University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Jocalyn Carpenter
The University
Founded in 1909, as the La Crosse Normal School, the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse began. In the University of Wisconsin School system, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is one of the 13- 4 year colleges; originally the campus was known for its physical education program. According to the History of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse page on the UW-L website, “UW-La Crosse now offers 85 undergraduate programs in 30 disciplines, and graduate programs and emphases in 8 disciplines” (2), meaning that there are 85 undergraduate programs in 30 different subjects, and graduate programs in 8 different subjects, such as biology, microbiology, and physical therapy. The campus is only 119 acres and is in the residential section of La Crosse; the now 9,000 enrolled students have grown from the original 176 enrolled students. Freshman improvement in ACT scores, class rank during the last decade, and freshman credentials are second only to UW-Madison in the state (History of the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse; 2). Diversity is a big part of the campus and is a commitment, increasing international students, staff and faculty. Students can take part in many organizations, community services or compete in one of the 19 intercollegiate sports teams.
University Profile
According to the University of Wisconsin La Crosse website: "From storied beginnings in 1909 when it was founded as the La Crosse Normal School with a focus on physical education and teaching, UW-L has grown to serve nearly 8,800 students" (2). In other words the UW-L profile page means that, since the school has begun, it has been centered on being athletic, fit and educating. The school's campus it split into four main areas: Business Administration; Science and Allied Health; Liberal Studies, which includes the School of Arts and Communication; and the College of Education (UW-L's website University Profile page; 2). Students, faculty and staff are committed to the excellence that is the binding of the students and staff throughout the UW-L campus. The university's accredited degree programs have earned distinction for excellence being accredited degree programs such as microbiology and exercise and sport science. Quality in-class education that UW-L offers creates many cultural opportunities such as art exhibitions, music performance, theatre, lectures, concerts, summer camps and athletic competitions in 19 sports.
Advice for Freshmen
Academic planning is more than just picking and taking courses. According the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Advice for New Freshman page: "The first step in planning is to establish a purpose for your presence at the university" (2), meaning that before you pick out courses to take and go to the university to begin schooling, you should decide what your purpose on the campus and in your future will be. Some students that are transitioning from high school to college soon find themselves getting lower grades than they had ever received in high school. College is many professors asking you to read more in a month than you had ever read in high school. Estimating 2 hours of studying for every hour of class is more than recommended for getting decent grades in college (UW-L Advice for Freshmen Page; 9) Following through with your studying schedule is crucial to succeed in college.
Works Cited
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Clock Tower. Digital image. Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2012. <http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en>.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Digital image. Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2012. <http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10>.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Logo. Digital image. Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.google.com/imgresimgurl=http://wqow.images.worldnow.com/images/13422863_BG1.gif>.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Sign. Digital image. Google Images. N.p., 19 July 2008. Web. 30 Oct. 2012. <http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en>.
"University of Wisconsin-La Crosse." University Of Wisconsin-la Crosse Data, Campus, Location, Stats. US Department of Education, 2012. Web. 30 Oct. 2012.
<http://collegestats.org/college/university-of-wisconsin_la-crosse>.
"University of Wisconsin - La Crosse." University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. The Princeton Review, Inc, 2012. Web. 30 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.princetonreview.com/schools/college/CollegeBasics.aspx?iid=1022775>.
"University of Wisconsin--La Crosse." US News & World Report. U.S.News & World Report, 2012. Web. 30 Oct. 2012.
<http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/uw-la-crosse-3919>.