We have a player on our travel team who is seriously considering App. State. I'm not very familiar with them, and would appreciate any insights those in the know could give me to pass along, whether publicly or via PM.
Thanks!
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Can't say that I am really in the know other than to tell you what I have observed on two trips to ASU for summer games the last couple of years.
(1) Fabulous campus. Compact but still did not feel confining. Beautiful mountains all around. Set right next door to nice little downtown area.
(2) Fabulous baseball facility. Top of the line in every respect.
(3) Fine academic reputation. If you look at the numbers (average GPA and SATs of incoming frosh) it is clear that ASU ranks with the better public schools in NC. It may not be Duke, Wake, Elon, or UNC Chapel Hill, but it would appear to be close to UNCW and NCState, and ahead of the other UNCs and ECU.
(4) Beautiful area, especially for a student who enjoys the outdoors. The mountains and rivers are endless out there.
(5) Offers quality football to go along with all the other sports, which is something many UNCs do not offer. That Saturday afternoon football experience is important to some kids, and ASU offers it (along with a beautiful football stadium).
All-in-all, a first-rate public university.
(1) Fabulous campus. Compact but still did not feel confining. Beautiful mountains all around. Set right next door to nice little downtown area.
(2) Fabulous baseball facility. Top of the line in every respect.
(3) Fine academic reputation. If you look at the numbers (average GPA and SATs of incoming frosh) it is clear that ASU ranks with the better public schools in NC. It may not be Duke, Wake, Elon, or UNC Chapel Hill, but it would appear to be close to UNCW and NCState, and ahead of the other UNCs and ECU.
(4) Beautiful area, especially for a student who enjoys the outdoors. The mountains and rivers are endless out there.
(5) Offers quality football to go along with all the other sports, which is something many UNCs do not offer. That Saturday afternoon football experience is important to some kids, and ASU offers it (along with a beautiful football stadium).
All-in-all, a first-rate public university.
Midlo... everything Isaac has said is true. As you know I am not far enough along this journey with my son to speak on the baseball program.
My other DD chose App and will be starting there in the spring. App has several unique majors and admissions is harder now that the football team beat MI and interest skyrocketed.. yes I know ... ironic.
Winters can be brutal ... you have to embrace them. Lots of kids choose off campus housing after their freshman year and most choose to get around via the public transportation called the Apple Cart which is cheap and reliable.
All in all App has much more college spirit and institutional pride than other institutions like it.
My other DD chose App and will be starting there in the spring. App has several unique majors and admissions is harder now that the football team beat MI and interest skyrocketed.. yes I know ... ironic.
Winters can be brutal ... you have to embrace them. Lots of kids choose off campus housing after their freshman year and most choose to get around via the public transportation called the Apple Cart which is cheap and reliable.
All in all App has much more college spirit and institutional pride than other institutions like it.
It has been a long time since I have been to Boone, but I have two observations:
1. I love Appalachian State in almost every way. It would be a great place for nearly anyone to go to school.
2. It can snow A LOT.
1. I love Appalachian State in almost every way. It would be a great place for nearly anyone to go to school.
2. It can snow A LOT.
Visited there last fall. Turf field as I recall. Beautiful area. The school grounds and buildings are nice, but there are many prettier schools. It is cold weather baseball. Seems to be a pretty good college town. Solid, but not great academics.
The camps are strictly a money maker, so don't fall for the sweet talk.
The camps are strictly a money maker, so don't fall for the sweet talk.
Because of the higher interest in App State, getting admitted is not as easy as it used to be. Average GPA of incoming freshman is 3.9! Their ranking as having great academics (not just solid) should follow.
Early season baseball there can be brutally cold.
I went up to Boone one June to watch my son play a 7pm game. Shorts , T shirt and by the 5th inning was freezing my butt off.
The field is totally field turf. The only dirt is the mound and home plate. The ball flys out of that park. Its a very nice ball park though. They have an indoor hitting facility right at the park as well.
Like others have said its a nice campus with very good academics. They have recruited very well of late and are starting to see the benefits of it on the field.
But make no mistake about it - its in the mountains and it is very cold there. It snows a lot and if you don't like the cold its not the place for you.
The field is totally field turf. The only dirt is the mound and home plate. The ball flys out of that park. Its a very nice ball park though. They have an indoor hitting facility right at the park as well.
Like others have said its a nice campus with very good academics. They have recruited very well of late and are starting to see the benefits of it on the field.
But make no mistake about it - its in the mountains and it is very cold there. It snows a lot and if you don't like the cold its not the place for you.
