Should I pick Colorado State University or Colorado School of Mines?

College Search & Selection
1

I am trying to pick between CSU (Major: Biomedical Sciences) and CSM (Major: Biochemistry) for my undergraduate but I am having a hard time making a decison. I want to major in some kind of biology since I either want to go into the medical or research/engineering field. Any advice?

2

Are you instate and they cost about the same?
Do you think you can maintain a high GPA at Mines?

3

Very different vibes at these two schools. Can you spend some time on campus before you have to decide?

4

I am out of state but with the scholarships they cost about the same. I’ve kept a high GPA so I believe I could keep it high at Mines

5

I am going back to the campus to look again, what are the differentvibes like?

6

Mines is smaller, very focused academically, very challenging, and with a much more limited social/sports scene. It’s located in Golden, a small town/suburb, though fairly close to Denver. More than 70% of its students are men. I’ve heard people say it’s a school where fun goes to die… though of course that’s very subjective and probably based a bit on envy. (Grads do extremely well in the market place.)

CSU is a big university with a big sports scene and a more traditional college experience. 52% of the students there are women. Fort Collins is bigger /more animated than Golden though considerably farther from Denver. Most people would probably agree that the overall atmosphere at CSU is academically less intense than at Mines.

7

A visit should help a lot. These two schools are rarely competing for the same students. Generally it’s Mines vs CU Boulder or CSU vs CU Boulder. They’re really on opposite ends of the spectrum.

CSU is your typical big state school with a lot going on and it’s close to wyoming so it has a bit more of a cowboy/western feel. Fort Collins is a great college town.

Mines is all STEM all the time. The students have plenty of fun, but it’s a different kind of fun. There won’t be a kegger at a frat house before the football game. If you decide med school isn’t for you a degree from Mines will be superior to one from CSU.