Metropolitan State University is a four-year public university located in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, United States. It is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system. Metro State was founded in 1971. The school admitted 50 students in 1972. David E. Sweet was the university's first president. The university initially followed a non-traditional course: Students could design their own degree plans, instructors wrote 'narrative evaluations' instead of using traditional letter grades, and much of the teaching was done by 'community faculty' who had advanced degrees as well as extensive practical work experience in their respective fields. Although Metro State adopted a more traditional format in the 1990s, it has still retained a college named 'First College' which allows students to design individualized and/or interdisciplinary degree plans. First College students are allowed to select their own majors (they are typically referred to as 'focuses'). The individualized degrees are a popular alternative for students who are not interested in seeking traditional 'structured' degrees. When Metro State began, it was a college for working adults.