CMU newspaper - good school, bad school?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

<p>When i visited CMU over the April break, I picked up a CMU newspaper, read it, and noticed a whole section on complaints about CMU voiced by the students themselves -- from bad administrators to horrible food, overly geeky kids to obnoxious and arrogant jocks, horrible workloads and inadequate recreation...... I had always wanted to go to CMU, but after reading the school's newspaper, I had a weird feeling in my stomach about CMU -- I still plan on applying, but it might take another look at the school to really want me to go there :-&lt;/p>

<p>Any opinions?</p>

2

<p>Do you imagine that other schools don't have the same kind of complaints? Perhaps one condition for being a "good school" is having the liberty of airing your views. Of course a better school might focus on correcting the complaints, but frankly, I don't think there's an institution on earth where the people who make it up don't complain about it when they get together even if they have to whisper to do it.</p>

3

<p>Alot of how you view the complaints depends upon how thick-skinned you are. Some people, like my son, are very centered and relatively unaffected by externals. My daughter, OTOH, is acutely sensitive to peripheral people and experiences, and they would be a significant consideration for her.</p>

4

<p>You could find the same complaints in any other college newspaper from day to day. Somebody's always unhappy with something.</p>

5

<p>MattyB</p>

<p>Do you still have a copy? Each April to correspond with Carnival Weekend the weekly Tartan puts out a spoof issue, called the Natrat (Tartan backwards). Spring break is also in April so there are no more than 3 issues for that month. So there is a decent chance you read that edition. I've been reading the Tartan for 5 years and have never read anything like what you report. The Natrat looks just like a regular edition of the Tartan so it would be hard for a non CMU person to tell which is which.</p>

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<p>i'm almost positive it was the Tartan -- and the section I read was "Thisthles and Thorns..." if that sounds familiar -- it just left a weird tinge of unhappiness amongst the student body --- not petty things like, the food is bad -- but stuff like, "I give a thorn to our President for never being here on campus and diverting all of the funds in order to build up an endowment, taking more money away from us etc." -- I know every school has its pros and cons, but it just seemed like a sense of general uneasiness at CMU -- just an opinion....</p>

7

<p>Just found it:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.thetartan.org/forum/2005/04/25/ThistleandThorns%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.thetartan.org/forum/2005/04/25/ThistleandThorns&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I'd be disappointed to expect the editorial board of a college newspaper to be anything less than cynical. I think they awarded plenty of thistles, btw. [For the record, Pres. Cohon (what's wrong with trying to beef up the endowment?) has gotten mostly high marks; he was top choice for U of Penn presidency last year but declined to be considered to stay at CMU].</p>

8

<p>Tartan has been in trouble a few times for their audacity, poor taste, rudeness,etc. All hallmarks of a college newpaper.</p>

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<p>I would say that if it makes you uncomfortable, then think about looking at other schools. I came to CMU knowing very little about it - and have been continually shocked by the undercurrents of bitterness that pervade much of the student body. (However, I am also from the Midwest - so this may be just be an issue with my reaction to certain cultural norms). Also, the Natrat wasn't published this year due to some extremely adverse reactions to LAST year's edition.</p>

10

<p>I would say that the article accurately represents how my son describes the attitude of many in the student body at CMU...in fact I believe his entire dorm bonded over the things they didn't like at CMU.</p>

<p>I haven't been "in college" for several decades but I don't remember it being quite so negative when I was there.</p>

<p>While my son is planning to continue at CMU (he's now a sophomore)...he still cannot say that he thinks its a very pleasant or well-run place....he has, however, met a lot of great friends and seems to be finding a way to make it work for him (which includes looking forward to spending his junior year abroad).</p>

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<p>Is this the general consensus about CMU? Would one not typically enjoy it socially and enviorment-wise? Or are these reports simply isolated and atypical?</p>

12

<p>I must say, the programs at Carnegie Mellon are incredible. The percentage of students who go on to their desired field is amazing and is definitely up there with some of the best schools in the nation.</p>

<p>However, when I visited the campus (and this is my opinion that I'm entitled to and if you don't like it don't read it), I felt very depressed. The buildings weren't very pretty to look at and the students seemed very... blah. I just got a sense of monotony and a feeling of "Wake up at 7, go to class, eat lunch, go to class, eat dinner, go to my dorm, go to sleep...wake up at 7..." This is just the sense I got - the parking was awful, food wasn't anything special, like I said, the buildings were kinda ehh, and the city of Pittsburgh wasn't anything to write home about. Personally, I wish I could move the program of Carnegie Mellon into nicer buildings into the city of NY, and I think I may have found my perfect school.</p>

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<p>MattyB, I see where you're coming from...Yes, the atmosphere is not incredibly exciting...the campus isn't "beautiful," and the place isn't as bustling as Lincoln Center. But, since I know you want to be a drama major, did you even venture inside of the drama school? Since, in all truthfulness, that is where you will be spending 95% of your on-campus time, think about the atmosphere in the Purnell Center. Perhaps you didn't find it appealing, but I found the atmosphere inside of the Drama School exhilarating! All of the drama kids hang out together between classes there, or outside of the building, they eat lunch there...there is activity from 9am until 10:30pm! Of course, its just my opinion!!</p>

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<p>Hi MattyB,
I don't really personally know alot about the student experience at CMU. (I must admit that my son wanted to go there, but they did not give enough financial aid to make that possible.) I have had some friends whose kids loved it and some hated it. Maybe if the drama students have their own supportive culture, it would be awesome. But, the point I wanted to make is that you should visit again, because sometimes that feeling in the pit of your stomach is not random. Sometimes it is the sum of alot of unconscious input. Another trip would be well worth it. Good luck!</p>

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<p>MattyB-</p>

<p>If you want to be a drama major, (acting) then CMU is a very good place to go, IF you are very passionate about your art and you want to concentrate on your training. My S will start his junior year in the fall, (acting major). He is very happy at CMU. He isn't there for the atmosphere or Pittsburgh. He is there for the TRAINING. If you have questions about the CMU BFA acting program send a PM and I'll try to put you in touch with my S.</p>

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<p>Does tufts compare to cmu for engineering? I want a school that's amazing in my desired fields but also has great atmosphere and social-life, any suggestions for engineering? (EE especially)</p>

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<p>MattB, Please read my "Overview of visit to CMU," which is a sticky post found at the top of the CMU forum. </p>

<p>Yes, CMU isn't a party school. Yes, you get a lot of hard working nerd types. If you are looking for fabulous social scene, great sports, and lots of party animals with less challanging work, don't go to CMU.</p>

<p>However, if you are looking for a top flight education, top kids, great faculty, and great job success (compared to other schools), go here.</p>

<p>I have read a lot of forums. I have found that the disgruntled post a lot more than those that are happy with their situation. I interviewed a lot of kids, and most were quite happy with the education that they were getting at CMU.</p>

<p>As my overview notes, there are problems,but I can't imagine a much better place for many majors such as drama.</p>

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<p>My D loves CMU!!! She reports "partying" but usually in response to a "problem set." She says you can't beat the education. She is learning some "amazing" stuff as she claims and has made many, many friends. If you are open, forthcoming, and spirited, you will find you can get much out of the CMU campus life. In addition, she has developed a love for INDIAN food!!! and has been exposed to many differing cultural experiences! GREAT School!!!</p>

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<p>Woohoo for INDIAN food!! I'm INDIAN!! I want to go to CMU!!</p>

<p>Haha. CMU is a great school, but uniquie to each individual. Its one of those things that you only know if you belong there or not when you visit it. So go there and if you enjoy it immediately its a perfect fit. If your mind questions the unorthodoxity of the campus environment , it was not meant to be.</p>

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<p>The Tartan: For the 2nd year, the online edition of The Tartan was a bust in the second semester. It is the student newspaper and independent from the school. I personally find more information about CMU from CMU's online newsletters and publicity annoucements. </p>

<p>Our S enjoys the FRINGE buggy club, he's in ME, finished junior year, (Google, CMU FRINGE.) I hope that this club can give you an idea of the Spring activity. There are a lot of bright kids at this school and from what our kid tells us, humble too.</p>

<p>CMU-Pittsburgh is not NYC, Chicago, Boston, SF. It is S-A-F-E. It does have a great Dino and museum, a hugh part adjacent with ice rink, golf course, greenhouse, and the home of the BUGGY RACE. Pittsburgh Symphony, and the home of Mr. Rogers. CMU bears the name of Carnegie, eats coal and iron, shoots steel, and leaves alot of $$. (BTW-USNW and this Forum derives its ranking from the Carnegie Endowment for Education)</p>

<p>Hi sgiovinc1: Open letter. I'm trying to wean myself off this forum. I see, that your D has made it thru 1st year and had a great time. Becareful of the "nam. " Its made with real butter and the rest cooked in the stuff. There is a cholestrol history in my family, so he's been banned by his mother to frequent the place. (Primary reason for his Frosh 15.) It also could mean that you D is eating her supper real late. We discovered that S ate, Indian, because it was the only place open after 10.</p>

<p>S made it Boston for a week after finals. Stayed with neighbor who's attending BU and helped another HS classmate (also BU) move off campus. Discovered that friend's classmate from the DC area went to the same HS as one of his ME classmates. (lesson: networking) It's not cheap in Boston! Glad CMU has 4 year, guaranteed student housing. He cased out H's and MIT's campus's (campii ?) and surrounding environs for possible move for getting masters. He then China bus'd to NYC for a few hours before heading to Kennedy on JetBlue to PDX. Didn't stay in NYC, although he wanted to, but his uncle in China and cousin's hubby, sister went home to Costa Rica. He's home for the summer on internship, at the document company who is looking for alot of talented people at all their locations. </p>

<p>If you got student loans, only got 30 days to apply for a consolidation.</p>