<p>I was offered a University Distinguished Scholarship (includes tuition, room and board and $1000 per year for expenses---I was honestly shocked). MSU is the last school on my list but I'd feel pretty guilty turning this down, especially considering my parents' financial status after the stock market crash :(.</p>
<p>So basically I'd like to be convinced to choose MSU. Thank you :)</p>
<p>Congratulations, Cinnamon that is quite an honor to get such a package from MSU! </p>
<p>Could you please explain what this scholarship is about? I thought these full rides were awarded after the ADS Weekends, which are in February. Did you have to apply for this, and how did it come about? Thanks.</p>
<p>I'm hoping for as much info as possible too. Kid #1 was admitted to the law school, and kid #3 (H.S. Jr) claims to love the campus. Right now it looks like I might have two kids there. </p>
<p>Why should kid #3 choose OOS MSU instead of in-state PSU (aside from football)?</p>
<p>No I didn't apply for it. The Honors College people called me a few weeks ago and did an over-the-phone interview. I wasn't planning on going to the ADS weekend mainly because MSU isn't one of my top choices. They asked if I was going and I said I didn't think I could make it.</p>
<p>Next thing I know, I get a letter in the mail saying I was selected to receive this scholarship. After doing some research (the letter certainly didn't offer up much information), I found that the UDS is offered to like 5 people (it seems to vary every year), and the ADS to 15. </p>
<p>For some reason, I couldn't find the UDS on MSU's scholarship page. They only talked about the ADS. So I understand your confusion :)</p>
<p>Oh thats wonderful, cinnamon! Son also had that over the phone interview...but he said they asked "pretty much impossible" questions about all his leadership (which were minimal), so he wasn't expecting much.</p>
<p>He's hoping for the ADS Scholarship now.</p>
<p>From what I understand Cinnamon, MSU has a terrific honors program, and they treat their honors kids really great. The professorial assistantship program, as well as their study aboad program is top notch. From those 2 programs, you should get great experience and great contacts.</p>
<p>Well this is a loaded question :) I am an out-of-state student (1st year) and I am also in the honors college (went to ADS weekend but didn't get anything :P). MSU wasn't my top choice either at first, but there were numerous factors that convinced me that this was the place I should go to school. First of all, I got sufficient money (obviously this would be the same case for you. Through honors college scholarships MSU was the most affordable option for me out-of-state). </p>
<p>As far as academics, MSU enticed me because I was a prospective international relations major and had learned about James madison college, one of MSU's 3 residential colleges (there is also lyman briggs, for science/math majors and Residential college for the arts/humanities). James madison college offered a more challenging, intensive program than a degree at just the general college of social sciences. The classes are way smaller than average and the professors are excellent. The residential college aspect means that you will be living in the dorms with the rest of the 1st year students in your college. The classes that pertain to your major are in the dorm you live in (convenience), the professor's offices are in the same dorm, and there definitely is a sense of community within the larger university (with activities organized for those in the residential college). Depending on your prospective major you may or may not want to look into a residential college (the business college, hospitality business, pre-vet, journalism programs also stand-out as separate from the residential college). But just keep in mind that the residential colleges are a big attracting factor of MSU. Another great aspect of MSU is its study abroad programs-essentially we have the biggest/arguably the best study abroad options in the country. There is even a study abroad program in Antarctica if you are so inclined. </p>
<p>As far as being part of the honors college, you have the option to take on a professorial assistantship (paid research with a professor in the field of your choice). Not just that, you have You have more lenient standard requirements, you get first choice when picking classes, the professors are great on average, and is another community-within-the-university that you could be a part of. </p>
<p>Other appeals of MSU; school spirit. I have no idea if you have visited, but MSU students have a great pride in their school and its athletics. The campus is gorgeous, the students are friendly, laid-back and while it may not be a deciding factor in making your school decision if you have not visited YOU MUST before making it your final choice. If "social life" aka parties are a priority to you, MSU definitely has a huge party scene but if you don't care for that type of stuff there are zillions of activities you can do (including hundreds of clubs/organizations you can join, there's even stuff like underwater hockey or fencing or coffee club etc). </p>
<p>Obviously MSU isn't for anyone but among the majority of students that I talked to, even those in which MSU was their absolute last choice are having a blast in college. Good luck with your decision</p>
<p>Thank you so much, fa-la-la-lena! That was very comprehensive! And yes, actually the honors college people mentioned Antarctica to me and it is definitely a mark in favor of MSU :)</p>
<p>I'd like to know more about these residential colleges (I'd end up in Lyman Briggs if I opted for this). Ok, this might be a tricky question but are the kids there like super-nerds who have no life outside of academics (math/science kids have a greater tendency toward this behavior than say journalists) or are they relatively cool and just really like their chosen major?</p>
<p>cinnamon...</p>
<p>If you have a facebook, you should join the facebook group "Accepted: Michigan State University Class of 2013". Lot's of people are in the group and constantly talk about all the great things MSU has to offer. Also, there is a discussion board going on about Lyman Briggs that you might find interesting (most of them don't seems to be nerds!! haha) Good luck with your decision making :)</p>
<p>There is a stereotype that lyman briggs college students are "nerds that stay in all the time" (just like the stereotype that james madison students are conceited), but trust me, these stereotypes really aren't true for the large majority of students. I haven't met too many but for the most part they are just as outgoing as everyone else. It's MSU--study hard, party harder even for lyman briggs students. There aren't too many super-nerds period, but I'd say that many MSU students are relatively smart and are capable of socializing well.</p>