My daughter is wrapping up her freshman year as a pre-nursing student at ASU's downtown Phoenix campus. In summary, ASU has been awesome! She chose ASU over other universities because of (1) "direct admission" into ASU's nursing program; (2) admission to ASU's Barrett Honors College, reportedly the gold standard of honors colleges; (3) great merit-based scholarships that ASU automatically offered to her; (4) a great reputation in the world of nursing, with clinical opportunities at Mayo's Phoenix hospital and Phoenix Children's Hospital. As a Barrett student, my daughter lives on the 14th floor ("penthouse") of Gordon Commons in a good-sized two-person room with a private bathroom. (Her boyfriend is in the Best dorm on the Tempe campus. It's not nearly as nice.) She likes the dorm food and the ability to use dorm food credits at nearby eateries, e.g., Chick-Fil-A. She sometimes takes the shuttle to the Tempe campus and pays extra to eat at the Barrett dorm there. Reportedly, the Barrett food is epic. For her pre-nursing classes, she has found she is more college-ready than her classmates. On team projects, she often must correct classmates' mistakes. She enjoys her Barrett class, where she finds a higher caliber of student and an engaging professor. She's now beginning some of her special research obligations as a Barrett student. As a "direct admit" nursing student, my daughter must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher each semester. Last semester, she got a 4.0 with several "A+" grades. This semester is also going well, but she is taking a challenging anatomy class along with pre-med and other pre-health professions students. Apparently, it is a weed-out class. She is on the border between an A and B; all her friends are in the D-range. Fun fact: the students are already working with cadavers. A random fact: ASU will open its brand new medical school in 2026. As is the case everywhere, a lot of students prefer partying to studying, but the downtown Phoenix students tend to be more serious and have fewer distractions. Some students prefer the quieter downtown atmosphere; others prefer the busier Tempe campus. Next year, my daughter will be living in her sorority house in Tempe and taking the shuttle to downtown for half of her classes. It's a 20-minute ride. ASU does remarkable outreach to parents and enthusiastically encourages family involvement in many aspects of the university. (By contrast, our other daughter attends a University of California school, which does NO family outreach.) So, I have volunteered for several roles, e.g., ASU Family Ambassador. The ASU website offers family access and tons of information and resources. This feature is being upgraded as I write this. Also, several Facebook groups offer a plethora of helpful information and support. My favorite is ASU Moms. Typical situation: a student has a medical emergency; parents can't immediately fly to Phoenix; a local mom helps out as if it were her own kid. At the outset of the college application process, ASU was not on our radar. However, it did spectacular marketing and really grabbed our attention. Plus, its rolling admissions gave our daughters the comfort of knowing they had at least one solid option. Whereas many universities are inexplicably turning down incredible applicants who show strong promise of future success (including our daughters), ASU seems eager to recruit and reward all these über-qualified, frustrated, overlooked kids. I think this is a great strategy: I believe ASU will ultimately make the University of California schools seem exceedingly average. No university is perfect, but overall, I heartily recommend ASU. read more

Arizona State University - Week 1 at ASU: "InfernoFest." She's already found her tribe. - Colleges & Universities Near Me - Phoenix, Arizona

When someone thinks of Arizona State University, they often think of the Tempe Campus and a large school experience. What they may not realize is that while that experience is great for many people, yet others may be looking for a different experience. The ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus is smaller than the Tempe Campus yet it's a community where every student has the potential to feel connected with resources and it is still large enough (as ASU's second largest campus) that there is always something happening. It's growing as a campus and has transformed quickly from a commuter campus (when it first opened) to a residential campus with nearly 2,000 bed spaces in two residence halls. Opened for classes in 2006, the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus has hit many milestones over the last several years. For instance, in April 2023, the Taylor Place residence hall was renamed Gordon Commons in honor of former Mayor Phil Gordon. This campus meshes well with the Downtown Phoenix area as they share streets, parks, and nearby restaurants and stores. In fact, ASU is actively involved in monthly stakeholder meetings with the Downtown Phoenix Inc. (DPI). It helps Downtown stakeholders in knowing what's going on at ASU while it helps ASU to know what's going on around the Downtown Phoenix area. For instance, ASU students and staff enjoy participating in First Fridays while DPI is involved in ASU Welcome Week events. As the campus continues to grow and become more engrained in the Downtown Phoenix culture every year, the number of buildings on campus continue to increase. In addition to academic buildings such as those of Cronkite, Thunderbird, and the Beus Center for Law and Society, there are student services available in University Center and Student Center at the Post Office. There are also classrooms within the Mercado Center and Arizona Center and even the Fusion on First residence hall and 850 PBC. Within Gordon Commons (another residence hall) is a Starbucks, Chick-fil-a, other restaurants, a Multicultural Communities of Excellence space, a dining hall, and marketplace. There is also some interesting art on campus such as the "Her Secret is Patience" sculpture above the Civic Space Park. There is also a beautiful Sun Devil Fitness Center with a roof-top pool. Needless to say, there is something for everyone on the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus. At the Downtown Phoenix Campus, every student can drive their own experience as they engage in the events and resources on-campus while attending classes, getting an on-campus job, landing an internship or full-time job, joining clubs and organizations, attending many free events and activities, and so much more. The Dean of Students Office (in the Post Office) and the many student services offices at ASU Downtown Phoenix are always there for students, and it's easy to find your way towards graduation and your future when taking advantage of these resources. I look forward to seeing what comes next on such an engaging campus such as the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus in the coming years! read more

In January, my son made the transition from Community College to ASU and he is truly enjoying his time here! All of his credits were recognized, allowing him to begin his studies as a Junior. The campus is absolutely stunning. read more

Love the campus - modern buildings and city vibes. Downtown campus offers some of the best degrees and majors at Arizona State University - Criminal Justice, Law, Social Work, Journalism, Nursing, etc. I'm currently in the graduate program and have found all the resources extremely helpful. A couple of things to keep in mind: parking is a nightmare and way too expensive, as well as congested traffic morning, afternoon, and evening. read more

Just enjoying living in downtown Phoenix. The ASU campus is making steady progress, adding a LIVELY addition to life in the big city. The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism adds a great deal to both the quality of the downtown ASU campus and student life. read more

I love this campus. It's within walking distance to my house and was inspiration behind me going back to school. All my classes are in the same building, which is a bonus. All is all my professors offices. I don't feel like I can knock it for it's expensive factor because I already knew that coming into it. But I will knock it a star because of it's food options are limited, perhaps too much so. I have money on my SunCard so I went to Taylor Place one day to score some food. I'm not a resident there so I was majorly peeved by the price of a lunch. It's $7.50 for a one hour time limited all-you-can eat buffet. I'd be happy if I didn't catch it just before dinner hit so I would have had some hot food choices, but no luck. They set the dinner food out and it was about 7 mintues before dinner started (4:30) and they were very concerned about not letting students devour that food until dinner opened. So my "lunch" I was stuck with a $7.50 salad and stale cookie. I won't go back there. I'll stick to City Cafe limited hours and get another chicken ceasar wrap for $5.50 - still a bit pricey but it's basically what I had at Taylor Place wrapped up. I like the lobby and the success center is a score. The professors are nice and open to concerns (for the most part) and are willing to work with you. read more

I love the ASU downtown Campus. I started studying there in the fall of 2008, when Taylor Place dorms first opened up. It is a very clean, safe, and bustling campus. There is always something to see and do, but it has a smaller feel than Tempe, which I like. It's very close to Civic Space park and the lightrail. The starbucks in the TP dorms is one of the nicest ones around, and it's not just for college students. The Cronkite building is state-of-the-art, and the UCENT building provides great library, classroom and study space. ASU is my alma mater and my husband's alma mater and I couldn't be happier with the experience both of us had here. read more

I am NOT reviewing the school; I am reviewing the over the phone "help" which is some help but the call back never occurred. I did talk to a helpful man that became my "friend", in quotations because with friends like this. well, you know how the saying goes. Nice, my age, into comparing notes on being advanced in years so I am a fount of my experience. Since the call never came back, I called and got a young man that was clueless. He could get me up on a screen through the original conversation I had but since I am sort of a polymath, I had changed my mind as to focus and tried to explain myself. Again, the guy was not prepared for someone that can actually speak the English language like a writer can. Having spoken to admissions phone people from many colleges this last round, and I do have an MFA from CalArts, I'm going to venture to say that NO admissions and ancillary phone help are ever too satisfying because they are probably not really that educated. I don't know but it seems that I ask questions very specific to what I need and there is stumbling. Now, if I could get someone to speak with me on a decently high level specific to what I need, that would be nice. I am not used to tracking a salesperson or information maven down. The best I can see; it looks like a great school. read more

Veterans, please be cautious when enrolling into ASU. I've incurred a financial debt because of an ASU administrative error. ASU has apologized, but I'm now stuck repaying $$$ because of ASU's incompetence. read more

One walk through this campus and you will know the level of education you can get if you put the effort in. This campus houses some of asu's top programs and it shows. Downtown has improved a lot making this campus a lot more desirable and enjoyable. Top notch teachers and all the benefits of asu can be found here. Don't forget the library is downstairs, I went a while before I realized it. Give this place a tour if you're considering going and know that your money will be well spent with a reputable program and good campus. read more

I'm applying to Grad School and I am so excited that most of my classes will meet here. It's right off the light rail and just a few blocks from downtown for those of us urbanites. It really doesn't get more convenient than this. There are ample coffee and alcohol vendors closeby by for blowing off steam or cramming. Food options, not so much but Bowl of Greens is a good healthy alternative. read more

I love the Downtown Campus. It's small, it's clean, and it's in a great location. True, some people might be put-off by the homeless man sleeping right outside the school building. I think that's just part of urban life. There are quite a few dining options within walking distance of campus. Also, the light rail and the YMCA are also within walking distance. I'm not a big fan of the split-campus style with part of the campus sitting on the corner of 7th St and Van Buren but there are worse things. read more

I am currently a masters student at ASU downtown in the social work program (MSW). I have to say I am extremely disappointed with the school itself. The school has an awful student services department with the most disrespectful collegiate staff. The length of the courses are ridiculously long and provide no extra incentive in regard to learning. The classes are super small, which I have to admit I kind of like however, the room size itself is suffocating and to spend three hours in there is painful; especially for someone who has claustrophobia. The professors, for the most part, are nice and I do indeed think they provide and outstanding level of service to their students. With all this being said, I would not recommend coming to this school for a degree program. This school itself is definitely not innovative like they claim and tend to undermine the students integrity on a regular. I have been to three Universities for my education (Grand Canyon University for Bachelors; Northern Arizona University for my first Maters; and now ASU for my second Masters) and I have to say ASU is by far the worst school I have ever went to. Save yourself the hassle of coming here and go to either GCU or NAU: they actually care about their students and their education. Furthermore, I appreciate you the reader for taking the time to read my review and I hope I help you make a just and inciteful decision about where to go. read more

I have been a student at the downtown campus for the past two and a half years and I also have a part-time job in the school of social work. The people are fantastic and I am very happy as a student and an employee but I am getting on to highlight what I see as the biggest asset to the Downtown campus. I do not work for the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy but I have gotten to know the staff there and I have volunteered for a couple of their events. I strongly believe that Dr. Whitaker and his staff raise the profile of ASU generally and of the Downtown campus specifically. The small amount of time I have spent with the center has enhanced my experience as a student and as a human being. I highly encourage attendance at one of the centers events so you can get an idea of what I am talking about. Go Devils! read more

I really miss this place so much. I've never imagined how lucky I would be to meet so nice people, enjoy the food, the campus, and being at an entrepreneurship program during one month. What a month, what a place, what an experience! If you live in Arizona you should definitively take a walk inside the campus and enjoy the view/university atmosphere. read more

My father works as faculty for ASU, my mother graduated from W.P. Carey and I left U of A to come here. This school is near flawless (for me) and the downtown Phoenix campus is the icing on the cake. I consider this place to be my second home and have loved every second of my time here. Further, our journalism program is unbeatable. I have no complaints! read more

The downtown campus is so nice. It's a quick bike ride from my house, and I can hit the public market on the way home. It is modern and clean, so unlike the liberal arts classrooms in Tempe. The campus has a more progressive feel than the Tempe campus, too. Maybe that's a result of having the social work, nursing, and journalism programs located here. Desktops have integrated plugs for your laptop, as opposed to the 20 cords competing for 8 outlets in Cowden Hall in Tempe. I think it's ridiculous that the offices and bookstore think they're supporting working students by staying open until 5:30 p.m., though. Unless you work on or adjacent to campus, you can't accomplish anything without taking time off from work. I hope ASU downtown embraces the independent downtown culture, rather than driving it away. Let's not have Mill Ave. Part 2, PLEASE! read more

After working with the president's office, they agreed to push back the landscaping. It took several attempts and videos and stuff to make this happen. read more

I might be bias since I work at this campus but I gotta admit, the ASU Downtown Phoenix Campus has appeal. It's a different world compared to the Tempe campus which is a university campus surrounded by an urban setting, Downtown campus is a university set amidst an urban setting. No, it's nowhere close to New York University in Manhattan but where ASU is situated is that it's centrally located in the Phoenix downtown area next to the Transit Center, and an urban park. Everything is within walking distance, CityScape on Washington is less than 6 minutes walk and the Roosevelt Arts District is north of it and less than 5 minutes away. As a campus, it can be recognized by the School of Journalism building on Central, and the University Center building just south of it. Basically the campus starts at the YMCA building to the west, Journalism building to the north, Arizona Center and University Mercado to the east, and the University Center Building to the south. It encompasses more than 6 blocks. It's a good start for ASU, and it's nice to see the university expanding its presence downtown. I wish the university was in more buildings spread throughout downtown instead of a specific area, I think it will eventually get there with the revitalization of the Jefferson warehouse district south of the sport arena but right now it's a good place to be. :) read more