When I chose to attend Wayne State, a lot of friends and family members turned up their noses at me. One friend even told me that she would never come visit me when I opted to live on campus. Students who attend WSU have even coined the term “Wayne Stated” to refer to the times that WSU has been less than satisfactory. The truth is, WSU is a lot like every other university out there, and even better in a lot of ways! Here are some truths about WSU that many people just don’t want to believe.

People are really nice.

Every city has some jerks in it. I know people who have had their cars broken into, or who got their phone stolen on the street. Bad people exist everywhere, but, as a whole, WSU and Detroit are filled with some really kind individuals. Most people are very helpful, guiding you when you can’t find a class, loaning you a phone charger when your phone dies, or even performing the small task of holding doors for one another. Millenials tend to get a bad name, but, at least at WSU, we are a courteous lot.

We have less crime than U of M.

That’s right. Wayne State, which is situated in the heart of Detroit, has less crime than one of the top schools in the country. We have our own dedicated police force that works around the clock to ensure the safety of our students, as well as all other people in the midtown area. Additionally, they offer VIN etching, street-smart personal safety seminars, and Rape Aggression Defense programs to help individuals help to protect themselves.

Our campus is beautiful.

Some people assume that our campus is filled with abandoned and fallen down buildings. This just isn’t the case. Our campus features such beautiful buildings as the Detroit Institute of Arts Museum, the Detroit Public Library, and countless historical buildings by world-renowned architects such as Malcomson and Higginbotham.

Being in Detroit is actually awesome.

Our campus is about 167 acres, so it's far smaller than the other universities in the state. Still, being located in midtown allows us the opportunity to explore the city and its many amazing neighborhoods. While on paper our campus is 167 acres, our playground of Detroit brings it to 91,456 acres.

Tuition is reasonable when compared to other universities.

Yes, our tuition has gone up. Unfortunately, tuition increases are happening all over the country. While tuition at WSU is not the cheapest, it's important to note that as a four-year university, it's pretty reasonable. WSU also offers a number of grants and scholarships, many with few applicants, which means your chances of receiving one are greater.

We can gain hands-on experience in our field.

One thing that sets WSU apart from other universities in the state is that we are a research university. Many of our professors are actively conducting research in their field. This leads to not only more informed and dedicated professors, but also more opportunities to do hands-on work in your chosen field. The experience you can gain through such work can really set you apart in future employment endeavors, increasing your chances when trying to land your dream career.

We enjoy the diversity.

We are a very diverse campus, boasting the most diverse student body among Michigan’s 15 public universities and a microcosm of the real world. While many other areas across the country are struggling with the realities of racism, WSU students are able to explore, appreciate, and better understand people of all different cultures, races and religions. Not only does this help us become better employees, but it helps us to become better people as well.

WSU has so much to offer, complementing the city in which it resides. So the next time you're at a holiday party and your nosey aunt scoffs at you when you tell her how school is going, remind her of just how amazing WSU is. This is an alma mater to be proud of.