I'm Shauna checking out Idaho State University here in Pocatello, Idaho, which is known as the Gate City. It started off as a railroad town, but now it's a gateway for students and higher education. Idaho State University is located in the Portsmouth River Valley, with a great location in the Inter Mountain West, giving them close access to Yellowstone and Grant Teton National Park, as well as Sun Valley and Park City Resort.

We get a lot of snow in the winter, and the winters seem to last through most of the fall and springs. But there's a lot of great things to do. There's a lot of skiing and snowboarding close by.

We also have an amazing outdoor adventure center. So rafting, kayaking, camping, hiking, rock climbing, whatever you want to do as far as outdoor activities is available.

Idaho State is 1,000 acres large, surrounded by beautiful mountains and outdoor recreational opportunities, like fishing, camping, rock climbing, skiing, and even hot springs swimming. You can tell the agency by the ring. I don't have time to count, but we can do an estimate. 753 years old.

[ Music ] Almost there. Okay. Now I can see why students hike up Red Hill. It's for these beautiful views, and wow check out these columns. Freshman year. Sophomore, Junior and Seniors the one over here that's kind of breaking away as they venture out into the real world. ISU has an enrollment of approximately 14,000 students. 56 are female, and 44 percent male, from 49 states and 65 countries. The average class size is 25 and the student to faculty ratio is 17 to one.

I think our students really look for opportunity and they're optimistic. And they're just a different breed of student because they're just so excited about their future.

Idaho State's core requirement for admission is a 2.0 GPA, an 18 composite on the ACT, and 860 on the SAT.

We're here for the individual too, so there's also opportunity for you that if you're below those standards, we can customize some options for you. We're looking for ambitiously motivated students.

Tuition for residents is approximately 5,000 dollars a year, and non-residents pay close to 14,000. Room and board is approximately 6,000 dollars, and books are about 550.

Well the major consideration was financial every time. But I was like, you know, I can afford it. I didn't have to pay out-of-state tuition, so that was actually a big, a big encouragement for me to come here.

There are seven colleges in Idaho with a combined total of 280 certificates and degree programs. From associates and bachelors to masters and doctorates.

Look up old classes that are specifically field based, and students spend time on archeological digs, on the Oregon Trail. We do field trips for Idaho history, and so students are out in the field, or working with faculty members who do that kind of work.

ISU is a strong, health professions, education institute. Programs include dental hygiene, nursing, physical therapy, family practice residency, and occupational therapy.

We have a lot of great health professionals programs, so if you're interested in health professions, come by and see us.

ISU has a world-class performing arts center, with three primary venues, Upthrust Theater, a Black Box [inaudible] Theater, and a Grand Concert Hall. There are approximately 619 faculty members at Idaho State. 65 percent are tenure or on the tenure track, with a doctorial or terminal degree. So being an ambassador here, I bet you see a lot of freshmen coming in. Do you ever have any good words of advice for them if they're nervous about coming to school?

I don't know, I usually just let them know. I mean, don't be nervous. A lot of the, may be coming from home the first time, they are pretty scared. They're not sure where to find their classes. And I say just find someone, ask someone, everyone's real friendly, especially the teachers and other students. If you're not sure where to go, just ask a stranger and make a new friend.

Idaho State was the first university to have a covered football stadium. Colt Arena is where the ISU Bangles compete in the NCAA Division One Big Sky Conference. Idaho State has several choices when it comes to picking your resident hall. There are traditional dorms, apartment complexes, and in later years, several off-campus housing options. And if you live in a Rendezvous Complex, in theory you might never have to leave the building. You can eat, sleep, study, and attend class all in one spot.

The brand new dorm, dormitory facility, so that's a really nice one. There's, it's like an apartment set up. You have a common area and then four individual rooms.

They have eating there. They have classrooms there. And they have dorms there. If they're really worried about, you know, navigating around, it's perfect. Because I mean, they can wake up and get to class in five minutes. Get a little extra sleep that way.

I always encourage people to live on campus if they get an opportunity.

[ Music ]

Gym time.

[ Music ] Region has an indoor swimming pool, outdoor tennis, basketball and racquetball courts, work out facilities, and over 160 clubs and organizations. Try not to get it over your head.

Being involved on campus really has helped me succeed in college in general. Clubs, anything to do with meeting people has been a wonderful experience.

Idaho State University was once home to some major big shots. Like movie producer John Foreman, CSI star William Peterson, best selling pianist of all time Roger Williams, and big time athletes like Merrill Hodge, and Gerard Allen. Feel like your drowning in college information overload? Stress no more. Apply to Idaho State University today. That's it for us. Hope you enjoyed your campus tour of Idaho State University. I'm Shauna Dean for YouniversityTV. See you next time.

[ Music ]