Missouri University of Science and Technology Visit Report by jetcat45

Visit Activities:

Admissions Interview: Yes - Met with very enthusiastic member of staff, a former MS&T student.

Campus Tour: Yes - We just toured on our own, met with Computer Sci. professor and Biology professor.

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Campus:

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Everyone here loves the school, and they were super, Midwest-friendly.

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People were genuinely nice and friendly. It wasn't put on for visitors. They just seem happy.

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The interior of campus is pretty, with criss-crossing sidewalks. The periphery is fast food joints and student houses. Lots of pretty flowers. A mix of old and new buildings.

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Very clean and well kept up.

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The newest dorms are very nice, suites with individual rooms. Architecturally nice, and almost brand new.

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This is small-town Missouri - totally safe.

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My son and I didn't know what to expect, coming from a large city. But we were both incredibly impressed with the school, academically and personally.

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Off-Campus:

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Lots of fast-food places and an almost-charming very small downtown.

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Not a beautiful town - zoning gone wild, mostly 1960s buildings with lots of big pole signs. There is a nice-ish older downtown.

Campus Visit Notes for Missouri University of Science and Technology

Visit Description:

My son received a big scholarship from MS&T, so it was worth a trip. I am so glad we went. What a wonderful school, a hidden gem.

It's a public school, part of the U. of Mo. system, but feels more like an expensive private school. Ph.D. professors teach most of the classes, and they are uniformly enthusiastic about the college.

We visited the Biology and Computer Science departments. The Biology department focuses a lot on cellular/molecular biology and teaching. I was amazed that the largest class was only 30 students! The professors knew every Bio major well, by name. There is a Bio lounge where students hang out. We visited and my son was impressed by a lab where grad students and undergrad helpers do actual research on genetics/DNA. The labs are about to be entirely renovated with Stimulus funds, though they looked good to me.

The Computer Science department head met with us and explained the course structure. There is a strong grounding in the basics, with exploration of new concepts as an upperclassman.

Seventy percent of the students are engineering, with the rest Biology, Math and other sciences. It is not a place that has lots of English majors. It is an awesomely nerdy place, where being smart is okay and cultivated. Overheard: "Is his mother half-corpse or totally dead?" (RPG anyone?) There is an active social life, including gaming, etc., but it's not a party school. There are fraternities. Everyone gets involved in St. Patrick's Day activities and solar car building teams.

The disability department is excellent. They really get it, and accommodations are great.

My first impression of the campus was that it was so-so, but then when you get out of your car and go into the interior, it is very nice, with a mix of old and new buildings, benches, pretty landscaping and groups of students everywhere. Havener Hall has a brand new food court, and lots of big windows and a lounge. They have lots of athletic fields and a big recreation center. The city of Rolla also has a huge recreation center.

The students were mostly white, with a smattering of African American, Asian, South Asian and other students. 75% are from Missouri, but that will change if the word gets out about this school.

I liked that students are required to live in the dorms until they reach 60 hours, so they get to know each other. A "Hit the Ground Running" 3-week course is available to get freshman ready. Also, the week before class begins in fall, freshman are on campus by themselves to become acclimated.

Its main drawback is that it is in the middle of Missouri - 1:45 min. away from the St. Louis airport, in rural Missouri. (Overheard: "There is nowhere to shop in Rolla! I'm having Target withdrawal!") That said, the surrounding landscape is very pretty, with rolling hills, sandstone cliffs, and lots of water, rental cabins, biking, hiking, etc. Because the kids don't have anywhere to go, they all get to know each other with campus clubs and events.

What impressed us most: The professors and students, the genuinely friendly, happy (but hard-working) atmosphere. And out-of-state tuition is $18K, not $50K.

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

Just 10 minutes from campus, along I-44 are some hotels. We stayed in the Holiday Inn Suites - very good hotel, reasonable rates ($68). There is also a Hampton Inn that looks nice.