Student Profile
Josie
- Class: Sophomore
- Major: English
- Gender: F
- High School: Arapahoe High School in Littleton, Colorado
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
By far the best thing about Gonzaga is the people. GU students are on the whole exceptionally friendly, always making people feel welcome in the community. I also love the size of the school. At a little over 5,000 undergrad students, it is big enough that you will always see new faces and yet small enough that no matter where you go you'll see someone you know. I love this. Also, because of the size of the school, I feel like an individual in my classes about whom the professors legitimately care, not just another number in their gradebook. I do wish that there was a little more diversity on campus (most of the minority students pretty much stick to their own groups). Other than that, however, GU is really an amazing place.
Academic Life
Academics at Gonzaga are phenomenal. Class sizes are typically 25 or so. Science and business classes might get as large as 35 or 40, but NEVER any larger than that. This ensures that the professor knows each of the students in the class, and also allows for more individual, personalized attention from the professor. All Professors are required to keep office hours in which they are specifically in their office, available for any student to drop by and ask a question. Because classes are smaller, it is harder to hide in the back of the class unnoticed, and so class participation does tend to be higher. Also, there is an attendance policy, so habitual ditching of class will get you into trouble. Again, because there are a small number of students in each class, the teachers notice when you are not there. The education at GU is very liberal arts based. It requires four semesters of Philosophy, 3 of Religion, 3 of English, in addition to various social science courses. Because there is a focus on well-roundedness, however, students are required to take one lab science, one math, and an additional class in either science or math. It is an intense core, but the idea is that you leave Gonzaga a well-rounded, intelligent individual, capable of engaging in conversations outside of just your major. I am majoring in English and Religious Studies, and doing the Secondary Education Teacher Certification program. I really enjoy all of these programs/departments. Religious Studies classes focus more on historical and critical analysis of Christianity, and once you get into upper-division courses you get to learn more about non-Christian religions. The program does not, in any way, try to indoctrinate people. Rather, it seeks to inform the students of the religious beliefs and backgrounds of a majority of the world's population. The Education program is also amazing. The teachers are all very supportive and knowledgeable, and I feel as though it is great preparation for my future teaching goals.
Student Body
The Best Things
Friendly People, Approachable Professors, Great Size
The Worst Things
I really don't like the weather here. The sun goes away in November, and really doesn't return until late March...But it is very random, so you get variety!
