Northern Arizona University Visit Report by momofthreeboys

Visit Activities:

Information Session: Yes - Very typical info session led by an admissions manager. The session was well done and touched briefly on admissions, financial and student life

Campus Tour: Yes - A walking tour of campus with a visit to a model dorm room and a trip through the union. No other buildings were entered which was disappointing

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Campus:

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Typical Saturday morning campus but the students encountered in town and on campus were friendly and welcoming.

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Those encountered were friendly and helpful.

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Mix of old and new with some construction on new buildings. Bike paths and walking paths which was nice.

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We only entered a couple buildings which were clean and well maintained. Maintenance crews, ground crews and building repair was noted.

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Son did not like. Freshman dorms are 2 person rooms with baths down the hall. They are small, clean and have the essential furniture but not much else. All freshman dorms are apparently the same.

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Flagstaff is a safe town. There are campus police as well as Flagstaff police and blue boxes around campus.

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Son liked the campus. Easy to get around on foot or by bike. Many, many bikes in evidence. Contained campus with no roads running through the heart of the campus.

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Off-Campus:

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The campus is a couple blocks from the downtown areas (old Flagstaff as well as the "big-box strips." Easy to navigate. The town is clean encircling the campus. Well integrated with good to

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Great college town feel with a funky old town area with restaurants, coffee shops, etc. South end of town has the big box stores that one would need. Public transportation available and close skiing.

Campus Visit Notes for Northern Arizona University

Visit Description:

I've been wanting to "see" this campus. We know a number of people with kids at this college even though it is not regional for us. About 15,000 with heavy emphasis on the undergrad. "Contained" campus with no roads running through and compact enough to walk easily from one end to the other. Several new buildings and some under construction and older original buildings. Walking paths and also separate bike paths. Lots and lots of bikes everywhere. Son was upset as he asked where the kids store their (expensive) bikes in the winter and was told there is no storage rooms or places and most kids "leave them outside." That was a big negative. This is a good financial bargain with fixed tuition for 4 years, fixed room & board for 2 years and a 4-year graduation "guarantee" that can be agreed to. WUE college so we saw many California license plates in the student lots. LA is an 8 hour drive. The region is spectacular with skiing, the Grand Canyon and bike trails for the outdoor kids (of which there are many). Kids "seemed" more wholesome and outdoorsy than "out-there" and age diverse (younger and twenty somethings.) We loved the college feel of the old town area just a couple blocks from campus. The freshman dorms disappointed my son as they are very small with relatively no storage (no place for bikes, skis, etc.) and there are no alternative configurations with the exception of the frat/sorrority dorm which apparently has some suite style living. The down the hall baths and lack of space for his outdoor gear were deal breakers for my son. We did not see the inside of any buildings or labs which was also a disappointment to my son. Yet we saw the inside of the dorm. The campus is roughly laid out with dorms at one end, classroom buildings at the other with bookstore, union, health services etc. in the middle. Union was new and nice with one of the "best" food court dining halls we've seen. Athletic facilities on one side across a street and arts, theater and library running along side the other across a street. Nice layout and very walkable. Flagstaff elevation makes the campus feel very midwest with pines, oaks, etc. and not "high desert." Total snowfall is about 100" a year so very "midwest" climate-wise. Nice choice for a public school at a reasonable price for the kid that likes the outdoors. Plus it's a "fun place" for parents to go "look see", we made a weekend of it and hit the Grand Canyon and Sedona with ease.

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

The Drury which is new is a great place to stay. Right on the edge of campus and 2 blocks to old town. Very accomodating and lots of amenities at a "chain" rate.

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

Lots of fun places in old town: pubs, brew houses, Mexican, pizza. Chains out by the freeway with the big box stuff.

Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):

Train station is within walking distance. Small airport-a couple airlines. Shuttles to Phoenix (2 hour drive to Phoenix).
Grand Canyon one hour away. Sedona about 45 minutes via a scenic route.