<p>Don't worry newsameold, I am moderately conservative, so if we both end up in MSU, you'll know one conservative. I'm banking on McCain as POTUS w/ Romney as his running mate. Well, I am sort of hijacking this thread, so I'll ask a question:</p>
<p>I read about JMC, and it says that JMC is set up as a small college w/in MSU that works with smaller than normal classes like a private college. Is this the case? </p>
<p>Right now I am not convinced. Why should I go to MSU's JMC rather than an actual private college? </p>
<p>Do you happen to know how many Fulbright scholars have come out of MSU?</p>
<p>If McCain really wants to win he'll pick Romney. I wish he'd have gotten the nomination. Oh well. Obama is done for though. Biden will bring him nothing but trouble with all the stuff he's said in the past. What a dumb move. </p>
<p>1) What is the reputation of the Residential College in Arts and Humanities? I know it's new so I was just wondering what the developing rep is. </p>
<p>2) How is the vegetarian food? Like are there a lot of veg options?</p>
<p>3) Did you place out of a lot of freshman classes? If so, is it hard to jump into sophomore classes as a freshman?</p>
<p>I'm back. As college life is sorta-kinda crazy (predictably :D), the response time to questions will likely be a ranging to approx. 4 days.</p>
<p>"He was looking at the info about James Madison and was concerned about something he read about the average class size at MSU (35-40 students or something like that). I know you can't answer this yet, but it would be great to know about class size for James Madison students and how it impacts the classroom experience."</p>
<p>Well the 1st year at James madison you take 2 required courses. The writing course has about 25 people, while the discussion/public policy class has about 20 (with also a lecture hall section with the entirety of the james madison freshmen). I'd say that the class sizes are GREAT in comparison to most other programs (within MSU, and especially for a big university). Taking honors classes also make a significant in your class size. For my science class, there is an honors section with 40 students (what I am in) and a regular section with 340 students (not so optimal). My language class has 30 students as well. So I'd say that if you are in a residential college/honors college your class sizes will be a lot more manageable and would foster a lot better relationships compared to the 340 student lecture halls that most regular students would be in.</p>
<p>Also, some nitty gitty details. When did you get your application in last fall? When did you get your acceptance? When did you find out about scholarships etc?</p>
<p>My application was submitted in mid-september. Acceptance about mid-october. Scholarships trickled in, starting November (and going all the way until July, amazingly).</p>
<p>What's the dealio with James madison college? Is it a major where you just specialize in something? It seems interesting. </p>
<p>It is a residential college (all james madison freshmen take the same 2 introductory madison courses- specialized writing and intro. to public policy classes, live in the same dorm-case hall, have madison activities and get-togethers, have smaller class sizes, and on and on and on). Quite a bit more challenging workload</p>
<p>You said earlier that you had some political conversations with people. Most colleges are pretty liberal. I visited and saw Obama stickers everywhere. Are conservatives welcome? Lol. I don't want to be shunned. </p>
<p>Conservatives are less noticeable on campus obviously, but yes they are DEFINITELY present. When we had student organizations come up the MSU college republicans were crazy active. You wouldn't be shunned, a few might just lightly make fun of you. As I'm from AK I am a huge supporter or ANWR (unlike 99% of the people from not-Alaska), so I get a bit of grief for that but people with conservative views can certainly hold their own.</p>
<p>And seriously. Tell us about the food when you can. I can't survive on burgers and chicken tenders, etc. For four years. </p>
<p>It's pretty decent, at least in case (haven't eaten anywhere else). They have a very large selection of food, so that's not really a problem (yet). And most of the food I tried I have liked. It's not always the best cooked food but I like it enough. They have a natural selections area (heathier salads/fruits/sandwich/vegetarian stuff), cereal/coffee/bagel/donut/dessert bars including really good ice cream on top of the regular meals (which always include 3+ different types of main dishes and 2 different types of soups.</p>
<p>I read about JMC, and it says that JMC is set up as a small college w/in MSU that works with smaller than normal classes like a private college. Is this the case? </p>
<p>See my above post #25 (the first question). It is definitely like a small liberal arts private college within the massive MSU student body.</p>
<p>Right now I am not convinced. Why should I go to MSU's JMC rather than an actual private college? </p>
<p>1) often cheaper. 2) SCHOOL SPIRIT (sports, the whole schabang). 3) Traditional "college experience" 4) Great education on top of all of the above (if in James madison college, arguably). These are just basic ones. I could go into more detail if you told me what private college in particular</p>
<p>Do you happen to know how many Fulbright scholars have come out of MSU?
Don't know out of the top of my head. I will look it up (saw it somewhere) and I will get back to you later</p>
<p>) What is the reputation of the Residential College in Arts and Humanities? I know it's new so I was just wondering what the developing rep is. </p>
<p>It is new. So I've heard absolutely nothing about it at all. I met one person in it and that's it. Us james madison students are segregated from most of the other majors :P so I won't be of much help (at least for now)</p>
<p>2) How is the vegetarian food? Like are there a lot of veg options?
YES!!! I think, anyways. My friend is vegetarian and he seems to always have something to eat. They had burgers with vegetarian options for lunch today. There is a "natural selections" space with I'm sure a lot of veggie options (including pita brea/hummus) etc. And this is only in case. There are SO many cafeterias here it's ridiculous. There are plenty of veg options imo</p>
<p>3) Did you place out of a lot of freshman classes? If so, is it hard to jump into sophomore classes as a freshman?
In james madison all freshmen are required to take the 2 james madison classes despite the fact that I may have gotten into an upper level class in similar subjects. But for spanish I tested into 2nd year intensive spanish. It is extremely difficult for me so far, minimum 2 hours of homework per class (and the class is held everyday, Mon-Fri) So yes, it is kind-of hard. I did test out of econ because of AP credit but I haven't taken advanced econ yet so I wouldn't know about that in particular</p>
<p>OH and as far as triple majors go...yes you can for sure. But it's your time, your credit hours/money. It's most likely best to just go for the double major and specialize/minor in something else. Just realize it is not logistically possible to take a triple major in 4 years unless they are incredibly related subjects, you have loads of ap/cc credits and you take lots of classes during the summer as well.</p>
<p>Chicken nuggets and hamburgers are hardly ever served. Snyder-Phillips hall is a good place for a hamburger or pizza fresh cooked. You can see the menus on the MSU website.</p>
<p>I think I am now convinced about MSU. When I went there for my ROTC interview, I got a chance to browse around and the school was much more than I thought it was. My biggest worry was the size, but I noticed how 2 in every 3 students rides a bike class to class, so that didn't seem like an issue. Even though I want to go to JMC, I am still worried I'll get stuck in classes with 100+ students( at least in the general classes and in foreign language classes; I would like to double minor in German and Russian).</p>
<p>One of the primary reasons I am now seriously considering MSU, is the fact that most of the girls I saw were hot as hell( yeah... I know... That is absolutely terrible of me)... ;)</p>
<p>I hope your freshamn year is going well, and that you aren't too swamped to answer another question! My S just got a letter from MSU about the deal for kids with a 33 ACT or above. Getting in-state tuition and work with a prof would be great, but I am curious abou the other merit awards they offer.
When you mentioned that you had to take an insanely hard test (or something like that!), what sort of test was it? Was it like the ACT?</p>
<p>My son hasn't thought about MSU, but with a great merit aid package, I might try and get him excited about it. Thanks for your help :)</p>
<p>Thanks! Yes I've been very very busy with homework seemingly all the time, but it's been a blast so far. The insanely hard test is the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship Competition that invites top students to come to MSU for a weekend, go through some information sessions, and take a 3 hour long test with essentially every question under the sun (the information that is on that test is knowledge that you would only obtain if you took every single AP class offered, essentially). It's all multiple choice, and it's just a jumble of 130 or so questions (I think?) with 2 short essay questions as well. 1/10 who attend the weekend will win some sort of scholarship, and about 15 out of the 1100 that attend will win full ride scholarships. To be invited to ADS weekend, you have to apply early (probably by November) and have good stats (ie be honors college qualified).</p>
<p>Hey, looking for a little info about the JMC. This sounds really interesting, but how hard is it to get into? Do i just apply to MSU saying that im interested in the JMC, or is it separate?
Are there many out of staters in the JMC program? Do you lose any of the "big school" experience by doing it, or is it very similar to being a normal MSU student?
I read that its basically on a first-come first serve basis, should i be applying now, am i already a bit late? I wasn't planning on starting apps for another month or more because i'm waiting to finish eagle scout, but i could probably get into MSU without it.
I have around a 3.5 weighted and a 2080 sat. Is there an essay involved?</p>
<p>VASkinsFan, JMC is a major that you apply into (when on the application it states to list your preferred major, just put down the James madison college code). There is no separate application and no separate essay required. There is a decent amount of out-of-staters in the JMC program, probably more than the average major (I know several students from Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota etc). You definitely do NOT lose any "big school" experience by doing it. The most I can say is different from a regular major is that the workload is more intensive (ie harder, more reading to do, more sleepless nights on average) but there is more a sense of community and there are loads of special activities planned for students in JMC. </p>
<p>As for applying now, just get your application out by mid-November and you should be fine.</p>
<p>Do you get to know many people outside the JMC program? I know the workload is alot (and this fine, i obviously want to go to school for an education), but is there still time to go out on friday/saturday nights? Is MSU as a whole a bit of a party school?</p>
<p>EDIT: Also, as a JMC major how much do you outside of the area of your dorm? Are 100% of your classes in case hall?</p>
<p>Do you know anybody studying jazz there? My D is interested in jazz vocal, and somebody suggested that she look at MSU. Apparently there's a very good prof in charge of jazz vocals?</p>
<p>My roommate is a jazz studies major, he plays guitar though. From what I have seen the music school is great. There are a lot of opportunities to be in bands and play outside of school. I know on Thursday nights they have live Jazz performances at the Green River Cafe on M.A.C., so that might be something your daughter would enjoy if you get a chance to visit.</p>