CM's Guide to Arizona State University

Arizona State University—Tempe, Arizona

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The Vibe

Innovative and Inclusive

What it feels like to go here

With four distinct campuses in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, Arizona State University offers students a chance to truly familiarize themselves with the city. Prepare yourself by packing all your shorts, t-shirts and tank tops; winter season averages around 70 degrees in the daytime. This sports-enthused school, with huge basketball and football followings, has no shortage of school spirit. Though known as a party school, Arizona State University’s retention rate for students staying on for their second year is 86 percent, meaning these student must stick around for more than the fun weekends.

Awesome Alumni

Before becoming an icon in the handbag industry, Kate Spade attended Arizona State University and graduated with a degree in journalism. That degree landed her a job at Mademoiselle Magazine as the accessories editor. After some time at the magazine, she found her calling when she discovered the surprising lack of competition in the handbag industry. Two decades later, the Kate Spade brand has exploded into the mainstream and can be found on women’s shoulders everywhere. Keeping the legacy alive, Kate’s cousin David Spade also attended ASU. Before he turned into a star of Saturday Night Live and an actor in various comedy films, David Spade graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in business. After graduating, David Spade started to perform standup comedy at clubs and college campuses. Spade’s break came when a casting agent saw one of his shows in Los Angeles and signed him.

Another notable alumnus, Al Michaels, graduated with a degree in radio and television and a minor in journalism before he went on to develop himself as a celebrated sports commentator. He’s commentated on major sporting events like the “Miracle on Ice” hockey game between the United States and Russia during the 1980 Winter Olympics as well as game three of the 1989 World Series where an earthquake happened before the start of the game.

Where we hang

Go to Sun Devil Stadium and cheer for your team along one of the most school-spirited student bodies in the nation. If you heart the arts, live theater and concerts happen almost every week at ASU Gammage. More of an outdoorsman? Hike up the historic “A” mountain. This beloved part of the Sun Devil Landscape offers a beautiful view of the Salt River Valley, a natural landmark for indigenous peoples as well as American Settlers. In addition to all of this, the Marston Exploration Theater offers a 3D astronomy show every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. “If you are over 21, you should head down Mill Avenue. All the college town spots are there: Pedal Haus, Rula Bula, Low Key Dueling Pianos, El Hefe’s, the list goes on and on,” said senior James Plott. No matter what your hobbies include, ASU has got a spot for you.

Q&A

1. What is the party scene like?

“We are known as a party school so it can get pretty crazy. I’m not a part of a fraternity, but there are pool parties every weekend and they are always fun and always happening,” junior Brian Yancy said.

2. What will you get in trouble for at your school?

“I think it’s the same anywhere you go, partying too much and not focusing on your school work. It’s all about balance. Also wearing navy blue and cardinal red to a home game,” sophomore Angela Wilkins said.

3. What would you tell incoming freshman?

“Don’t get caught up in the partying attitude. It’s fun and all but remember what you came to college for. I’ve seen too many people fall into the party trap and end up dropping out because of low grades or regretting the decision because they can’t pull their GPA up,” senior James Plott said.

4. How much sex are students having?

“I think it depends on their major. Biology, math and nursing majors, not so much. But communications, English, sociology, any major with some free time is definitely having more,” sophomore Howard Lewis said.

5. Have you ever regretted going to ASU?

“Only during my freshman year. My family lives in Missouri and while I’d visit them on major holidays I missed them a lot. I didn’t make too many friends freshman year so I was lonely the majority of the time. But, once I got settled and made friends, everything turned around and instead of looking forward to going home, I was kind of split between the two places,” senior Henry Cotto said.

Student Reviews

“I was surprised when I arrived here after hearing about how much of a party school it was supposed to be, that ASU is pretty tame. Of course, there are parties every weekend, but my expectation from what I had heard was that there was going to be people drinking every night and going crazy.” – Daniel Villa, class of 2020.

“I love it here. The student body is so diverse and everyone is really nice. I came here with no friends or acquaintances and by the end of orientation, I had made three friends. Since then, I’ve been active in various organizations and I’ve been loving every minute of my time here.” – Julia Flores, class of 2021.

“Its great here, there is so much to do. I love going outdoors so I rock climb and hike a lot, there are a bunch of trails. Also in the winter, I go snowboarding at the Snow Bowl and it’s great. I love telling people who don’t live here about that because more times than not they don’t believe that it snows here.” – Amanda Hill, class of 2019.

“Something that surprised me when I came here was the public transit. I love the light rail. It runs through campus and is a cheap way of getting to Phoenix’s museums, arts, and stuff. It also goes to the airport.” – Isabella Anderson, class of 2018.

“When I first started here it took me a while to get my footing. My greatest challenge here has been adjusting to the difficulty of the classes. High school wasn’t too hard, but now in college, you’re accountable for so much more and no one is breathing down your neck to do it. But, it’s all about being organized, calendars, reminders on your phone, whatever you got to do to get it done.” – Angela Wilkins, class of 2020.

Top 3 Majors

1. Business Market Management

2. Engineering

3. Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Top 3 Most Popular Student Organizations

1. ASU Outdoors Club

Have you ever wanted to see the kind of nature that comes as stock computer wallpaper? If you enjoy the beautiful landscapes of mountains, canyons, and waterfalls, then ASU’s outdoors club might just do the trick. “We meet every Tuesday at 7:30 and we go adventuring to different locations around the area every weekend. It’s super fun and a great way to meet other people, especially when we go camping,” said junior Amanda Hill. Get ready for some outdoor adventures that you’ll remember for a lifetime.

2. Intramural Sports

If you are ever in the need for an escape from your academic life and don’t know which organization to join, look no further than Intramural Sports. “I truly believe that there is no better way to meet a new group of friends than to join an intramural sport. It doesn’t matter whether you are good at the sport or not, it’s a way to have fun and to be a part of something collective. Plus, it’s a good way to stay fit and to procrastinate on doing your homework,” said sophomore Ryan Garland. Offering indoor and outdoor sports, ranging from flag football to table tennis to cricket, ASU provides students with a fun way to get out of their dorms or apartments and meet some new faces.

3. Challah for Hunger at ASU

Getting involved and helping your local community has never felt more convenient. Challah for Hunger bakes and sells fresh homemade challah bread in aims of helping their local community and raising awareness for social justice issues. “We meet every other Tuesday to make the bread and we sell it that Friday in between Hassayampa and Barrett dorms at 10:30 a.m. Fifty percent of the profits go toward our local food bank, St. Mary’s Food Bank, and the other 50 percent goes toward Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger. It’s a great organization and fun way to meet people as well as give back to the community,” said junior Stephen Harel. Throw an apron on and get to baking for a good cause.

Getting In

ASU looks for students who put forth effort in high school to not only stand out academically but also within their local community. ASU searches for students with character, passions and perspectives that will add to their current learning environment. Ideally, prospective ASU students will have faced challenging circumstances as well as had unique experiences that will diversify them from the rest of the student body. As a slightly selective school, ASU expects prospective students to meet their requirements. To the benefit of the applicants, ASU offers a highest sitting SAT scoring policy in which, the highest test score achieved by the prospective student will be used. By keeping up a GPA of 3.49 and scoring 1210 on the SAT or a 25 on the ACT, one can expect an acceptance letter in the mail from the Sun Devils.