Student Body

“SHSU is the poster child school for atypical students,” one undergrad remarks. “A very large percent work or have families, and are usually first-generation college students.” At SHSU there are “cowboys and cowgirls, the sorority girls and frat guys, the skateboarders, the smart kids, and the Goths.” Students of “completely different backgrounds, social status, ethnicity, major, and personal style manage to interact on a friendly basis every day.” These are students who are “willing to meet and greet new people. If you are shy, you can guarantee that someone will be talking to you.” One student adds, “The Greek organizations on campus don’t isolate themselves, either.” Another student disagrees, saying “Life is simple here: if you aren’t in a fraternity or sorority it is extremely difficult to fit in.” Many SHSU undergrads “work part-time in neighboring towns” and “are involved in some sort of organization here on campus, be it a religious, sports, or social group.” In general, students say that SHSU “is great for people who are tired of the high-school drama and ready to get on with life in the real world, interacting with diversity.”

What Sam Houston State Students Say About…

Academics

Students choose Sam Houston State University because “the school has a little of everything, from the diversity of students to the different majors offered.” SHSU is “known world-wide” for its criminal justice program, and its College of Education and educator preparation program is also well-respected. As one student says, “Schools love to hire teachers that graduated from SHSU.” Criminal justice and education are just two of the school’s most popular and highly-regarded majors. Students also rave about the “awesome theater and musical theater programs,” an “excellent College of Music,” and an “exceptional” journalism program. Additionally, students report that the school has “a very good agriculture program with a high graduation rate and high rate of hire after graduation,” and “the best photography program available in Texas.” Classes at SHSU “are usually pretty small. The professors are great; you can really talk to them and they will help you if you have any problem with the course.” The administration “is usually available only by appointment,” but students say that their calls are responded to “in a timely manner, and no one is turned away, though sometimes redirected.” Quite a few students mention, however, that “the financial aid process is pretty bad, with a lot of mistakes being made. The people are usually pretty helpful when you go see them in person, though.”

What Sam Houston State Students Say About…

Campus Life

Huntsville is a small town, and students lament that “there is very little to do in town but to go to a club or bar.” It is encouraging, however, that “currently, the school is building onto the gym with a rock climbing wall and a large weight room. In addition, a new baseball field that is quite large is being built, as are two other buildings for lectures and other classroom uses.” During the week, students can “always find small parties to attend, or go to the school games (football, basketball), but on the weekends everyone travels back home or to nearby cities.” Houston, which is about 90 minutes away, is a popular destination. An undergrad warns, “If you do not have a car when you come here, make friends quickly with someone who does. Otherwise you’ll be in your dorm room on a ghost campus where nothing is open.” For students who stay around campus, Huntsville does have “Wal-Mart, a bowling alley, and a movie theater (with $6 movies, $3 for a matinee!).” SHSU is “surrounded by a national park, so there are many places to go camping or hiking.” On the “beautiful” campus, which is “hilly and full of huge trees,” students “hang out with friends [and] watch movies, Comedy Central, or play games like Risk, Trivial Pursuit, and video games (Halo 2).”

Go to these websites:

www.petersons.com

www.princetonreview.com

…to find out the statistical info regarding any schools you are interested in, and what students are saying about the academics, environment, and student body. You must use wisdom and strategy in appying to college. You need to look at *many* factors to ensure a “good fit”, such as:

Does it have the programs you are most interested in?

Do you want to be in a big city or a more rural environment?

Do you prefer a school with a very large population or a smaller, more personable school?

How selective are the schools you are checking out? (how many students are applying vs. how many are accepted — what is the minimum SAT score they will accept — what is the minimal GPA they will accept, and what range are most of their students in)

How expensive?

What type of endowments are available? Scholarships? What percentage of students are getting scholarships?

Is the school known for its academics or its party atmosphere?

Is it a liberal or conservative environment?

What do the students say they like/don’t like about the school?

But don’t choose just one college, because if they don’t accept you, *you’re stuck*.

Just remember, don’t limit yourself. After you have done your research and you are ready to apply to college: Pick two schools that are very selective “long shots”, two that are “maybe” schools, and two that are “sure things”. Apply to all of them. Wait. After a few months, the acceptance letters will arrive, and you will be able to make a great choice!

Hope all this info helps to get you exactly where you want to be, with no regrets. Best wishes!

RE:
Has Anyone Been to Sam Houston State University? If so, what do you think?
So im almost positive that Sam Houston is where I want to go based on cost, my major (BROADCAT JOURNALISM)…etc. BUT compared to other universities out there I want to know how it is like outside of school. For example, parties, nite life, activities, etc. So please fill me in on what you know or…

Rankings, reviews, and student life for Sam Houston State University will be found below./