Colorado School of Mines

Responses from the Student Interview

From a student  who identifies as Major: Geology and Geological Engineering
Minor: None
Student Self Identifies as: Caucasian Heterosexual Female

Summary

I’m in a sorority.

Background

Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual

High School Experience: Public high school in Grand Junction, CO with a graduating class of about 550 students. There was a split culture of college where some of the class just stayed in town.
First-Generation College Student: No
Major: Geology and Geological Engineering
Minor: None

Extracurricular Activities: I’m in a sorority.
What impact did being in a sorority have on your experience?
It made it a lot easier to get involved in the campus. About [17%] of students are involved in Greek life, so it’s a really easy way to make connections with upperclassmen, especially as a freshman. If you have questions, Greek life makes it easy to have someone to answer those.

Academic Experience

Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
It’s more based on labs and a lot of hands-on work. I don’t have a lot of homework this semester, it’s more studying and getting work done in class with computer programs or the specific rock lab. Typically, major grades are in class participation and the labs. I have midterms and finals, but those together are worth about 30% of my final grade.
Is there anything you feel your major’s department does especially well or poorly?
In terms of especially well, they do a really good job of making professors and staff available to students and making sure students know what they need and are supported with research or whatever else they need. I’ve never had a professor not be willing to help me or take time out of their day for me. They’re very flexible in letting you into classes and making sure you get what you need to be successful.
Where they lack is I’ve had a hard time with how they set up the prerequisites. I had a problem this semester where I credit-wise I’m a junior, but I’m having trouble taking the right Geology class because they’re so linearly related. I don’t want to take a class that’s a step back, but I am having trouble taking a class that’s relevant to all of my prerequisites.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
It’s pretty collaborative. My major is small and a lot of us are friends so it’s easy for us to meet up to do homework or labs. It’s a lot of collaborative learning.
How accessible are your professors?
They’re incredibly accessible. They usually have two-three office hours per week and are more than willing to meet with you outside of those if you email them. Especially for classes with TAs, if you have a problem, there is usually someone always available.
Why did you choose your major? Are you happy with your choice?
I was originally an Environmental Engineering major and that was more chemistry-based and had a lot of water sample analysis and stuff like that. I realized that Geological Engineering is more about the overall outdoor landscape and environmental impact, so I switched and am incredibly happy.

Reasons to Attend

1) Mines does a really good job of connecting you with your peers because you all have to take the same classes. A lot of people on campus take the same classes, so it’s easy to relate to others even if you don’t have a lot in common with them.
2) It’s hard but really rewarding.
3) The professors care about students. I’ve yet to meet a professor who was not more than willing to work with students and do whatever they could to help people be successful. If you need help and are willing to reach out, there are plenty of resources so you’re never really alone.
4) It’s a good school and they do a really good job of making you aware of internship and job opportunities. They connect you with people who can help you get those opportunities and make you successful.

Reasons Not to Attend

1) It’s hard and takes a lot of perseverance and willingness to struggle through things because you will struggle no matter how smart you are.

Around Campus

Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: Thomas Hall with one roommate
Sophomore: Off-campus house with four roommates
How was transitioning from your hometown to Golden, CO in terms of location?
It was pretty easy. It’s not very far and Mines makes all the freshmen live on campus, so it was really easy to make friends and feel comfortable.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
Personally, I feel like it’s very safe. I’m not afraid as a female to walk around late at night. I’ve never had any issues.

Social Opportunities

What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
I hike a lot and then usually go to small kickbacks or parties with friends at an off-campus house. I’ll do homework with friends three nights of the week and then outside of that I’ll do purely social things on the weekends. Sorority things are on Sundays and maybe a couple of days during the week.
What impact has your sorority had on your experience?
It offers a couple of other options. The fraternities and things like that throw parties. In general, it’s not a huge impact. Like, the kickbacks I go to aren’t associated with Greek life.
What have been some of your favorite times at Mines so far?
I loved living in Thomas my freshman year. It’s super open and you bond with your floormates a lot. There were lots of nights during finals or something where we would be so stressed so we’d bake bread to get away from school.
How happy are you with the weekend options at Colorado School of Mines? Is there anything you would change about them if you could?
Personally, I’m pretty happy with the weekend options. I’m not a big partier or anything like that, so it’s good for me. But, some of my friends have issues with it and wish there were more party options.

Campus Culture

How did you meet your closest friends?
I either lived with them during my freshman year or I had a Geology class with them.
How would you describe the overall social scene at Colorado School of Mines?
Mines is really academics-based, so a lot of majors and things like that will hang out together. There is definitely a Greek life basis too, but Mines is pretty small so it’s easy to find friends outside of that. Personally, I would be more on the academics-side and a lot of my friends come from my major or related majors. Also, a lot of social stuff happens off-campus.
To what extent do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
I think it’s pretty well mixed. I am friends with lots of people of different sexual orientations and races than me and it typically doesn’t seem to be super segregated. It’s common to see diverse groups of friends around campus. [The undergraduate population is about 70% White, 10.5% Hispanic, 1% Black, and 4.5% Asian.]
To what extent do people in Greek life and not in Greek life mix socially?
Incredibly so. There’s almost no divide.
How would you describe the student body?
Overall, it’s pretty nerdy. A lot of the time people are super passionate and excited about what they’re doing or their biggest idea. Overall, people are driven and excited.
How do you like the size of Colorado School of Mines in terms of undergraduate enrollment? How has it impacted your experience? [There are about 5,150 students at Colorado School of Mines.]
I do like how small it is. It makes it easy to ask people you know for help. They have been increasing the class sizes, which makes getting into certain classes more difficult. [From the 2013-14 academic year to 2019-20, the undergraduate enrollment has increased from 4,293 to 5,150.]
How has the 70:30 Male-Female ratio impacted your experience?
It definitely has impacted my experience. There is a bond between any girls that you meet because you’re outnumbered no matter what. If you’re in a group project and there’s another girl in your group, you’re pretty much automatically friends.

Careers

Has the alumni network helped you find internships or jobs?
Yes, I had a couple of job applications that I was pointed towards by alumni at the career fair.
What have you used the career office for? How helpful are they?
In person, I haven’t used them. But, there is a website they use that posts work-study and internship opportunities that people have come to them with, which I have used plenty. They also put on a career fair that lets you talk to companies who are interested in giving you an internship or job after graduation which is a big help.
Have you learned any computer languages or software that will be helpful to you professionally?
Overall, a lot of my Geology and Geological Engineering classes are heavily Excel based. I have a lot of experience in that. I’ve also learned ForTran, MATLAB, and am working in ArcGIS.

Financial Aid

Have you used financial aid? If so, how easy is the office to work with?
Yes, they are absolutely wonderful. If you have questions, you can call or just walk in. They are super understanding and are willing to work with you. I had an issue where I didn’t think I would have enough credit hours to keep my scholarship, but they worked with me and were willing to give me the money if I didn’t have the hours.