<p>I received a letter yesterday about Barrett Honors College, offering the merit finalist scholarship. I looked into it, and it sounded wonderful, but since then, all I’ve heard is bad things about ASU. My guidance counselor told me everyone who went there from my school (in Wisconsin) hated it and transferred. I am not really a partier, I don’t drink. I would like to make friends, get involved, etc. but not party every day of the week. I am concerned about what I have heard about the academics as well, and that it is just an easy way to get through college and have a great time.
What I’m really wondering is how different Barrett is from ASU’s general reputation. Can I get a good academic experience, like I know I would at the other schools I’m applying to? And can I meet people who actually like school, like learning, and aren’t just there to party and get a tan?</p>
<p>I was in kind of the same boat as you. </p>
<p>But I still applied to Barrett, and will attend unless by some freak chance I get into an Ivy. From talking to current students, visiting, I think that Barrett does not fit at all the ASU stereotypes. The students that I've talked to say that nearly everyone they know cares about their education and loves to learn. Also, the fact that Barrett will have a separate living community in Fall 2009 is a big plus for me, since you can be surrounded by people with your enthusiasm.</p>
<p>But current students can comment better than I can since I don't attend yet :P</p>
<p>Hi there! I'm a current Barrett student who's just starting my second semester. I really love it here! And I'm by no means a big partier either. While we have access to campus partying, it's not a significant part of honors student life. I, too, was a little hesitant about enrolling here from all I've heard about what a party school ASU is. But in reality it doesn't seem as bad as any other school. There's just a huge undergrad population, so obviously there are going to be more parties. Don't worry about it! The benefits of being in the honors college are numerous. There are lots of student involvement opportunities, research/internships, organizations, fun events, etc just for honors students. You get plenty of special attention, which I doubt would happen at a major Ivy school. There's just so much here! And next year we're getting these fabulous new dorms, which are really this awesome, self-contained complex in a great location.
I've got the merit finalist scholarship too, and, considering the economic situation, this place is a great choice. I'd much rather go here on full scholarship rather than start out at an Ivy only to drop out because I couldn't afford it since they're so stingy with academic scholarships!
Oh, and did I mention the gorgeous weather, free/convenient public transportation, and variety of new fro-yo shops within walking distance of campus? Need I say more? :)</p>
<p>Sparky: Are you at the Phoenix campus? If so, can you comment on your experience with the smaller community and being away from the main campus?</p>
<p>Budgets cuts galore! The announcements keep coming. Increased tuition, closing of programs, possible campus closings and we don't know where it will end up. Where will the remaining students go? Will this make for crowded classrooms with less staff?</p>
<p>My immediate concern is will the previously awarded scholarships be effected? It seems that everything is on the table for consideration. If my son goes to ASU, will it be the same as when we visited? Alot can happen between now and the fall of 2009.</p>
<p>hey bigtime, I am a high school senior and I live only like 15 minutes away from asu
well for now as of this hard economic crisis, i believe asu will probably almost close the two campus (west and polytechnic)
but if your son goes to tempe campus (and stay on dorms) i believe there will be almost no change between now and then.
well the fact is asu pretty much already decided what they are going to do next year (what to cut, raise budget etc)
however, u of a and nau did not....
also, asu is trying like closing the application dates by like 3 months and cutting staffs...
they are doin there best, but like most state schools which heavily rely on state government there might be an increase on student to professor ratio.
though i believe they still give almost same amount of scholarships...most of my friends got what they were supposed to get soooo.</p>
<p>Kyo.. It's does appear that ASU is being proactive with their budget. I agree that the major decisions have been decided for next year. I guess my concerns relate to 2010-11 ect. My son was offereed a 12.5k per years Dean's scholarship which I hope will not be reduced in the following years. Of course I'm sure tuition will increase but we were quite content with the scholarship. He will only go to ASU if ho goes to the Honor's program.
The fact that they are still opening the new Honor's college on time is a positive sign despite the financial storm that has hit the school.</p>
<p>yep definitely... though i think the amount of scholarship will not be reduced...
but rather the tuition will go up (which is more of a problem actually)
for this decade, asu's tuition has pretty much tripled...In 2000, new freshmen paid $2,300 a year. And now they are increasing more and more....
And also, honors new dorm is quite expensive (actually i think the most expensive) among all the dorms in asu.</p>
<p>Feedback I’ve gotten from Barrett is that Barrett’s program will continue as planned.</p>
<p>What I don’t know is if the non-honors classes will become even larger, or if any departments or programs on the Tempe campus are planned for closure or enrollment restriction.</p>
<p>For an OOS student, Barrett’s with a scholarship is an amazing deal that makes the cost quite a bit lower than our state flagship university. Barrett’s preferential registration seems to make it more likely that students can actually graduate in four years, something that is becoming increasingly harder as public universities keep making cutbacks.</p>
<p>We’re excited.</p>
<p>There is a lot of good information about Barrett in this thread:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/arizona-state-university/432900-honors-college-asu-u.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/arizona-state-university/432900-honors-college-asu-u.html</a></p>
<p>This is a belated reply to a student worrying if Barrett was any different academically from the big ASU. From my son’s experience–who is both academically serious and a social person–it is its own world from the big ASU. He socializes both within and outside of Barrett. His friends and roommates are bright, impressive kids who are eager to learn and also have fun going to parties and football games (better when the Devils win). </p>
<p>For what it’s worth, our son finds the party reputation is not particularly deserved. He says it’s a big place, and you can find anything you want. If you care about your studies, and you are in Barrett, you will find plenty of friends who also care about doing well.</p>
<p>I had long forgotten I posted this, but since you replied, it is perhaps relevant to say that I did go to ASU. I’m a sophomore now, still in Barrett. Social scene is fine, though as I get further into my studies, I do sometimes which I had gone to University of Wisconsin, as the academics are definitely superior.</p>
<p>This post really interested me, so I thought I’d put in my two cents too.
Currently, I am a freshman at ASU. I didn’t want to go to ASU, my first choice is a school that I did not get into. But it is such a niche school that I decided to apply again. </p>
<p>I was scared to death of the ‘scene’. But I hated having to go through the program in order to graduate with honors. I also hated the huge bill that came with staying in the dorms (which was the only part I saw as worth it). So, I decided to just do the normal thing and go through the engineering curriculum without the “human event” Barrett class. Well I went through one semester and I learned a lot.</p>
<p>In list form.
- The party scene is EvErYwHeRe outside of Barrett, well it seems like it to someone like me, who hates it a bit. But, being in Barrett doesn’t put you in a bubble. Stuff still goes on in there. Trust me.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I learned that the partying is what you make it. There are so many different archetypes of people at ASU and if you just keep it classy, you’ll find people like you. (found myself an awesome girl who is just awesome.)</p></li>
<li><p>I applied late, so they put me in Manzanita hall (Hasn’t been renovated since the late 70’s). So, apply early. You’re more likely to be in the dorm you’re supposed to be in.</p></li>
<li><p>All colleges have a party scene. I knew a kid who went to MIT, said most just hang around and drink to get over things. “Party” is just a college thing. It happens in college. Just realize that the consequences at ASU are as close to 0%, at least where I live, as seems possible. </p></li>
</ol>
<ul>
<li>[url=<a href=“http://www.asyou.us%5Dwww.ASYou.us%5B/url”>http://www.asyou.us]www.ASYou.us[/url</a>] -
A forum for ASU Students.</li>
</ul>
<p>How late did you apply exactly?</p>
<p>There’s a lot of kids at the ASU would like your seat. Moreover, there’s a lot more across the country who would consider getting a free ride to an honors college - a dream come true. Be grateful and make the best of it. GL</p>