Utah Valley University — Attraction in Orem

School here is nice and if you need something cheap, but UVU reinforces the comment that "University education is becoming less valuable." Half my professors were either teaching here their first time, didn't speak English, or had no expertise in their subject. I passed 2 years of credits by watching videos and drawing pictures during class: not because I'm smart, but because there was no content. Like in high school, many of the professors have 30% percent of their grade centered around attendance. Not participation, but attendance. So yes, I ignored class because everything I needed for an A was provided online. I'm typing this now during Philosophy class, and I am not missing anything. Books are hardly ever used but are "required" according to the professors. They gather dust on my shelf. Most problems here need to be fixed across the nation not just UVU, but I am a very frustrated student in my twenties because I don't know where my money is going. Teachers aren't happy with pay and all have second jobs. The building and resources are really really nice but I rarely need to use them since the internet was invented. UVU in general education has the same quality as Khan Academy except here, there is a physical address they want you to come to. There is a good range of food options but mostly crowded into the same building. Parking is ridiculous and there is no reason to pay $90 a year for the clustered insanity that the school created. Use the darn money to hire a civil engineer for God's sake.

Once you pass general education and focus in to better classes, the rooms get nicer and the teaching quality doubles. Don't come here if you're not willing to graduate. Location is fine other than the city planning on the busiest road outside. If you're coming from the south east your drive will be dangerous, traffic is terrible and construction has been in effect for 4 years now. Very annoying. Train station is very convenient and is likely your best choice if you have a transportation method to your nearest station.

Students who work feel punished because rent in the area is high, and pay low. Scholarships are handed to those without jobs first, those who aren't working for rent and tuition are the ones handed money from the school. Afternoon/Night classes are poor in options and schedule so working at a volatile job is ever more of a punishment. (Data from a few friends and strangers)

Many activities, but the activities most advertised in my buildings were focused for helping women, about guest speakers, for the LGBT community, or cost $15. So I've never been to one, though free lectures and speeches are common.

Overall, UVU focuses on medium-to-low education and welcoming everyone with open arms. But once you're here, you may want to transfer to BYU or drop...

The educators at this university are phenomenal. That said, there is a significant problem with the university testing center. The testing center is rather difficult to work with, and it poses a significant problem with acquiring a decent education.

Almost all classes (standard in most universities) are test-based; only intro classes are homework-based; you will have to work with the testing center extensively- any change in their policies can result in you failing a test and even a class.

CONSIDER BEFORE JOINING- IT HAS COSTS SEVERAL STUDENTS' THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SOLELY DUE TO THEIR CHANGED HOURS (MISSING ONE TEST CAN COST YOU A WHOLE SEMESTER AND A FAILING/LOW GRADE)

I highly urge anyone considering UVU to consider their schedule, and significantly factor in your work-schedule around the testing center. Furthermore, keep in mind that their hours and policies are constantly changing.- They offer limited hours on major test-taking days (Friday and Saturday open until 4). Additionally, they have changed their opening hours. For most students, afternoons are either dedicated to evening classes if you work mornings, or morning classes to accommodate an afternoon work-schedule.

Furthermore, the testing center rarely abides by the terms specified by the professors- testing materials used, timed testing, etc. It is also the responsibility of the testing center to create sufficient copies, as requested by the instructor, to accommodate all of their students'- Yet, they have fallen short of doing this many times, and requires additional waiting for approval. I've seen several incidences that have caused professors to have to change their syllabus simply due to the fact that the testing center had changed their policies- either test submission deadlines, making rules for study-aides, etc. Furthermore, their constant rotation of new staff causes significant delays. There has been several instances that only 5-10 people are in line, yet the wait time is more than 10 minutes. According to the school policy, the testing center fees are included- but, new exceptions are added nearly...

Coming here was the best decision I have ever made. Every single professor cares about my learning and the fact that the average class size is 23 (I’ve never had a class over 25) makes it so my teachers know me, know my name, know what type of student I am, and some even came to my wedding!

I have also been incredibly impressed with the resources. You would have to TRY to fail at UVU, because they truly make it so easy to succeed. From job resources, free tutoring, professor office hours, financial aid and scholarships, and everything in between I honestly feel like every single person I talk to wants me to succeed.

The campus is amazing and INDOORS like seriously it is the best part of campus. Shorts in the winter and pants in the summer. Sure parking can be hard, but you are 100% going to find that at any university and it is really only bad after 10am so if you have classes before that you will be fine.

The social life is great and the activities are fun and well attended. Free food at all times and tons of on campus food options.

I honestly feel like the education I received is worth a million times more than what the tuition is (one of the lowest in the nation for a university). UVU focuses on Engaged Learning, or learning by doing, and most my classes don’t even have textbooks or tests, just projects and resume building it’s amazing. Add that to the fact that it is open enrollment and you can see why it is the largest university in the state.

Seriously. Come take a tour at least and see how...