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SIZE Mizzou is a large institution with an undergraduate body of over 20,000 students. Many people think that they cannot overcome the level of anonymity inherent to such a large body. Surprisingly, it is not difficult to quickly feel at home at the University. Joining a FIG (Freshman Interest Group) or a Greek Chapter can provide an immediate base of friends from which you can branch out mere days after your first hour at the University. Additionally, while many introductory level classes will have over one-hundred individuals in attendance, small classes are plentiful if one simply takes the time to thoroughly browse myZou. It's all about individual initiative. I have had a personal relationship with around 3/4 of the professors I have had at Mizzou (basically, any professor I have wished to meet), and all of the professors within my particular discipline. On a similar note, I have never had trouble learning in a large class, nor obtaining outside help from the professor if I found some facet of the class to be difficult. Especially after sophomore year, larger classes become less common. I have heard that many individuals are apprehensive about attending a "big school," but I think that many of their fears are generally unfounded. REPUTATION Mizzou commands a great deal of respect throughout the state of Missouri. Outside of perhaps Washington University in St. Louis, no other institution within Missouri can compete with Mizzou in essentially any aspect (and even when you include WashU, one must consider the urban setting, relative lack of athletics, and other items unbecoming to most individual's ideal of a college experience). As previously mentioned, many individuals from the state of Missouri tend to associate the University with academic excellence and some degree of financial security (not near the level of wealth associated with private institutions, but certainly above the regional institutions). Mizzou commands a fair amount of prestige at the regional level, with a mutual level of respect maintained among the other institutions of the Big 12 (Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and Baylor) and other universities in the surrounding area (Illinois, Arkansas). Additionally, Mizzou maintains respect at the national level. Individuals from other areas of the nation are not in awe of Mizzou (it isn't Harvard or Yale), but they tend to recognize the University as a respectable institution. Outside of the Big 12, I have met individuals from across the nation, including the University of Southern California, the University of Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and Pennsylvania State University, and all of them treated Mizzou with respect. While not generally considered a "national school," the University of Missouri is certainly one of the best institutions in the Midwest. COLUMBIA Columbia is an exemplary college town. With a population of less than 100,000, Columbia has retained much of its small town charm while meeting the needs of the college community. Columbia is home to several local restaurants of various taste and an active night life. Additionally, Columbia has consistently been rated among America's best places to live, and is roughly two hours away from St. Louis and Kansas City.
Jordan Senior
The best thing about Mizzou: the history. When you go to Mizzou, you are joining a legacy of excellence and tradition, and it's something to be proud of. No other university can rival the deep respect for tradition that we have. If I could change one thing, I would make the entire student body more engaged in what is going on. Major decisions are made without students voicing their opinion, and it's our job as students to take ownership of our college's success. The school is just right. You may have a few big classes, but most of your classes are going to be fairly small. When I tell people I go to Mizzou, they think I am a party girl and that I am a little self-righteous about going there. But Mizzou is filled with friendly and down to earth people who all love this school and what it stands for. I spend most of my time on campus walking around. It's a beautiful campus. Columbia is definately a town that has embraced the college community. It has a wide range of arts and entertainment venues, alot with a great restaurant and bar scene. It may be a change for big-town people, but most people love the community atmosphere. I think the administration, atleast when it comes to advising, is helpful but a little detached. The current administration is working to increase communication between students and the administration. The biggest controversy, besides the greek gossip blog that rehashes all of the dramatic Greek events, was the student body president election. There is always a debate about cheating and candidate quality. There is tremendous school pride. And we hate Kansas. Mizzou's campus is unique; it's beautiful and large but easy to get around. It never takes more than 10 minutes to walk anywhere on campus, which is unusual. I will always remember homecoming my senior year. Mizzou founded homecoming in 1911---it has never been done anywhere else before---and now it's a huge event that is planned year round. Most frequent student complaint: parking.
Anne Senior
Mizzou is a huge school - every freshman class since I was a freshman has been the largest freshman class ever. You absolutely have to have an outgoing personality or you will not succeed. I would wager that people who dropped out or transferred have done so because they were lost in the crowd. Whether it relates to not being able to make friends or not getting the academic support you need - it has a lot to do with being outgoing. Mizzou is also a 100% college town. Everything revolves around the University and it's sports teams. There is a huge amount of school pride, something that made me attracted to the school in the first place. Now that I've graduated and live back in the Chicago area, I greatly enjoy Alumni Association events. Even 400 miles away, Mizzou fans pack into a bar and cheer on the Tigers.
Allison Alum
The best thing is that there is always things to do, always people around. I love the large school after living in a small town! I love spending time at the rec center, in my room or at the library. There is tons of school pride, especially with the football team doing so well this year! I love it! One experience I will always remember is the Tiger Walk. When freshman get to walk through the columns.
Anonymous Freshman
When I came to Mizzou, I thought everyone was going to know each other. I was quite wrong though; there are SO many out-of-staters, especially in the journalism school. I've met people who were born in Russia and people who live in Miami and people who live half an hour away from campus. It's really diverse. I was always worried the town would be small and boring, but it's really not. Columbia is amazing; downtown (known as "The District") is home to tons of really unique, locally owned shops, restaurants, galleries, bars, clubs, coffee shops and venues. I was really worried that I'd miss a lot of concerts by living in Columbia, but I've seen so many more. Since I'm right in between STL and KC, it's only and hour-two hours drive to either city to see whoever is playing. Even at that, plenty of bands stop at the Blue Note of Mojo's in Columbia or play the District's outdoor summer series on ninth street. So far I've had two big problems with Mizzou since I've been here. When one of my friends, a PA in one of the dorms on campus, was seriously depressed and cutting herself, it took me weeks to finally get her to go to the free counseling center on campus. When she finally went it in mid-November the center was full until half way through the following semester...unless she thought it was an emergency. Of course she didn't think it was an emergency, went home and considered killing herself. It was an awful time, but thankfully she had people to talk to, one of whom was her boss and residence hall coordinator. The dorms are the best place to find people to talk to; all the PAs and CAs hired and trained to work in the dorms are students going through the same thing and also trained to handle crises like that. Another problem I've had has been with my transcript. Since the university is quite large, there are departments upon departments with plenty of red tape to pass through. When I tried to sign up for my classes this semester, I was locked out of the system because I didn't have a graduation plan. The thing about my major, though, is that I'm pre-journalism right now, which means I'm not in the journalism department, but I can't file a plan with any other department. After calling ALL over campus, I finally talked to my adviser who helped me figure everything out. The thing I'll always remember is one of my very first days on campus. I ran through the columns, a Mizzou tradition upon entering the school, towards Jesse Hall in the mud with probably half of the freshman class. We ran to the other side where alumni handed us the famous Tiger Stripe ice cream. I then walked back to my dorm with a whole bunch of new friends...completely covered in mud. I absolutely cannot wait until I can put on my cap and gown and run away from Jesse Hall through the columns on graduation.
Erin Sophomore
The asthetic beauty of the campus is the best part of my schooling here, give or take teh many consturciton sites going on right now. To make this school a better place, I would attract a more diverse range of students.
B.how Sophomore
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