Should I Go to Gonzaga University

Should I Go to Gonzaga University Katherine earned her bachelors degree in English from Gonzaga University. She specializes in test prep tutoring, American Literature tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, she shares her experience at Gonzaga University: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Katherine: Gonzaga Universitys campus is located within the Logan neighborhood of Spokane, about a 10-minute bike ride or 20-minute walk from downtown. The campus is closed, meaning it has defined boundaries but no fence to separate the surrounding neighborhood. I always felt safe on campus, though I would recommend traveling with a group at night when venturing further into the neighborhood. There is a bus system in Spokane, but the city is great for bicycles as well. Most students live in the neighborhood next to campus, so theres no urgent need for a car. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Katherine:At Gonzaga University, the professors and advisers are always available to students. The faculty is very present and genuine about their purpose at the university. Many faculty enjoy teaching and try to engage students on both a personal and academic level. Office hours, coffee meetings, and spontaneous meetings in the hallway are frequent occurrences. How would you describe the dorm liferooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Katherine:Its hard not to be involved at Gonzaga. There are so many opportunities to meet people in the dorms, at the dining hall, and through clubs and activities. All dorms are within a 10-minute walk to classes, the fitness center, and dining services. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Katherine:While Gonzaga University has a large nursing program, engineering school, and business school presence, the College of Arts and Sciences makes up the majority of programs. I studied English with a focus on creative writing, because I am passionate about words and hearing peoples stories. The university did an excellent job supporting my program, both inside and outside of the classroom. I had well-published, knowledgeable, and passionate professors. They encouraged me to get outside of the classroom and engage in literary activities, both on campus and in the Spokane community. I was granted the opportunity to attend conferences across the country and work in publishing, both of which would not have been possible without the support of the English department. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Katherine:Gonzaga University does not have Greek life represented on campus. Its possible to have multiple friend-groups and connections through a variety of activities and social groups around campus. There are so many options for all types of interests to be involved and social on campus. How helpful are the Career Centerand other student support services? Katherine:The Career Center is helpful if you take the initiative to actively seek their advice. Other student support services are excellent as well, including the health center, counseling, and university ministry. How are the various study areas such aslibraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Katherine:There are a multitude of study spots around campus, especially since the new student center was completed in 2015. The library is open 24-hours and has a plethora of cubbies, chairs, and study rooms. The dorm common spaces are also good for studying if you dont mind a little background noise. Describe the surrounding town. Katherine:There are great things to do in Spokane if you take the time to explore. Within a 20-minute drive out of the city, there are beautiful places to enjoy hiking, skiing, rock climbing, and paddling. The city of Spokane offers poetry slams, indie bands, and cute coffee shops to explore. Its a very active city with lots of fitness gyms, yoga studios, and running events. The performing arts center downtown brings in big names and shows, so theres never a dull weekend in Spokane. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Katherine:The student body at Gonzaga is considered mid-size with a small feel. There are about 4,500 undergraduate students. The nature of the campus is that you can always go somewhere on campus and know someone. The class sizes are excellent. The biggest class I had was 35 students and the smallest was only three. Most classes are 14-20 students, which means you really get to know your peers and can access the professor easily. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one youregretthe most. Katherine:One memorable experience was in my human ecology class. We ventured down to the Spokane River during lab and trounced around in the mud and shallows finding water bugs to study. Since I took a class for non-science majors, we all had a blast learning outside of the classroom. Check out Katherines tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.