College

[Staubach12]

This thread is here so that people can discuss their search for college, or give general advice about college.

I have begun to start looking at colleges (very late to start, but you know how that goes) and I'm wondering if any of you guys can help me out. Who has a good English department?

[757Dawg]

Nashville, eh?

I would just go to UTenn. You'll get a great education and have the time of your life.

[derza222]

General advice: apply to a couple of reach schools. I applied to a bunch of safeties and a few schools I had a good shot to get into but wasn't guaranteed, nothing that was a stretch. I'm happy where I ended up, but got into all of the 6 schools I applied to and have been left wondering what better schools I could have gotten into and attended.

[TimDris]

I have yet to hear back from any of the 5 schools I applied to. I'm freaking out.

Penn State
UDel
UConn
Rutgers
Minnesota

[JagHombre22]

Nashville, eh?

I would just go to UTenn. You'll get a great education and have the time of your life.

I don't know about that...lol...I graduated from UF, so that was just a cheap shot...

but as long as you study, and study your way you'll do fine...alot of people try to change their study habits and what not and they end up sucking at being in college...just keep the status quo....

I graduated with a 3.8 GPA and didn't change a damn thing in four years...

[AlexDown]

I have yet to hear back from any of the 5 schools I applied to. I'm freaking out.

Penn State
UDel
UConn
Rutgers
Minnesota

Did you visit Penn State?

[TimDris]

Yeah, it was awesome. I hope I get in. I should find out in the next few days.

[JagHombre22]

Penn State is a great school...I was being recruited by them (cross country) and went for a visit...I loved it but decided I didn't want to be that far away from all of my family and friends...

[Staubach12]

Does anyone know a website that can help me locate schools with the best English departments?

[ny10804]

I've heard from Georgetown (in), Notre Dame (in), and UNC (deffered).

I'm waiting on:

Duke
Bentley
UNC (again)
Northeastern
SUNY Binghamton
Case Western Reserve
University of Richmond


I'm leaning towards Notre Dame as of today. Does anyone have an opinion/knowledge of the other schools I applied to?

[JagHombre22]

you're a badass if you get into Duke...great school

[Caddy]

Does anyone know a website that can help me locate schools with the best English departments?

I can't really help in that aspect, but what do you want to study at Uni?

[kwilk103]

try princetonreview.com

has school rankings in different categories; you have to register, but its free; heres wvu's rankings

#5 Best College Library Academics

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#1 Their Students (Almost) Never Study Academics

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#8 Best College Newspaper Extracurriculars

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#4 Students Pack the Stadiums Extracurriculars

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#6 Lots of Beer Parties

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#7 Lots of Hard Liquor Parties

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#1 Party Schools Parties

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#11 Reefer Madness Parties

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yea, wvu is where its at

[Staubach12]

I can't really help in that aspect, but what do you want to study at Uni?

Journalism, Mass Communications, maybe some kind of Creative Writing. Thanks, kwilk, by the way.

[Caddy]

Journalism, Mass Communications, maybe some kind of Creative Writing. Thanks, kwilk, by the way.

Sounds pretty good. I looked at a few schools in the US for similar courses just out of interest. But ultimately chose to do communications/journalism at a University back in Aus.

[kalbears13]

I've heard from Georgetown (in), Notre Dame (in), and UNC (deffered).

I'm waiting on:

Duke
Bentley
UNC (again)
Northeastern
SUNY Binghamton
Case Western Reserve
University of Richmond


I'm leaning towards Notre Dame as of today. Does anyone have an opinion/knowledge of the other schools I applied to?

My dad went to Case Western Reserve and from what he says from like 35 years ago it's really full of a bunch of dorky engineering guys. But things have changed. It's in a downtown area and is built in the middle of this old area so there are scattered old buildings that are used as frat houses. I liked it when I visited but i'm not sure how it compares to the rest of those since the only other colleges I've seen are california schools. (and apparently it was really easy to make the football team back then. it probably hasnt changed in that department either.)

[Brent]

Does anyone know a website that can help me locate schools with the best English departments?
Just about any major liberal arts program (I'm an English major)

[kwilk103]

anybody interested in forensics, wvu is the top school for that

[Aftermath]

try princetonreview.com

has school rankings in different categories; you have to register, but its free; heres wvu's rankings

#5 Best College Library Academics

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#1 Their Students (Almost) Never Study Academics

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#8 Best College Newspaper Extracurriculars

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#4 Students Pack the Stadiums Extracurriculars

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#6 Lots of Beer Parties

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#7 Lots of Hard Liquor Parties

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#1 Party Schools Parties

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#11 Reefer Madness Parties

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

yea, wvu is where its at

Yeah.

If you (dont) want an education.

[Forenci]

I have yet to hear back from any of the 5 schools I applied to. I'm freaking out.

Penn State
UDel
UConn
Rutgers
Minnesota

Come to UConn my friend. I shall hook you up accordingly.

I applied to a few distant schools like ASU, USC and UCLA - but at the end of the day I didn't want to be too far away from my family so I just went with UConn.

I'm loving it here.

[andyjo672]

Journalism, Mass Communications, maybe some kind of Creative Writing. Thanks, kwilk, by the way.

Northwestern generally has the best Journalism program in the nation. For a more affordable, easier to get into option, University of Missouri is also known as a top flight Journalism program and is very well known for their Mass Communications program.

Biased, but Wisconsin also has a good Journalism program, but you have to apply after two years of being there, and its hard to get into. But, overall, its generally a Top 10 public university for academics, got up to #4 when I first went there and is in the 30's for overall university in terms of their overall academics. Also should have been in the Top 10 party schools but we threatened to cut ties with the Princeton Review if they put us in that list because our leadership felt it was giving the school a bad reputation. Madison is also a great college town, Sports Illustrated named us the best college sports town, and Scott Van Pelt gave us rave reviews on the Dan Patrick radio show over the summer saying its the most beautiful, most fun campus he's ever been to (over UNC, Georgia, Texas, etc.). He was the commencement speaker for December grads because of it, and it was a great speech by the way, for example saying one of the greatest things about the internet has been the accessibility to cheap porn.

To whoever got into Notre Dame, I wouldn't recommend it, I wanted to go there really badly until people told me about it. Its got a great reputation, but your college experience isn't that memorable and the South Bend sucks. If you get into Duke, go there, its the top school you applied to and if you haven't been to the campus, its GORGEOUS.

[Hines]

I am going to Community College for a few semesters, then after I get my grades up, I am going to apply to PSU, ASU, Pitt, and some other places. I hope I get into a university if I work hard.

[kalbears13]

I am going to Community College for a few semesters, then after I get my grades up, I am going to apply to PSU, ASU, Pitt, and some other places. I hope I get into a university if I work hard.

you'll get into a university if you work hard enough. you dont have to hope.

[andyjo672]

I'm always surprised how many people go to Community College first. My high school had basically nobody go to community college first, and those that did were really the low rungs and didn't end up going to a university after at all.

[andyjo672]

anybody interested in forensics, wvu is the top school for that

Forensics, ha, as if thats a real major. People that major in forensics do it at one of those 2 year technical schools, but I guess that equates to WVU.

[Cashmoney]

Journalism, Mass Communications, maybe some kind of Creative Writing. Thanks, kwilk, by the way.

MTSU and Western Kentucky have two of the top MassComm programs in the country, but I guess that's only if you want to stay close to home.

[7-11]

Yeah.

If you (dont) want an education.

I truly, truly dislike this statement in so many ways. I don't see the point of going to a school where are you are not going to enjoy yourself when the only thing you are really going to get from it is a 4 year headache, a massive bill at the end of it and maybe (this isn't even definate, so many variables to consider) a few extra $'s on your paycheck when you're 40.

People always talk of how a good college sets you up for life, well sorry but i'm pretty sure i'd rather have a college experience i will remember for the rest of my life and a lesser education instead of the other way around anyday of the week.

Maybe it's just me, but why are so many people preoccupied with studying in the prime of your life? Clearly this is meant to be a time for fun, people that consider themselves responsible adults at the age 18-22 are clearly kidding themselves and really just need a beer.

[andyjo672]

I truly, truly dislike this statement in so many ways. I don't see the point of going to a school where are you are not going to enjoy yourself when the only thing you are really going to get from it is a 4 year headache, a massive bill at the end of it and maybe (this isn't even definate, so many variables to consider) a few extra $'s on your paycheck when you're 40.

People always talk of how a good college sets you up for life, well sorry but i'm pretty sure i'd rather have a college experience i will remember for the rest of my life and a lesser education instead of the other way around anyday of the week.

Maybe it's just me, but why are so many people preoccupied with studying in the prime of your life? Clearly this is meant to be a time for fun, people that consider themselves responsible adults at the age 18-22 are clearly kidding themselves and really just need a beer.


Its a fine balance, you should attempt to find a school that offers both...like Wisconsin. I'm going to plug that school until the day that I die. WVU seems like a waste of money, my company doesn't even hire from there, they wont, so it does matter, but I do agree, find a place to have fun too, its your last chance to not take yourself too seriously.

[kwilk103]

Forensics, ha, as if thats a real major. People that major in forensics do it at one of those 2 year technical schools, but I guess that equates to WVU.

its forensics and investigative sciences; its federally funded as the fbi has their data about 40 mi away in clarksburg, wv; we get all the top of the line equipment before it gets to the actual criminal labs

no, its not my major, just what i learned about it in my political science class

[kwilk103]

I truly, truly dislike this statement in so many ways. I don't see the point of going to a school where are you are not going to enjoy yourself when the only thing you are really going to get from it is a 4 year headache, a massive bill at the end of it and maybe (this isn't even definate, so many variables to consider) a few extra $'s on your paycheck when you're 40.

People always talk of how a good college sets you up for life, well sorry but i'm pretty sure i'd rather have a college experience i will remember for the rest of my life and a lesser education instead of the other way around anyday of the week.

Maybe it's just me, but why are so many people preoccupied with studying in the prime of your life? Clearly this is meant to be a time for fun, people that consider themselves responsible adults at the age 18-22 are clearly kidding themselves and really just need a beer.

we are top 5 in rhodes scholars

[andyjo672]

we are top 5 in rhodes scholars

So is Oklahoma...doesn't say much.

[kwilk103]

Its a fine balance, you should attempt to find a school that offers both...like Wisconsin. I'm going to plug that school until the day that I die. WVU seems like a waste of money, my company doesn't even hire from there, they wont, so it does matter, but I do agree, find a place to have fun too, its your last chance to not take yourself too seriously.

wow, what do you do? reason i ask cuz i know some very wealthy people that went to wvu

one was vice president of erie insurance (fortune 500) and my uncle was an executive at brown-willimason tobacco before they got bought out by rj reynolds

[ny10804]

If you get into Duke, go there, its the top school you applied to and if you haven't been to the campus, its GORGEOUS.

I'd go to Duke if I got in, the only problem is that I'll probably be rejected. And yea, it is beautiful.

[7-11]

Its a fine balance, you should attempt to find a school that offers both...like Wisconsin. I'm going to plug that school until the day that I die. WVU seems like a waste of money, my company doesn't even hire from there, they wont, so it does matter, but I do agree, find a place to have fun too, its your last chance to not take yourself too seriously.

I'm not an expert on the American College system so i didn't realise it was thought of that lowly in an academic regard.

Over here i go to a University that has relatively low entry level marks (compared to the bigger Sydney Universities), yet its rated as one of the top 100 Universities in the world (nothing that fantastic, just showing it's not that bad). Anyway, realistically, the academic expectations truly aren't that high so it leaves plenty of time for more important things (primarily drunkeness). I think it pretty much has the balance right for what i'm after, and i really feel if i went to one of the bigger, more prestigious Sydney Uni's (with higher academic expectations) my life just would not be as good as it is now. All these things considered i still walked into a traineeship in a major financial firm before i'd even started my degree, so it really hasn't harmed me.

[andyjo672]

wow, what do you do? reason i ask cuz i know some very wealthy people that went to wvu

one was vice president of erie insurance (fortune 500) and my uncle was an executive at brown-willimason tobacco before they got bought out by rj reynolds

I work for one of the Big 4 consulting firms. I don't particularly understand why they won't hire there, its just a policy I guess, it might have something to do with bad relationship with WVU business program, that happens sometimes. But every major university, every university actually, is going to have successful people. Wisconsin is tied with Harvard for most CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, just goes to show that they can come from anywhere.

[andyjo672]

I'd go to Duke if I got in, the only problem is that I'll probably be rejected. And yea, it is beautiful.

When I visited there I got to shoot hoops on Cameron Indoor because there was a summer camp going on there and they were on their lunch break so they had all the Basketballs out there so my dad and I asked a guard if we could shoot and he said go ahead. Great experience.

[7-11]

we are top 5 in rhodes scholars

ok............

[andyjo672]

I'm not an expert on the American College system so i didn't realise it was thought of that lowly in an academic regard.

Over here i go to a University that has relatively low entry level marks (compared to the bigger Sydney Universities), yet its rated as one of the top 100 Universities in the world (nothing that fantastic, just showing it's not that bad). Anyway, realistically, the academic expectations truly aren't that high so it leaves plenty of time for more important things (primarily drunkeness). I think it pretty much has the balance right for what i'm after, and i really feel if i went to one of the bigger, more prestigious Sydney Uni's (with higher academic expectations) my life just would not be as good as it is now. All these things considered i still walked into a traineeship in a major financial firm before i'd even started my degree, so it really hasn't harmed me.

The American University system is generally regarded as the best in the world, but there is a wide variety in prestige and rankings because there are just so many schools. And because so many people end up going to college/university in your lingo, companies can afford to be particular where they recruit.

[kwilk103]

must be bad relations or something, cuz their are a lot of successful people coming out there; the job placement is really high

cuz everyone in my familys graduated from wvu (i'll be the 11th) and theyre all in different fields, and never have had any trouble getting jobs all over the eastern country---pa, wv, fla, md, ky, oh

only person that had no use for their degree was my dad cuz he graduated with a petroleum engineering degree and the year he graduated was the same time as the gas prices, thus no jobs; he works at erie insurance (fortune 500 co) and hires people and said as long as they have a degree you get an interview

oh, and if your looking for mining engineering wvu is good too

[Staubach12]

MTSU and Western Kentucky have two of the top MassComm programs in the country, but I guess that's only if you want to stay close to home.

That's cool. Anything you know farther out?

[7-11]

The American University system is generally regarded as the best in the world, but there is a wide variety in prestige and rankings because there are just so many schools. And because so many people end up going to college/university in your lingo, companies can afford to be particular where they recruit.

You have got to be joking, there are so many subpar colleges in the US you just cannot say that.

And my 'lingo' is actually what the rest of the world call tertiary education. Maybe you shoudl step outside your American box once in a while.

[andyjo672]

must be bad relations or something, cuz their are a lot of successful people coming out there; the job placement is really high

cuz everyone in my familys graduated from wvu (i'll be the 11th) and theyre all in different fields, and never have had any trouble getting jobs all over the eastern country---pa, wv, fla, md, ky, oh

only person that had no use for their degree was my dad cuz he graduated with a petroleum engineering degree and the year he graduated was the same time as the gas prices, thus no jobs; he works at erie insurance (fortune 500 co) and hires people and said as long as they have a degree you get an interview

oh, and if your looking for mining engineering wvu is good too

Im sure it is a relationship thing, and I'm sure its not just WVU. I know my start group consisted of people from Northwestern, Michigan, Notre Dame and Wisconsin with one person from Georgia Tech (this was only the chicago office though)

[kwilk103]

question, is any other school like this

like every major right now is a pre-whatever; then you have to apply to get into the school; you have to have like a 2.5 gpa and so many credit hours

like im in pre-journalism; i have to take this journalim test in like 3 weeks and pass it to get into the college of journalism; you can take it up to 3x and if you never pass it you dont get in

[ShutDwn]

I am IU bound. Trying Kelly School of Business hopefully direct admit.

[andyjo672]

You have got to be joking, there are so many subpar colleges in the US you just cannot say that.

And my 'lingo' is actually what the rest of the world call tertiary education. Maybe you shoudl step outside your American box once in a while.

Hey joker, I wasn't making fun of your lingo, I was just saying. And I have stepped outside of the rest of the world, my job requires me to travel internationally (Europe) and thats what people called it. Lingo isnt a mean word, I wasnt making fun you of. And I know there are a lot of subpar universities, I said that in my post, but from top to bottom, its considered the strongest, and thats not an opinion. Get off of it, Im not saying your australian schools are bad, I'm sure there are a ton of great schools, just like there are a ton of great schools in Europe, Asia and South America. Relax buddy.

[andyjo672]

I am IU bound. Trying Kelly School of Business hopefully direct admit.

Kelly is an EXCELLENT business school, especially undergrad, good luck man. Even if you dont get direct admittance, go for it if you go there. Its also a lot of fun, Little 500 is supposed to be a blast.

[7-11]

Hey joker, I wasn't making fun of your lingo, I was just saying. And I have stepped outside of the rest of the world, my job requires me to travel internationally (Europe) and thats what people called it. Lingo isnt a mean word, I wasnt making fun you of. And I know there are a lot of subpar universities, I said that in my post, but from top to bottom, its considered the strongest, and thats not an opinion. Get off of it, Im not saying your australian schools are bad, I'm sure there are a ton of great schools, just like there are a ton of great schools in Europe, Asia and South America. Relax buddy.

I'm pretty relaxed to be honest, and i don't care what you say about the Australian Uni's, because lets be honest, they aren't as good as other countries, and i couldn't care less.

But i do have to ask, if 'from top to bottom, it's considered the strongest' and it is in fact not just an opinion as you state, who proves it is the best? Why is it the best? How is it the best? I just don't see how this isn't an opinion as you said it isn't.

I'm sorry that statement just seemed to personify what most of the world think of Americans (i don't share this opinion but it's what most think in my country, and in countries i have travelled too), being an arrogance which is best described by 'that you say you are the best, so you must be the best'.

[Cashmoney]

That's cool. Anything you know farther out?

Can't say that I do. I only applied to MTSU and UT. Chose MTSU for the masscomm which I currently major in. Good luck though.

[ShutDwn]

Kelly is an EXCELLENT business school, especially undergrad, good luck man. Even if you dont get direct admittance, go for it if you go there. Its also a lot of fun, Little 500 is supposed to be a blast.

Yeah, I am kind of borderline for direct. Being a direct admit would be fantastic, but it isn't everything to me and I could benefit possibly.

At IU, it is really either the Jacob school of Music or Kelly.

Little 5 is a crazy time in the town. I am a towny but being in the college for it will be so much crazier.

[litlharsh]

I got the acceptance letters at Minnesota and Rose Hulman, still waiting for Rice and Northwestern and some others...

[cunningham06]

I only applied to two colleges, Georgia and the honors program at Alabama, got into Georgia so I'm done :)

[pierce2walker]

For those discussing Duke, even if you do get in really look at the atmosphere and the Carolina area and decide if you will truly be happy...I personally applied to UNC and got in and was pretty convinced Id go there...when I got there the campus was GORGEOUS but honestly the area around is so small and there really is very little to do...I loved the school but I didnt know how overall happy Id be there...Duke is really close and when I visited I got a really big whiff of wealth and snobbiness that I couldnt stand...I didnt even bother applying...so I am currently attending UC San Diego, not ranked as high as UNC (although still an excellent school) but I really am happy here...I think the key to succeeding is just being happy....if you arent happy I dont think youll do well at all...just my 2 cents

[JagHombre22]

back when I was finishing up high school...I applied to only one school...UF...and, of course, got in...and I loved every minute of it there....I now live in Gaineville

[VoteLynnSwan]

i'm a mechanical engineering major... don't make fun of engineering majors, they're the coolest.

edit-i couldn't let this post stand very long... cool is not the word i'm looking for... but whatever

[Vikes99ej]

i'm a mechanical engineering major... don't make fun of engineering majors, they're the coolest.

edit-i couldn't let this post stand very long... cool is not the word i'm looking for... but whatever

Why would anyone make fun of a mechanical engineering major? A degree in that will get you one hell of a job.

[JagHombre22]

and one hell of a paycheck....cha ching!

[d34ng3l021]

College is for losers.

[andyjo672]

I'm pretty relaxed to be honest, and i don't care what you say about the Australian Uni's, because lets be honest, they aren't as good as other countries, and i couldn't care less.

But i do have to ask, if 'from top to bottom, it's considered the strongest' and it is in fact not just an opinion as you state, who proves it is the best? Why is it the best? How is it the best? I just don't see how this isn't an opinion as you said it isn't.

I'm sorry that statement just seemed to personify what most of the world think of Americans (i don't share this opinion but it's what most think in my country, and in countries i have travelled too), being an arrogance which is best described by 'that you say you are the best, so you must be the best'.

You are right, I can't come up with numbers, but look at what academics have said about it, if you read Allen Greenspan's new book, he actually mentions it in there. And I didn't say anything bad aabout Australian universities, why is this so hard to understand? Although, your lack of ability to understand this is making me question my decision not to. There is a reason there is a HUGE influx of foreign students into United States Universities, and less so the other way around. My school had approximately 2500 foreign chinese alone. Our students go abroad for a cultural experience, for a semester or two. Your students come here for 4 years, receive the top University system education, and return to your countries, or ins ome instances don't leave at all (see the Brain Drain in Africa and India).

[Thunder&Lightning]

Anyone has any advice on a post graduate year? I would be going for football.

[fischbowl]

I got into Duquesne, Pace, and Scranton. I'm still waiting on SUNY Buffalo, Penn State, UMBC, SUNY Albany.

Duquesne and Pace offered me academic scholarships. I'm leaning to become a Duke and possibly walking on to an A-10 baseball team:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b171/JCOSU86/duqu-dukes-logo-new-400.jpg

[yodapoop]

My college has a snow day today.

[hugegmenfan]

Does anyone know a website that can help me locate schools with the best English departments?

Go to Kenyon college in ohio. probably one of the best, if not the best, english department in the country

[badgerbacker]

i'm a mechanical engineering major... don't make fun of engineering majors, they're the coolest.

edit-i couldn't let this post stand very long... cool is not the word i'm looking for... but whateverEngineering majors are the coolest. I'm majoring in Industrial Engineering at UW. Are you at Milwaukee School of Engineering?

[adschofield]

Anybody know what the top Political Science and Economics Departments?

I know Michigan has a top notch Political Science Department as does George Washington and Georgetown. Any others I'm missing?

What about the top Economics Departments?

[JagHombre22]

Anybody know what the top Political Science and Economics Departments?

I know Michigan has a top notch Political Science Department as does George Washington and Georgetown. Any others I'm missing?

What about the top Economics Departments?

I know UF has a pretty good Political Science department...I don't know how it ranks in the US but I know it's good...

[andyjo672]

Anybody know what the top Political Science and Economics Departments?

I know Michigan has a top notch Political Science Department as does George Washington and Georgetown. Any others I'm missing?

What about the top Economics Departments?

Economics: The University of Chicago (not the U of I-Chicago), the private school that is impossible to get into and even harder to graduate from. They had a dominant economic philosophy named after them, "The Chicago School." Arguably the best economist from America in the past half century taught there, Milton Friedman.

[andyjo672]

Guys, rankings aren't hard to look up. US News and World Report publishes overall academic rankings, and breaks it down by major every year. Look there if you have specific "TOP SCHOOL" questions.

[andyjo672]

Also note, for things like Poli Sci, English, Economics, these majors are really a dime a dozen and are generally a spring board to Graduate School, so my best advice for those of you out there that plan to go Poli Sci then Law School is find a school that you feel most comfortable at and go there, graduate with a Poli Sci degree, then go to a school that has a good LAW program. Unless you can get into the University of Chicago's, Harvards, and Dukes of the world, going to Florida because it has a good Poli Sci program doesn't make a lot of sense. Now if you plan to go to school for a more specific major (Business/Engineering) that usually don't have you then go straight to grad school, then yes, i would pay more attention to the school you are applying to for undergrad.

[VoteLynnSwan]

Engineering majors are the coolest. I'm majoring in Industrial Engineering at UW. Are you at Milwaukee School of Engineering?

yes i am, only good thing about this school is SNOW DAY TODAY!

[yodapoop]

yes i am, only good thing about this school is SNOW DAY TODAY!

Same here, all day snow day officially, HELLS YEAH!

[d34ng3l021]

Is everyone here from the East or what? No one want to go to schools in California?

[iowatreat54]

Iowa is world renown as having the best Creative Writing program in the US/possibly the world fwiw

oh, and we get snow days/tornado days(rare)/ice storm days

[Ravens1991]

I am usually a 2.5 student but I completly screwed this quarter up and got a 1.9, do you think colleges will look over a disasterous quarter when it is out of the usual grades?

[JagHombre22]

Is everyone here from the East or what? No one want to go to schools in California?

I got a friend who just graduated from UF and is now at Cal State Fullerton for Law School...she really likes it...Fullerton is a really nice place

[andyjo672]

I am usually a 2.5 student but I completly screwed this quarter up and got a 1.9, do you think colleges will look over a disasterous quarter when it is out of the usual grades?

Not only is your 1.9 a problem, but your overall 2.5 isn't good either.

[TimDris]

Not only is your 1.9 a problem, but your overall 2.5 isn't good either.

I have a 3.3 and I doubt I'm getting into Penn State. Plus a 1200 (on the old SATs). I've yet to hear from PSU

[yodapoop]

I am usually a 2.5 student but I completly screwed this quarter up and got a 1.9, do you think colleges will look over a disasterous quarter when it is out of the usual grades?

Ur going to have to do one hell of a job on the SAT/ACT.

[Ravens1991]

yea my plan is to do part time my senior year and take Community college classes so I can get credits to transfer when I apply. Do you think that will help my resume when I apply?

[pierce2walker]

Anybody know what the top Political Science and Economics Departments?

I know Michigan has a top notch Political Science Department as does George Washington and Georgetown. Any others I'm missing?

What about the top Economics Departments?
Im a business major right now at UC San Diego...honestly if you want to go into business/econ your undergrad doesnt matter all that much, but its where you go to grad school that carries the most weight...I mean dont get me wrong its always better to go to a school that has a good academic reputation but dont put all of your marbles into that...go to a place that is considered a good school but you also know you will enjoy...just make sure to do well enough for your grad school apps

[someone447]

I truly, truly dislike this statement in so many ways. I don't see the point of going to a school where are you are not going to enjoy yourself when the only thing you are really going to get from it is a 4 year headache, a massive bill at the end of it and maybe (this isn't even definate, so many variables to consider) a few extra $'s on your paycheck when you're 40.

People always talk of how a good college sets you up for life, well sorry but i'm pretty sure i'd rather have a college experience i will remember for the rest of my life and a lesser education instead of the other way around anyday of the week.

Maybe it's just me, but why are so many people preoccupied with studying in the prime of your life? Clearly this is meant to be a time for fun, people that consider themselves responsible adults at the age 18-22 are clearly kidding themselves and really just need a beer.

I agree with that, to an extent. I am at Portland State, not exactly a paradigm of academic excellence. My classes are incredibly easy, I don't have to study, etc. I came here for football. It works for me, because I read voraciously, just for fun. I find a subject I like and I read and read and read about it until I have read so much I just can't do it anymore. Then I pick a new subject. Although, after reading The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged back to back, I needed a couple week long break.

My point is, do not slack off on intellectual pursuits just to party, but the school you go to doesn't matter as much as some people would have you believe. LBJ went to Texas State, and he became the POTUS.

[someone447]

Also note, for things like Poli Sci, English, Economics, these majors are really a dime a dozen and are generally a spring board to Graduate School, so my best advice for those of you out there that plan to go Poli Sci then Law School is find a school that you feel most comfortable at and go there, graduate with a Poli Sci degree, then go to a school that has a good LAW program. Unless you can get into the University of Chicago's, Harvards, and Dukes of the world, going to Florida because it has a good Poli Sci program doesn't make a lot of sense. Now if you plan to go to school for a more specific major (Business/Engineering) that usually don't have you then go straight to grad school, then yes, i would pay more attention to the school you are applying to for undergrad.

My advice for anyone who wants to go to law school? TALK TO LAWYERS FIRST!!! The vast majority of lawyers hate their work. Talk to A LOT of different people. Just really make sure that is what you want to do. Lawyers have a very, very low job satisfaction rate.

[skarocksoi]

I have a 3.3 and I doubt I'm getting into Penn State. Plus a 1200 (on the old SATs). I've yet to hear from PSU

I had about a 3.6 or 3.8 and 1380 on my SAT's and I got in. Depends on what you are going for. I was engineering and it took them a while to get my letter. I would think with those grades you would at least qualify, just have to take summer classes before the fall. I had a friend who did that and said it was a lot of fun. Hell, I've spent the past 3 summers up at PSU. Nothing better than waking up at 10, going to class for 3 hours, then sitting out on my porch, crackin open a beer, and enjoying the weather.

[JagHombre22]

yea my plan is to do part time my senior year and take Community college classes so I can get credits to transfer when I apply. Do you think that will help my resume when I apply?

you're best bet is to go two years to a JUCO or Community College, get your grades up, and then transfer to the school you want...

a 2.5 you're going to be hard pressed to get into anywhere with that...

[TimDris]

I had about a 3.6 or 3.8 and 1380 on my SAT's and I got in. Depends on what you are going for. I was engineering and it took them a while to get my letter. I would think with those grades you would at least qualify, just have to take summer classes before the fall. I had a friend who did that and said it was a lot of fun. Hell, I've spent the past 3 summers up at PSU. Nothing better than waking up at 10, going to class for 3 hours, then sitting out on my porch, crackin open a beer, and enjoying the weather.

haha yeah i just want to hear back from them. i dont think id do the summer classes though. itd hurt me in the long run but ive already got my summer vacations planned and have payed for some of them. i'll keep everyone updated on whether i get in or not

[ny10804]

I'm pretty happy today. 98.72 GPA over 3 1/2 years. My grades from here on out officially don't matter (unless I completely f up and get 70s).

[scottyboy]

my GPA is like a 3.6(ish) and thats without my ap history score and i've yet to take that test, so is that a good GPA? take the SAT in May. you all should know where I wanna go, but I may visit some other schools in case, but my parents really want me to stay in state. I'm just not sure.

I'm thinking of doing something like law or sports writing, but I'm not sure at all. I do want to avoid math as much as possible though...

[VoteLynnSwan]

I had about a 3.6 or 3.8 and 1380 on my SAT's and I got in. Depends on what you are going for. I was engineering and it took them a while to get my letter. I would think with those grades you would at least qualify, just have to take summer classes before the fall. I had a friend who did that and said it was a lot of fun. Hell, I've spent the past 3 summers up at PSU. Nothing better than waking up at 10, going to class for 3 hours, then sitting out on my porch, crackin open a beer, and enjoying the weather.

i had a 3.9+ GPA and a 32 on the ACT and got waitlisted by the University of Illinois for Mechanical Engineering...

more than anything else the most important thing is get your applications sent in early, i sent in mine too late, and it cost me.

[7-11]

You are right, I can't come up with numbers, but look at what academics have said about it, if you read Allen Greenspan's new book, he actually mentions it in there. And I didn't say anything bad aabout Australian universities, why is this so hard to understand? Although, your lack of ability to understand this is making me question my decision not to. There is a reason there is a HUGE influx of foreign students into United States Universities, and less so the other way around. My school had approximately 2500 foreign chinese alone. Our students go abroad for a cultural experience, for a semester or two. Your students come here for 4 years, receive the top University system education, and return to your countries, or ins ome instances don't leave at all (see the Brain Drain in Africa and India).

And nor did i ever say you were saying anything derogatory about Australian schools, so if you please, remove that belittling language you are attempting to speak down to me with.

Now your second point you make is one of the most closeminded comments i've heard in a while. The mere fact you seem to believe the US is the only country in the whole western world that has large influxes of foreign students from developing countries (yes believe it or not we have a huge amounts of students from Malaysia, Thialand, Vietnam and China and in fact my school has students from Norway and Sweden who are 100% funded by their government to study engineering here, and they are hardly developing countries with poor educational infrastructure) into their tertiary education system nearly debunks your whole argument in one foul swoop.

So at this point some respect for your opinion still existed but than you come out with a comment such as

your students come here for 4 years, receive the top University system education, and return to your countries

And thus by grouping the entire world outside the US into one single catagory only shows your argument is so narrow mindedly stupid that it's honestly embarrassing i'm responding to it.

[kalbears13]

I got a friend who just graduated from UF and is now at Cal State Fullerton for Law School...she really likes it...Fullerton is a really nice place

Have you been to Fullerton?

Im a business major right now at UC San Diego...honestly if you want to go into business/econ your undergrad doesnt matter all that much, but its where you go to grad school that carries the most weight...I mean dont get me wrong its always better to go to a school that has a good academic reputation but dont put all of your marbles into that...go to a place that is considered a good school but you also know you will enjoy...just make sure to do well enough for your grad school apps

My brother goes to UCSD and is majoring in dentistry. I hope I get accepted there.

[skinzzfan25]

I have like a 3.4 GPA (freshmen and sophomore year), doing much better this year though (3.7 and harder classes).

I'm probably going to be looking into a computer science field, however I could be looking for something else. I'm applied for an internship associated with the government, and could be looking to intern at the Hopkins Physics Lab (if the other one doesn't work out).

Any suggestions? lol

EDIT: It would be nice to stay local, or at least not too far away.

[Turtlepower]

I hate the northeast. I had a 4.0 GPA in high school, but I was 15th percentile in the class. Seriously, if I got an A instead of an A- in just one class it would have boosted me up to probably 10th percentile. I hate competition, so that is why I came to ASU, which lets everyone and their pets into the school (but the professional programs are actually a ***** to get into).

[soybean]

Does anyone know a website that can help me locate schools with the best English departments?

www.collegeboard.com

that'll tell you anything you need to know.

[skarocksoi]

haha yeah i just want to hear back from them. i dont think id do the summer classes though. itd hurt me in the long run but ive already got my summer vacations planned and have payed for some of them. i'll keep everyone updated on whether i get in or not

What program were you applying for?

[andyjo672]

You have got to be joking, there are so many subpar colleges in the US you just cannot say that.

And my 'lingo' is actually what the rest of the world call tertiary education. Maybe you shoudl step outside your American box once in a while.

Here are the rankings by an UNbiased source out of the United Kingdom...I...here are the 200 (My alma mater coming in the at #79, woot woot)...56 schools from the US.

Although I don't necessarily agree where they ranked some schools, it gives a rough estimate (Berkeley over Princeton for that matter)

1 Harvard University United States
2 University of Cambridge United Kingdom
3 University of Oxford United Kingdom
4= Massachusetts Institute of Technology United States
4= Yale University United States
6 Stanford University United States
7 California Institute of Technology United States
8 University of California, Berkeley United States
9 Imperial College London United Kingdom
10 Princeton University United States
11 University of Chicago United States
12 Columbia University United States
13 Duke University United States
14 Peking University China
15 Cornell University United States
16 Australian National University Australia
17 London School of Economics and Political... United Kingdom
18 Ecole Normale Supérieure France
19= National University of Singapore Singapore
19= University of Tokyo Japan
21 McGill University Canada
22 University of Melbourne Australia
23 Johns Hopkins University United States
24 ETH Zurich Switzerland
25 University College London (UCL) United Kingdom
26 University of Pennsylvania United States
27 University of Toronto Canada
28 Tsing Hua University China
29= Kyoto University Japan
29= University of Michigan United States
31 University of California, Los Angeles United States
32 University of Texas at Austin United States
33= University of Edinburgh United Kingdom
33= University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
35= University of Sydney Australia
35= Carnegie Mellon University United States
37 École Polytechnique France
38 Monash University Australia
39 University of Geneva Switzerland
40 University of Manchester United Kingdom
41 University of New South Wales Australia
42 Northwestern University United States
43 New York University United States
44 University of California, San Diego United States
45 University of Queensland Australia
46= King's College London United Kingdom
46= University of Auckland New Zealand
48= Washington University in St. Louis United States
48= University of Rochester United States
50= University of British Colombia Canada
50= Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
52 Sciences Po Paris France
53 Vanderbilt University United States
54= Brown University United States
54= University of Copenhagen Denmark
56 Emory University United States
57 Indian Institute of Technology India
58= Hong Kong University of Science & Techno... Hong Kong
58= Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg Germany
60 Case Western Reserve University United States
61= Nanyang Technological University Singapore
61= Dartmouth College United States
63 Seoul National University South Korea
64= Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne... Switzerland
64= University of Bristol United Kingdom
66 Boston University United States
67 Eindhoven University of Technology Netherlands
68 Indian Institute of Management India
69 University of Amsterdam Netherlands
70= Osaka University Japan
70= School of Oriental and African Studies United Kingdom
72 Ecole Normale Supérieure Lyon France
73 University of Warwick United Kingdom
74 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Mexico
75 University of Basel Switzerland
76 Catholic University of Louvain Belgium
77 University of Illinois United States
78 University of Dublin, Trinity College Ireland
79= University of Otago New Zealand
79= University of Wisconsin United States
81 University of Glasgow United Kingdom
82= Technische Universität München Germany
82= Macquarie University Australia
84 University of Washington United States
85 University of Nottingham United Kingdom
86 Delft University of Technology Netherlands
87 University of Vienna Austria
88 University of Pittsburgh United States
89 University of Lausanne Switzerland
90= University of Birmingham United Kingdom
90= Leiden University Netherlands
92 Erasmus University Rotterdam Netherlands
93= Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie France
93= Lomonosov Moscow State University Russia
95 Utrecht University Netherlands
96 Catholic University of Leuven Belgium
97 Wageningen University Netherlands
98 Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Germany
99= Queen Mary, University of London United Kingdom
99= Pennsylvania State University United States
101 University of Southern California United States
102= Georgetown University United States
102= Rice University United States
102= University of Sheffield United Kingdom
105= University of Sussex United Kingdom
105= University of Adelaide Australia
105= Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Germany
108 National Taiwan University Taiwan
109= University of Zurich Switzerland
109= University of St Andrews United Kingdom
111= University of Maryland United States
111= University of Western Australia Australia
111= Wake Forest University United States
111= Uppsala University Sweden
115 University of Twente Netherlands
116= University of Helsinki Finland
116= Fudan University China
118 Tokyo Institute of Technology Japan
119 Hebrew University of Jerusalem Israel
120 Keio University Japan
120* Université libre de Bruxelles Belgium
121 University of Leeds United Kingdom
122 Lund University Sweden
123 University of North Carolina United States
124= University of York United Kingdom
124= University of Massachusetts, Amherst United States
126 University of Aarhus Denmark
127 Purdue University United States
128= Kyushu University Japan
128= Nagoya University Japan
130= Tufts University United States
130= University of Virginia United States
132 Durham University United Kingdom
133= Vrije University Brussels Belgium
133= Hokkaido University Japan
133= University of Newcastle upon Tyne United Kingdom
133= University of Alberta Canada
137 Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Netherlands
138 Vienna University of Technology Austria
139 University of Liverpool United Kingdom
140 Cranfield University United Kingdom
141= Cardiff University United Kingdom
141= University of California, Santa Barbara United States
141= University of Ghent Belgium
141= University of Southampton United Kingdom
145 Georgia Institute of Technology United States
146 RMIT University Australia
147= Chalmers University of Technology Sweden
147= Tel Aviv University Israel
149 Freie Universität Berlin Germany
150= Texas A&M University United States
150= Korea University South Korea
152 University of Notre Dame United States
153 University of Bath United Kingdom
154 City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
155 McMaster University Canada
156= Curtin University of Technology Australia
156= Universität Göttingen Germany
158= Technion - Israel Institute of Technolog... Israel
158= Universität Ulm Germany
158= Waseda University Japan
161= Chulalongkorn University Thailand
161= Université Louis Pasteur - Strasbourg I France
163 Michigan State University United States
164 Saint-Petersburg State University Russia
165= University of Science and Technology of ... China
165= Université libre de Bruxelles Belgium
165= State University of New York at Stony Br... United States
168= George Washington University United States
168= Tohoku University Japan
170= Universität Tübingen Germany
170= University of California, Davis United States
172= Yeshiva University United States
172= Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochsc... Germany
172= Royal Institute of Technology Sweden
172= University of Maastricht Netherlands
176 Queen's University Canada
177 University of Oslo Norway
178 University of Bern Switzerland
179 Shanghai Jiao Tong University China
180 Nanjing University China
181= University of Montreal Canada
181= Kobe University Japan
183= Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Netherlands
183= Jawaharlal Nehru University India
185 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Malaysia
186 University of Innsbruck Austria
187= Universität Frankfurt am Main Germany
187= Brandeis University United States
187= University of Minnesota United States
190= University of Barcelona Spain
190= University of Reading United Kingdom
192= University of Malaya Malaysia
192= Queensland University of Technology Australia
194 Technical University of Denmark Denmark
195 University of Aberdeen United Kingdom
196 University of Wollongong Australia
197 Università degli Studi di Roma - La Sapi... Italy
198= Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Te... South Korea
198= University of California, Irvine United States
200 Universite Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV) France

http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2006/

[fischbowl]

I hate the northeast. I had a 4.0 GPA in high school, but I was 15th percentile in the class. Seriously, if I got an A instead of an A- in just one class it would have boosted me up to probably 10th percentile. I hate competition, so that is why I came to ASU, which lets everyone and their pets into the school (but the professional programs are actually a ***** to get into).

I wish any school I applied to let me stay with my cat.

And Tim, Penn State just sent out their first round of acceptances last Friday.

[terribletowel39]

wow so out of that list....one Southern school. IT in GA. i'm from the south, should that offend me??

[andyjo672]

wow so out of that list....one Southern school. IT in GA. i'm from the south, should that offend me??

UNC, Duke, Emory, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Rice, Texas are all on that list. And that IT in GA is Georgia Tech, not sure if you knew that.

[adschofield]

wow so out of that list....one Southern school. IT in GA. i'm from the south, should that offend me??

Vandy and Emory are on there

[7-11]

Here are the rankings by an UNbiased source out of the United Kingdom...I...here are the 200 (My alma mater coming in the at #79, woot woot)...56 schools from the US.

Although I don't necessarily agree where they ranked some schools, it gives a rough estimate (Berkeley over Princeton for that matter)

1 Harvard University United States
2 University of Cambridge United Kingdom
3 University of Oxford United Kingdom
4= Massachusetts Institute of Technology United States
4= Yale University United States
6 Stanford University United States
7 California Institute of Technology United States
8 University of California, Berkeley United States
9 Imperial College London United Kingdom
10 Princeton University United States
11 University of Chicago United States
12 Columbia University United States
13 Duke University United States
14 Peking University China
15 Cornell University United States
16 Australian National University Australia
17 London School of Economics and Political... United Kingdom
18 Ecole Normale Supérieure France
19= National University of Singapore Singapore
19= University of Tokyo Japan
21 McGill University Canada
22 University of Melbourne Australia
23 Johns Hopkins University United States
24 ETH Zurich Switzerland
25 University College London (UCL) United Kingdom
26 University of Pennsylvania United States
27 University of Toronto Canada
28 Tsing Hua University China
29= Kyoto University Japan
29= University of Michigan United States
31 University of California, Los Angeles United States
32 University of Texas at Austin United States
33= University of Edinburgh United Kingdom
33= University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
35= University of Sydney Australia
35= Carnegie Mellon University United States
37 École Polytechnique France
38 Monash University Australia
39 University of Geneva Switzerland
40 University of Manchester United Kingdom
41 University of New South Wales Australia
42 Northwestern University United States
43 New York University United States
44 University of California, San Diego United States
45 University of Queensland Australia
46= King's College London United Kingdom
46= University of Auckland New Zealand
48= Washington University in St. Louis United States
48= University of Rochester United States
50= University of British Colombia Canada
50= Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
52 Sciences Po Paris France
53 Vanderbilt University United States
54= Brown University United States
54= University of Copenhagen Denmark
56 Emory University United States
57 Indian Institute of Technology India
58= Hong Kong University of Science & Techno... Hong Kong
58= Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg Germany
60 Case Western Reserve University United States
61= Nanyang Technological University Singapore
61= Dartmouth College United States
63 Seoul National University South Korea
64= Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne... Switzerland
64= University of Bristol United Kingdom
66 Boston University United States
67 Eindhoven University of Technology Netherlands
68 Indian Institute of Management India
69 University of Amsterdam Netherlands
70= Osaka University Japan
70= School of Oriental and African Studies United Kingdom
72 Ecole Normale Supérieure Lyon France
73 University of Warwick United Kingdom
74 Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Mexico
75 University of Basel Switzerland
76 Catholic University of Louvain Belgium
77 University of Illinois United States
78 University of Dublin, Trinity College Ireland
79= University of Otago New Zealand
79= University of Wisconsin United States
81 University of Glasgow United Kingdom
82= Technische Universität München Germany
82= Macquarie University Australia
84 University of Washington United States
85 University of Nottingham United Kingdom
86 Delft University of Technology Netherlands
87 University of Vienna Austria
88 University of Pittsburgh United States
89 University of Lausanne Switzerland
90= University of Birmingham United Kingdom
90= Leiden University Netherlands
92 Erasmus University Rotterdam Netherlands
93= Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie France
93= Lomonosov Moscow State University Russia
95 Utrecht University Netherlands
96 Catholic University of Leuven Belgium
97 Wageningen University Netherlands
98 Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Germany
99= Queen Mary, University of London United Kingdom
99= Pennsylvania State University United States
101 University of Southern California United States
102= Georgetown University United States
102= Rice University United States
102= University of Sheffield United Kingdom
105= University of Sussex United Kingdom
105= University of Adelaide Australia
105= Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Germany
108 National Taiwan University Taiwan
109= University of Zurich Switzerland
109= University of St Andrews United Kingdom
111= University of Maryland United States
111= University of Western Australia Australia
111= Wake Forest University United States
111= Uppsala University Sweden
115 University of Twente Netherlands
116= University of Helsinki Finland
116= Fudan University China
118 Tokyo Institute of Technology Japan
119 Hebrew University of Jerusalem Israel
120 Keio University Japan
120* Université libre de Bruxelles Belgium
121 University of Leeds United Kingdom
122 Lund University Sweden
123 University of North Carolina United States
124= University of York United Kingdom
124= University of Massachusetts, Amherst United States
126 University of Aarhus Denmark
127 Purdue University United States
128= Kyushu University Japan
128= Nagoya University Japan
130= Tufts University United States
130= University of Virginia United States
132 Durham University United Kingdom
133= Vrije University Brussels Belgium
133= Hokkaido University Japan
133= University of Newcastle upon Tyne United Kingdom
133= University of Alberta Canada
137 Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen Netherlands
138 Vienna University of Technology Austria
139 University of Liverpool United Kingdom
140 Cranfield University United Kingdom
141= Cardiff University United Kingdom
141= University of California, Santa Barbara United States
141= University of Ghent Belgium
141= University of Southampton United Kingdom
145 Georgia Institute of Technology United States
146 RMIT University Australia
147= Chalmers University of Technology Sweden
147= Tel Aviv University Israel
149 Freie Universität Berlin Germany
150= Texas A&M University United States
150= Korea University South Korea
152 University of Notre Dame United States
153 University of Bath United Kingdom
154 City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong
155 McMaster University Canada
156= Curtin University of Technology Australia
156= Universität Göttingen Germany
158= Technion - Israel Institute of Technolog... Israel
158= Universität Ulm Germany
158= Waseda University Japan
161= Chulalongkorn University Thailand
161= Université Louis Pasteur - Strasbourg I France
163 Michigan State University United States
164 Saint-Petersburg State University Russia
165= University of Science and Technology of ... China
165= Université libre de Bruxelles Belgium
165= State University of New York at Stony Br... United States
168= George Washington University United States
168= Tohoku University Japan
170= Universität Tübingen Germany
170= University of California, Davis United States
172= Yeshiva University United States
172= Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochsc... Germany
172= Royal Institute of Technology Sweden
172= University of Maastricht Netherlands
176 Queen's University Canada
177 University of Oslo Norway
178 University of Bern Switzerland
179 Shanghai Jiao Tong University China
180 Nanjing University China
181= University of Montreal Canada
181= Kobe University Japan
183= Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Netherlands
183= Jawaharlal Nehru University India
185 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Malaysia
186 University of Innsbruck Austria
187= Universität Frankfurt am Main Germany
187= Brandeis University United States
187= University of Minnesota United States
190= University of Barcelona Spain
190= University of Reading United Kingdom
192= University of Malaya Malaysia
192= Queensland University of Technology Australia
194 Technical University of Denmark Denmark
195 University of Aberdeen United Kingdom
196 University of Wollongong Australia
197 Università degli Studi di Roma - La Sapi... Italy
198= Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Te... South Korea
198= University of California, Irvine United States
200 Universite Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV) France

http://www.topuniversities.com/worlduniversityrankings/results/2006/

I'm not trying to be difficult and just arguing for the sake of it, but that hoesntly doesn't prove you correct with regard to your statement claiming the American tertiary education system is the best in the world.

[JagHombre22]

I will end this debate...

University of Florida is the best school out there....period...

[andyjo672]

I'm not trying to be difficult and just arguing for the sake of it, but that hoesntly doesn't prove you correct with regard to your statement claiming the American tertiary education system is the best in the world.

What kind of effing proof do you need then? What do you want? Honestly, what kind of evidence have you provided that its not...

[andyjo672]

I'm not trying to be difficult and just arguing for the sake of it, but that hoesntly doesn't prove you correct with regard to your statement claiming the American tertiary education system is the best in the world.

I also looked up the list of top 500 in the world where America had 166, thereby making the percentage of US universities go UP, so not only are we strongest at the top, but we get stronger as we work down as well.

[Don Vito]

http://www.visitusa.com/mississippi/images/oxfordpic.jpg

I go to Ole Miss and I love it. We have great accounting, engineering, and medicine programs and I am a freshman accounting major. It would be an understatement to say it is easy to get in here, but it is still a very good school. We have the third or fourth highest percentage of freshman who cannot come back due to grades for their sophmore year.

Ole Miss is definitely one of the top schools in the country when it comes to having a good time. If anyone is interested in Ole Miss (or any SEC school really), I really reccomend the Greek system. Fraternity life here is incredible. The girls here are a gift from God, it is difficult to put into words how many absolute 10's you see in a day. If you have never been to a football saturday in The Grove, I reccomend you take a trip to Oxford next fall. Everyone should go to a football game here at least once. Basketball games are great, too, and the team is always good. The baseball team is always one of the top 10 in the nation and the games are as much of a tradition as the football games, all of left field and center field is the student sections where we can do whatever we want. It is a great time.

This is a great school academically but what sets it apart from most colleges is the parties, the girls, and the sports. I really reccomend at least visiting Ole Miss if you are interested, I applied for the hell of it as a curious kid from Massachusetts. I looked into it some more and decided I should take a visit and as soon as I got here I never wanted to leave.

[7-11]

I also looked up the list of top 500 in the world where America had 166, thereby making the percentage of US universities go UP, so not only are we strongest at the top, but we get stronger as we work down as well.

All these figures prove is that yes; it is easily the largest in the world, and yes it has some very good schools. But when you consider general organisation of the college system and what it takes to be verified as a college in the US you cannot consider it the best in the world.

Most other western countries with these supposely reputable tertiary education systems don't have these ridiculously terrible colleges such as Michigin State (once read it's one of the worst larger univeristies in the world). I guess it's kind of like the state of the US from a humanitarian point of view, you claim to be the leader of the western world but the rate of poverty is one of the highest in industrialised nations.

What i'm saying is i find a tertiary education system to be better if it could be known that you could apply to any university in the country and be given a quality education, i feel this doesn't apply to the US as it does to other countries.

[andyjo672]

All these figures prove is that yes; it is easily the largest in the world, and yes it has some very good schools. But when you consider general organisation of the college system and what it takes to be verified as a college in the US you cannot consider it the best in the world.

Most other western countries with these supposely reputable tertiary education systems don't have these ridiculously terrible colleges such as Michigin State (once read it's one of the worst larger univeristies in the world). I guess it's kind of like the state of the US from a humanitarian point of view, you claim to be the leader of the western world but the rate of poverty is one of the highest in industrialised nations.

What i'm saying is i find a tertiary education system to be better if it could be known that you could apply to any university in the country and be given a quality education, i feel this doesn't apply to the US as it does to other countries.

You tried to help your cause there but you ended up hurting it. The very fact that "the worst big school in the world" is still better than a number of other international top schools shows that our bad schools can still compete on an international scale. And the fact that we have some schools caters to the fact taht we give every person here an opportunity to at least go to school And it seems as though you have some personal vendetta towards to US with the humanitarian comment. The fact that we're by FAR the largest contributor to the IMF, World Bank, and the United Nations causes shows that we do contributor a hell of a lot. During the tsunami crisis, we contributed by far the most, Japan didn't even contribute 100 million. Not a word was said.

Furthermore, for arguements sake, i don't care how "you feel" on what applies to the US educational system. I've been abroad for work, worked with international clients, and we've discussed educational systems (mainly the British, German, and Dutch) and most of those people were under the impression that when it came to secondary education the US lags in terms of prepping for "real world" but that the tertiary educational system makes up for that with the best system. That was their opinion, not mine.

[terribletowel39]

UNC, Duke, Emory, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Rice, Texas are all on that list. And that IT in GA is Georgia Tech, not sure if you knew that.
yea i don't consider Texas southern and more just like louisiana, mississippi, alabama, georgia. those are the true southern states to me. but i guess you are right. i honestly had no clue where Emory, Wake Forest, or Rice were.

[iowatreat54]

funny, because MSU is prolly still comparable to a top 10 university in almost every other country...

[andyjo672]

funny, because MSU is prolly still comparable to a top 10 university in almost every other country...

Don't worry about it, its because America is arrogant, so our schools must suck. And the unbiased rankings from an international organization is a fluke and should be discounted for no reason.

[iowatreat54]

Don't worry about it, its because America is arrogant, so our schools must suck. And the unbiased rankings from an international organization is a fluke and should be discounted for no reason.

well I just don't understand how us having the largest disqualifies us from the best...ok, let's pretend that our worst schools are worse than any other schools in the world, even then, the strength of the top half of our universities still makes us better than every other system...I'm not trying to boast or be arrogant, but that's the facts

[andyjo672]

well I just don't understand how us having the largest disqualifies us from the best...ok, let's pretend that our worst schools are worse than any other schools in the world, even then, the strength of the top half of our universities still makes us better than every other system...I'm not trying to boast or be arrogant, but that's the facts

Thats why i posted not only the top 200 but the top 500 and we just keep getting stronger, so not only are we best at the very top, but from top to bottom we get stronger and stronger. We're like the SEC in football, strongest at the top, and strongest top to bottom (I'm a Big 10 guy, and I'm saying that, it hurts me).

[7-11]

The very fact that "the worst big school in the world" is still better than a number of other international top schools shows that our bad schools can still compete on an international scale.

Excluding universities in developing countries I really doubt places such as Michigan State are better than anything on offer in western countries

And the fact that we have some schools caters to the fact taht we give every person here an opportunity to at least go to school

Why is it that people must go to university to be successful? The fact that these schools exist is a major negative as people gain entry into them, are spat out the other end with a business degree and think they are ready for the world, think these people make a decent living? No way. These types of people really do need to learn a trade, work their way up a corporate ladder etc. people that identify early that school is not for them and go another route are often much more successful. All these dodgy universities are doing is putting people back in life. Harsh but true.

And it seems as though you have some personal vendetta towards to US with the humanitarian comment.

Do you honestly believe I’d be on an American message board if I did?

The fact that we're by FAR the largest contributor to the IMF, World Bank, and the United Nations causes shows that we do contributor a hell of a lot. During the tsunami crisis, we contributed by far the most, Japan didn't even contribute 100 million. Not a word was said.


That’s actually exactly what I’m talking about. The American government loves to put on a strong façade and by doing this they neglect their own. Go visit New Orleans and I think you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Furthermore, for arguements sake, i don't care how "you feel" on what applies to the US educational system. I've been abroad for work, worked with international clients, and we've discussed educational systems (mainly the British, German, and Dutch) and most of those people were under the impression that when it came to secondary education the US lags in terms of prepping for "real world" but that the tertiary educational system makes up for that with the best system. That was their opinion, not mine.

Can I ask how? For example university degrees in Australia are designed to directly relate to a career path afterwards, now I’ve heard many people on here talk about how their college degrees end up having nothing to do with what they do later in life, so how exactly is it preparing them the best?

Sorry for mentioning that political bit but it had to be said.

[Hawk]

I'll be at UT-Knoxville in the fall

[andyjo672]

Again 7-11, you provide no evidence to the contrary that the American university system is the top. Why can't you provide any? You really "doubt" it, check the rankings buddy, its in there, these are professional rankings, why are you just discounting it? No where did we say you had to go to a university to be successful, but everyone deserves a complete education, and the variety of the American educational system gives them that opportunity. And for many careers, you NEED a college degree to be considered, so these universities provide that. What does you being on an american message board have anything to do with your clear biased towards the country...you don't make any points, you make non-related comments as proof somehow...And what kind of facade is it that the Government is putting on when they're donating billions (and over the past decade trillions) of dollars towards aid? So we potentially let down New Orleans, thats bad, yes, but I'm sorry we were so terrible in donating billions to tsunami relief (American citizens were also the largest citizenary to donate to the relief), that we are the largest funder to the IMF and WB so we can bail out the Asian Tiger nations in 1997, Russia, Brazil and Mexico during their currency crisises, and are currently dumping billions of dollars into Africa to help their economic development. Shame on us.

The comments about our collegiate system came from the mouths of Europeans, not me. Their systems put more emphasis on career development in their secondary schools with more specific technical schools for those interested in engineering and the sciences, and more liberal education for those interested in the arts, while our Universities focus on this and allow for everyone to come in with similar educational backgrounds.

[7-11]

Again 7-11, you provide no evidence to the contrary that the American university system is the top. Why can't you provide any? You really "doubt" it, check the rankings buddy, its in there, these are professional rankings, why are you just discounting it? No where did we say you had to go to a university to be successful, but everyone deserves a complete education, and the variety of the American educational system gives them that opportunity. And for many careers, you NEED a college degree to be considered, so these universities provide that. What does you being on an american message board have anything to do with your clear biased towards the country...you don't make any points, you make non-related comments as proof somehow...And what kind of facade is it that the Government is putting on when they're donating billions (and over the past decade trillions) of dollars towards aid? So we potentially let down New Orleans, thats bad, yes, but I'm sorry we were so terrible in donating billions to tsunami relief (American citizens were also the largest citizenary to donate to the relief), that we are the largest funder to the IMF and WB so we can bail out the Asian Tiger nations in 1997, Russia, Brazil and Mexico during their currency crisises, and are currently dumping billions of dollars into Africa to help their economic development. Shame on us.

The comments about our collegiate system came from the mouths of Europeans, not me. Their systems put more emphasis on career development in their secondary schools with more specific technical schools for those interested in engineering and the sciences, and more liberal education for those interested in the arts, while our Universities focus on this and allow for everyone to come in with similar educational backgrounds.


Due to the fact i will continue to believe what i believe, and you the same, i'm not going to continue this argument which is clearly going in circles (partly cause i should actually do some work soon).

And really i want to respond to the political comments, but we're not allowed so i won't (Detroit, St Louis anyone? New Orleans isn't the only place). Oh and don't look at gross figures in future when analysing humanitarian help, focus on the % of GDP figures.

And one thing, don't act like your argumentative skills are a class above mine, because for anyone reading this it is clear they aren't, you bring up the same irrelavent material i do. I honestly think we both suck, and with someone that could actually argue worth a damn this argument would've been settled after about 2 points. And atleast i've done it in a civil manner, your condescending tone is quite repulsive to respond to.

[andyjo672]

Due to the fact i will continue to believe what i believe, and you the same, i'm not going to continue this argument which is clearly going in circles (partly cause i should actually do some work soon).

And really i want to respond to the political comments, but we're not allowed so i won't (Detroit, St Louis anyone? New Orleans isn't the only place). Oh and don't look at gross figures in future when analysing humanitarian help, focus on the % of GDP figures.

And one thing, don't act like your argumentative skills are a class above mine, because for anyone reading this it is clear they aren't, you bring up the same irrelavent material i do. I honestly think we both suck, and with someone that could actually argue worth a damn this argument would've been settled after about 2 points. And atleast i've done it in a civil manner, your condescending tone is quite repulsive to respond to.

I'm not being condescending at all. In fact, I believe I stated from the beginning when you incorrectly thought I was being condescending for the "uni"comment when I said I wasn't at all. Detroit and St.Louis aren't bad places, of course, all major cities have their problems, but I wouldn't say those two are any worse than many others. How have I been going in circles, my posts have had evidence, yours haven't. Plain and simple, I've asked several times for you to provide evidence and you haven't. The reason that the % GDP thing doesn't hold THAT much weight (although I agree with what you're saying to an extent) is that aside from our direct aid given, we're also the number 1 consumer of products produced in developing nations, obviously this is of economic benefit to those nations. So you say you "Don't look at the gross figures," can you provide the % figures for the donations to the Tsunami region, Darfur, IMF, WB, UN foundations, etc? I'm not being condescending here, I'm actually honestly wondering.

Back to the Universities, based on the fact that you never said anything in response to any of my posts I'm going to go ahead and claim this as a victory for me. Sorry.

PS: Plus rep back to you.

[7-11]

I'm not being condescending at all. In fact, I believe I stated from the beginning when you incorrectly thought I was being condescending for the "uni"comment when I said I wasn't at all. Detroit and St.Louis aren't bad places, of course, all major cities have their problems, but I wouldn't say those two are any worse than many others. How have I been going in circles, my posts have had evidence, yours haven't. Plain and simple, I've asked several times for you to provide evidence and you haven't. The reason that the % GDP thing doesn't hold THAT much weight (although I agree with what you're saying to an extent) is that aside from our direct aid given, we're also the number 1 consumer of products produced in developing nations, obviously this is of economic benefit to those nations. So you say you "Don't look at the gross figures," can you provide the % figures for the donations to the Tsunami region, Darfur, IMF, WB, UN foundations, etc? I'm not being condescending here, I'm actually honestly wondering.

Back to the Universities, based on the fact that you never said anything in response to any of my posts I'm going to go ahead and claim this as a victory for me. Sorry.

PS: Plus rep back to you.

hoorah a victory, i'd love to keep arguing, i'm **** at it, but i enjoy it. But it's 2:15pm and i've been here since 9 and i'm still sitting with the same work in front of me.

I think i actually have a textbook from uni with those figures in it, but i'm at work, and even if i was at home i probably wouldn't try to find them anyway, guess i'm just lazy.

And with the evidence thing, if i ever come on here at home i'll try to find some, but at work i really don't want to go on an internet crusade to find this stuff, this window i have opened now takes up about a quarter of my screen (cause i'm covert and ****), don't really wanna be looking up that much stuff.

[someone447]

That’s actually exactly what I’m talking about. The American government loves to put on a strong façade and by doing this they neglect their own. Go visit New Orleans and I think you’ll know what I’m talking about.


You do realize that poverty in the US and other developed nations is not the poverty that third world countries have? Even after Katrina, the people that were stuck in NO were better off than many people in Africa. They were much better off than the people that got hit by the Tsunami.

[7-11]

You do realize that poverty in the US and other developed nations is not the poverty that third world countries have? Even after Katrina, the people that were stuck in NO were better off than many people in Africa. They were much better off than the people that got hit by the Tsunami.

Yeah i do realise that dude, but it still remains that not many other developed, western countries have problems such as the ones seen even now, in New Orleans. Only point i was making.

[JJJ888]

I go to Middlebury (that small school in the middle of Vermont). It's great. I seriously doubt that anyone here would have even heard of Middlebury, much less consider going there, but it's a liberal arts school with great programs in almost every department, especially languages and international study. We also have the "greatest tradition" in college sports according to Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated. Plus, for a division 3 school, some of our sports programs are really top-notch. Hockey, Soccer, and Lacrosse all compete annually for DIII national championships and our football team won the division this year. I strongly encourage all of you to consider it.

On another matter, does anyone have any input on whether New Zealand would be a good place to study abroad? I believe the program we have set up is at the University of Autago.

[7-11]

I go to Middlebury (that small school in the middle of Vermont). It's great. I seriously doubt that anyone here would have even heard of Middlebury, much less consider going there, but it's a liberal arts school with great programs in almost every department, especially languages and international study. We also have the "greatest tradition" in college sports according to Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated. Plus, for a division 3 school, some of our sports programs are really top-notch. Hockey, Soccer, and Lacrosse all compete annually for DIII national championships and our football team won the division this year. I strongly encourage all of you to consider it.

On another matter, does anyone have any input on whether New Zealand would be a good place to study abroad? I believe the program we have set up is at the University of Autago.

Don't know what you're looking for in studying abroad but if you like sheep, skiing, rugby and extreme sports i'd go for it for sure. Liking sheep probably being the most important thing.

[kwilk103]

hang out with this guy and your good to go

http://a1259.g.akamai.net/f/1259/5586/5d/images.art.com/images/-/Animal-House---John-Belushi-College--C10112414.jpeg

[kalbears13]

hang out with this guy and your good to go

http://a1259.g.akamai.net/f/1259/5586/5d/images.art.com/images/-/Animal-House---John-Belushi-College--C10112414.jpeg

Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?!

[skinzzfan25]

I have like a 3.3 GPA (freshmen and sophomore year), doing much better this year though (3.6 and harder classes).

I'm probably going to be looking into a computer science field, however I could be looking for something else. I'm applied for an internship associated with the government, and could be looking to intern at the Hopkins Physics Lab (if the other one doesn't work out).

Any suggestions? lol

EDIT: It would be nice to stay local, or at least not too far away.

Bumpin this up, I kinda was looking for a response, cause you guys seem to know your stuff, but that debate owned it :P

[Sniper]

I go to Middlebury (that small school in the middle of Vermont). It's great. I seriously doubt that anyone here would have even heard of Middlebury, much less consider going there, but it's a liberal arts school with great programs in almost every department, especially languages and international study. We also have the "greatest tradition" in college sports according to Rick Reilly of Sports Illustrated. Plus, for a division 3 school, some of our sports programs are really top-notch. Hockey, Soccer, and Lacrosse all compete annually for DIII national championships and our football team won the division this year. I strongly encourage all of you to consider it.

On another matter, does anyone have any input on whether New Zealand would be a good place to study abroad? I believe the program we have set up is at the University of Autago.


Middlebury's hockey team is disgusting

[Turtlepower]

Bumpin this up, I kinda was looking for a response, cause you guys seem to know your stuff, but that debate owned it :P

Nowadays a lot more emphasis is being put onto things other than grades and SAT scores because of how close all high schoolers are. If you were able to get any sort of internship, more power to you because that looks great on a college resume.

[LonghornsLegend]

This thread is here so that people can discuss their search for college, or give general advice about college.

I have begun to start looking at colleges (very late to start, but you know how that goes) and I'm wondering if any of you guys can help me out. Who has a good English department?


Well since your a Dallas fan ill guess that you live in Texas, if so University of Houston has one of the best English/Creative Writing departments in the country...That was the reason I went after I graduated high school because I was a Creative Writing major and they had the #2 dept at the time, plus it was a good school to try and walk on the football team...If your outta state it might be too high though


Im at Texas Wesleyan now in Fort Worth, private school and alot more expensive, but if your parents dont make alot of money or have a combined income, financial aid should take care of you.

[Ravens1991]

I just got something in the mail from Ferrum university. I noticed they have programs I am interested in(history,political science,teaching) and it is in VA so it is kind of close but not 2 close. So if anybody has visited there please give me a summary.

[volman88]

Did anyone go to CU boulder or UT knoxville cause im gonna go to one of the two of those schools?

[Man_Of_Steel]

Isnt it a bit late to apply to university/college? I mean when is the usual cutoff date? Im Canadian and ours for uni was late Novemberish and for college end of January.

[adschofield]

Isnt it a bit late to apply to university/college? I mean when is the usual cutoff date? Im Canadian and ours for uni was late Novemberish and for college end of January.

I believe this thread was intended for Juniors who have kicked off the process this semester, and Seniors who have gotten their acceptance letters

[TimDris]

Well I got into Penn State. Unfortunately I got into Altoona not University Park. One of my close friends also got in there so I think we're going to visit that campus and we could very well end up going there. Now I just need to hear from Rutgers, UMinn, UDel, and UConn.

[skarocksoi]

Well I got into Penn State. Unfortunately I got into Altoona not University Park. One of my close friends also got in there so I think we're going to visit that campus and we could very well end up going there. Now I just need to hear from Rutgers, UMinn, UDel, and UConn.

I had friends who went to Altoona then moved up to main campus their junior year. You could feasibly head up to main on weekends (especially for football games) because its only a 30-45 minute drive, assuming you have a car. From everything I've heard though, Altoona is almost is as fun, and being at a branch campus is good for raising your gpa before heading to main campus. A visit to see what the campus is like is always recommended no matter where you plan on going. You should visit main campus too while you are that close. Its really nice in the spring/summer.

[Ravens1991]

apparently you only need a 2.25 and a 990 on your SAT to get into WVU,I will apply there. and a smaller school.


What are the advantages/disadvantages of bigger and smaller schools?

[kwilk103]

apparently you only need a 2.25 and a 990 on your SAT to get into WVU,I will apply there. and a smaller school.


What are the advantages/disadvantages of bigger and smaller schools?

bigger schools have more majors and usually have the better/more recognized programs

at wvu some of the classes are big (like my bio class had 250 in it), but others are small (hist has about 45, spanish 20)

please tell me youre not from jersey; we have too many guidos here already

[Paranoidmoonduck]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of bigger and smaller schools?

Well, there are a few different levels to that. Small schools obviously mean a smaller student body and smaller classes, which makes interaction with professors much easier. However, very small schools definitely lack the simple variety of options both academic and social that large schools offer.

I know people who went to massive schools like Penn State and said it took them almost three years to find their place there. Of course, some majors have it easier than others when it comes to that.

The best advice I can offer is visiting as many campuses as you can.

[Ravens1991]

yea at WVU the program I want to go to had 12 people last year. When you say find their place what exactly do you mean by that? Also did they have a group of friends their already?

[kwilk103]

what program you looking at?

what do you mean find their place

[Paranoidmoonduck]

yea at WVU the program I want to go to had 12 people last year. When you say find their place what exactly do you mean by that? Also did they have a group of friends their already?

I suppose I would have to ask my friend for clarification, but he made it sound like it was hard to find people with similar interests and it was especially hard to find people to hang out with in class in those large lecture halls. He didn't have a network of friends waiting for him though.

Like I said, it depends on what kind of classes you end up taking. I have a fairly specialized major, so that in itself cuts down on the number of people in my classes.

[kwilk103]

not really many big classes here; but you usually hang out with people from your dorm

i hang out with friends from back home

[Ravens1991]

It is a political science program that specialized in national security. They have ex-CIA agents and stuff do lecture and you get to work w/ other nations ambassadors in DC. Plus I wanna get into teaching so I would take a 5 year program at WVU. But the thing is I wonder how hard it would be to get a close group of friends because in a class of 300 you could sit next to a kid the 1st day then you never see him again.

[kwilk103]

some classes are big; others arent

plus, you usually make friends in your dorm

[scottyboy]

TimDris- When you hear from Rutgers please let me know. If you're ok with it, I'd like you to give me your GPA and SAT scores(a range if you don't wanna tell me the exact score)

Anybody know some good journalism schools? Looking to perhaps go into sports journalism. Or perhaps law. Any good law programs out there(in case I dont get into RU).

[kwilk103]

wvu's student paper is ranked 19th

try princetonreview.com

registration is free and has ranking on everything from sports to partying to academics

[Ravens1991]

is WVU #1 party school?

[kwilk103]

is WVU #1 party school?

YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ravens1991]

well thats all I needed to know.

[skarocksoi]

apparently you only need a 2.25 and a 990 on your SAT to get into WVU,I will apply there. and a smaller school.


What are the advantages/disadvantages of bigger and smaller schools?

Bigger and smaller schools really only differ in the number of majors and class sizes, and the experiences you will have. A bigger school like WVU will have more majors than a smaller school, but class sizes will be bigger, so you might not have a 1 on 1 learning environment with a teacher, unless you make yourself known and go to office hours and stuff like that. I'm betting not one of my teachers could have even told you if I was in their class let alone my name my first two years of school. Class sizes get smaller once you get into your core major classes.

Also, at a bigger school, you will probably have experiences with a broader selection of people than at a smaller school, simply because of the size and makeup of the populations of the two types of school. Not to say you will have more friends at one type of school over the other, but you might have say, 30 friends at a small school that you see regularly or even daily, whereas at a larger school you might have 30 friends that you see every now and then.

I dont know about the whole "finding your place" thing. Its pretty easy to make friends if you are open to new experiences and a little outgoing. Sometimes it can be hard, as I personally am not a very outgoing guy, but I had no troubles making friends. Hell, the second night I was at Penn State, I met the group of friends I ended up hanging out with all through college and still to this day. You just have to be yourself and be open to new people, then you should have no trouble fitting in regardless of the school.

[LonghornsLegend]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of bigger and smaller schools?

Smaller schools will probably be easier to get higher grades, your professors will know you by face and name, and have an easier time to meet with you if you need the help...They usually take roll in smaller schools so you have to make a good attempt at being in class a decent amount of time, tuition is "usually" cheaper also, not as many amentities...


Larger schools have a larger campus life, more parties, bigger parties, more girls, they "usually" dont take roll so alot of times its on you to go to class, and its on you to make sure your grades are right...classes are huge auditoriums, and triple in size alot of times...Although larger schools might mean more prestigous, in otherwords look better on your degree...


It really depends on what you want right now, ive done both, University of Houston was my large school and it was fresh out of HS, I wasnt ready, partied too much, didnt go to class, it was just too much going on for me...now im more concerned with graduating and less playing around so smaller schools are fine with me, im not trying to make alot of friends who have different agendas then me so I keep to myself...

I suggest taking as many campus tours as you can, during class hours, so you can get a feel for the campus, it makes a big difference vs checking on the internet or going when there are no clases at the time.

[jballa838]

Ok...
HS Class: 2009
Cumulative GPA: 3.2
State of Residency: UT
Sports: Football (I play WR, 6'0-6'1 now 160 and still gaining)
ACT Score: 26-32 (Havent got it back yet, but I thought I did very well)
Major: Undecided
Where I'd Travel: As far east as Colorado (To the East Coast if Football works out) and all the way west.
Favorite States(in order): WA, OR, UT, ID, NV, CA, AZ.
Will not go to any college in: Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, North or South Dakota(all 2 colleges).
Any suggestions on places I could get into, should go to?

[JagHombre22]

I'd look at some division 2 schools or perhaps some JUCO if you want to keep playing football...I don't mean that as an insult just that alot of high school FB players excel at Junior Colleges and that helps their chances of playing for universities....

if you're looking for academics...anything east coast is pretty decent with academics...I know illinois have some good academic colleges

[Bigbadbob72]

if anyone wants to check out Ohio State or need any information, I can give you pretty much anything you need. Just PM me.

[jballa838]

I'd look at some division 2 schools or perhaps some JUCO if you want to keep playing football...I don't mean that as an insult just that alot of high school FB players excel at Junior Colleges and that helps their chances of playing for universities....

if you're looking for academics...anything east coast is pretty decent with academics...I know illinois have some good academic colleges
Yeah i am looking at some D-2 schools, but I am predicting I will have a dilemma come choosing time. I'll probably end up walking on somewhere or something. But yeah, any good colleges in Oregon I dont know about? Oregon is ideal for me because of Climate, atmosphere and travel time from utah and to WA.

[Vikes99ej]

Yeah i am looking at some D-2 schools, but I am predicting I will have a dilemma come choosing time. I'll probably end up walking on somewhere or something. But yeah, any good colleges in Oregon I dont know about? Oregon is ideal for me because of Climate, atmosphere and travel time from utah and to WA.

Go to Western Oregon. That's where Kevin Boss went.

[LonghornsLegend]

I'd look at some division 2 schools or perhaps some JUCO if you want to keep playing football...I don't mean that as an insult just that alot of high school FB players excel at Junior Colleges and that helps their chances of playing for universities....

if you're looking for academics...anything east coast is pretty decent with academics...I know illinois have some good academic colleges

Co-sign. Thats definately a route alot of people dont realize how much it can help, I should of went to Kansas because they have lots of NAIA and Div II teams in that area, Benedictine was one I could of played at, it just gives you a few years to really get you weight where you want it, and work on your speed, if your talent is better then that level it will show and those D-1 universities will come calling.

[d34ng3l021]

How are acceptance letters coming?

[schmiddog]

If anyone wants any info on Dartmouth, give me a holler. It truly is a hit or miss place and it's very, very important to realize this before considering going.

[roidrunner]

i can give anyone info on either Ripon college in wisconsin or the University of Louisville. just let me know.

[kalbears13]

How are acceptance letters coming?

ummm horrible with a side of very little hope.

[619]

How are acceptance letters coming?

Since etk brought it up in one of his threads I've got 3 so far with Jesse Lumsden's alma matter McMaster (Canada) being my first choice.

[LonghornsLegend]

I hope alot of you guys are filling out fafsa forms, if your expecting a refund check(which is very important for most people going to college) but the earlier the better, and more important you get a greater chance of getting more money...helps if you dont plan on your parents covering all your expenses out of pocket.

[diabsoule]

I went to college. I gained weight. I drank a lot. I had unprotected sex. I graduated. I got in debt with student loans.

Here's everything you need to know about college. Learn it, love it, live it.

Student was searching for divine inspiration. Student walked high on the mountain of knowledge and came across God. Student asked God how to live life as a college kid should. And God said unto him, follow these Ten Commandments and you shall be all a college kid is. And Student thanked God and it was good. And Student spread the Ten Commandments of College to all.

I- Thou Shalt Nap
And God gave unto Student a great gift, the gift of napping. God said to him, You shall spend half your day napping. You shall nap in class, in your room and in your friend's room. And God said, if you don't nap, you will not be able to stay up all night drinking. And Student said, Nap I shall, and it was good.

II- Thou Shalt Get Sick All the Time
Now God said to Student, you must be sick all of the time. And student said why. And God said unto him, you shall share drinks, stay up too late, drink too much and make out with people you don't know. Therefore, God said, you shall be sick all year round. But God said, blessed are the sick for they have partied the hardest. And it was good.

III- Thou Shalt Write Witty Away Messages
Student asked, but God, how will I show everyone that I am funny? And God said unto him, thou shall write witty away messages. God said to student, you shall never just say you are in the shower, you shall say you are getting wet and wild...in the shower. You shall never say you are at class, you shall say you are sleeping...in class. God said, if you do not write witty away messages, I shall smite you. Blessed are the funny, for they will get many girls to be their friends but never hook up with them. And it was good.

IV- Thou Shalt Wear a Hoodie
And then Student asked God, God how do I look like a college kid. And God said unto student, you must wear a hoodie, for it is a useful garment. And you shall never wash it either. Student asked God what kind of Hoodie should it be and God said, you shall own one with your school's logo on it and you shall own many others of varying colors and creeds. And Student was pleased and God was pleased.

V- Thou Shalt **** a Lot
And Student asked of his bathroom habit and God told him, Student, you shall eat in the Cafeteria and you shall **** a lot. And it will not be good ****, it will be the **** of the devil for your ass shall burn for hours. Your school shall put laxatives in their food and you shall feel their pain. And Student began to weep, and God said unto him, Student, fear not the ****, for all your fellow students will be experiencing the same. And Student dried his eyes and thanked God and God told him to use wet naps to ease the pain.

VI- Thou Shalt Eat EasyMac
Student asked unto God if there was any alternatives to the cafeteria, and God said to him, you shall eat a lot of EasyMac. It is easy to make and you don't need milk or a stove. And student said microwaves were forbidden by the RA. And God said to him, you shall hide the microwave under your bed with a towel on top. And Student asked, what if it is discovered. And God told him to stop being such a *****, and it was good.

VII- Thou Shalt Hook Up
Student then asked of sex. And God said, Student, you shall hook up and be happy. You shall go home with random people every weekend and forget about them the next day. You shall see them at class and be awkward amongst their company. You shall exchange saliva at bars and parties and it will be good. And Student became gleeful and God told Student to wrap it up because He knows where she has been, but Student does not.

VIII- Thou Shalt Join a Club and Never Go to Meetings
Student inquired of his spare time and God reminded him that he should be napping. But Student said he wanted to do other things. So God said unto him, you shall join a club at the beginning of the semester, but then never go to meetings. And Student asked why he should not go to meetings, and God told him, because the glee club is ***. And Student understood His wisdom.

IX- Thou Shalt Wake Up Confused
God said to Student, there will come many a day when you shall wake up in the bed of another and not know where you are. You will not remember what you did last night and you shall be confused. You will see that you have nipple rings and a tattoo now and are covered in Sharpie. And Student was disturbed by this, but God said, you shall tell great stories about it to your friends someday. And Student understood and God took a sip of a beer.

And God gave Student the final Commandment

X- Thou Shalt Gain Weight
And Student wished to hear the final commandment and God said he would not like it. But Student insisted, so God said unto him, you shall gain weight. However, God said, you will not buy new clothes, so you will wear sweat pants a lot. God said, Student, you will watch a lot of TV and become fat to which Student wept profusely. But God comforted Student saying, you will still get ass even if you cannot tie your shoes anymore. Student felt better and God pointed to Student's chest saying, those will soon be ***** tits. And it was good.

This is the word of God, follow the Ten Commandments of College or you will be smote!

[TimDris]

one of the best posts ever ^

[Cashmoney]

Isn't that from a facebook group? It's awesome anyways. And all of them are true for me except for the away message thing. I had to stop eating cafeteria food cause it took me from like one poo a day to 3 to 4 a day. It was crazy. I love college though. Best time of my life so far.

[diabsoule]

Isn't that from a facebook group? It's awesome anyways. And all of them are true for me except for the away message thing. I had to stop eating cafeteria food cause it took me from like one poo a day to 3 to 4 a day. It was crazy. I love college though. Best time of my life so far.

Cafeteria food made my **** come out like a waterfall. I've never had that happen to me. All campus food is good for is making you ****.

[wingboy2999]

Cafeteria food made my **** come out like a waterfall. I've never had that happen to me. All campus food is good for is making you ****.

Amen. I lived in Towers at Pitt freshman year and we'd go to the all you can eat place in the downstairs of it. We'd finish and then get up to the 8th floor and immediately have to take a dump. Without fail.

[LonghornsLegend]

That works for me if you sub out Easy mac for Ramen noodles, I dont know about some Easymac thats not really my style lol...But their spot on with cafeteria food, I eat it every morning although I know im going to **** for the next 4 hours I still continue to wake up another day and eat it again...Out eggs at breakfast look like a huge yellow eraser that has been picked off on top, its a shame they charge you that much for a damn meal plan and you cant even get some decent quality.

[Staubach12]

Does anyone know anything about Rhodes College? How is it's English department?

[TimDris]

im going to visit penn state after the state finals... cant wait

[wingboy2999]

im going to visit penn state after the state finals... cant wait

I've lost all respect for you.

[kwilk103]

I've lost all respect for you.

ditto.....i was raised to hate penn st

[Brent]

Does anyone know anything about Rhodes College? How is it's English department?
I know some girls that go to Rhodes. I couldn't tell how they feel about it, though. If you are looking for a good English department, the best thing to do is to attend one of the larger state schools, unless you have the money to attend a private school. Most colleges have pretty comparable English departments. The question becomes what track you decide to study. Here at TAMU, we have Literature, Creative Writing and Rhetoric. I am on the Rhetoric track but I don't think that is offered at many schools.

[ny10804]

So far this is what my decision is going to come down to:

Georgetown at full price.
Notre Dame at full price.
Case Western Reserve at 20%.
Bentley College for free.

I haven't heard about: scholarships from SUNY Binghamton or Northeastern yet, or acceptance from Duke (won't get a scholarship). I got waitlisted at UNC-Chapel Hill and I've crossed the University of Richmond off my list.

[josh07039]

Im not a situation to replicate. I was a lazy ass, I applied to one school, Rutgers, got in two days later and that was it. I didn't even do the whole application, I had my sister do it. If anyone is considering Rutgers, let me know and I'll give you the good and the bad.

[terribletowel39]

So far this is what my decision is going to come down to:

Georgetown at full price.
Notre Dame at full price.
Case Western Reserve at 20%.
Bentley College for free.

I haven't heard about: scholarships from SUNY Binghamton or Northeastern yet, or acceptance from Duke (won't get a scholarship). I got waitlisted at UNC-Chapel Hill and I've crossed the University of Richmond off my list.
umm....its a no-brainer. its Bentley College.

[Brent]

So far this is what my decision is going to come down to:

Georgetown at full price.
Notre Dame at full price.
Case Western Reserve at 20%.
Bentley College for free.

I haven't heard about: scholarships from SUNY Binghamton or Northeastern yet, or acceptance from Duke (won't get a scholarship). I got waitlisted at UNC-Chapel Hill and I've crossed the University of Richmond off my list.
If you aren't worried about price, Georgetown, if you are I'd take the freebie.

[Bengals1690]

I just got my acceptance letter to a 2 year college called pellisippi. I'm going into secondary education and after i get my prerequisites outta the way im transferring to UT. I could have went to UT (tennessee) now but i thought pellissippi would be an easier transition, and a whole lot cheaper

[kalbears13]

Right now it looks like i'm going to University of California, Santa Cruz. Which when I applied I regretted wasting my $55. I got rejected from my 1-4 schools which weren't even huge reaches. California state schools got way too many applications. I'm going to be a Banana Slug living in a forrest with a bunch of hippies. aughh! And I was rejected from my #1 school. Some kid with a 3.1 gpa and a 1700 SAT score got in while I had a 3.7 gpa and a 2030 SAT score got rejected. Pisses the hell out of me.

[ny10804]

Northeastern is now also off the list. 12,000 isn't enough. A difference of 45K and 33K doesn't really get me too excited.

It's probably gonna come down to Bentley, Binghamton, and Case Western. Georgetown and ND are nice, but 180K isn't worth it for a business degree. Richmond, UNC, and Northeastern are wack. I'm still waiting for Duke (find out on the 25th), but it'll probably be the same thing as GTown and ND (except I probably won't get in).

[Sniper]

Right now it looks like i'm going to University of California, Santa Cruz. Which when I applied I regretted wasting my $55. I got rejected from my 1-4 schools which weren't even huge reaches. California state schools got way too many applications. I'm going to be a Banana Slug living in a forrest with a bunch of hippies. aughh! And I was rejected from my #1 school. Some kid with a 3.1 gpa and a 1700 SAT score got in while I had a 3.7 gpa and a 2030 SAT score got rejected. Pisses the hell out of me.

What were your 1-4?

[JT Jag]

I've had a long college trek the last year.

I'm from Jacksonville. For my freshman fall semester I went to U of Alabama.

For several reasons, that didn't turn out to be the right place for me and I transferred to a community college back home for spring.

Now I've finally been accepted to UNF (the University of North Florida) for Summer Term. Things may finally be settling down.

[d34ng3l021]

Right now it looks like i'm going to University of California, Santa Cruz. Which when I applied I regretted wasting my $55. I got rejected from my 1-4 schools which weren't even huge reaches. California state schools got way too many applications. I'm going to be a Banana Slug living in a forrest with a bunch of hippies. aughh! And I was rejected from my #1 school. Some kid with a 3.1 gpa and a 1700 SAT score got in while I had a 3.7 gpa and a 2030 SAT score got rejected. Pisses the hell out of me.

Damn. Did you apply to other UCs?

[kalbears13]

What were your 1-4?

My colleges were...

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Architecture)
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
UC Davis
Cal Poly Pomona (Architecture)
UC Santa Cruz
UC Irvine
Cal State Fullerton

In that order.
I only got into Santa Cruz and Fullerton. Still waiting to hear back from Pomona and Irvine.

[d34ng3l021]

I had a 3.6 and 1990 and I am at Davis right now...

And its understandable you didnt get into SLO for arch. SLO has one of the best programs, right?

[kalbears13]

I had a 3.6 and 1990 and I am at Davis right now...

And its understandable you didnt get into SLO for arch. SLO has one of the best programs, right?

Yeah, but people from my school with worse grades than me got in for Architecture. Like my friend applied to SLO's engineering school with a 3.8 and like a 2100-2200 and didn't get in while that other guy got in with a 3.1 and 1700. It's ********.

I can't believe I got rejected from Davis. I was pretty sure I was going to get in there.

[d34ng3l021]

That is pretty ********.

[Brent]

What about SF State? I have some friends there, they like it.

[bearfan]

Bringing this thread back up since ACTs are coming up, and I am starting college search.

Looked at Illinois Wesleyan University this weekend, and after one visit I think I want to go there. Obviously I want to check out some other colleges too, but I dont think that they can match was IWU has to offer:
*4-4-1 plan - 4 fall classes, 4 spring classes, and 1 may class which is 1 class jammed into a 3 1/2 week course and counts as 1 who class credit.
*small school - 2000 kids, 11:1 student to teacher ratio. Something I decided that I want is a smaller school
*nice campus - when I 1st got into Bloomington, I wasnt sure that I would like it b/c the place is a pretty big town. Then you get to the college, and you dont need to leave the campus if you dont want to (so everything is within itself)
*Extra Extra activities - not only would there be IWU activities to go to, but ISU is on the same street as IWU, so you can go to that stuff too.

But I do still want to look, any advice on the college search?

[steelersgirl5]

Bringing this thread back up since ACTs are coming up, and I am starting college search.

Looked at Illinois Wesleyan University this weekend, and after one visit I think I want to go there. Obviously I want to check out some other colleges too, but I dont think that they can match was IWU has to offer:
*4-4-1 plan - 4 fall classes, 4 spring classes, and 1 may class which is 1 class jammed into a 3 1/2 week course and counts as 1 who class credit.
*small school - 2000 kids, 11:1 student to teacher ratio. Something I decided that I want is a smaller school
*nice campus - when I 1st got into Bloomington, I wasnt sure that I would like it b/c the place is a pretty big town. Then you get to the college, and you dont need to leave the campus if you dont want to (so everything is within itself)
*Extra Extra activities - not only would there be IWU activities to go to, but ISU is on the same street as IWU, so you can go to that stuff too.

But I do still want to look, any advice on the college search?

Have you looked at Northwestern? Also a good school.
I like Bloomington alot...all of my family is from the Midwest and I have family that lives near Bloomington. I think you will learn to like it.
Also Milikan is a smaller school. Its campus is set up alot like where I go at UNT and I love it there. Its a good size...still get your 'college' experience and also you get the attention that you are looking for in the classroom.
What are you majoring in?

[Turtlepower]

I suggest Arizona State University. Great School!!!!

[kwilk103]

WVU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Paranoidmoonduck]

I can't believe I got rejected from Davis. I was pretty sure I was going to get in there.

Wait, you wanted to go to Davis instead of Santa Cruz? Whatever the hell for?

[d34ng3l021]

Wait, you wanted to go to Davis instead of Santa Cruz? Whatever the hell for?

WHOA THERE. Davis isnt nearly as bad as high school made it out to be. Its pretty chill here and though the party scene may not be as huge as SB or LA, its not bad.

And of course, theres the obvious reason: we are a better school academically.

[Paranoidmoonduck]

WHOA THERE. Davis isnt nearly as bad as high school made it out to be. Its pretty chill here and though the party scene may not be as huge as SB or LA, its not bad.

And of course, theres the obvious reason: we are a better school academically.

My fondest memory of the Davis campus is showing up in February after snowboarding only to find it a scorching 94 degrees, completely flat, and smelling vaguely of cow leavings.

Academics are certainly one thing, but no UC outside of Riverside is particularly lacking, and no one hiring you is going to make the distinction between Davis and Santa Cruz unless you're planning to become a vet or something.

Besides, Santa Cruz is some of the most lovely country in all of California, and is full of cute hippy chicks who study marine biology. In other words, awesome.

[bearfan]

Have you looked at Northwestern? Also a good school.
I like Bloomington alot...all of my family is from the Midwest and I have family that lives near Bloomington. I think you will learn to like it.
Also Milikan is a smaller school. Its campus is set up alot like where I go at UNT and I love it there. Its a good size...still get your 'college' experience and also you get the attention that you are looking for in the classroom.
What are you majoring in?

Northwestern I think is a bit out of my range (GPA wise). I have a 3.5ish, looking to improve that. Im not really interested in many Illinois State Schools besides possibly U of I. Im not sure what I want to major in, but I think I want to get into business, maybe a Marketing major, maybe a sports management, maybe Political science. Im not sure. I am a junior though, but I will probably start applying torwards the end of the summer b/c I want to check out some schools.

[vatech=accdomination]

Do not go to Community College, they lie and tell you its easy and cheap, only to make mad money off of you. The dropout rate at my CC alone is like 60%, and they keep coming back, but I guess thats why I can get in anywhere with a 3.0+.

My biggest advice would be to check into Grants and financial aid if you plan on going to a 4 year school and have to pay for it yourself, look at tuition, and then cut down your list from there. Touring campuses is probably the most fun part of the entire process, and it is even more fun when you have friends that go to the school you are looking at,

[kwilk103]

Do not go to Community College, they lie and tell you its easy and cheap, only to make mad money off of you. The dropout rate at my CC alone is like 60%, and they keep coming back, but I guess thats why I can get in anywhere with a 3.0+.

My biggest advice would be to check into Grants and financial aid if you plan on going to a 4 year school and have to pay for it yourself, look at tuition, and then cut down your list from there. Touring campuses is probably the most fun part of the entire process, and it is even more fun when you have friends that go to the school you are looking at,

i took a summer school class at my cc, and it was hard

was 4 hrs 2x a week---it sucked

had to write a 5-10 page research paper

only good thing was i had one saved from my freshman year of h.s.; just changed the date and turned it in

got a B in the class

[TimDris]

im officially going to penn state. oh hell yeah. just sent in the accept to the offer. go nittany lions

[ny10804]

College A: Full tuition covered, honors courses, starting off in top 1% of class, 48th/30th ranked program, good campus, known only in northeast, 10 minutes outside of a big city, division II sports.

College B: Half tuition covered, average student, widely known school, beautiful campus, 18th/3rd ranked program, middle of nowhere, great football program, tremendous alumni.

(rankings are US News/Business Week)



This is my decision. What would everyone else choose?

[Xiomera]

im officially going to penn state. oh hell yeah. just sent in the accept to the offer. go nittany lions

Congrats man.

[Thunder&Lightning]

im going for a post grad year for football...going to suck but i think it will be worth it.

[bearfan]

College A: Full tuition covered, honors courses, starting off in top 1% of class, 48th/30th ranked program, good campus, known only in northeast, 10 minutes outside of a big city, division II sports.

College B: Half tuition covered, average student, widely known school, beautiful campus, 18th/3rd ranked program, middle of nowhere, great football program, tremendous alumni.

(rankings are US News/Business Week)



This is my decision. What would everyone else choose?

I would go to School one purley on economics. But, if school B is better for your future, I dont know how your parents are on paying some of the tuition, or how you are on taking a loan. I would choose which ever is the best economically, and also the best for your future

[The Dynasty]

College A: Full tuition covered, honors courses, starting off in top 1% of class, 48th/30th ranked program, good campus, known only in northeast, 10 minutes outside of a big city, division II sports.

College B: Half tuition covered, average student, widely known school, beautiful campus, 18th/3rd ranked program, middle of nowhere, great football program, tremendous alumni.

(rankings are US News/Business Week)



This is my decision. What would everyone else choose?

A Free ride is a Free Ride. Thats how i look at it. But College B seems like it would challenge you more and Seems like a good school So i dont know. Good Luck with you Decision.

Personally I wouldnt worry to much about sports unless u plan on playing. But thats just me.

[JagHombre22]

go to the University of Florida...best school ever!

[Thunder&Lightning]

anyone here do a post grad year?

[ny10804]

A Free ride is a Free Ride. Thats how i look at it. But College B seems like it would challenge you more and Seems like a good school So i dont know. Good Luck with you Decision.

Personally I wouldnt worry to much about sports unless u plan on playing. But thats just me.

Unless the sport is football at Notre Dame I suppose.

I'm leaning towards A (Bentley) because I'll then have more resources for grad school, which is probably more valuable than undergrad studies.

[ny10804]

Or I might dismiss everything I just said and go to Georgetown.

Financial aid, I love you.

[Staubach12]

Anyone know how UT's English department is?

[Cashmoney]

Or I might dismiss everything I just said and go to Georgetown.

Financial aid, I love you.

If youre going to take out a bunch of student loans its probably not worth it.

[litlharsh]

I'm looking at either University of Minnesota or Georgia Tech for Chem engineering...anyone have any comments on either?

[asmitty45]

There is no better place on Earth than East Lansing.

Riots and all.

[kalbears13]

For me it comes down to Community College or UC Santa Cruz...

Admissions are sooo screwed up...