University of Idaho

University of Idaho


Here’s a free collection of resources about University of Idaho- U-Idaho blogs, videos, groups, first-hand experiences and advice from people who attend(ed) U-Idaho, etc.

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*Learn about life in Idaho.

U-Idaho Survey

We’re surveying people who attend(ed) U-Idaho. Here will be a collection of their responses.

*The information gathered via surveys may or may not be correct. Hopefully it will be helpful to you!

*Response format = Answer (Your first name, Years you attended U-Idaho)

**Click here to share your experience at U-Idaho**

U-Idaho: Favorites

What’s your favorite thing about U-Idaho?

  • The beautiful campus and the life long friends I made. (Beckie, 1977-1981)
  • The personal touch to teaching. (Becky, 1989-1993)
  • Vandal Spirit and Delta Delta Delta. (Lois, 1995-2000)
  • Culture and pride of the school. (Beth, 2002-2006)
  • The University of Idaho has a lot of opportunities for everyone, there is a vast social environment, a lot of things to do on and off campus, and all promote the joy of saying you’re a Vandal. I enjoy being able to tell people we had heated sidewalks, and how the Vandalizers would torment opposing basketball teams. Also, the wide variety of educational programs accommodates a lot of diverse backgrounds and personalities, which helps bring culture to everyone who goes there. (Christine, 2002-2009)
  • Atmosphere. (Leslie, 2003-2011)
  • Greek Life. (Shana, 2009-2012)
  • Greek life. (Althea, 2011-2015)
  • Small class sizes. (Ashley, 2014-2017)
  • The surrounding wildlife and the good programs that are well-respected at a highly affordable price. (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Very walkable, good institution size. (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • The people. (Madeleine, 2016-2020)

U-Idaho: Least Favorites

What’s your least favorite thing about U-Idaho?

  • The long drive from my then home of Salman, Idaho. Particularly in the winter. (Beckie, 1977-1981)
  • Remoteness of the school. (Becky, 1989-1993)
  • The hills (especially in winter). (Lois, 1995-2000)
  • Advising. (Beth, 2002-2006)
  • I hate that our social atmosphere has had a negative effect on our athletic program, and how people view the school itself, when often things are blown out of proportion. (Christine, 2002-2009)
  • Distance from hometown. (Leslie, 2003-2011)
  • The financial burden and inability to receive financial aid despite being independent of my parents. (Shana, 2009-2012)
  • Lack of campus hangout spaces. (Althea, 2011-2015)
  • Too Greek oriented. (Ashley, 2014-2017)
  • The terrible support for sports teams, very low school spirit in general. The culture of cliques that revolve around which sorority/frat someone is in and how ‘cool’ it is to be an ‘alcoholic’. The fact that the racially segregated sororities on campus are funded by UI and Panhellenic are not (& would 100% never exclude someone based on race). There is nothing to do in the town and a weak bar scheme. No good public transit. (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Whole campus smells life cows sometimes. (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Winter. (Madeleine, 2016-2020)

U-Idaho: Things To Do

What are fun things to do while at U-Idaho? Best kept secrets, etc.

  • Super-charging beer on the Ad Lawn steps with sorority sisters. (Beckie, 1977-1981)
  • The Arboretum, the small communities around the university. (Becky, 1989-1993)
  • Mostly spent time with friends at various activities or parties, but to get away, Moscow Mountain is always a peaceful option. (Lois, 1995-2000)
  • Corner Club, Mongolian BBQ, frisbee golf, Moscow Mountain. (Beth, 2002-2006)
  • Any event – homecoming, all home games, performances. (Christine, 2002-2009)
  • Join a team of some sort; I played hockey for both UI and the city. (Leslie, 2003-2011)
  • Greek life, Patty’s Kitchen, walking through Friendship Square, participate in Vandal Friday events. (Shana, 2009-2012)
  • The Arb, Paradise Creek path, local restaurants. (Althea, 2011-2015)
  • Walking the arboretum. (Ashley, 2014-2017)
  • Get off campus and go explore around and hike/camp. Also, the intramurals are a great way to be involved and meet new people. (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Lots of great secondhand stores (Hope Thrift Shop, Read It Again Books). (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Go to the bagel shop. (Madeleine, 2016-2020)

U-Idaho: Recommended Classes/Professors

Any classes or professors you recommend?

  • I took this 400 level English class, the history of Tolkien, which was taught by my friends’ favorite English teacher. I can’t think of his name, but he was such a great speaker, story-teller, and ridiculously engaging, especially for those of us who were not English majors. (Christine, 2002-2009)
  • Genetics, MMBB 154. (Leslie, 2003-2011)
  • I enjoyed all my exercise science classes. (Shana, 2009-2012)
  • Zumba! (Ashley, 2014-2017)
  • Dr. Deborah Throne, sociology, Dr. Barrie Robison, genetics. (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Any class with Florian Justwan or Ellen Kittel. (Madeleine, 2016-2020)

U-Idaho: Housing Advice

Any housing tips or recommendations?

  • Greek Houses. (Beckie, 1977-1981)
  • Go Greek. (Becky, 1989-1993)
  • Loved living in the sorority. (Lois, 1995-2000)
  • Live on campus. (Beth, 2002-2006)
  • Live within walking distance. Being Greek was a great experience, but it’s not for everyone. (Christine, 2002-2009)
  • If you’re off campus, try to find a place close to the bus line. (Leslie, 2003-2011)
  • Go Greek. I made lifelong friendships, memories that will last a lifetime, and I learned so much about myself and what I was capable of doing. Greek life has brought connections into my life that have promoted and excelled my career years later. (Shana, 2009-2012)
  • Greek life. (Althea, 2011-2015)
  • Off campus housing is quite affordable. (Ashley, 2014-2017)
  • I 100% wish I would have gotten a group of friends and taken over Steelhouse. Best location on campus, single rooms, and most space per girl anywhere on campus plus living spaces and a kitchen. #1 regret. (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Invest in a small microwave cooker. It will change your life if you live on campus. (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Live on campus for a couple years before moving off campus. (Madeleine, 2016-2020)

U-Idaho: Places To Eat

What are the best places to eat near U-Idaho?

  • Gambinos. (Becky, 1989-1993)
  • Is Mikey’s Gyros still around? Loved them! (Lois, 1995-2000)
  • Patty’s. (Beth, 2002-2006)
  • The Breakfast Club. (Christine, 2002-2009)
  • La Casa Lopez, Mikey’s. (Leslie, 2003-2011)
  • Patty’s Kitchen. (Shana, 2009-2012)
  • Casa, Nectar, Red Bento, Blues Brews and BBQ. (Althea, 2011-2015)
  • Tapped. (Ashley, 2014-2017)
  • Martins, Lodgepole, rants and raves. (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Bagel shop, Casa, Maialaina. (Madeleine, 2016-2020)

U-Idaho: Crime & Safety

How’s crime/safety at U-Idaho?

  • Good. (Beckie, 1977-1981)
  • Don’t walk down hello walkway at night. (Becky, 1989-1993)
  • Safe. (Lois, 1995-2000)
  • Felt very safe and secure. (Beth, 2002-2006)
  • When I was there, I never worried about walking to or from anywhere. I always thought most of Moscow and campus were always safe, no matter the time. (Christine, 2002-2009)
  • I felt safe, but I’m sure crime happened. (Leslie, 2003-2011)
  • I always felt safe. (Althea, 2011-2015)
  • Very safe. (Ashley, 2014-2017)
  • As long as you are not near the small group of athletes who are allowed to get away with anything, low crime. (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Good. (Madeleine, 2016-2020)

U-Idaho: Cool Facts

Any other cool facts about U-Idaho?

  • The Admin Lawn was largely designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, successor firm Olmsted Brothers. Fredrick was the primary landscape architect of Central Park in NY. (Beckie, 1977-1981)
  • It has an amazing amount of space to get lost in. (Becky, 1989-1993)
  • The heated tunnels under the sidewalks. Isn’t there a ghost or two? And whoever convinced Dropkick Murphy’s that Idaho was a dry campus, and that’s why they weren’t allowed to drink during the concert. (Christine, 2002-2009)
  • We have cows with windows. (Leslie, 2003-2011)
  • The proximity to WSU is great for events. (Althea, 2011-2015)
  • The Arboretum is really awesome at night. (Madeleine, 2016-2020)

U-Idaho: Advice For Freshmen

Advice for a new Freshman:

  • Have fun, be smart, and study hard. Best four years and best friends of my life. (Beckie, 1977-1981)
  • Get familiar with your city, explore. (Becky, 1989-1993)
  • Listen, assess, then form your opinion. Go to class, it cuts down on how much time you have to spend reading the boring textbooks. Find a place that only you know about to study during dead week or before a big test; I would always go to a relative’s house for the weekend before finals to keep me focused on studying, and less on social temptations. (Lois, 1995-2000)
  • Try lots of different things and don’t let others’ thoughts discourage you from trying new things. (Beth, 2002-2006)
  • Don’t be afraid to try something new. (Christine, 2002-2009)
  • GO TO CLASS! You are paying quite a bit to be there and it does actually help with learning. (Leslie, 2003-2011)
  • Never discount an experience because of the opinions of others. I missed out on many exciting opportunities because I listened to others’ unfounded opinions. (Shana, 2009-2012)
  • Try everything once, go to all the club fairs and free events. (Althea, 2011-2015)
  • Make friends! (Ashley, 2014-2017)
  • Do not join anything just to fit in, do what you want to do. (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Go to school events if you are bored. Don’t listen to people who say there is “nothing to do in this town.” (Anonymous, 2014-2018)
  • Get out there and meet people and enjoy things. (Madeleine, 2016-2020)

U-Idaho: Stories

Share an experience you’ve had at U-Idaho (interesting/funny/crazy/dangerous, etc.):

  • Not crazy, but meaningful… In my first week as a freshman, my grandfather passed away. I was so anxious about missing class to go home for the services; I was concerned about how it might affect my grades. Several of my brand new sorority sisters volunteered to go to my classes to take notes on my behalf, even though they knew that it wasn’t going to be a big deal to the professor that I wasn’t in Chem 101 for one day. They knew it was important to me, and quickly demonstrated to me that Vandals support each other – even someone who had been a Vandal for just a few days. (Lois, 1995-2000)
  • I love homecoming skits! (Althea, 2011-2015)
  • Hiked around Moscow late at night with a bunch of my friends a couple of times my freshman year. It was terrifying and weird to be out that late on a weekend but I’ll always remember how much fun it was especially when it started snowing and it was like a winter wonderland. (Madeleine, 2016-2020)