jmcomicÂþ»­

Appalachian State was an awesome place to go to college. The environment is fabulous as it is very collaborative and minimally competitive/cut-throat. I loved how individuality is praised. Even though it's a big school, I felt like I was able to connect with faculty and professors in meaningful ways, and my education was very individualized. The academics are not as rigorous as some schools, but you get what you put into it. I am now in medical school, and I feel very prepared, even compared to my... Read More peers, many of whom went to much more prestigious and academically-focused schools.

Appalachian State University is a mountainous oasis in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campus is beautiful and it is quite close to many outdoor activities, such as hiking, climbing, and rafting. The faculty in the biology department are incredibly helpful and interested in helping the student succeed. Classes were academically challenging and interesting as well. There are so many options for various clubs and extracurricular opportunities, and if feels like an accepting environment for all. My time... Read More at Appalachian State has been some of the most rewarding in my life, and the friendships gained will last a lifetime.

Some teachers are great and really passionate about their subjects. My biggest issue is that I feel that none of the classwork prepared me for the real world. I have a degree that I can show to employers, but I did not have the experience I needed to feel confident when entering the workforce. I wish they had been more vigilant in opening up opportunities to work with businesses and gain hands-on experience, but in a small town like Boone, you don't exactly have a lot of access to businesses that... Read More aren't retail or fast food. I think they need to emphasize student learning experiences through internships and assignments that help benefit the local community. The few classes that did were the most memorable and the most beneficial.