University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Reviews

Karissa

from Marinette, WI

Current student

In which ways do you feel you are learning and growing?

Being far away from home has definitely been the biggest learning experience for me. Having to push myself outside of my comfort zone, make new friends, and get involved has been challenging, but has helped me grow so much as a person. I wish someone would have told me coming into my freshman year that being homesick would hit me like a truck, but it definitely gets better, you just have to stay busy and find things you enjoy!

How are you enjoying your time at this college?

UWL really fosters and environment for belonging. I love attending campus events and just hanging out with my friends, I couldn't imagine going to school anywhere else.

What tips can you share with prospective students?

Don't be scared to talk to professors! With smaller class sizes at UWL, connecting with your professors is much less intimidating than it seems. Going to office hours, participating in class discussions, and asking questions can be extremely beneficial academically, but getting to know your professors can also help you make connections that will be valuable in pursuing your professional goals.

How would you describe the dorm life at this school?

Campus has many "traditional style" dorms - what you probably think of when you picture a college dorm - no A/C, small rooms, community bathrooms - but also has two nicer options: Eagle Hall and Reuter Hall. Eagle is a suite style dorm with A/C, bigger rooms, and private bathroom that is shared between two rooms. Reuter is an apartment style dorm building with 4 private bedrooms per apartment, a common space, kitchen, and bathroom.

How would you describe the food and dining options?

There are some good options like Einstein's Bagels, but the dining hall is underwhelming. There are six dining locations total, plus a Starbucks and a Caribou coffee.

In your experience, what is there to do for fun at this college?

There is ALWAYS something going on on campus. From athletic events to campus sponsored activities like yard games, crafts, and movie nights, there really is something for everyone. Campus is also really close to downtown if you're looking for some lively fun, and there's so many outdoor activities to do as well like kayaking and hiking.

Are there any quirky or unique traditions that make your college special?

At the end of each semester, the dining hall hosts a late night breakfast during finals week, which is just a fun way to take a break from studying and enjoy a meal with friends. There is also Eagle Fest in the beginning of September where students can see what clubs are available on campus, participate in yard games like spikeball and cornhole, and enjoy some good food.

How does this institution support campus safety or mental health and wellness programs?

Access to the Student Health Center and Counseling Center is included in student tuition, so all students can see doctors staffed by Mayo Clinic and use therapy services. There are also numerous "blue lights" around campus that will alert campus police and send them to your location if you feel unsafe.

How has your college supported your career development and future goals?

There are lots of resources available on campus to connect students with opportunities like internships and part-time job related to their major. Getting involved in undergraduate research has also been extremely beneficial for me in gaining hands on experience in my field. Students can also visit the career advising center for help with creating a resume, finding career opportunities, and improving interview skills.

Jennifer from Rolling Meadows, IL

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	The classes are challenging. It is more difficult than high school, but I would assume that most colleges are. Most class sizes are relatively small. My chemistry lab had only 18 students in it! The teachers are very helpful and want you to do well. They provide office hours, information about tutors, and are willing to meet with you if you need help. When I talk to students who are older than me, I can tell how much they have learned in the previous years at La Crosse. I know that I can accumulate much more knowledge throughout the years I will be here.
Am enjoying being here	It is the perfect size school for me. It has about 10,000 students: not too small, not too big. The campus is small enough to walk end to end in 10 minutes. I am on the gymnastics team here and I love it! It's a great group of girls. The campus is very active. The Recreation Center is always busy and there are a lot of sports and Intramurals to get involved in. As soon as it gets warm out, people are doing things outside. The nature is beautiful. It is very common for students to hike the bluffs on the weekends for fun to see the beautiful view. Students can rent roller blades and take a trail by the marsh for recreation. There's always something to do or get involved in at La Crosse
Bang for the buck	It can be a little expensive if you are out-of-state, but if you are from Wisconsin or Minnesota it is well worth the money. Even for out-of-state tuition, it is worth the cost.
Tips for prospective students	Apply for housing early because there is a little shortage of dorm space until the new dorms are built. If you apply late you may end up with an extra person in your room. It isn't that bad if you end up in overflow housing though. I lived with it all first semester and it really isn't that bad. Plus you meet more people this way!
Great for these types of students	It is great for active students and people who like a relatively small classes.

Alex from LA Crosse, WI

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	UW-La Crosse has a very diverse educational staff that always caters to our student's needs. The class sizes are generally no larger than 20, which allows for professors to provide excellent individual help. All my professors thus far have been extremely knowledgeable in their respective subjects, and are always willing to go the extra mile to ensure students are understanding the material.
Am enjoying being here	Campus life is simply amazing. It's fairly small; about a 10 minute walk across. There is a huge variety of extracurricular and intramural activities available,and the food is way better than you're probably used to from high school. If you're into exercise, there's an excellent rec center with rock climbing, basketball, weight lifting, a track, and a variety of classes to take. In addition, the area outside of campus is one of the finest you'll find. The bluffs and surrounding area are perfect for nature lovers and those that are interested in an outdoor thrill, and the downtown scene is the best in Wisconsin by far.
Bang for the buck	Tuition here is only around 11 grand, which is extremely affordable considering it competes for the number one state school in Wisconsin year after year. Meal plans and dorms are cheap, and the off-campus living is very cost-effective as well.
Tips for prospective students	These are the best four years of your life, so have a good time, but don't forget that you're most likely coming here for an education. UW-L is a ton of fun, but have a battle plan on how to balance your social life with your priorities in college.
Great for these types of students	UW-L is great for any student who is looking for a good education and a good time. I don't know anyone that wouldn't fit into one of those categories, so most likely UW-L will be a great fit for you. If you're into sports and exercise, don't forget that athletics is very highly touted here, and for the past few years we have been in the top 10 most fit schools in the country. For the outdoor types, there's tons to do in the bluffs surrounding the campus, and if you're into partying, our downtown has more bars per capita than anywhere in the country (always a plus, but don't let that be your deciding factor!).

Jaclyn from Pewaukee, WI

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	The past years in La Crosse have been awesome thanks to UWL. The campus and city community is extremely inviting and supportive so much that you never really feel away from home. As a student, the classes can be challenging but there is never a feeling of being alone; the professors are extremely helpful and the support on campus is there for the taking.
Tips for prospective students	Prospective students don't need to be worried about planning out their entire four years from the get go. La Crosse has so many different programs that are successful its best to come in with an open mind and explore what you're really interested in. Tuition is affordable enough that if you have to spend an extra semester because you changed majors or studied abroad, it's not going to hit the piggy bank too hard; take your time and enjoy learning while you can.
Academic Rigor	Being a science major is definitely a challenge at UWL, especially when juggling more than one difficult course. That is, however, what makes you a better student. A lot of the professors really try and get you to think critically rather than straight memorize facts, and that is the type of rigor that is important in making you a real rounded graduate.
Dorm Life	Dorm life is required of non-communter freshmen students at UWL but definitely not an opportunity you want to miss out on. Sharing a room with strangers can be awkward at first but the dorm life tends to be a lot of the memories you look back on while in college. At La Crosse, the resident assistants are awesome at coordinating and making you feel comfortable.
Food and Dining	On campus at UWL the food is all right depending on how picky you are. One thing the main dining hall is good at is providing a lot of different options for its diners and even has some cook stations for you to whip up your own food.
What to do for fun	La Crosse has a lot of different activities for students, many of which are in walking distance. Downtown La Crosse has plenty of shopping, an inexpensive movie theatre, riverside park on the Mississippi River, Pettibone beach for when its nice, and much more. Also, there are always a ton of on campus things going on and its not hard to miss since there are always posters advertising in almost every building on campus.
Bang for the buck	UWL is a very affordable school that provides a variety of different classes, opportunities, and overall stellar education
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	Oktoberfest is a huge celebration every October in the La Crosse community. There are plenty of festivities including a parade, fair grounds, competitions, pageants, and much more.

Mercedes from Montello, WI

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	I feel like I've learned more in all of high school in just my first semester at UW-La Crosse! The teachers I've had are great and seem to actually care about what they teach and that the students understand. I'm currently a freshman at UWL and I love it.
Am enjoying being here	The atmosphere at LAX is great from what I've experienced. I'm in a all freshman dorm, which not all schools offer, but I think it's an excellent way to meet fellow students that are your own age and have similar interests and goals. I've met a ton of people so far and I love how friendly most people are!
Bang for the buck	I feel like LAX is just as good as any other school, if not better, and it's much more affordable than any private school.
Tips for prospective students	La Crosse is a great school for anybody looking to further their education and have a great experience while doing so.
Great for these types of students	La Crosse is a great school for any student that wants to learn new things both education and social wise.

Kathryn

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	As a freshman, I've only experienced a semester's worth of courses. That being said, the classes (mostly gen. eds) that I've experienced so far have been interesting, challenging, and well-worth my time. Although it definitely has been an adjustment-- every professor has a different style of teaching and some are definitely tougher than others. Definitely more challenging than high school.
Am enjoying being here	I feel like my friends are definitely having a better time here than I am. It might be because so many people here are interested in the pre-PA program and in the medical field or because so many people at UW-L are athletes. My experience mostly consists of doing my course-work and being involved with organizations related to my major-- not necessarily as fun as I had hoped.
Bang for the buck	It's definitely worth what your paying. Cheaper and smaller than a Big 10 school, but it definitely gives you a liberal arts-feel.
Tips for prospective students	Get involved! And go meet people right away, rather than chatting with your friends on Facebook all the time. Also, try to get along with your roommate, even if their interests are way different than yours. But don't expect your roommate to be your new best friend (unless you're already roomming with a friend). I tried-- but my roommate didn't like me as much as I thought and we ended up switching rooms (it turned out better that way, though, because I ended up rooming with a friend). Oh, and you will spend a lot of money at Kwik Trip and Wal-Mart buying food for yourself. Campus food is good, but you'll get sick of it (and Whitney Center!) after awhile.
Great for these types of students	Students who intend to be teachers, doctors/nurses/physician's assistants, students with varied interests in social sciences and science. Athletes (although we're Division III, rec sports and intramurals are still super-popular).

Ana from Greenfield, WI

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	I have been learning tons of new and useful things, not only school related but also about everyday life. I had the ability to pick my schedule and even arrange my classes the way I wanted to. It can be hard at points but what isn't?
Am enjoying being here	The campus is so nice and easy to get around. It isn't to big and it has a great atmosphere when your here. I am in an all freshman hall this year and there has been so many cool and fun activities to get you more involved and make friends.
Bang for the buck	When I chose La Crosse I knew I would get a great education. The room and board has been what I expected and even more. The money that comes in from us has been used to improve our learning and even get us some cool new things. My friend recently won a new ipod touch and there are so many opportunities to win and get other cool things. So I would have to say the money we put in is given back.
Tips for prospective students	If your looking into La Crosse, come visit because once your here and experience it yourself you will definitely know it is right for you.
Great for these types of students	This school is great for every type of student. They are very diverse and welcomes everyone. It's an overall friendly place to learn and live.

Karlissa from Janesville, WI

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	UW-La Crosse is a great friendly environment! There is lots to do around campus and in town. I am three hours away from home and I love it here, it keeps me busy so I don't miss home to much.
Tips for prospective students	Be outgoing! Many people describe college as the best years of their life, therefore you need to make the most out of your time here and enjoy it while you can.
Academic Rigor	La Crosse is not easy to be accepted into and not everyone gets accepted here. Some of the class sizes are big and others are small. Its academic rigor is at a perfect level. You cannot do good if you do not apply yourself and it is challenging.
Dorm Life	Living in a small space is not exactly ideal. Although, living in the dorms allows you to meet so many more people and there are so many activities that you do with your hall that it becomes exciting!
Food and Dining	There are two food buildings here on campus. One is a buffet type style so you can eat as much as you want! There are lots of choices to choose from as well. The other is more of a restaurant style setting and is very good. We also have establishments like Red Mango, Einstein's Bagels and a Starbucks!! The food is great!
What to do for fun	There are many clubs, organizations, sports and intramural sports to choose from. The campus offers lots of activities around campus, as well as guest speakers like Joe Biden who was here in October. La Crosse is also full of beautiful bluffs that you can climb!
Bang for the buck	La Crosse is right around my price range for school and is definitely worth what I am paying. The facilities stay clean and the food is great. There are also many resources if you need help with just about anything.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	The Rec Center is here on campus and is so fun. You can go there if you want to play basketball, volleyball or if your just looking to get a workout in or some lifting. There are also a handful of classes to take there such as cycling, boot camps and Zumba which I am currently in now. Rock climbing wall, track and ping-pong tables are also available there.
Great for these types of students	La Crosse is great for any type of student. There is so much to do here and so many friendly people that you will find people just like you.
Clubs and Activities	There are clubs for different majors, sororities, and faternitities. The different residence halls sponsor activities at that hall or outside of it with food, games, and music.
Greek Life	There are a few sororities and fraternities but La Crosse is not a huge campus of Greek life.
Campus Safety	At a lot of other colleges, peoples personal items often get stolen. But, here at La Crosse I don't worry about it. I leave my door unlocked when I go to the bathroom or to take a shower cause you don't have to be worried that someone might go in your room and steal your TV. After a long night out with friends, sometimes i have to walk back to my dorm by myself because my friends live in another dorm and I feel completely safe doing so.

Tara from Reedsburg, WI

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	UW LaCrosse is a great school, especially if you are interested in science and health. The classes range in size, from small hands on classes to lecture halls, but no matter what size of class you are in, your professors are always willing to go above and beyond to help. We also have a great tutoring and writing center.
Am enjoying being here	There are so many things you can do on campus. You can join any club you could ever dream of, and there are fun campus events to attend all the time. There are also Rec classes to take for great prices. This campus is a very enjoyable place to be.
Bang for the buck	You definitely get your money's worth at UW-LaCrosse. You will receive an amazing education for a great price. LaCrosse does a lot to make sure that their students are getting what they want and need to succeed. It is a great school and the price fits the experience you will get/
Tips for prospective students	Get involved! LaCrosse is a friendly place to be, so get out there, try different activities and bond with some of the great students here. Oh, and do not be afraid to ask for help, you will get it, with no judgement, and become better because of it.
Great for these types of students	UW LaCrosse is a great place for students who want to go into the science and health fields. Also, we have amazing gymnastics and wrestling teams if you participate in those sports. The campus is also a very healthy place to be, and we are a group of very active and fit college students.

Kaitlyn from La Crosse, WI

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	Some of the friendliest people attend UW-La Crosse making it very easy to meet new people and friends. Since attending college there I have became closer to my college friends than my high school friends. The teachers are very helpful and will always help any student that is struggling because they want to see all of their students succeed.
Tips for prospective students	I recommend living in the freshman dorms because that is where it is the easiest place to meet new people. Join clubs and use the Outdoor Connection Center to your advantage. The center rents rollerblades, tents, cross country skis and basically anything you are looking for to students for a low fee. It is a great way to stay busy especially in the winter when it gets dark early. Get involved in activities because La Crosse is a great place and when you are involved that is where you get the most opportunities to see that.
Academic Rigor	College will be easy your freshman and sophomore year but once you start your junior year and start taking classes in your major it becomes challenging but it is worth it.
Dorm Life	The dorms are a great place to live your first two years of college because they really help you learn study habits, get involved and meet new people.
Food and Dining	The food is okay. Whitney isn't the best place but if you walk across campus to the Cellar you will not be disappointed.
What to do for fun	Get involved in Outdoor Connection and explore the bluffs. Also do not forget to visit Petty Bone beach in the beginning of the year!!
Great for these types of students	La Crosse is great for students interested in Biology or any field of science. They invest a lot of their tuition money from students in the College of Science and Health to help students learn the most they can.
Clubs and Activities	La Crosse has so many different clubs and activities that you can get involved in! No matter who you are or what your major is, La Crosse will have something that interests you and gets you motivated.
Greek Life	Greek life is very small on campus. There are about 5 fraternities and sororities, each have about 30 members in them.
Campus Safety	Campus is very safe. You need a card to access your dorm so that it is safe and there are blue buttons all over campus that you can push if you feel like you are in danger at anytime.

Madelinn from Apple Valley, MN

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	Its amazing. There are so many opportunities to meet new people and get involved with the school. The teachers are also very helpful.
Tips for prospective students	Do college classes in high school. By doing this you will come in with credits that will allow you to register for classes at an earlier date. Also get involved it will make your experience greater.
Academic Rigor	It is very important that you study and stay on top of homework. There is a lot of homework and tests but everyone is very helpful and the teachers really prepare you. Hard but worth it.
Dorm Life	The dorms are actual great especially the new dorm; Eagle Hall. You share a bathroom with only three other people. You also have a lot of space and it feels like home.
Food and Dining	The food is alright. I would recommend going to trat. Trat has great salads and stir fry.
What to do for fun	I love to go hiking on the bluffs. Hiking is a great workout and its fun. I also like playing soccer out on the fields it gives you a chance to meet new people.
Bang for the buck	You are getting a lot for your money. We have a great rec center which you can use at anytime. Also the books are free which is awesome.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	We have the nearly naked mile. Its a mile were your wear as little clothing as possible and donate all the clothes you do not want. It to raise awareness for people who need clothes and other things. It is a lot of fun.
Great for these types of students	This school is great for anyone. We are also a international school so we welcome anyone fro any place around the world.
Clubs and Activities	So many different types of clubs. There is nothing that you wont find an interest in. If there is not something you like it is very easy to form your own club.
Greek Life	We don't have a lot of greek life. We have about 3 clubs maybe.
Campus Safety	Campus police are located right on campus and make drives through the campus daily. There are also blue safety buttons placed around campus which you can push and a cop will come if you feel unsafe.