Southwest Minnesota State University
Marshall, MN, USA

Reviews

Southwest Minnesota State University

AM from MN

accepted here and planning to attend soon
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
yes i have sat in on a few classes and they are a lot harder than high school! Don't listen to the Dustin guy right above my review!
Will enjoy being here
You bet! I love love love it here! Im kind of a homebody, and was afraid I was going to get homesick, but i know i wont because SMSU will keep you busy with all the different things they have going on! You won't have time to be homesick! You'll be having tooooo much fun!!!
Bang for the buck
Yup! A lot cheaper but better education! The banded credits works out great!
Tips for prospective students
Visit the campus!! It's so incredibly important! You will have so much fun here, everybody is super nice!
Great for these types of students
People who want a sense of belonging, ready to re-create themselves and people who want to meet other people!

Tim from Sartell, MN

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Southwest Minnesota State is no different from any other division 2 college. The teachers are extremely good and extremely friendly. I have learned a great deal from all of them. Small classes allow every student to learn a great deal. The biology program lacks a little bit of technology, but funding from the government is changing that.
Am enjoying being here
The campus is located kind of in the middle of nowhere and the winters are harsh but the people you meet are some of the most friendly people you will ever meet. The term Minnesota nice definitely applies to this campus. I love the small campus feel and you always feel involved in the campus and decisions that the campus makes.
Bang for the buck
Southwest State is one of the cheapest MnScu schools out there. You get a quality four year education for a very reasonable price. My teachers tell me that they consider Southwest State a private college at a public school price. I would have to agree with them.
Tips for prospective students
This is basic college tips and they apply to any college student. Study hard, have fun, and find a college that gives you that feel good feeling when you visit it. It is hard to explain, but you will know what I am talking about when you feel it.
Great for these types of students
Southwest State is a great college for students who want a small college with small classes and fair pricing. If you like the rural feel this college is also definitely for you. If you also like friendly people, very cooperative teachers, and the extremely friendly faculty/employees this college is also for you

Angela from Detroit Lakes, MN

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
There are so many classes at SMSU that weren't offered in high school. I'm really excited to take so many courses. But I can't fit them all into my schedule. The professors are easy to understand and are great about answering questions.
Am enjoying being here
I really like the small campus feel. Winters are a bit harsh but it's only a small sprint from the dorms to the rest of the buildings. Otherwise everything is connected by hallways so you don't even have to go outside! Unless you want to go to Walmart or a movie. There's always something to do here, activities, clubs, whatever you feel like doing.
Bang for the buck
SMSU is one of the cheaper schools and it's kind of the reason I chose it. Plus everyone is so friendly, you really do matter here. Not to mention they have the only planetarium in southwest MN. Closest one is the Twin Cities or Fargo/Moorhead, that I know of. Marshall is great about discounts for students as well. Carry your ID with you always, you don't know what you might be saving!
Tips for prospective students
You don't need to bring so much with you. Unless you like being a recluse, you'll be out and about so much, people will wonder if someone actually lives in your room. It's mostly quiet on campus. Not a huge party school. Thirsty Thursdays are about the only thing you have to worry about when people get loud. Last year the campus voted to be tobacco free but the ruling changes every year.
Great for these types of students
Students who are okay with a smaller campus. It might be a bit of a drive out there, but there's still plenty to do. The movie theater even has 3D, if you're big on that. SMSU doesn't cost a lot if you're looking for a cheaper 4-year school. And everyone, staff and students, are so friendly, you'll never feel alone or left out or bored. There's always something going on.

Kayla from Marshall, MN

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Been a great experience thus far and I am excited to continue my college education here. Have referred SMSU to other people I know because it is so great.
Tips for prospective students
Come on a college visit, get to know your way around here a little bit.
Academic Rigor
Some of the professors are very strict about their teaching styles and do not take input from students when they question their ways of teaching. However, all the professors are nice once you have a couple classes with them.
Dorm Life
TALK TO YOUR ROOMMATE BEFORE MOVE IN DAY COMES!!! I cannot stress that enough, because if you talk to them only a few times before college, they could be a completely different person once you move in with them.
Food and Dining
Food is great! Just enough options- not too few and not too many. Love that the pasta bar is back!
What to do for fun
Go to res. life and borrow some games, or game systems. Have movie nights, go to sporting events, go to a movie have dinner with friends. Movies that are played in the cinema in lower CC
Bang for the buck
The price for college, and the experience I have received so far, It is DEFINITELY worth the money!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Java city every Tuesday/Thursday before class with a friend
Great for these types of students
Great for any type of student! Not only one type, because this university fills the needs of many, many different types of students.
Campus Safety
Feel safe most of the time except for when I hear that there's an assault on campus or something, then I get a little nervous when I'm walking.

Tricia from Mapleton, IA

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
southwest minnesota state university is an amazing school, and has many majors to choose from. smsu has professors that are all very knowledgeable in more than just there specialties. there are many clubs and opportunities to get active in the school.
Academic Rigor
all of the courses that i have taken are challenging, but fun at the same time. you will learn a lot in the courses that you take.
Dorm Life
i lived in the dorms for one year and it was tons of fun. the dorms are nice to get to know people and make new friends. all of the dorms are very nice.
Food and Dining
food and dining are good. most of the food is cooked in front of you and you can always find a place to sit.
What to do for fun
there are many events in the dorms as well as in clubs and events through the school. there are also a number of activities outside of the school. there is bowling, movies, maurices, wal-mart, and many lakes around.

Trisha from Lamberton, MN

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
SMSU is safe. SMSU is good for education majors and PE majors. Others are welcome, but unless you are only going for cheep... it's not the best school..
Tips for prospective students
Make sure you have a job, but do not work over 30 hours a week during the year please.
Academic Rigor
you learn stuff. Plenty of help available. Good relationships with professors.
Dorm Life
Its a dorm, dorms suck, but the dorms here are fine in comparison to other dorms. Its a place to sleep. Sweetland: rich kid dorm. I suggest the ones closest to campus. You will not have to go outside in the snow.
Food and Dining
Lower Student Center: If you have a student ID with flex money on it you can get food for a little less money. They promote the meal plan. Get more flex than you do meals. Meals only count in the buffet, but flex is money that can be used anywhere in the school.
What to do for fun
there are so many clubs. On Thursdays everyone goes to an 18+ bar called Pappys. It is really dumb, but go once I guess.
Bang for the buck
You get what you pay for
Great for these types of students
PE majors and Education majors. Culinology majors. criminal justice majors...
Clubs and Activities
Just go to all of them I love these. I was scared to my first year, but now I love them.
Greek Life
I don't even know what that is.
Campus Safety
You will be fine.

Katie from Cokato, MN

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
SMSU is a great campus, full of life and school pride. It is small enough to feel welcome and homey but big enough to not feel like a small town high school. The professors go above and beyond for you to succeed.
Tips for prospective students
Join clubs! The more involved you are the more you will enjoy being there! You gain so much knowledge and become very close to many people by being in clubs.
Academic Rigor
Professors push you and expect nothing less than your best. They are willing to go the extra mile to help you succeed, be sure to ask for help!
Dorm Life
The dorms are dorms. Nothing to special but it's what you make it. Living in Oceans Boulevard was the best decision I made going to SMSU. Get active and get to know your dorm mates!
Food and Dining
Cafeteria food was good. Lots of options and they take requests. Plus there is Papa Johns!
What to do for fun
Lots of club hold events and seminars. There are sporting events and concerts held on campus monthly. Like i said the more involved you are the more fun you will have!
Bang for the buck
Super cheap tuition but experienced and well educated professors. NO CLASSES ARE TAUGHT BY TA's all classes are taught by licensed professors. 95% of classes are 30 students or less the maximum for general lecture classes if like 95 students. Small class sizes means you get to know your professors.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
MUSTANG MANIACS!! Paint you chest! Wear Brown and Gold overalls and support you mustang athletics. Brown and Gold Fridays! Wear Brown and Gold on fridays and get free stuff plus your picture on the schools website.
Great for these types of students
There is so much variety at SMSU it really does suit all types of students. THere's athletics, fine arts, religious groups, karate clubs, and much more!
Clubs and Activities
SO MANY TO CHOOSE FROM!
Greek Life
No Greek Life. Depends on whether you like that or not. For me, I don't so I loved being at a college without a Greek Colony.
Campus Safety
Super safe campus. Never felt unsafe at any time. I would stay by myself over breaks and felt perfectly safe. I work late nights sometimes and walking around late a night has never been a worry to me, no matter where I was on campus. The city of Marshall is really safe also.

Anonymous from Marshall, MN

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Southwest Minnesota Statue University contains everything I had hoped a college would have. I felt at home here to moment I stepped foot on campus to tour as a Senior in high school, and as a Freshman here in college I haven't had a single regret. It's a smaller college, so professors know me by name, I get to know the people in my dorms and I feel like I can truly be successful here.
Tips for prospective students
Pick this school! It really is a great place where you can have a good relationship with your professors, there is a lot of school spirit, and there are a lot of great people to meet.
Academic Rigor
I feel like I can be really successful here. My class sizes are small, about 20 students or less, and my professors all know me by name and make it easy to communicate with them when I need help or have any questions.
Dorm Life
Everyone in the dorms get along very well. Dorms organize their own intramural teams to play against each other, and we decorate our dorms for Homecoming contests and for local kids to trick-or-treat in for Halloween. People are really friendly and it's easy to make new friends.
What to do for fun
Sports are a big deal here, our women's soccer team is #6 in the nation and our volleyball team is #4 in our division. Many people will go to football games or rugby games here on campus. There are also dances, including a Foam Dance and a Halloween Costume Dance.

Amber from Browerville, MN

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
SMSU is a college with a small town feel. It is a safe environment and the classes teach you valuable skills for your intended career path. Overall, SMSU is a good college to be at.
Tips for prospective students
A few tips for future students is to get your parking pass as soon as you can. No one likes getting their car booted and towed away. Also be sure to check online for your textbooks, as the campus bookstore can be pricey.
Academic Rigor
The classes are challenging, but the professors have time for one on one help if a student is struggling in their class.
Dorm Life
Dorms are fairly clean, with a custodian who regularly cleans the halls, kitchens, and bathrooms. You are sure to befriend other members of your dorm complex.
Food and Dining
Food from the cafeteria is probably better than anything you ate in the lunch line at your old high school. Or, if the cafeteria isn't your thing, the on campus food courts have a variety of other snacks and food that will be more to your liking.
What to do for fun
Marshall, MN has a movie theater, bowling alley, arcade, and several thrift shops to browse through. On campus there is gym, weight room, movie and game rental, and a nature trail.
Bang for the buck
Southwest Minnesota State University is one of the cheaper colleges to attend in Minnesota. The tuition is the same for in and out-of-state students. SMSU is a good option for a student who is looking for a good education at a price they can afford.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
An unusual location on campus is the Nature Museum located right inside the complex. It is filled with interesting things involving environmental science, and is almost always playing Alone in the Wilderness on the TV inside.
Great for these types of students
Southwest Minnesota State University is great for any student wanting to major in Education, Agriculture, Creative Writing, Food Science, Graphic Design, History, English, and Music. Because of it's low cost, low-income students would benefit from SMSU too.
Clubs and Activities
If you can name a club, SMSU has it. Off the top of my head, clubs and organizations include Karate Club, Tae Kwan Do, Art Club, Graphic Design Club, History Club, Psychology Club, Women on the Move, GLBTA, International Students Organization, and Anime Club. There are over one hundred clubs and organizations on campus.
Campus Safety
While not advised, SMSU feels so safe that you could walk the campus at night and still feel completely safe. Public Safety are always on campus and are readily available if you ever need them.

Hailey from MN

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The staff are very friendly. The class sizes are small and easier to learn in. The school is very nice.
Tips for prospective students
Study hard and pay attention in class.
Dorm Life
The dorm life is great.
What to do for fun
There is a movie theater in town, lots of places to eat and a bowling alley.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There is always a homecoming.
Great for these types of students
Atheistic or students in the drama club.
Greek Life
There aren't any that I know of.