University of Utah

Overall ExperienceWhat's This?

The University of Utah is a campus of contrasts. On the one hand, it’s cold, bureaucratic, and impersonal, but on the other hand, because it’s so large, there's no shortage of opportunities in which to distinguish yourself, groups to join, or people to meet. On the one hand, it’s a bleak commuter campus, but on the other hand, you have arguably the finest on-campus housing in the United States. You have the LDS Institute of Religion on the South Side of campus and Greek Row on the North Side of campus. You have a magnificent light rail system to get to school, and you have a harsh, brutal parking system if you drive.

The trick to having a rich experience at the U is to get involved. If you live off campus and only come to school to “go to school,” then your good old college days will be very bland, indeed. There is no campus community; there simply isn’t. But there are dozens and dozens of sub-communities on campus to find and become a part of. People who enjoy the U are those who take ownership of their education and college experience. Those who complain about it are generally those who just sit back, waiting for someone else to make college great for them. There is a very clear divide between Mormon and non-Mormon students. This can be difficult to overcome but easier for people from out of state. One of the reasons there’s less of a community feel on campus is the “us versus them” attitude that some students and faculty take, which is really too bad.

Utah Student Reviews