Did I make a mistake in choosing MSU over UMN-Twin Cities?

<p>I got into MSU's honors program but not into UMN's. My sat score is around 2150. I finally chose MSU but I am wondering if I made a mistake. I will be majoring in the sciences so maybe Minnesota will offer more prospects in terms of job opportunities, especially since Michigan is the second most depressed state in the USA. What do you think?</p>

<p>I don’t think I would say that you made a “mistake,” because MSU is a fine school, and I don’t know anything about your financial situation. But if I were you, I would have chosen UMN hands down. However, that’s partially based on what I want out of a college setting/campus, so it’s completely biased. UMN and MSU are similarly ranked nationally speaking (UMN: 61, MSU: 71), but I believe UMN is much better in the sciences, generally speaking. Another reason I would choose UMN is that it’s growing in terms of reputation and popularity… they had the largest number of freshman apply in their history this year (along with their lowest acceptance rate) at 33,000. Also, UMN just built an awesome, brand new football stadium on the edge of campus. Granted, that is a stupid reason to choose a college unless you’re a football player, but I think it will help give a big boost to UMN’s campus life and national attention. Finally, I would choose UMN over MSU because it’s in the heart of Minneapolis, which knocks any Michigan city out of the park, IMO. </p>

<p>But that is coming from a likely UMN student next year, and I admit that my assessment is slanted. So in an attempt to try and un-slant things, if I were you, I would go wherever you feel “fits” better and/or wherever is cheaper. Good luck!</p>

<p>since u will never know the opportunity cost of choosing one school instead of another,
u can’t say it is right or wrong.
although Michigan is depressed, Detroit is going down, my friends in UMich tells me that their school is still like the old time~~so don’t have to worry a lot.</p>

<p>By saying “depress”, do you guys mean that Michigan is among those states that are suffering from the economic crisis most?</p>

<p>Hey sparkly,</p>

<p>I know what you mean. It was like a constant train of thought similar to “what if?”. What if I chose school A (most notably in my case UW-Madison or Boston U) over UMN? Would my chances at a job differ? Would I be happier? One thing that helps me get over this “buyers remorse” is looking ahead to this fall at where I WILL be attending and how amazing I know it will be. When I was making my choice between my two Big Ten schools I always kept hearing from people that I couldn’t go wrong either way. You just have to learn to accept it. Big Ten schools are great and as Midwesterners (if you are one haha) we are truly blessed to have such great publics. I am sure you will be happy at Mich State and by being in the Honors Program you will have more oppurtunities over your peers. You just have to look at the positives of Mich State (come on Spartan basketball?! I hope Minnesota gets up there this year!).</p>

<p>So after finally getting over my own “what if-ness” the only thing that bugs me now is that I wish I would’ve broadened my schools that I applied to (Mich St. was one of those). As far as job options go for you, Minnesota will find you a job in the Twin Cities no problem, but outside of the state it gets a little ifier. Even though Michigan isn’t looking so hot, I think you wouldn’t find a hard time getting a job in say Chicago or Cleveland or other nearby major cities. You just have to try a little bit.</p>

<p>The bottom line is basically you WILL be happy with your choice in the long run. Mich State is a great school, it will get you where you want to go. The next 4 years will be some of the best of our lives and honestly you can’t go wrong with either school. Well I’m sorry for my ranting! Good luck this fall and I hope it works out for you like it should! :)</p>

<p>yes pkuann</p>

<p>pkuann, yes. Michigan is suffering deeply from this economic crisis… almost more than any other state. Detroit, especially, is dying. It is the hub of American auto manufacturing, which is in deep trouble because of foreign competition and other financial issues. How that state can maintain two great schools like UM-Ann Arbor and MSU is beyond me haha.</p>

<p>Edit: Oops, I see it was already answered.</p>

<p>Hi AT9, first of all, thank you for answering.
A friend of mine is going to MSU next fall semester… I start to feel worry about her, because she’s intending to hunt a job in Detroit… Pity~</p>

<p>I heard a lot of foreign friends of mine saying that they have witnessed great economic crisis in their motherland, but the situation in China appears to be a little bit different. So I guess maybe I’m not familiar with what a terrible economic crisis looks like, if I don’t witness it by my eyes.</p>

<p>By the way, I personally think that if the Michigan state government can only afford to support one university out UM-Ann Arbor and MSU, I guess it will choose the former one. I mean, it seems to be better.</p>

<p>woa, great comments! jotajota218</p>

<p>Choosing is all life about, indeed. I’d like to say that, once you have made up your mind, you should just loof forward, not back. And always thinking 'bout what will make your future bright, I mean, by working hard, insteading of remorsing “what if-ness.” </p>

<p>As for job opportunity, I do think, as a senior college student, it depends more on your personally ability, not the reputation of your university.(I mean, reputation is definitely important, but it only matters when people are considering give you an interview opportunity, but when it comes to offering you a job, it totally depends on your personal competency…)</p>

<p>By the way, somebody pls explain “Big Ten”~~!</p>

<p>Thank you~~XD</p>

<p>As i see it,u appllied to two great schools that are both on the same level(am thinking this at one point crossed your mind when applying)and lucky for you,you got accepted to both.choosing between equals is hard but like many have said before don’t look back especially now that you have already made a choice.And searching campus explorer and student review i don’t see much of a difference between the two.
Personally i now know that am gonna hate the weather at UMN but still am very excited that i’ll be attending come fall coz of the opportunities and the people :)</p>

<p>Only thing that MSU really has on UMN is its campus. The MSU campus is absolutely gorgeous.</p>

<p>Ohhh… when I saw MSU I thought Mankato State Universaity, and I was like yea… you made a mistake.</p>

<p>But never mind, Michigan State is a great school and you’ll get just as many opportunites as you would at UMN. Good Luck!</p>

<p>pkuann: The “Big 10” is just a Division I athletic conference that the U of Minnesota is a part of. It consists of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Purdue, Northwestern, Penn State, UIUC, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and MSU.</p>

<p>Hello Sparkly – Anyone with a SAT score of 2150 (approx 97th percentile?) is Honors material at any of the big 10. If UMTC did not offer you a position on their Honors program, with due respect to the U’s admission process I must say it is their loss.</p>

<p>My cousin who grew up in Detroit went to MSU and now works for IBM in NC. She had no difficulty in finding a decent job on the east coast when she graduated nearly two years ago. I think you will love MSU and their wonderful campus … and the academics. As for job opportunities after graduation, MSU is in the same league as UMTC so you will be just fine. Also remember the economy in MI (or MN) will very likely be way better in four years time. </p>

<p>I do not think you made a mistake by choosing MSU over UMTC. Good luck and tell us more about MSU on CC in fall.</p>