Ball State University Top Questions

Oh yes, academics, the reason we're all going to these schools. While I rarely have too much school spirit, I would pride BSU on giving the students an education worth their money (which is what we all look at when we get our 1st bill from the bursar right?). As an English Creative Writing major, Ball State has supplied me with so many opportunities and outlets for my art. More, than as a student writer, I thought were available to me. I've been given chances in publishing, internships, work, travel, and meetings with professionals. My classes are filled with both short and long term assignments which give me the ability to have creative outbursts as well as hone and edit the skill being practiced. My professors constantly urge work outside of the classroom and provide different templates of practice in order to help us all find our niche. My favorite part of the education at BSU is that they strongly encourage students to develop a community in their area of study that can help develop and sustain their education for years, even after leaving the university.

I am one of those students that took until their second semester sophomore year to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Choosing public relations as my major and professional writing as my minor, I have never felt so motivated and eager to go to class and learn about what I will be doing the rest of my life. Though the journalism department has it's ups and downs when scheduling classes, they make sure to be available for every student. In my experience, the teachers I have had want to help in every way they can. They can be harsh and tough but they are always honest. I have worked harder each semester to improve my work with their guidance. In my department, we are required to go to at least one Professional in Residence. Whether they are a graduate of Ball State or not, they come to talk to us about getting jobs, their experiences and what we can do to better our chances of finding a job after school. Ball State's requirements for my department are fair and make sure to have us take every class that will further our knowledge of what we love to do. I haven't experienced a class in my major that I did not like or that did not help me in some way.

Class sizes at Ball State University are usually under 40, excluding the major lecture courses, which makes it easier for professors and students to get to know each other. My English Education class is my favorite class because the professor shares real life applications of the work we are doing. She challenges us to be creative and formulate ideas that will be transferrable to the classroom. Class participation is extremely common at Ball State Universities. Many professors embrace the idea that every student has something valuable to contribute, and by talking students contribute pieces of their value to the rest of the group. It is all part of building a positive and beneficial learning environment. The fine arts, specifically theatre and dance is a major program at the university. This year a group of musical theatre and other fine arts students performed "The Circus in Winter," and it was the world premiere. The production was completely student written, composed, blocked, and directed. Similarly, the telecommunications department offers up to date equipment, thanks to alumnus David Letterman. Students have internship opportunities and on campus involvement through the campus radio and t.v. stations. The most successful program at Ball State however, is likely the education department, considering the university started out as a teacher's college. Education majors create a digital portfolio that exhibits their finest work and serves as a resume for future employers. They have the chance to showcase ideas that they would like to implement into the classroom. Education majors also get experience in the field through practicum and student teaching requirements.

Academics at Ball State are super immersive. Professors try to give you every possible chance to get a hands on experience at some point.

I like creative writing. I really enjoyed taking that class and I'm going to miss having it. Some of the professors are great down to the point and explain things clearly and other not so much. It's pretty easy to get in contact with them. But there are the professors who are kinda scary.

I have personally had a great relationship with almost every professor I have had at Ball State. I am usually on a fist name basis with them and they're always willing to help me. They help me reach my highest goals. We have a unique assortment of electives and I have even had the privilege of taking a sexual relations class one semester! Even though students have core classes for their major they still have the opportunity to explore outside options. I am currently enrolled in the Journalism/Telecommunication department at Ball State. I believe it is one of the most challenging majors offered here. We have very small class rooms so there is a lot of one on one guidance provided. As students we also have the opportunity to have a lot of hands on experience. I personally know how to shoot, edit, record, and produce my own news packages. The classes here prepare students for real life experiences. Not only do we gain a lot of experience inside the classroom but Ball State has opened the door to a lot of outside opportunities. For example, I recently complete an internship for Indiana Newscenter 21 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. There I got to in an actual news room and assistant produce an entire show! Not only I am learning skills that will help me in my future job endeavors. I also have the opportunity to pursue a hobby of mine and get credit for it. I am minoring in Creative Writing. Creative Writing has helped me throughout college. When life seems to be overwhelming writing classes have taught me coping methods and learning to turn them into an art form. I feel as if Ball State's staff and classes have prepared me for anything life is willing to throw at me.

The majority of your classes are a freshman will be larger, 75-150 students. In these, most of the professors will not know you individually, but if you have the desire to make an effort with the professor, you have the opportunity to get to know them individually. As an upperclassmen, your class sizes will begin to get smaller, and all of my professors now know me on a first-name basis. I am a Pre-Med and Psychology major and so I love all of the classes that relate to either of these fields. The professors are very caring and it is great to get to know them. Students here are very dedicated to their studies, but also know how to make time for fun. In having fellow peers around you that are also dedicated to their school work, it makes it much easier for you to stay focused on yours. My adviser is a great person that helps me out with everything I need academic-wise. She is fully prepared in helping me in every way possible in getting into the medical school of my choice. In addition, I am apart of the executive board of a club here on campus for which she is the faculty adviser. This provides me with the opportunity to build a stronger relationship with her, and possibly use her as a future reference on job and post-graduate schooling applications.