“Why CSU?”: the reasons a Minnesotan moved to Cleveland – The Cauldron

Cleveland State University is not a university that centers itself around the standard college experience. 

For many people, this may make the school feel like a less ideal fit. Anyone who attends CSU can attest that it appeals in majority to commuters. With many students living off campus and a lack of the classic college atmosphere, I can see how it may not check all of the boxes of someone basing their expectations off of larger schools such as Ohio State University (OSU).

Personally, however, it was precisely these factors that made CSU such a good fit for me. I am a highly independent person who prefers to design my own experiences, without feeling confined to a fixed environment. Though I actually love school and academia, the opportunity to live in a downtown urban environment with access to lots of events and opportunities, without the feeling of being trapped on a college campus, has been perfect for me. 

Though I actually love school and academia, the opportunity to live in a downtown urban environment with access to lots of events and opportunities, without the feeling of being trapped on a college campus, has been perfect for me.  Photo Credit: Julia Srnec

When searching for a college, my top priorities were my desired academic program, an emphasis in research and a student count of around 10,000 students. I never really had a picture in my head of whether I wanted to go to a school in a small town, city or in the middle of miles of cornfields, but when I came to tour CSU for the first time, the city and downtown location immediately called to me. I never thought that I would be able to find a college that was the size I wanted in a downtown area; in fact, the possibility never even crossed my mind. 

I realize that many CSU students choose this school very intentionally, whether it be close to home and job, or financially the most attainable. Even though it may seem an unconventional choice for an out of state student, I chose this school with just as much intention. 

I grew up near the Twin Cities and the University of Minnesota, a similar institution to OSU. The campus spans over 400 acres, reaching both sides of the Mississippi River. I have known for my whole life that I did not want a college of that size for my undergraduate experience. Instead, somewhere like CSU, where I can feel like I have the freedom of living in a downtown area and have a life outside of classes while still receiving a high quality education, feels like exactly where I should be for this chapter of my life. 

In the just the few months I have spent here, I have learned to take full advantage of CSU’s location in the heart of downtown Cleveland, as well as the RTA system.The proximity of campus to the landmarks of the city, on top of the area’s walkability, allow me to explore and discover, all within a small radius of my dorm and classes. 

In the little time that I’ve been here, my greatest takeaway yet has been Cleveland’s is a city of art, a feature that I feel goes unappreciated by the many people I talk to who grew up in the area.

As someone coming into the city from another state with few expectations, good or bad, I find Cleveland’s emphasis on the arts amazing. I grew up loving theater, film, art museums, and music, and both the University and the city see these things as extremely important. I didn’t even realize how much CSU participates in the city and the arts until after I started classes this past fall. As I met film student after film student, and learned about the University’s relationship with Playhouse Square, I was taken aback at how well CSU matches my personal interests. 

I would really encourage anyone who spends time on campus regularly, especially those who live here, to fully appreciate the independence living in a city like Cleveland can give you and extend your college experience off campus. I can offer you some suggestions as a starting point, such as the Cleveland Institute of Art or Lionheart Coffee in the 5th Street Arcades, but I truly believe that the best way to get to know the city is to explore it yourself!