I attended one of my first, and hopefully one of many, “big girl” job interviews a few weeks ago. When asked which college I am seeking a degree from, I proudly said West Virginia University. Her response was a chuckle and a stabbing statement, “Oh, yeah, that is a huge party school, huh?” This simple but rhetorical question crumpled my hard-earned college career and achievements, and threw it into a fire pit. I have heard the rumors that this is how employers feel about my soon to be alma mater, but to actually hear it enraged me. I grinned through my clenched teeth for the rest of the interview. Out of respect I did not confront the comment and I resumed the interview. Now that I am out of closed quarters and her shameful grip, I am going to teach this country a little bit about WVU. Y'all will learn today.

Being a Mountaineer is not for you if you cannot bleed Blue and Gold, even when we lose. We have a great athletic fan base. Not only does it cover the whole state, but it spills across the United States. Rain, snow, or shine you will see crowds of Mountaineers tailgating, clicking beer glasses at the bar, and lining up in front of the Milan Puskar stadium gates awaiting kick-off. Morgantown was also named one of “Best Sports Cities” by Sporting News.

WVU isn't the place for you if you have horrible social skills. No matter where you are headed on our campus, you will find a friendly face. Strangers on the side walk will pick up your dropped twenty dollar bill and hand it right over to you. Costumer service is overly nice at businesses, and if you ever need a helping hand, a fellow mountaineer will never turn down the request. An overall amount of 61,517 hours of community service was completed by WVU students in 2013.

Being a Mountaineer will not help you if you do not want to become a well-rounded and educated American. If you want to refuse an excellent variety of academic programs, then stay far away. WVU has 15 colleges and schools offering 191 bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs in agriculture, natural resources, and design; arts and sciences; business and economics; creative arts; dentistry; education and human services; engineering and mineral resources; journalism; law; medicine; nursing; pharmacy; physical activity and sport sciences; and public health. Hundreds of distance education and online classes are available. With WVU you can study and succeed no matter where life takes you.

WVU isn't the place for you if you do not see yourself achieving higher learning. WVU is a Research University (High Research Activity) as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Morgantown was also named one of “50 Smartest Places to Live” by Kiplinger's.

WVU isn't the place for you if you feel the need to fall below college rankings. Morgantown, W.Va., population 30,293 (US Census Bureau, 2011), was rated “No. 1 Small City in America” by BizJournals.com. "Business Insider" named Morgantown the ninth best college town in America.

WVU isn't the place for you if you want to attend a small college. The WVU System spans the state, including 518 buildings on 15,880 acres (main campus 430 buildings/1,456 acres). Eleven main campus buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, and WVU operates eight experimental farms and four forests throughout the state.

WVU isn't the place for you if you refuse to believe that our admissions does not just “Opera Winfrey” college acceptance letters. The 2014 Freshman Class had an average ACT of 23.8 and SAT Math + Critical Reading 1045; high school GPA of 3.42.

Being a Mountaineer is not for you if you do not appreciate the wild wonderfulness that surrounds this campus. In my college experience, I have hiked at surrounding state parks, joined the Adventure WV organization on trips to the everglades to kayak and camp, and had the pleasure of walking out of my home and seeing rolling hills every morning. I have traveled minutes to enjoy many trips to Coopers Rock State Forest and Cheat Lake. I will miss every minute of this.

Yes, we party, drink, shout fight songs, and get a little rowdy at times, but that does not define a Mountaineer. As a Mountaineer, I have climbed over many obstacles and have learned and grew intellectually. Right now we are not only young adults with minimal worries, but also students that are committed to achieving our life long goals and to flourish in society. As of now, big or small, I am proud to say I have moved mountains.

MOUNTAINEER- Pronunciation: Mauntinir
• MOUNTAINEER (noun)
The noun MOUNTAINEER has one sense: someone who climbs mountains

These country roads took me home. I am and forever will be a Mountaineer, with no regrets or shame.

All references from: wvu.edu