her better, but ISU is a great school. I know a few kids that go there, and I work with several computer science alumni!</p>
<p>As BobbyCT knows, I am a big Iowa State supporter. We are instate, son is a first semester frosh. Fall has been fantastic for our son. Everything we expected and more!!! Son has been kayaking, run 3 5K races, learned how to swing dance at a swing dance party on the union patio, been to concerts at the M-shop concert venue in the union, found a girlfriend, etc. etc. As is typical for a large research U, some of his profs are good, some not so great although nothing really bad this semester.</p>
<p>As BobbyCt said, the sense of community that ISU students have is pretty unusual for such a large university.</p>
<p>The res halls fill fast. Put down your deposit right away so you don’t get stuck in a den or a less desirable hall. You have until May 1 to request a refund and you get all back but $50 or so. </p>
<p>CS is a strong program at Iowa State. ISU has 3 large career fairs each year…Ag(largest in the country), Engineering (one of the largest in the midwest, much larger than U Iowa’s), and Business. All will have companies that hire CS majors.</p>
<p>Kingland Systems is building a new facility right across the street from ISU. They already hire 100’s of ISU students (CS and MIS) for part-time jobs and internships now, and they expect to hire more in the future as they are building a brand new facility.</p>