University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, MO, USA

Reviews

University of Missouri-Columbia

Philip from Saint Louis, MO

a current student here
39 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Mizzou is a huge learning experience in every aspect. I've learned not only about my subjects but about good study habits, organizational habits and myself. The teachers are generally understanding but tough and if you take the time to talk to them and work with them they will do everything in their power to help you succeed.
Am enjoying being here
The constant activity and friendships I've had and made at has made Mizzou a second home for me. I love it there and I visit every chance I get in the summer.
Bang for the buck
It's extremely pricey but worth it for all of the experiences they offer you and discounts you get on touring Broadway plays, concerts and food. But like I said it is extremely pricey and will set you back. I'm having to take a semester off to take some gen ed courses at community college to save money and I'm taking another semester off just to work to help pay. SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOANS ARE YOUR FRIENDS!
Tips for prospective students
Study hard and don't get distracted by everything there is to do on campus. Mizzou is a lot of fun, buzzing with constant activity between sports, concerts, speakers and other special events but you can't let that get in the way of your academics. Mizzou is an educational facility first and they won't waste time letting you know that. Make sure you find the right group of people to be around who can help you succeed and have fun. Also, as in much of life, listening to those who have experienced it can help a lot so take as much advice from upperclassmen as possible. Finally, and this applies to any school, DON'T OVER WORK YOURSELF. When you're first registering for classes they're going to try and get you to sign up for about 16+ hours, DON'T LET THEM! It's important to remember that as an incoming freshmen you're adjusting to a new lifestyle and a new way of learning so take it easy your first semester. Start with around 12-14 credits (unless you have a scholarship that says otherwise... than do the bare minimum you have to do for them) so you can get settled and comfortable. Then second semester you can start to add more hours.
Great for these types of students
This school is best for people who can balance well and who want the full college experience. The music department is great and extremely underrated around the country. kind of a little hidden gem in the world of music schools, so I highly recommend it to people who want to work in the music world. Also under their catagory of hidden gems, their psychology department is rated one of the highest compared to other state schools in the country. Not to mention it's engineering, agriculture and journalism schools that have helped it's reputation of great education.

Ashley from troutman, NC

a current student here
16 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Mizzou so far has been a great experience for me. I am currently about to start my sophomore year and I feel with the help and opportunities I had freshman year that I am ready to face the challenges on taking classes more in-depth to my major. Mizzou has a great general education requirement that allowed me to take classes that were outside my major and I primarily had no interest in, that opened my eyes to other opportunities and actually lead me to change my major to biology based on my general requirement class and how much I enjoyed the subject and the professors. Mizzou has also helped me gain confidence in my studies, before I was a constant C- math student always ruining my A/B's with that one C in math, but thanks to the Learning Center ( a student oriented, free tutoring service) they paired me with the perfect tutor who was willing to go above and beyond and helped me come out of Algebra with a new appreciation for the subject. Of course what is college with out your extracurricular and social life? There is so much to do at Mizzou I can barely touch base on it, every club you can think of is there, and even some that might peak your interest in something new. I wanted to try something new and now I work on the television show the Dynamo Effect for MUTV and have made some great friends, joining a club that is relevant for your major and one for something you may enjoy can help you strike a balance between work and play. Also Mizzou has a great dorm systems where they aren't too far apart for each other so visiting friends is a breeze and the nightlife is amazing for a town its size. The downtown area blends into the campus being a 10 minute walk from the center (Brady Commons) of campus. There are lots of nights for the under 21 crowd as well as places to eat and vintage and boutiques to shop at. The sporting events make for a fun free night (or discounted if you have a student pass) and every Friday night Mizzou after Dark plans something free for stu...
Tips for prospective students
Say hi to everyone on your floor, that will be your family and home away from home, at least until you start meeting people in your 500+ student lecture halls.
Join clubs or do intramural sports, its a great way to relieve stress and to do something you enjoy while networking and meeting new people.
Use your resources- YOU ARE PAYING FOR SCHOOL, and basically a lot of salaries around there so don't let anyone a professor, TA or tutor take advantage of that, get help when you realize you need it and before it becomes too late. Some classes you only get 3 grades and after a bad one it is hard to bring it up.

Tiffany from Waterloo, IL

a current student here
10 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Your first day at Mizzou will be probably one of the best days of your life. However, you will learn quick the ways of college. The people at this school do an amazing at job at introducing people to one another by having several events during the first week to get people to bond together.
Am enjoying being here
Seriously, I don't think I'd ever consider going to another school. Football games, thousand's of students, and the greek life here are simply phenomenal. [NOT TO MENTION WE JUST BEAT OKLAHOMA :)] The spirit we have here makes these four years the best of your life. Time fly's while you're having fun!
Bang for the buck
This is a decently expensive college, but they do a good job with financial aid and ensuring that their students have the financial support they need. To be on the safe side however, make sure you apply for scholarships. (There's an amazing book store and it's very easy to student charge clothing and other items which makes your tuition rise quick)
Tips for prospective students
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS attend class. I was sitting in a lecture hall when one third of the class decided to leave early. The professor ended up giving everyone who stayed 10 extra credit points on the final exam.

Make sure you take good notes, make friends, and have study groups. Having friends in a class will be the most beneficial thing.
Great for these types of students
Any type of student. The great thing about Mizzou is that everyone is so incredibly different and unique. There is always something interesting you can learn by just meeting different students here.

Andrew from Nixa, MO

a current student here
10 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Academic Rigor
this is the best place in missouri to learn/earn the degree you want.
Will enjoy being here
I can certainly tell you that they have so much fun and cool things to do there. Their Homecoming celebration, it lasts 2 WEEKS!! (FYI: Mizzou was the first to start Homecoming celebrations). They also have a new Rec. Center that has anything a Sports/Athletics junky could want.
Bang for the buck
mu is a bit pricey with the tuition rates and their high end dorm rooms, but when it comes to most other colleges that offer what mizzou does for students to do, it's easy to say that it's the the better deal.
Tips for prospective students
if you go to this school, don't walk in and get pulled in by all the frills and thrills that the school offers. stay focused on your work, study, and then, if you have time, work in extra stuff that you can do on times when you have a gap between classes. don't forget, find scholarships and loans that you can use to pay for tuition and other costs. when looking at loans make sure it can be easily payed off later, you don't want it hanging over your head long after your out of school. find local jobs that can be easily worked into your school schedule and work for classes, my suggestion would be, if you like working with kids, adventure club. adventure club staff is predominantly college students and works great with any class schedule. finally, don't overload yourself with tons of extras and credit hours just because it says in your degree qualifications, this is only recommended for the students who want to get out quickly and are able to take the load. but don't let all of this bum you out, have fun when it's appropriate and find good friends that can help you through school but not act as a distraction/easy-way-out.
Great for these types of students
anyone who has good study and organization skills, keeps up on grades and easily works with their instructors.

Azia from Columbia, MO

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Honestly, Mizzou is one of those schools where you definitely get in what you put in. If you want As, the teachers are going to make you work for them, and doing the bare minimum won't get you a C, it'll get you a D or an F, but Mizzou is NOT a difficult school. I think if anything you get a lot of life experiences here, the teachers do care about your success and there are so many opportunities for you to succeed. All in all, I've learned so much about myself here as well as academically, I would give Mizzou a 5, except I live in the library sometimes, and that's no fun.
Am enjoying being here
I love it here! When I say there's something for everyone, I kid you not. There are over 500 student organizations alone. As far as social life, and partying. There's a fair amount of that. I think it all depends on the people you hang out with. For the under 21 crowd, there's house parties, and on thursdays a few clubs will let you in, but for the most part, partying downtown is out. But, that doesn't really ruin much for me, I mean it's super easy to meet people here and everyone's pretty friendly.
Bang for the buck
Definitely, definitely worth the money. It will set you back quite a bit, I've been here for 2 years, 24,000 in debt! That's crazy, but it's reality. But we have a brand new student center, best gym (we call it the rec) ever, and a ton of other little perks, like computer labs everywhere, the Student Health Center, where you can go anytime you get sick, for FREEE, like seriously, whatever you could possibly be looking for, Mizzou has thought of and has, and continues to add. Not to mention excellent education. I'm accepted to the number one journalism school in the country. That's mindblowing!! How many people can say they went to the number one school in the country for their profession? I don't like debt, but if I thought for a second that it wasn't worth it, I would leave.
Tips for prospective students
Basically, I'd have to say what one of the other reviewers said, and that's STAY FOCUSED. Mizzou has a ton of great opportunities and so much to do, but you're really here for one reason and that's to get an education. It's easy to get distracted but if you just TIME MANAGE a little bit, you'll be fine. Just don't get behind on your work, and ask for help if you need it. If there's one thing Mizzou has, it's plenty of help.
Great for these types of students
Mizzou is great for students wanting to branch out, for students wanting to have a big college experience and still have personal relationships, and for students who want to succeed in life. If you're willing to work hard and have fun. The University of Missouri is the place for you.

Martin

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
the university of missouri is fantastic. i wanted to go to a college that was outside of missouri, perhaps on a coast, but because of financial problems i was not able to do that. however, i consider having gone to university of missouri as one of the best things that has happened to me.
Tips for prospective students
for future students, i would say to make sure that you keep up with your studies. with all the activities and fun available, it is easy to get distracted. definitely make frequent appointments with your major advisor and purposefully get to know all of your professors.
Academic Rigor
i am in some honors classes, and i know from experience that the work is challenging. however, it's not just the honors classes. every class i have been in so far has provided good work for me and forced me to spend a great deal outside of class studying.
Dorm Life
i absolutely love my hall and floor. they are some of my closest friends. if i could live in the dorms for all four years, i probably would. the leaders on the floors are great too, very personable and friendly.
Food and Dining
there are a lot of food options at mizzou, with over six dining halls to choose from and plenty of other food options outside of the regular meal plans.
What to do for fun
downtown columbia surprised me because although it is relatively small, especially coming from inner city kansas city, there is so much to do each and every day. i spend almost every day down there, hanging out in a coffee shop or exploring an art gallery.

Paige from Saint Peters, MO

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
University of Missouri is a place where every student has the opportunity to thrive. The teachers are ready and willing to help, and with the wide variety of degree options available, many bright students find their homes here. There are over six hundred extracurricular activities, so there is something for everyone
Tips for prospective students
My main tip is to apply for the incoming student scholarship that is due on December 15 every year. There are many scholarships that this application automatically applies you for, and most students get at least one. My other tips include applying for the FAFSA early, getting involved as quickly as possible, and to try lots of new things to meet people.
Academic Rigor
The courses at the University of Missouri are difficult, but manageable. Working hard and not waiting to study until the last minute is essential in order to succeed. The professors and TA's are always willing to help.
Dorm Life
Mizzou has established Freshman Interest Groups, called FIGs, that group students together who have similar areas of study. I live on a floor of all nursing majors, which I really enjoy. We all take the same classes so we can all study together. It makes meeting new people and doing well in your classes much easier!
Food and Dining
The dining plans are very affordable and the food is delicious. There are many dining halls with a wide variety of options, from Mexican to sandwiches to homestyle food.
What to do for fun
There are lots of things to do for fun at the University of Missouri. The atheltics at the univesity are very entertaining, as all of the atheltics are free to attend for students aside from football and men's basketball. There are affordable student passes for football and men's basketballl. There are also many extracurriculars for any student and any hobbie, such as the Coffee Club.

Bryndon from KC

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Mizzou has a beautiful campus, great tradition, academics, and campus-wide activities. There are so many different things to get involved with and things to do. Of course, attending college in Missouri isn't the most appealing, but MU has been a great choice for me.
Tips for prospective students
You don't have to know what you intended major will be! Undecided is the third most popular choice for undergrads on campus. Take classes that could potentially guide you to your eventual major.
Academic Rigor
Very challenging classes, but also very rewarding.
Dorm Life
No problems at all. Lucked out with a great roommate.
Food and Dining
Great food compared to other Universities that I've experienced.
What to do for fun
Downtown Columbia has plenty of great restaurants, bars, etc. True/False Film Festival every year in late February / early March.
Bang for the buck
I've had a great experience and done a lot as a Freshman. Missouri Method in the J-School gets you involved right away.
Greek Life
Very active, competitive, and fun.

Ashley from Saint Louis, MO

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It's an exciting place. It's always something to do on campus and a lot of involvement opportunities. I would definitely recommend Mizzou!
Tips for prospective students
Get involved! It helps your chances of receiving a scholarship. Keep you GPA high, even though it seems easy to get in. They don't just give away scholarships here. Also, do a campus visit make sure you like the campus and it feels comfortable.
Academic Rigor
As a nursing major, it is HARD. This is only freshman year and yes some classes are easier than others but just be prepared to actually study. Also, pay attention when you receive your grades, professors are human and make mistakes just watch for it. Lastly, do a mix of easy and hard classes.
Dorm Life
Some dorms are a better than others. The older dorms are all being torn down and rebuilt on a replacement plan. I stay in one of the oldest dorms on campus and you can tell it's old especially visiting my friends in their newer dorms. I would recommend staying on campus your first year just make sure to look at all the options regarding the dorms.
Food and Dining
I actually enjoy the food on campus. The best place to eat on campus depends on what you like. It's a little bit of everything to eat on campus. I just wish it was more healthier options. Like the vegetarian options are small and I wish it wasn't.
What to do for fun
It's a lot to do on campus. I would recommend getting a car though because sometimes it does get boring and you would like to explore Columbia.
Clubs and Activities
It's over 700 different clubs on campus. There is something for everybody. We have a Quidditch team, we even have zombie week. You can get involved and its even highly recommended by Mizzou. Just don't get too involved where you overwhelm yourself.
Greek Life
It seems like Greek Life is everywhere on campus. They are always hosting something on campus, it ranges from volunteer opportunities to informational opportunities.

Paige from Phillipsburg, MO

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The University of Missouri is a seated in Columbia, MO, a practically perfect college town. With the perfect amount of academic rigor and student life opportunities, it has the capabilities to hold up to the strongest qualifications of any family searching for a quality education at a quality location. The campus is beautiful, the professors are incredible, the people are wonderful, and the opportunities are unlimited.
Tips for prospective students
Look for financial aid soon, and make sure it is the right place for you. Other than that, there's nothing holding you back from a wonderful college experience other than yourself. Good Luck!!
Academic Rigor
As a music major, I can attest to MU's ability to be academically rigorous. Time management is a must.
Dorm Life
I do not live in the dorms, but I have heard good things.
Food and Dining
The options are endless, and the prices are reasonable.
What to do for fun
SO MANY THINGS. An incredible amount of clubs, activities organizations. and club/intramural sports.