Grand canyon university

Things to consider before sending in your application

OPINION | January 2023

Dining/Stores

Grand Canyon University (GCU) located in Phoenix, Arizona, is a beautiful campus with plenty of private space. Instead of only having a dining hall, Grand Canyon University convenience stores, fast food places, restaurants, and smoothie and coffee shops are located around campus. With over 20 dining options, students can get whatever they are in the mood for. They also have a shop full of their own custom clothing. Students can buy caps, sweatshirts, t-shirts, stickers, crewnecks, and more. 

Rooming

Rooming can be a stress factor for many new students. It may help that GCU has living options for all upper and lower-classmen and are flexible with their student’s situations. They have apartments, condos, and dorms around campus that are close to classes. No one has to live on campus if they do not want to. 

A caution to be aware of

There have been shootings reported close to the school, such as the incident on February 1. While these cases do not happen regularly, it is something to consider when choosing a college. For that reason, there is heavy security around GCU. Entering the school is not difficult for the people who are supposed to be there. For that reason, campus police are protective about keeping those who are not meant there, out. There is security, but students have the freedom to leave campus although the college does do a profound job of making sure students have everything they need so they will not have to. 

Tutor stations

Tutoring stations are always available and are spread throughout the campus. It is set up so that, whenever a student needs help, they can stop in, say what they are struggling with, and then staff will find a qualified student fit for the subject they need clarification on. This is a quick and easy way that allows students to be able to get their work done while understanding the information they are learning. 

Sports and events

The space on campus is incredible, and students use it to spread out and do their homework in the fresh air. There are fields where students celebrate pre-game events. Although basketball is more acknowledged by students at GCU, they have many other sports GCU plays in Division 1. 

Before every basketball game, there are fun events going on that show major school spirit. Some activities include camping outside of the basketball stadium waiting to get the best seats or crazy games played as a fun send-off for the players. 

“There has never been a moment where I have been bored at GCU. There is always a major event going on and never a dull moment,” Theel said.

Transportation

Students can bring their cars and park them in the free parking garages. Skateboards and motorized scooters are something people would not expect to see on campus, but at GCU, they are very popular. Depending on how this is viewed, it can either be a positive or negative reason to go to this college. The negative perspective could be almost getting run into all the time by students who are not careful around others. Positive could be being able to get to classes faster without having to walk a long distance. Students can purchase electric scooters on campus. If they are not wanted, normal scooters are also an option, and those with skateboards bring them from home.

Tuition

College tuition costs $16,500 for in-state and out-of-state students. Individual courses cost $687.50 per credit, $8,100 for a room, and up to $1,700 for additional fees, such as dining money and other purchases. Although it is expensive, there is a direct flight from Bismarck to Arizona. Tickets are cheap, so people who attend would not have to spend as much money traveling back home. 

Expanding Campus

There are no frat parties or sororities. Grand Canyon University has a campus that is still expanding. They are improving their housing for students to make more room for new incomers. Even though they do not have the biggest campus, they are working to grow even more.