<p>Hello. We are visiting Iowa State this weekend. Any advice on things to see, questions to ask, places to eat, etc.? They have offered an excellent financial package and I really want my daughter to love it there. I hope the weather cooperates!</p>
<p>The traditional places to eat…</p>
<p>Hickory Park for lunch/dinner…an Ames and Iowa State institution.
Great Plains Sauce and Dough…pizza in downtown Ames and an Ames and Iowa State institution.
Grab a coffee at the Caribou Coffee in the Hub on central campus…weather permitting sit outside.
Coffee and lunch at Stomping Grounds in Campustown…about a block from campus.
Sandwich at West Side Deli…delicious…about 2 blocks form State Gym.
Eat at one of the restaurants about a mile north of campus on Stange Road…The Cafe is one of Iowa’s best restaurants. +39 is hip,new, and pretty good.</p>
<p>Things to do…</p>
<p>Stop by the horse barn on campus and pet the new foals…
<a href=“Redirecting...”>https://www.facebook.com/pages/Iowa-State-University-Horse-Barn/253766021595</a></p>
<p>Visit Reiman Gardens…
<a href=“http://www.reimangardens.com/”>http://www.reimangardens.com/</a></p>
<p>Iowa State has an extensive outdoor public art collection, many in out of the way places.
<a href=“http://www.museums.iastate.edu/AOCfactsheets.html”>http://www.museums.iastate.edu/AOCfactsheets.html</a>
<a href=“http://www.journeythroughartoncampus.blogspot.com/”>http://www.journeythroughartoncampus.blogspot.com/</a></p>
<p>Make sure to view the Grant Wood WPA murals in the Library.</p>
<p>Drive by the stadium and athletic complex.</p>
<p>If interested, walk through the Greek Row area.</p>
<p>Go through State Gym.</p>
<p>Make sure you wonder through the paths on east campus near the Knoll and the old residence halls. The standard tour probably won’t take you there but it is a wonderful part of campus.</p>
<p>Don’t step on the Zodiak in the MU and take your hat off if you enter through Gold Star Hall…
<a href=“https://www.isualum.org/en/news__views/traditions/index.cfm?nodeID=7759&audienceID=1”>https://www.isualum.org/en/news__views/traditions/index.cfm?nodeID=7759&audienceID=1</a>
<a href=“Gold Star Hall | Memorial Union”>http://www.mu.iastate.edu/en/about_the_mu/gold_star_hall/</a></p>
<p>My son is a frosh at Iowa State. We are from Iowa. He absolutely loves Iowa State. I can’t say enough good things about the university. They have a fantastic president and are doing some great things.</p>
<p>What majors?</p>
<p>Any other questions, just ask. </p>
<p>Thank you so much, Haystack. I will print this out and will let you know if we have further questions. So glad you love it! She isn’t sure about a major. Are they pretty good with helping you discover your preferred path or must you just figure it out on your own by taking some classes? I think she picked business or communications for now, but I’m hoping she will like computer science or engineering classes and maybe switch over. She like math and has 100% in an engineering class in HS.</p>
<p>I would say the Iowa State is typical of any research university, there is very little hand holding and it is up to you to find your path. Both they do have resources available to help you including a class…</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.counseling.iastate.edu/career-exploration-services”>http://www.counseling.iastate.edu/career-exploration-services</a></p>
<p>Iowa State also has fantastic Career Services available once it comes time to look for a job.</p>
<p>Most people will probably tell you that it is easier to switch out of engineering than into engineering. Because of the required sequence of physics, calc, chemistry, etc…it is probably best to start in engineering and then switch out or you will find yourself a semester or 2 behind.</p>
<p>Some majors to look at…</p>
<p>MIS within College of Business. Not as technical as a computer science major but the jobs are plentiful (I teach in the MIS field) and well paid. It is a great major.
<a href=“http://www.business.iastate.edu/undergraduate/prospective-students/choosing-your-major/management-information-systems/”>http://www.business.iastate.edu/undergraduate/prospective-students/choosing-your-major/management-information-systems/</a></p>
<p>Communications related where Iowa State has really strong programs…
<a href=“https://www.jlmc.iastate.edu/prospective/advertisingmajor”>https://www.jlmc.iastate.edu/prospective/advertisingmajor</a>
<a href=“https://www.jlmc.iastate.edu/prospective/publicrelationsmajor”>https://www.jlmc.iastate.edu/prospective/publicrelationsmajor</a></p>
<p>Also, to correct something from above…it is the West Street Deli (not West Side Deli).
Another lunch spot to consider in campustown…Café Beaudelaire right across from campus.
A breakfast spot…Grove Cafe in downtown Ames…home of the largest pancake I hvae ever eaten!!!</p>
<p>Wonderful. Thank you so much! I’ll stop by again after our visit and let you know what she thought. I’ll also show her your various links. I hope I’m on here next year helping you share great things about Iowa State.</p>
<p>Haystack - just wanted you to know we spent a very nice weekend at Iowa State. The campus is beautiful and the people were all so nice. The school runs like a well oiled machine. We were both impressed. We ate at +39 the first night and Great Plains Sauce and Dough the second. They were both very good.</p>
<p>I think she would be very happy there. We are visiting two other schools next week but neither offered a financial packages as wonderful as Iowa State.</p>
<p>I’d have to say the one thing lacking is something almost not under their control except maybe their marketing department. Outside of Iowa, I don’t think people realize the excellence offered at Iowa State. People seem to think “xxx State” is always second class to “University of xxx” (Other than a few like Ohio State which has worked very hard to make sure people know it is “The” Ohio State). </p>
<p>Every time we tell someone that we are looking at Iowa State we are told, “Oh, she is so smart. She has a 4.0. She could do better.” Or “Why would you pick that over University of Iowa (which we liked but they didn’t offer enough financial aid) or University of XXX?” It is killing me. I know I shouldn’t care about comments from people that don’t know any better, but I wish they knew better. I couldn’t believe the number of very intelligent and professional people we met this weekend. Iowa State is nothing like XXX State schools I’ve visited in the past. Nothing. I want the world to know :)</p>
<p>Glad you had a great visit. I also believe that it is a hidden gem. My son was a strong HS student and has found lots of like minded ‘nerds’ to hang with.</p>
<p>We live in Iowa and work at the U Iowa. Our son choose Iowa State over several other higher ranked schools…Tulane, U MN, and U Iowa for many of the reasons (and more) that you noted.</p>
<p>Even though I am employed at the U Iowa, I think Iowa State is a better place for undergrads with the exception of a few majors. I know lots of people with kids at both U Iowa and Iowa State. Every one of them thinks that the kid at Iowa State had the better experience and education. Iowa State is more laid back, has less of a party focus, with lots of nice kids that tend to be much more involved in campus life than the typical U Iowa student.</p>
<p>I love it that you can see the ag kids with cowboy hats/boots. And then steps later see some trendy fashion/graphic/art/architecture design majors. You don’t see that at U Iowa. Iowa State actually grants just has many degrees in the arts/music/design/etc as the U Iowa. </p>
<p>It is a good thing you are not there this week…Veishea week…it will be wild.</p>
<p>My daughter wished we were staying for Veishea. She was sad to miss it. </p>
<p>One more question, if you know…My daughter is not very religious, we are an inter-faith family, but she was raised Jewish until high school. Are there any Jewish kids at all at Iowa State? She doesn’t need services or a Hillel or anything, but would like to know she isn’t the only one (or one of only 10 she ever meets), and that she won’t have people trying to convert her, etc. I’m thinking that out of 33,000 students, you should have quite a few, but didn’t get that feeling when we were there.</p>
<p>@Haystack Thank you so much for your comments on Iowa State. My DS15 will most likely apply but I don’t think we are going to be able to visit until spring of senior year. I may actually have questions as that gets closer, but in the meantime, I really appreciate reading your very helpful and insightful comments.</p>
<p>@concernedmom27 There most likely is at least a small number of Jewish students at Iowa State. Usually, if there is a student organization for a particular group, there is a large number of them. While looking through the student organizations, I did find that Iowa State does have a Hillel (<a href=“http://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/hillel/”>http://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/hillel/</a>). Your daughter shouldn’t be worried about people trying to convert her, people are usually accepting as there are people of many religions at Iowa State, as there are people of many religions there. It’s hard to get an essence of a campus’ true demographic in just a weekend. Don’t forget that there may be international students as well. </p>
<p>@concernedmom27. My son has decided to go to iowa state for computer science. We are from N.J. So you can imagine the responses we get. He got accepted into all the schools he applied to but Iowa state just seemed right to him and to me. I also feel like its a hidden gem. It will be cheaper for him to go there then our state school but with more to offer. I’m glad he doesn’t care what people think and I certainly don’t. I knew in the beginning of the process I was going to just make decisions based on what was right for him and told him not to let anyone else influence his choice. In the end he was the one who was going to be at the school experiencing it. In the end I think they will realize what a wise decision we made. The most important thing is that its the right school for your child. If their not happy they will not succeed. Good luck with your decision. </p>
<p>Thank you, Jerseymomz. As long as my family doesn’t hear about the Veishea riot, we should be good :)</p>
<p>Thank you, viratsbiwi. I knew they had a Hillel of about 15 people but that seems very small for 33,000 students. I’m sure most students are open minded but sometimes it just helps to not be “the only one”. I know when I went to college I met people that had never met someone Jewish before. They were shocked that I seemed so “normal.” That was very strange.</p>
<p>I know concernedmom27. Not happy about the riot. Woke up to hear Iowa State in the news!! Why do kids have to ruin a good thing. The way I’m looking at it that kind of thing can happen anywhere when there is a large crowd. My hope is they do things differently in the future to make it safer. Doesn’t make the school look good right now. </p>
<p>@concernedmom27 and remember that just because there aren’t very many Jewish people visible, doesn’t mean that they’re not there. I’m sure your daughter will find somebody. </p>
<p>Iowa State is still our number 1 so far. We will make a final decision after a couple of visits next week. Thanks everyone. Hope Haystack is okay.</p>
<p>Late to the discussion, but count me as another parent who is thrilled my child is at Iowa State. And, yes, even after Veisha I am still proud my daughter is a Cyclone. I have never seen a major U that is so concerned about the kids. I went to UIUC for both bachelors and masters, but during orientation in Ames we sat behind a family from Champaign. Their son was going into engineering at ISU even though they lived down the street from a “top” engineering U. They said when he visited U of IL the talk was all about the accolades the university and the staff had. When they visited IA St it was all about what the U was going to do for their son. That has absolutely been our experience so far.</p>
<p>Sorry that I have missed the discussions lately. I had not checked in on CC for a little while.</p>
<p>The VEISHEA incident was unfortunate. Several hundred knucklehead students and their friends. I am confident that ISU will get it worked out.</p>
<p>If I missed any specific questions, go ahead and ask again and I will answer.</p>
<p>After year 1, son still loves Iowa State. He has been really pleased with his instructors this semester for econ, philosophy, and geology. He will be living on campus again next year.</p>
<p>Lots of things happening in Ames and on campus…</p>
<p>Redevelopment of campustown…lots of new apartments being built right next to campus.
<a href=“http://whotv.com/2014/04/17/work-underway-ames-campustown-projects/”>http://whotv.com/2014/04/17/work-underway-ames-campustown-projects/</a></p>
<p>Hired and are looking to hire quite a few new faculty in key high demand areas like ‘Big Data’
<a href=“http://www.provost.iastate.edu/what-we-do/100-great-faculty”>http://www.provost.iastate.edu/what-we-do/100-great-faculty</a></p>
<p>Welcome back Haystack! We will be visiting Iowa State in early July. Do you know when those new dorms mentioned in the video are supposed to be ready for occupation?</p>
<p>Housing situation at Iowa State…</p>
<p>Iowa State has about 7600 traditional university owned res hall spaces available. About 5500 freshman live on campus each year.</p>
<p>Iowa State also owns about 2400 apartment spaces on the north side of campus across from the golf course. Many are relatively new or brand new. Since the university owns these, they don’t allow big parties and are nice options for upperclassmen that want to be near campus where it is relatively quiet.</p>
<p>Iowa State is looking at building an additional res hall that would add about 700 spaces, if they do it, will probably open Fall 2016.</p>
<p>The university is also leasing some apartments for students. One building is right next to campus and the others are about 2 miles away but on the bus route. These hold about 800 students total.</p>
<p>The new privately developed apartment buildings in campustown on Lincoln Way will be done and ready for Fall 2015. It will be interesting to see what happens in those new apartments, I suspect they will be fairly expensive. Hopefully they don’t turn into big party apartment buildings as they look really nice.</p>
<p><a href=“The Opus Group® Announces Plans for The Foundry Student Housing Complex Near Iowa State University - The Opus Group”>http://www.opus-group.com/OurNews/Opus-Announces-Plans-for-The-Foundry-Student-Housing-Complex-near-Iowa-State-University</a></p>
<p><a href=“Gilbane Development Company Breaks Ground On New, Modern Student Housing For Iowa State University Students in Ames”>http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/03/prweb11677765.htm</a> </p>