University of North Dakota (UND)

If you love hockey, want to study at the nation's foremost aerospace and aviation school, and you're not afraid of the cold temperatures, the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks wants you on their team. The largest university in the state, UND is internationally recognized in the aviation industry for its aerospace program, which offers "the highest level of flight training," thanks to "incredible professors" who "know the industry." Other schools including the college of business and public administration, the college of engineering and mines, and the school of medicine and health sciences are praised for their "innovation and intelligence." UND also benefits from its "strong and active alumni network." Students have mixed experiences with the quality of advisement and experiences with faculty seeming to vary depending on the students' interests. "General education teachers are very hit or miss," one student says. But another offers, "Every single professor that I've had has been engaging, [and] interested in my learning...and have also given me opportunities for success by introducing me to internships or jobs that I should apply for, as well as being willing to write recommendation letters or talk during their office hours whenever possible." UND offers "great on-campus resources for its students, including "counseling, student health, LGBTQ+ office, International Center, Student Government, and The Dakota Student, the student newspaper." Small class sizes "make for a more personalized learning experience," and "tuition costs are still reasonable compared to other schools and states," proving "bang for your buck." And there are "numerous resources and organizations available for students on campus to help them succeed...academically, socially, and mentally"-including a "strategic plan recently implemented that focuses more on the student experience and being a leader in action."

The "conservative" student body "is mostly comprised of Midwestern students," a "large majority from Minnesota and North Dakota," with the aviation program bringing in "a decent amount of diversity from around the U.S. and the world." Students also note the quality of their classmates: "It takes a special kind of person to be able to suffer through the long, dark, and extremely cold winters." Those who land on campus are more than "willing to lend a helping hand" and that's true "not only for the campus but for the community as well."

Students love the "tight-knit community support," and say "everyone in Grand Forks wants the students at UND to succeed." School spirit "is very strong...which makes it extremely fun to attend basketball, football, volleyball, or hockey games." Emphasis on the hockey games: "There is nothing that brings us together more than hockey." The Ralph Engelstad Arena "nearly sells out at any home game" and "many people begin lining up in the cold as early as 8:00 A.M. on some game days." The city has a lot of outdoor skating rinks. The "greenway is great in the warmer months." The "beautiful campus" is "relatively compact in size," so traveling to and from classes is easy and "convenient." There is "support for Greek organizations and other organizations that support leadership opportunities," and the "attitude of all people, staff, and workers is always uplifting." Most students' days are "filled with studying and homework," but in between classes students visit the "local coffee shop, Archives," or visit the Wellness Center, which "is always busy, either with individual workouts, group exercise classes, intramural or pick-up games, or cooking classes."