I am a student out of high school who is hoping to receive an Associate's degree in Arts and…read moreScience with an emphasis. I commute from home.
Education: Most students get an Associate's in Arts & Science, which covers most or all general requirements when transferring to a four year university. There are several Bachelor's degrees available, including a Bachelor's of Applied Arts & Science. Other Bachelor's degrees offered in partnership with other universities include Nursing from UW-Eau Claire.
About five classes are offered each winter and summer. Winterim is three weeks in January, and then the Spring semester starts a week after it ends.
In addition, there are a lot of free or $5 Continuing Education classes, like IPad Intermediate, financial classes, gardening, etc.
Expense: The Wood is the cheapest university in the UW system. The estimated cost for two semesters is $5,124 without housing. UW-Stevens Point is the cheapest school after the Wood, at $7,408.
What you owe each semester depends on the amount of financial aid you receive and how many classes you're taking. I estimate that by first going to the Wood before transferring to a university, I will be saving $30,000 over two years!!!
Textbooks are available to rent or buy through the new Neebo bookstore. I was able to rent all of my textbooks and it cost around $100 (not bad at all!)
Work study is also available and works around your schedule. It will show up on your FAFSA if you are eligible.
Housing: There is now a brand-new Marauder Villa housing complex across from campus starting the Fall 2014 semester. Students from the Wood have priority status when it comes to filling this complex.
Size of School: The Wood is very small. It is one building. Although this might seem like a con, you get used to it quickly and it is actually quite nice (especially in winter).
Campus Resources:
It has a gym and locker rooms. There is a nice lounge area with lots of tables, a comfortable couch, a TV, a foosball and ping-pong table, and some vending machines.
Across from the lounge is the cafeteria. However, there is no food plan at the Wood and students typically bring their own lunch or go off-campus. Food can be bought in the cafe, but it is too expensive for everyday. Food can also be bought at the bookstore.
There is also a great exercise room with lots of equipment.
Another great resource are the two computer labs. One is located in the library. There are also computers in the Learning Center (where students can ask for help on homework and be tutored). Students are given a virtual $20 allowance for use of the printer (and this is plenty!)
Additionally, the student center is helpful (unlike some other campuses!) and counseling services are available (cost is included in tuition).
There are also support groups.
Teachers: the majority of teachers are great. If you have a question, they are happy to answer. Visiting them during office hours is encouraged and emails are usually answered quickly.
Class size: Typically twenty or smaller, which is nice. My upper-level Spanish class was smaller and had ten people.
Student Activities: There aren't many clubs at the Wood (listed below)
There is also Drama, symphonic band, symphonic orchestra, concert choir, and a visual art gallery for art students. Students with 3 or more credits have one free ticket to all of these productions.
Athletics: women's volleyball, golf, basketball, and tennis. There is also intramural during the noon hour. You just have to sign up during the season.
Clubs include: Student Senate, Insight (newspaper), Farrago (literary magazine), student ambassadors, Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. More might be available since some go in and out of fashion.
Students: Mostly white and from central Wisconsin. There is a large percentage of non-traditional students.
Future of Campus: A new STEM building is in the works and should be completed before the end of the decade. The current building will be remodeled and there will be a new attachment also. Almost three quarters of students major in STEM careers.
Friends: It is difficult to make friends unless you are involved in some sort of club or you know people from high school. The Wood is more of a "come-and-leave" type of school. People don't stick around.
Difficulty and Quality: I feel like I have learned a lot after just one year. I've heard from others that the classes are difficult, but I feel that they are pretty easy and manageable as long as you attend class, do the work, and take responsibility for understanding the material by asking questions and making use of the learning center.
Conclusion: I liked my time at the Wood very much! It is great to be able to get a degree so quickly and so cheaply. I would recommend the Wood if you are trying to save money and want a good campus with great resources, but it is not a great school if you are looking for the typical "college experience
