Wright State: Large, Midwestern Commuter Campus
Written: Mar 02 '02 (Updated Jan 28 '06)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Good academic programs; decent location; buildings are connected with tunnels
Cons: Very little campus life; only one dorm
The Bottom Line: Wright State is a good university, with reasonable prices. It's greatest flaw is the lack of much campus life.
|
|
|
| Bryan_Carey's Full Review: Wright State University |
Wright State University is an institution of higher learning located in Fairborn, Ohio just a few minutes outside of the city of Dayton. Since I teach at this university, as an adjunct Professor of Finance, I thought it was high time I wrote a review on this college.
Besides teaching at Wright State, I also attended school here for about 3 years, earning a Master's Degree in Finance, back in 2000. My experience as both a teacher and a student give me a unique perspective on this university.
Overview of this University:
Let's start by looking at the facts. Wright State is a large, state- funded university with 2 campuses and a total enrollment of nearly 16,000 students. The main campus provides service to about 15,000 students. The Lake Campus, located about 50 miles north on the banks of Grand Lake St. Mary's, is attended by about 1,000 students. The main campus is spread out over an area of 557 acres. The Lake Campus covers 173 acres.
The enrollment breakdown, by sex, shows that Wright State is composed mostly of women. Females make up 58 percent of the student body, which is a sizable majority. On the other hand, the faculty has the opposite gender breakdown, with 559 males out of 890 total faculty members, a rate of 63 percent.
Tuition and Fees:
Wright State is inexpensive, when compared to other colleges in Ohio. In- state tuition will cost you about $1,600 per quarter. If you are a non- resident of Ohio, it will cost you $3,200 per quarter. Since Wright State operates on a quarter system, and three quarters are considered full- time, a year's worth of tuition will cost a total of $4,800 for Ohio residents or $9,600 for non- residents. Throw in room and board, and the total cost for a year will run you about $10,400 if you're an Ohio resident, $15,200 if you are not.
Academic Offerings:
Wright State offers a wide array of academic programs, with six individual “colleges”: Education and Human Resources; College of Business; Liberal Arts; Engineering and Computer Science; Nursing and Health; and Science and Mathematics. There are a total of 106 academic undergraduate programs and 47 graduate and professional programs. The vast majority of the programs have full academic accreditation.
Housing:
This is one area where Wright State could use some enhancements. There is only one dormitory, and it's not very large. This co-ed dorm is located right next to the student union building, and it houses a few hundred students.
Most Wright State students either live in the nearby apartment complexes, or they commute from other locations. Because there are so few students living on campus, Wright State University does not have a very exiting campus life. When the clock strikes 9:30pm (the point when all evening classes come to an end), the campus turns into a ghost town. You might find a little activity going on in the student union, but that's it.
Other Activities:
Wright State does have a division 1 basketball program (they play in the Horizon Conference) and many other sports programs, like baseball, volleyball, cross country, tennis, and a few others. There is no football team, which could be an important consideration to prospective students who enjoy the excitement of division 1 football.
Wright State was built about 30 years ago. Since that time, many stores and places of entertainment have been built in the nearby vicinity. Across from the main entrance, there are several hotels and strip malls. On the other side of I-675, there is now a major shopping mall (Fairfield Commons) with a full cinema complex and dozens of restaurants and additional strip malls.
My Experience:
I have attended Wright State University as a graduate student, studying Business Finance. I went part- time, taking night classes for nearly three years. My experience, at the graduate level, was positive. Most of the professors were knowledgeable and well- prepared for class. Like any university, there are some teachers that are better than others. The grapevine is a strong indicator of which teachers are good, and which are not so good. It's a good idea to listen to the advice of other student's who have been there. Since I teach now, I have discovered that most of what the students say is true. Those same professors that the students openly criticized, when I was a graduate student, are now among my colleagues and I can affirm that much of this criticism is well- deserved.
Graduate students make up a sizable percentage of the students at Wright State. About 23 percent of the students are studying to earn a Master's or Doctorate degree. The graduate students are treated well, like they are at most universities.
I began teaching, as an assistant professor, just recently. I enjoy teaching and I like the great degree of flexibility that the university grants to its instructors. I have full latitude to conduct the class in the manner that I deem best. All they care about is that I teach the necessary chapters and that the students get satisfactory grades. If the grades are decent, and the student evaluations are positive, then I have done my job. The approach that I decide to take, toward teaching, is basically up to me to decide.
Final Thoughts:
Wright State University has some solid academic programs, and some average ones, too. The medical school is widely renown for its academic excellence. The schools of business, education, and science are also pretty good. Some of the other programs, like those in certain liberal arts fields, are average.
One other nice feature of Wright State University is the underground tunnels. Each of the buildings on campus is connected by this series of tunnels, and they are really convenient on cold days and rainy days. I have utilized the tunnels whenever possible, to avoid the crummy midwestern weather.
The campus itself has more of a modern look, with lots of concrete and light- colored brick buildings. It doesn’t have the historic feel that you get from other, older campuses. There are no really tall buildings on campus, either. The largest one is about 5 stories in height.
I think Wright State University is a good school overall. I don't know if I would have gone here as an undergraduate, because of the lack of a campus life. In fact, the lack of a campus life is the biggest strike against this university. If there were more housing available, right on campus, and more activities going on during the late hours, it would be a much better college.
I have enjoyed my time at Wright State, both as a graduate student and as a Professor of Finance. I will continue to teach, as long as I'm in the Dayton area. If you’re considering taking a class, sign up and enjoy your time at Wright State. The prices are relatively low, and the academic credentials that you achieve can help you tremendously in your chosen profession.
I'll see you in class!
For More Educational Reading, Click on the Links Below:
Advice on College Admissions:
Choosing a College or University
How to Help Your Child Choose a College
How to Apply to College
Should I Transfer Schools?
Should I Take Time Off?
Should I Go to Grad School?
Advice on College Life:
College Survival Tips
What is College Really Like?
What I Should Know About Dealing with College Roommates
What Should I Know About Greek Life in College?
What I Should Know About Alcohol Abuse in College
What I Should Know About Spring Break Planning
What Should I Bring to School
How Can I Succeed in College Academics?
How to Manage Your Time
How Should I Deal With Tough Times in School?
How Should I Prepare for Life After Graduation?
Advice on College Finances:
Should I Take a Part Time Job?
How to Pay Off Student Loans
How to Manage Your Budget
How to Negotiate Financial Aid Packages
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Reviews of Test Prep Materials, Services, and “How To”:
800Score.com
How to Take the GMAT
How to Take the GRE
What is the GRE?
Kaplan GMAT On- Line Course
Princeton Review GMAT On- Line Course
Reviews of Specific Universities:
University of Dayton
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.