Angelo State University (ASU)

Angelo State University creates "a place to enhance your education while gaining a large extended family of peers and faculty." From "financial aid to instruction and tutoring programs, [the school] is focused on helping its students matriculate and succeed in their future endeavors." One student adds, "We have a great administration staff here with open doors...for the students who may have questions or concerns or just want to chat." ASU is committed to making "college affordable to everyone," as evidenced by the fact that nearly 85 percent of students receive some form of aid that does not need to be repaid after graduation. Classes at ASU are taught by instructors who are "attentive to students' needs and experiences in and outside of the classroom" and "help prepare us for our careers upon graduation." Students also appreciate the smaller class sizes, noting that "it really helps to have the one-on-one help and communication with a professor to learn the specific subject." Professors don't just teach; they "encourage students to achieve greatness and successfully complete their schooling to the best of their abilities." They also support their students by "explaining concepts outside of class time, offering advice of which courses to take, or even offering career advice." The faculty genuinely care about students' success; they "all have your best interest and will work with you, yet still hold you accountable."

At ASU, "there are so many opportunities to meet people and make long-lasting friendships and connections." The students are "friendly and accommodating" and they've "all got the kind Texan heart, although not all of them are native Texans." Indeed, the population is "an amazingly diverse mixture of traditional and non-traditional students" from "so many different countries, states and towns." Many students are first-generation, and many "are from around the San Angelo area, so the small-town feel is very much present." The university is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), and "there is a lot of Hispanic culture in San Angelo." One student notes, "Everyone has a different story on why they are earning a degree." The Ram Fam, as the community is known, is "dedicated to a culture of excellence in not only education but in every aspect, from sports to community service." ASU also has "a tremendous reputation of making students feel welcome and helping them fit into their role as a student and cherished member of this university."

"Life at ASU is pretty laid back," and the "course schedule is flexible enough with breaks, which gives [us] time enough to eat, work, chit-chat, study or do other things." There are "activities going on at all times," including events like haunted houses, sports games, Ram Jam, club meetings, art events, and volunteer work. Student organizations "are fully committed to making the campus atmosphere fun and exciting," with a variety of options available: departmental organizations for students within their major, religious and secular organizations, and "fraternities and sororities that are about community engagement." Intramural sports are very popular here, and many students "have spent countless hours on the fields at ASU." This is a Division II school, and the "athletics teams here are outstanding and the games are a blast to attend." You don't need to be an athlete to "spend a lot of time in the CHP" (Center for Human Performance), which has a "new and very nice gym" complete with a basketball court, a large weight room, a rock-climbing wall, racquetball rooms, and other options for recreation and exercise. For those who enjoy nature, the university offers a lake facility where students can rent kayaks and bikes and enjoy a scenic picnic area.