Sam Houston State University — Attraction in Huntsville

I graduated from SHSU in 2016. There are pros and cons to going to this school, which I have listed below.

Cons: -The parking is atrocious. I am angry just thinking about it. I will do my best to explain the parking situation. Imagine you made reservations at a fine dining restaurant where you had to pay a lot of money up front, but by the end of the meal you know you will have paid for something worthwhile. You get to the restaurant with twenty minutes to spare because you figure you can nibble on some bread at the hostess stand. You start to drive around, but there is no parking ANYWHERE. You begin to get frantic; the clock is ticking on as you continue to search for parking. Oh thank god! Someone is pulling out, but just as you are about to pull in here comes BIG-RIMS-ROB to cut you off. You are LIVID! It is time for your reservation, the restaurant is seating someone else at your table that you paid for, and you still cannot find parking. You park five miles away at a grocery store. You have to walk. Up steep hills. It is 105 degrees, raining, and you forgot to wear deodorant. Now, you know how terrible parking is at SHSU. Only this isn't a meal, it is tuition, and you know you are going to be poor for the rest of your life, and you are late for class because the parking is THAT BAD! -If you enjoy the sounds of scraping concrete, then you might want to drive in Huntsville. All over town you can hear the loud cries of bumpers and oil pans being battered to death on the pavement as some unsuspecting low car owner attempts to park. I don't really know why this is such a problem, or why the people designing the parking lots in Huntsville had such a hard time deciphering the angle at which you would need to level the pavement in order for cars to pass over it unhindered (they are probably named Rob). Whatever the case, you will have a very hard time driving in Huntsville, and around the campus if you have a low car. In fact, SHSU should just go ahead and add the cost of a lift for vehicles in with their tuition. -Trying to find a competent person to help you with financial aide, course plans, or your transcript is almost as bad as trying to find a parking spot. -I was required to do numerous group projects, which wouldn't have been a problem, except that I encountered many people that were content giving minimal to no effort, and all grades were affected. This is frustrating when you pay as much as you do for a course, and your grade is hinging on Suzy-gives-no-effs Jefferson to turn her work in. -Many of the courses are offered only at night, which is disconcerting when you are trying to take several, and they are all offered at the same exact time as the other courses you need. Quite a conundrum for those of us who cannot be in two places at once! If only time-turners were real. -There are areas of the campus that are very old and, therefore, grimy. Many of the bathrooms smell of death, and are in desperate need of a remodel. To the credit of the University, funds are being used to beautify and update over time. -Speaking of death, SHSU is surrounded by several prisons, including a maximum security prison and death row within walking distance. All, probably in closer proximity than most of us had to park while going there.

Pros: -Small town feel, and small class sizes (especially as you move up in your degree). -Beautiful scenery, large trees, gorgeous views, and rolling hills. -Lovely architecture throughout the campus and surrounding areas. -Friendly faculty. For the most part, I had a lot of wonderful professors, especially as I moved up in my degree and had content specific courses. Many of my professors were dedicated, especially helpful, and knowledgeable. -Decent sports teams -Texan/Campus Pride -Nationally Recognized/Gaining Prestige -Ability to attend online, and at satellite campuses. -Not a far commute from Houston or surrounding areas.

Overall, SHSU is a decent school to attend if you can get...

There are many different things that I can point out about this university. Don't worry, I'll make you something short and sweet.

Positive(s):

-Decent teachers. -Marcus Luttrell ; Awesome guy.

Negative(s):

-Horrible parking: Let's face it, there are 20,000+ students currently enrolled at Sam Houston. This was confirmed two days ago in a local paper. Each student roughly pays 180$ - but we get less than amazing parking. In this local paper, the finance individual said it is fiscally impossible to build other parking garages, lots, or even get a transportation bus. Well, if you make almost 4 million off of the 20,000+ students in parking total, only pay your parking staff about 1.5 - where is the rest of the money going? Oh wait, in their pockets. Why make things better if they can just get more money.

-Withholding your balance: Ever wondered why your scholarships aren't paying for everything? In 2012, I started here on a military scholarship. It paid for everything. And I mean everything. Parking, books, meal plans, etc. For some reason - in 2016 - under the same scholarship, I pay 500$+ out of pocket. Not because it no longer pays for everything (because I did a semester at U of Houston and Lee) but because they need more money to tear down decent school buildings and renovate them. If it isn't broken - don't fix it. Waste of money.

-Did you know, it might be a 4 year credited university - but your individual program might not be credited. What does that mean? It means if they lose their accreditation - for any reason and you have graduated from here...your diploma is nothing but a sheet of paper.

-One way streets? Extra "paid" parking? Apps? Your apps are not working. Many students have paid for a couple of hours on this little application and have been getting citations. And guess what? You're getting ripped off once again. You'll save money buying a parking pass...but...wait...there's more! You can't park where you want. Even if its a paid by app parking spot, if its not designated to you - it's a 30$ fee on top of your app paid spot.

Conclusion:

-Horrible school. Not worth the time nor money that it takes to...

Class of 2023 Here!

This is my honest review. I'm a Non-Trad student. English as a second language. Never have I experienced any issues. They were and have been very helpful in all aspects. From the moment I applied and was accepted to the very last moment of my graduation. All my professors were very professional, very approachable, very understanding, and always tried to help as much as they could. Yes, I experienced disappointments like others, but sometimes it is very important to understand that we cause those to ourselves, those are consequences for our actions. It makes no sense to blame school. Like myself, getting a parking ticket. I assumed my responsibility and paid for it. Stuff like classes and their content, I believe, are pretty good. A lot of the classes prepare you for the real world. Advising is mostly online. Gotta book an appointment rather early than late. There are old buildings as well as brand new buildings. There are many restaurant options, which is pretty cool. There are a lot of trees all around campus to sit under when the weather is nice. I liked that I could take online classes, classes at the woodlands center, and classes at the Main Campus. Overall, my college experience here was awesome. If you come here with the right mentality of "working hard to earn your degree," you will succeed. They have all the tools available to make their students achieve their goals. I'd do it all over again. Thank you SHSU. I will always be proud to be a Bearkat!...