University of Colorado Denver

Accepting of Diveristy but Snobbish

The campus is very diverse with students from all over the country and world. Almost everyone is very accepting of diversity and differences. Sexual orientation doesn't seem to make much of a difference and people are pretty accepting of the LGBT community. Denver is typically more politically conservative, but the campus and students are moderate to liberal. Since most of the UCD students come from a more affluent and privileged background, there can be some snobbery against people of lower social-economic status and means.

The Early Bird Gets the Worm

The financial aid office is pretty helpful. My only advice is to get the FASFA filled out ASAP and make sure all of your other paperwork (scholarship applications, forms, etc.) are filled out completely be the priority deadline. That means get your taxes filed in early February, and have the FASFA done by early March.

Overwhelming Workload, Poor Professor Mentoring, No After Graduation Help

The workload and expectations are intense and almost unrealistic. I don't understand how they expect students to complete a thesis while reviewing several journal articles in their courses each week, student teaching in labs, and when professors are primarily in their office instead of in the lab after class. Although the reseach facilities are probably the best in the Denver area in terms of technology and opportunities, the lack of professor support and direction really impacts your ability to get a project of the ground. Although some professors will let the more productive researchers work in the lab for an hourly wage, the internships and the assistance you receive from professors in finding interships/job opportunities especially after graduation are nil.