<p>How significant is the difference between 2nd tier school and a 3rd or fourth tier? Eg. A school ranked in the 25's-50's vs a school ranked in the 50's to 100's or even as far as the 150's.</p>
<p>I'm asking because I'm an independent junior transfer student with an EFC of Zero. Based on my rough college career that i'm trying to salvage, there's ALMOST no way i'm getting into the top 25%, all of which i would gladly pay for. The next 25% may be a reach but possible. Anything below that, in third or fourth tier, is likely to accept me.</p>
<p>I'm in tennessee so pretty much anything is OOS and expensive.
If i don't get accepted to any of my top choices for film or computer science is it really going to be worth it for me to spend the 40k to go to a random flagship or private ranked in the 40-80's?</p>
<p>It can be worth it. It's more about fit and aid.</p>
<p>There are some amazing schools out there in each tier. When looking at state schools, look for schools within schools or honors programs. Here are some examples of both private and public schools:</p>
<p>Pitzer (guarentees to meet need)
Beloit (guarenttees to meet need)
Lawrence (guarentees to meet need)
Earlham (meets most need)
Knox (meets most need)
The Evergreen State College (small)
Hobart & William Smith (meets most need)
Clark U (meets most need)
Goucher (meets most need)
Ohio Wesleyan (meets most neeed)
UPuget Sound (meets some need)
Lewis & Clark (meets most need)
UOregon (honors)
UIowa (honors)
Ohio State (honors)
UArizona (honors)
Michigan State (college within school)
UTennessee (honors)</p>
<p>If it's a fit, and you get the aid, then it is worth it. USNews rank is less important than the education you'll get at a school that fits.</p>
<p>What exactly constitutes a fit? If this has already been covered, you can just point me to it, but the stickies on this forum are lacking. :( </p>
<p>For example, a state univ near nashville has millions of dollars in top of the line recording studio and film equipment. Yet, they are an unheard of state school. Whereas UTennessee is very limited in their media division, and i'm told their computer science is run-of-the-mill as well, but the name carries more weight.</p>
<p>btw: where is this list coming from?</p>
<p>aslo, let me copy something from another post that i think may fit better here.
"At what rank does rank stop mattering so much? Georgia Tech is ranked in the 30's, Virginia Tech in the 70's, and Tennessee Tech is so far down i don't even know the rank. But I've been there, and their engineering program is awesome. If you didn't get accepted to Ga Tech, is it really worth it to pay 25k a year for the next two years to go to Va (OOS) instead of Tn (5k, In state)? How important is that 3rd tier rank?</p>
<p>I think the top 25 universities in America are well worth the money but, below that line, where does the value become negligible?"</p>
<p>As a side thought, if better school is able to offer me a package that puts my out of pocket cost at something comparable to what i would pay locally, then i would PROBABLY consider it. I'm still worried about the quality of film facilities at any school that doesn't specialize in it.</p>
<p>There are over 3000 schools of higher education in the country. Given that statistic, going to any of the top 300 or so schools put you in the top 10%. Find a school that offers the programs and services you want at a price that you can afford. Do your best at that school and take advantage of any opportunities that come your way and you will be fine. </p>
<p>Two years ago one of the Rhodes Scholars was from University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. This is a school that is rarely mentioned on this forum. It is not particularly well known outside of the upper midwest. I don't even know if would be considered in the top 10% of schools nationwide. But the student who won the award worked very hard and made the most out of the opportunities that he had. </p>
<p>If you are good at what you do, no one is really going to care if you went to Michigan or Tennessee Tech. Don't worry so much about rankings and find a school that fits you. That is what fit is all about - finding the school that fits your own goals, desires, and personality.</p>
<p>Just some schools I know of that have been good for friends of mine...</p>
<p>The tiers, as defined by USNews, are not very important. It's about where you think you will flourish. Contributions to fit include: atmosphere, rigor, size, climate, social scene, cost, cooberative/cut throat, friendliness, adacemic program, etc...</p>
<p>Not sure that there is a line, actually. Sometimes, the lines between tier 1, 2, 3, and 4 are blurry. It depends on what is important to you. And, USNews stats weightings are questionable. </p>
<p>As for film, that is an understandable concern. Try Chapman in CA, Emerson in MA, Wesleyan U in CT, and NYU for starters. Also look for media programs at other schools. For computer science, there are many opitions including some of the schools I mentioned in my first post.</p>
<p>Yep, mtsu is the local school i'm considering. I've already got my application into UCLA and Berkeley and i definatley plan on applying to NYU. </p>
<p>If it came down to it, and i didn't get accepted to any of the good schools on my list, would it really matter if i choose MTSU over UTK? I mean, the name is better, but i don't think the education, personally, will be the same.</p>
<p>Also, does anyone know, off the top of their head, if one can apply for two different programs at a university in the same year? Eg. can i apply to UCLA's computer science, and film at the same time? That way, i can minor in the one i don't get accepted into?</p>
<p>I am not familiar with UCLA. However, at most major universities, you apply to the university to be accepted. Once you are in, you can choose what programs you want to be involved in. Sometimes you have to apply to a specific program after your freshman or sophmore year. I am guessing that you can apply to UCLA without regard to which program you are interested in. You will need to check with UCLA to know for sure. Call the admissions office and ask!</p>
<p>Rankings are really of limited use. Think of it this way, as a city Seattle is often ranked above New York, does that mean that it is a better choice for everyone than New York is? More people want to live in New York than want to live in Portland Maine, New York is more selective, so to speak, does that mean it is a better place for every one to live? Something is not BETTER just because more people want it. Looking for a place that works for you (in every way, financially, socially, etc.) is far more important than rank.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Looking for a place that works for you (in every way, financially, socially, etc.) is far more important than rank.
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I'm finally starting to see the light in this. I've done lots of soul searching to admit my weaknesses and decide which situations would strengthen them, and which would allow me to slide by. </p>
<p>i've come to understand that financial matters are much less important that i thought they were. Especially after the realization that the amount of aid provided at many private universities is, often times, more substantial than publics. I was ecstatic because it made the possibilities feel so much more tangible. </p>
<p>I think the number one most important factor i'm considering now is the general motivation of the atmosphere at the school. Misery loves company, and having a partner in crime definitely helps me strive to be better than i could alone. Teachers that recognize talent and push harder are a must also. </p>
<p>I guess the next thing i'm considering is the fact that i am more well rounded, than concentrated in science. I'm pretty sure i would go insane without a good liberal arts program as an outlet to balance out the math and science i'll have to endure.</p>