Academics
A small liberal arts school, The College of Idaho is “like a diamond in the rough.” Students tell us, “You’d be surprised at the very high quality this little school offers!” The small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratio promote the school’s emphasis on “individual learning” and a “personalized education plan.” The academic experience at The College of Idaho is “incredibly rigorous but also very rewarding.” Though the school has a “well-developed” liberal arts core, students also describe the biology and premed programs as “fantastic.” Courses are “challenging,” “fascinating,” and “great preparation for both graduate school and the professional world.” The small school environment provides a “sense of community” and allows students to develop “strong working relationships” with their professors. Students tell us their professors are “attentive,” “very accessible,” and “passionate about what they teach.” One graduating senior described the school as “an academic gold mine of some of the most published and highly regarded professors and researchers in the field.” The “personal teaching” approach the professors at The College of Idaho take makes them “consistently recognized nationally and internationally for their contributions to the academic community and to their students.” The administration is “involved with the students” and “effective” though “the professors are what make The College of Idaho great.” Also great is the fact that the school is “cost competitive” and offers “generous scholarships.” As one freshman tells us, “My school is way more than a place for me to learn. My teachers have become more like guardians for my education, and my peers...my second family.”
Student Body
Students tell us, The College of Idaho has “students from many walks of life” and a “student body full of individuals.” While a majority of the student body is “white, middle-class, and right out of high school,” students at The College of Idaho promote an “atmosphere of learning from others no matter their background.” Many students tell us that there really isn’t a “typical student,” which isn’t so surprising given its large international student population. Each student at The College of Idaho is “an active participant in the campus community.” One junior tells us students are, “overly involved” and “extremely busy with clubs, campus activities, athletics, and academics.” Students are “hardworking but social,” “intelligent,” and “well-rounded.” According to one sophomore, “though [we are all] different, the commonality of going to C of I brings us together.”
Campus Life
Life in Caldwell can be “pretty quiet” but Boise, the capital, is only about a thirty-minute drive away, and the school regularly hosts trips into the city. However, the campus “strives” and “mostly succeeds” in making up for the town by sponsoring many activities on campus. A student tells us, “On campus there is always something going on...I rarely have a night where there isn’t something that I could do for fun.” The College of Idaho offers a variety of extracurricular activities. The school’s Program Council “puts on great events all year long.” Such events as movie and bowling nights are open to all students and are often offered free of charge. Students at The College of Idaho also tend to be very interested in clubs and club-sponsored events. With a multitude of clubs to join, there is a club “for all personality types.” One student tells us, “Whether it is attending a theater or band concert, an athletic event, or a club meeting, there are plenty of ways to get involved.” Students describe their school life as “great overall,” and because the school is so small, “any major campus-sponsored activity brings us all together as one, giant, friendly social club.”
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