Edwardo is a current senior at the University of Utah. He is majoring in chemistry, and specializes in Spanish tutoring, calculus tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, he shares his experience at the University of Utah:
Describe the campus setting and transportation options.
Edwardo: The University of Utah’s campus is fairly large. There are on-campus busing options with various routes and directions. In addition, there are also city buses that go all over the surrounding areas and the TRAX train system that reaches the far corners of the city. You don’t need a car to get where you want to go, but a bike, scooter, or skateboard can get you around campus in no time at all.
How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants?
Edwardo: Professors offer office hours where students can go in for extra help or questions. For academic advisors, you always have to schedule an appointment at least the week before.
How would you describe the dorm life – rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students?
Edwardo: There are a lot of different meal plans offered. The places to eat are all over campus and are very practical. There are a lot of dorms, so there is always something going on. It’s typical for people to make friends everywhere they go on campus.
Which majors/programs are best represented and supported?
Edwardo: There are a lot of graduate programs at the University of Utah consisting not only of law and medicine, but a huge range of professional studies. To support this, there are a lot of quality majors that are offered and run by prestigious departments. Personally, I am a pre-med chemistry major and I know how helpful my advisors will be in preparing me for life after graduation.
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?
Edwardo: Just by being on campus you hear about so many different events and activities that it’s hard not to go out and make friends. There are so many students that go to all the sporting events and school sponsored events. Greek life plays a big role in social life, but it isn’t the only way of making friends.
How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services?
Edwardo: The Career Center offers a ton of help and hosts a job fair at least every two months. They also offer workshops and informational meetings every few weeks. The university has some good connections and there are always prominent companies that recruit here.
How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges?
Edwardo: There are a lot of places to study all over campus, but the best is the library that has computers on multiple floors, group study rooms ranging in size, and quiet study areas. There are always a lot of people here, but because of how it’s set up, it doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Describe the surrounding town.
Edwardo: Downtown is minutes away, and offers concert venues, restaurants, and shopping. Every weekend has something going on downtown, so there are a lot of people who spend time there. But, with the student life center and the sports complexes on campus, we don’t have to go far to do something fun.
How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes?
Edwardo: There is a large and diverse student body. The freshman classes are always lecture-style and large. But, as soon as you start getting into more specific major-based classes and upper level courses, the size shrinks. I enjoy how the class size always corresponds with how much teacher-student interaction is required.
Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most.
Edwardo: My freshman year I was in an honors discussion class. It was a smaller size, so we got to know each other relatively well. The professor not only discussed and taught, he also told us about himself and was very relatable. We would run into him all over campus, and I loved realizing that students aren't the only ones who like to take advantage of all campus has to offer.
Check out Edwardo’s tutoring profile.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.
