Reviews

College is a time to expand the knowledge you already have and pursue new knowledge for use through the rest of your life. Sam Houston has allowed me to do both. In just the two semesters I have been here, I have learned more than I ever did in High School. The college atmosphere and college teachers teach you not only about what ever subject you are learning but how it applies to life as well.

Sam Houston is really a beautiful campus. I like that it is in a small town and not in a busy city. It allows you to get used to being on your own but not so much that you are overwhelmed. It is very much a college town and it is nice that everyone seems to know everybody. You see many familiar faces through out the day.

I did not, and do not, have the luxury of having a lot of money. I work hard, but college, especially 4 year institutions, has gotten so much more expensive. Sam is very affordable considering how nice the campus really is. Sam provides a large scholarships, loans, grants, and a low tuition cost so that students may get a quality education and more for their money.

Tips I can give all of you new freshman or transfers is to get involved. There are so many different organizations to get involved in so to make friends, build resumes, help your community, and to just have fun. Also, if you wear orange on Fridays, you get free stuff. I also advise you to go to all school activities because Sam gives you so many opportunities to win free stuff.

Sam Houston is great for the students that like a small town, small classes for more one on one direction, and enjoy community. In reality, I think Sam could cater to any type of student. It truly is an awesome institution!

The teachers here make you eager to learn as much as you possibly can. If you are willing to make the initiative, they are willing to dedicate as much time as you need to help you. There is so much to learn here at Sam Houston State University and the classroom environment makes it even easier to learn.

I enjoy being here at Sam because there is always something going on here on campus. The campus is beautiful and I enjoy just sitting on on the hill while doing homework. Everything you need is in such close proximity you can practically walk anywhere you need to go. My college experience here has been fantastic so far and I can't imagine going anywhere else.

This is one of the least expensive colleges in Texas and for the money you are paying, you are getting an excellent deal. The education level is outstanding, there are tons of student services offered to you included in your tuition to help you make the most out of your college experience.

-Apply early and apply for housing early, more likely to get your first choice especially if you want to live in Sam Houston Village.
- Always take the initiative to talk to your professors, take advantage of any and all help that is offered.

Students who like scenic locations.
Students who aren't sure about specific majors (there is a variety of major options available)
Students who like agriculture, criminal justice, business, theater, music, art, and sciences.

The professors here are great. Most of them want to get to know their students one on one and are very understanding to each students needs. Also, most of the classes are relatively small in size which makes it easier to excel in the classroom.

I cannot express how great it is to be going to Sam Houston. Other than weather, this school is amazing! Everything is close by like a small town within the campus. There are also so many different organizations here, its hard to pick only a few to join.

This really is a great deal for a university. It is fairly cheap and I am able to pay what I can when I am able. Also, there are a lot of events on campus that give away free stuff from t-shirts, to school supplies, and even food. Its almost as if you are getting your money back.

If it is your first year going to college, try getting a dorm. Many people think that dorms are very small and messy. While they are small, the dorms are relatively clean and are very close to everything on campus. If you do not have a car, getting a dorm is the best way to go.

This is a great place for people majoring in education, criminal justice, business, theater, and dance.

Sam Houston is a school meant for you to do well academically if you do your work. I have met life long friends in just a year and also had the time of my life and I can't wait to go back in the Fall. Just know that it doesn't matter where you are but rather how your time is spent.

I would suggest going here because a lot of times it is a looked over school and it is great! We have over 19,000 enrolled this year and no matter what personality you are, you will love it! It is a smooth transition from High School to College and I didn't at once feel like the workload was too strong or that the curriculum was too hard. When I was looking for schools before this I wanted a relatively nice sized school but also not too many students on campus so I didn't feel like a number. Sam is great with getting students involved and it is so easy to make friends here, just go to class or next door in your hall and BAM friends.

I was on top of my game most of the time when it came to academics, and it doesn't take back breaking effort to do well. Just do your work and check Rate My Professor religiously because it also depends on the professors and how they teach. Most professors at Sam actually want you to be successful and they are there for you to ask for help, don't be afraid to! (you are going to hear this a thousand times)

I say five stars because I lived in Raven Village, which is like the best dorm on campus. You have your own room and sink, the only thing you have to share is living room area, kitchen, and bathroom (toilet and shower). I loved the Dorm as a whole and made some great friends there. I stayed on the Fourth floor which was for Bearkat Learning Community (BLC). a freshman learning group that helps freshman be successful academically and also make friends with some of your classmates quicker!
P.S. I recommend signing up for this so that you can stay in the dorms and make friends with most of your classmates faster)

I was not really an Old Main person considering Raven Village is on the opposite side of this dining hall, but South Paw (which has Moes and Starbucks) was pretty good and I liked how Moes has meal plan so you can eat without having to spend Bearkat Bucks depending on what you get. Also LSC (Lowman Student Center) is the spot to be during classes and also a great place to grab some Subway, Pizza Hut, or Chick Fil A. They also have a meal plan option with chicken strips and hamburgers called Grill Works and depending on your taste can be good and bad just depends on the day. I mainly went to the Mcdonalds right next to Raven Village or ordered from Dominoes because of convenience and laziness.

There is plenty to do for fun, I don't know what some people are talking about! Sam really is a party school if you know where to go or the people that are attending these events! There are many kickbacks (I'm pretty sure everyday). if you just show up at the Villas (a popular after party apartment) then there will always be something there and friendly faces to invite you in (in a non creepy way). There is also The Fox (The Jolly Fox Club) and Nasties (Shenanigans) which are two clubs that I just gave you the nicknames to. I probably went once or twice but that is just me, I know lots of people that enjoyed going there almost every weekend. Besides parties there are many clubs and organizations on campus that throw many events for you to attend throughout the week. Also for fun here is a tip especially in the summer, if you are a freshman and living on campus, go to a random apartment (connections, encore, villas) and just swim in their pools! It is a great and simple way to make older friends that have connections! (no pun intended)

SAVE YOUR BEARKAT BUCKS! I cannot stress this enough. freshman blow their bearkats bucks within the first couple of weeks and you will need them on Finals week let me tell you! Also don't spend all your money on fast food and pizza. its an easy way to go broke and limit eating fast food at odd hours after parties especially.

LSC and the Yard are the places where people gather in bulks and stroll when they are supposed to be in class, but it's always fun around noon if you just got out of class and have a little time, it's a great place to meet up and briefly goof off with friends.

All types of students fit at Sam, it's just a matter of where you fit in and students usually figure that out fairly quickly considering it's college and not high school. (people hardly judge or care which is great) Also don't be afraid to be alone sometimes, everyone reaches that awkward stage when all your friends are in class and you have no one to sit with until your next class, so prop up somewhere and get comfortable or go to one of the labs to get something done in advance! No one looks at you weird for sitting alone, most college students do this anyways.

So many activities on campus! I remember at one point like never being in my dorm except to sleep and shower because of how many events happened everyday! They also give away free food and shirts a lot so take advantage of those opportunities.

The Greek Life is okay and is coming back, but I don't know much about it, I just know that there is a lot of drama between the different sororities and fraternities. DO NOT go to a Ques (Omega) Party alone!!

I never at once felt like my safety was threatened, it is an extremely safe school and as many times as I've been in questionable situations, I've never felt unsafe. Everybody is cool just pick the right friends and you'll be okay!

Sam Houston is a great learning environment, Every professor I've had has been extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I've walked away from every class with a completely new outlook on that subject.

Huntsville may seem boring at first, but once you get used to it, this place is amazing. There is something going on on campus every single day. They try and make the experience as fun as they possibly can.

It's definitely worth the price. While some universities are charging upwards of 10,000 a semester, I usually end up with $2800 - $3000 a semeseter, and With the grants and scholarships they offer, I never even spend close to that

Apply early, adn start the financial aid process EARLY.. That is the only downside... Once it get's busy, the financial aid office is almos impossible to work with

Its the number 1 Criminal Justice university in the country,
number 1 teaching university in the state.

and every other dept here ranks up there as well.

Sam Houston may not be Harvard or Princeton, but it is ranked above almost all universities in the state.

(Also its not a huge university, so it's great for anyone wanting that small town feel)

At this school there is a great opportunity to learn outside the classroom. There are plenty of workshops that are available for you to attend that help with financial aid, getting a job, even leadership workshops. The professors are also generally willing to help a student if they ask for it. Most of them are actually concerned about their students and wants them to achieve. This is an advantage to most schools because its not a if you do not get it oh well type of atmosphere.

I love living on campus. Most people say it is boring because there really isn't anything to do in Huntsville, but I love that everyone leaves on the weekends and it is so quiet and peaceful. Then during the week when everyone is on campus it is not crowded to the point where you bump into shoulders trying to get to your next class.

The education that you receive is worth every penny of your dollar. The professors genuinely care and they give you your monies worth not only in class but outside of class when you need them. They do not run and hide when you need them during office hours and most of them are really good about emailing you back when you have a question.

If you are looking for quality education without skyrocket tuition and a caring environment this is the school for you.

Loves learning
Loves great scenery
Loves to just have fun
and Enjoys freedom

sam houston state university has an amazing environment. the teacher-student ratio is perfect. the atmosphere is perfect for anyone who doesn't want to get lost in the crowd.

study, study, study and go to class. don't slack in the beginning it makes everything that much harder.

all of the classes are accredited and the professors are very helpful. there are tutoring centers in every department! it's awesome!

the dorm rooms have just the right amount of space for everyone. shsu built a new dorm building a year ago, it is very nice.

shsu recently built a new dining area. the food is great quality and affordable.

there is a duck pond that is nice to go when you want to just relax. the movie theater is very cheap, it's only five dollars to see a film at night and on weekends, which is a steal compared to the ten you have to pay in larger cities on campus student activities hosts many fun events.

tuition and housing prices are very low, and what you get in return exceeds what you pay.

every friday is spirit day and you wear orange and represent your love for the bearkats!!

students who like to study one-on-one with professors will love sam houston.

shsu is always coming up with new clubs and organizations. everyone will find somewhere they fit it!

there are many awesome sororities to choose from!

there are stations throughout campus that have phones to call upd if there is an emergency.

Sam Houston isn't too big of a school, but it's not very small either. It's just the right size, giving classrooms the perfect amount of students for professors to handle. Teachers give attention when you need it, and if you don't feel like teachers are enough, there are different centers from writing to reading around campus to help tutor you.

It's a beautiful campus full of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. Smiles are passed around even when it's raining cats and dogs, and if you ask for help anyone is willing to help. It's calm at night and rowdy during the day, we've got enough school spirit. The city is nice to travel around in and we're not too far from any place. It's the perfect getaway.

It's one of the cheapest schools in Texas and for all the help we receive from teachers it's perfect. Everything is within reach of the school and when it comes to eating or books, there's a variety of places to get everything from.

Be sure you've got your studying habits in check because these classes aren't easy if you don't know how to focus in school. Be ready to see friendly people and haul yourself up and down a giant hill. There's plenty of organizations to choose from and expect to make a lot of long-lasting friendships.

If you enjoy being in the country-like area, here's the place for you to be. The weather might be a bit crazy, but it's Texas, what else can you expect? The school spirit is completely amazing, especially when the holidays are around. Music program and Criminal Justice will cradle you in nicely!

Sam Houston has a beautiful campus. It's also very hilly and makes a great place for students who want to go out for a run or walk. The administrators and professors are really friendly and take the time to take care of the students' needs, which is something that doesn't happen all the time at larger universities.

There's no worries about making friends because there are many friendly students on campus. The campus also has hundreds of student organizations to help you be more involved in campus life. There are stores and food places nearby campus close enough to be traveled on foot or bike, but a car is necessary to get to the larger department and grocery stores.

Personally, my classes have been pretty manageable so far, but I've only taken some basic courses. I heard that the classes are okay if you study, and it really just depends on the professor.

The small houses are pretty great because it's small and great for close interactions with other residents. Some larger residence halls also have a sense of community on each floor or in the lobby; for example, I know Lone Star is a pretty social residence hall. The Residence Advisers are all pretty helpful, and they often put on programs for their residents.

The food at Old Main and Moe's are okay; they're not great but not awful. There is also a food court in the Lowman Student Center that includes Chick Fil A, Pizza Hut, Subway, and Grill Works, and there is Einstein Bagels on the same floor as the bookstore. Sandwiches, snacks, sushi, and smoothie are also sold at the student center and Moe's.

The campus is pretty much surrounded by museums, and most of them are free for students, and campus organizations frequently put on free events for students to attend. The shops in downtown Huntsville are pretty interesting, and there are a number of antique shops. There is also a bowing alley, a low cost movie theater, and a couple of clubs near campus that students hang out at.

There's a peaceful duck pond area out near where the museums are located; many students hang out here to talk or to study. We also have an annual Tree of Light Ceremony where students can come out, hold a candle, get free Christmas treats and shirts, see performances, and participate in a count down for the Christmas tree to light up.

There are hundreds of organizations for students to be involved in. It's a great way to learn more about the campus and campus events, as well as to make new friends. There is definitely something for everyone here, it's great.

Overall, I would say that the campus is pretty safe. Even though there are many prisons in Huntsville and the Walls Unit is about 15 minutes on foot from the center of campus, there is a large law enforcement presence, and SHSU is known for its criminal justice program. Also, there is an Escort program students can call at night to have someone to walk them to their destinations.

Sam Houston State University is an amazing school! If want to go to a school with a small town feel, small student to teacher ratio, and students that have great school spirit, then this is the school for you!

Visit the campus. Come to a football game. Go visit a class. Visit the shops in Downtown Huntsville. Really engage yourself to the college atmosphere when you come so you can make a good decision if Sam is the right school for you.

The academics at Sam is not the hardest...but its not the easiest either. It really depends on what you are majoring in and studying. The professor s are very personable though and you can always go to their office hours for extra help or just to chat!

Sam Houston State has some of the biggest dorm rooms compared to other colleges in Texas. There are no more than 2 people in a room, and the lowest end dorms share a bathroom with 4 people. There are lots of events to do within your dorm too, so get involved!

Food and Dining is pretty good! We have a new facility, Old Main Market that was built in the summer of 2011 which has a great variety of food. We also have other fast food places on campus, like Paw Print and South Paw. What ever your fix or crave, you can get it at Sam!

There is always something to do for the most part at Sam. Movies, a sporting event, the club, a house party, or small restaurants to hang out with friends, there is plenty to do if you get involved and meet people.

SHSU is one of the cheapest universities in the state of Texas. You will get a good education here and wont break your bank or leave you will lots of students loans. It is VERY affordable, one of the main reason I came here myself!

Nothing unusual, just lots of orange Bearkat spirit!!!! LO

Sam is so diverse! All kinds of people are here at Sam, and everyone is really nice and friendly!

Lots of clubs and organizations here on campus! Over 200+ clubs to join. If you cannot find one of those to fit your needs, you can make one!

Greek Life is present here on at Sam. I would do research on it before coming to college so you can decide what sorority/fraternity is best for you.

If though Huntsville, is known for its prisons, we have SO much police here, its crazy. There is campus police, Huntsville police, county police that patrol all the time. You wont go a day without seeing a police car around, which is comforting for those who might be scared to come!