Truman State Thread, 2009!

<p>^ yay, congrats!</p>

<p>Yep, I have a friend that also got accepted and he’s a finalist for a full ride scholarship! I’m jealous, he would’ve never known about the school if I wouldn’t have dragged him along for a college visit!</p>

<p>Does anyone know much about the nursing program at Truman? Truman continues to rise on my college list (I love the financial aspect and I love the liberal arts curriculum) but it would be great to have some information from a nursing major about the program…</p>

<p>Also, what hotels near Truman are good for college visits? I have an upcoming scholarship interview and will need to find lodging near campus.</p>

<p>Also, does anyone know if Truman offers living learning communities?</p>

<p>The only one of your questions I can answer is that there is a Holiday Inn Express close to campus. Newer building, pretty nice. As far as the nursing program, I suggest you e-mail the head of that department and ask for a contact that is a sophomore or junior. Seniors might be too focused on finding a job.</p>

<p>I believe Truman offers a few living learning communities – I know they have a Spanish one. I’m not sure if they have a lot, but I think you can check out the website, and it has them listed.</p>

<p>Thank you both for the info! I found the spanish living learning community after some digging on the website. It was buried in the languages department website, so it took some sleuthing. </p>

<p>I also found out about the Residential College Program, which is apparently a program in the bigger dorms like Centennial where a faculty member is in charge of creating an academic community within the dorm. It sounds pretty interesting, and I believe that it’s modeled after the houses at Oxford and the eating clubs at Yale.</p>

<p>smart.cookie - That’s interesting, I didn’t know Truman was doing the residential college style thing. My S is a junior at Truman and lived off campus this year, but he was in Missouri Hall for two years and it was nice. My D is a freshman at Tulane and they have one dorm that is that residential college style, and it is very popular. So much so that Tulane’s 10-15 year plan is to convert all the dorms to that style.</p>

<p>I think Truman is following the same process, as their website said that the residential college program began as a small experiment in one dorm and grew to the size that it is today. I definitely think it sounds interesting, and having that kind of academic support at all times is certainly appealing.</p>

<p>Smart. Cookie – could you elaborate on what the “residential college program” is? What are the advantages – pros and cons. Why would a student choose to living style?</p>

<p>I know you asked smart.cookie, and she may add to this, but here is what I know. First of all look at this link for the Truman program: <a href=“Registrar - Truman State University”>http://registrar.truman.edu/catalog/pdf/20032005/rcp.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>It turns out that the term residential college varies in its meaning to different schools, and often people use the term residential college style, especially when referring to dorms. In the end if generally indicates a situation where there is a bonding of the students living there because there is more programming of events and more services just for them, usually under the guidance of a professor living there also.</p>

<p>I’m actually a guy lol.</p>

<p>But yeah, I would agree with what fallenchemist says about the residential college and how it promotes a sort of community between the students based upon social engagements as well as academic support. When I visit Truman in February I’ll be sure to ask more about the residential college program and I’ll report back afterwards.</p>

<p>Oooops. Very sorry smart.cookie. Not sure why I thought the other. There is a female comics character named Cookie, maybe that was it. On the other hand there was a TV show with a sailor named cookie. Oh well, thanks for telling me, and have fun with your visit! It will be cold, but I guess as long as you know that, no problem.</p>

<p>Thank you for the link and answers.</p>

<p>Smartcookie- when are you visiting in February? Are you going for the scholarship interview?</p>

<p>I’m flying out on February 5th for the scholarship interview and while I’m there I am going to take a tour and speak with the nursing faculty. I will post about my experience after I get back :)</p>

<p>DD went to a summer program at Truman after 8th grade and she flew in and out of Kansas City (Southwest). This is just a funny Truman aside–every year since then, she was sent a birthday card signed by the entire admissions staff. Truman has an interesting story about its history. It became an honors college fairly recently. And smart.cookie, I have always thought you were a girl too, sorry. Good luck with your interview.</p>

<p>Wait, when did Truman become an honors college?</p>

<p>Well, I don’t think it is officially called that. I guess I am not even sure what that means for entire schools that call themselves that. Truman changed a while back from a non-selective very regional school called Northeast Missouri State University to what it is now, a highly selective, national/international public LAC. When I say very regional, they used to be required to have 95% of the students come from the NE part of Missouri. The cirriculum was far more limited, essentially being only a teacher’s college. When the board of regents realized that model was not sustainable, they changed it completely to the school it is now, and brought in a lot of new faculty and began a complete reshaping of the campus. A few years after that it changed names to Truman.</p>

<p>So call it an honors college, call it a highly selective public LAC, those are just labels. The fact is that it is a much more academically demanding school with a far broader offering and much brighter students than it used to be.</p>

<p>^ Very well written! That was a helpful summary that really profiles Truman’s academic mission. Thanks :)</p>

<p>^ ditto. thanks, fallenchemist.</p>