<p>thanks, crazed... yeah, i hated those humongous recycle bins. that shot was actually 2 years ago in the mary mayo lobby; hopefully they're gone now or that, at least, they got some smaller bins that don't so much clash with the beautiful architecture of the lobby (as I do believe in recycling). </p>
<p>Your comments were dead-on, btw, as many people feel the west circle area makes michigan state feel like a small, prestigious liberal arts college – one grad school friend of mine who I gave grand tour said those beautiful old dorms (and the older campus, in general around west circle drive, and even all of north campus) reminded her of college back at wellesley; esp given the scale, woodsy-ness and all the old, Gothic architecture.</p>
<p>Smurfgirl - when I was at MSU in the mid-70's, all the West Circle dorms were female only. Collectively everyone referred to them as the "Virgin Islands"! :-)</p>
<p>Sometime before all of us attended, the boys/men SERVED the girls/women in the dining halls!!!</p>
<p>FYI- I stayed for grad school too. Had been accepted at UVa but declined. Grad housing was very convenient and a decent place to live, with all the singles, housekeeper on the floor that knew everyone. We had tons of work, so little outside socializing but many great grad students on the floor to be with.</p>
<p>HAving so many alum on this website (when some of us should be conentrating on our kids searches for schools) indicates how we are all still attached in some way.</p>
<p>^crazed, I'm not surprised that MSU alums are all over the world and in some of the highest positions... it just goes to show you, although U-M may have a somewhat better rep than MSU, it's not like MSU has no rep. In fact, it has what I call quiet prestige. People know about the school's quality, we're just not as in-you-face as U-M.</p>
<p>My son was offered the opportunity to do research and teach for a stipend his freshman year (among $, study abroad, honors). They have a lot to offer and with these extras he would be a stand out for graduate school or work resume. (ultimately turned it down for another school but was hard to forgo these great opportunities.) There are experiences to be had that are not available at the the small elite schools. MSU is state of the art in everything.
Any FYI, from experience, many majors do not matter where you get your degree from. Rocket scientist, yes, but Journalism, Nursing, etc will not make a difference. My advice, get some good placements/internships and you will all do fine! MSU has a great world-wide rep that will get you in many doors.</p>
<p>S may have made a biiiiig mistake!... seriously, though, I'm sure he'll do well where ever he goes... your comments pretty much say it all about Michigan State; not really much to add. You've got high-quality academics, the facilities and the programs to give you (the student) space to grow while learning -- a lot more undergrad/prof 1-on-1 opportunities than the bulk of similarly sized/focused AAU Universities... an unbeatable combination.</p>