<p>Can anyone suggest some good matches? Ones that I'd stand a chance in?
My criteria:
-big college
-decent college town
-decent academics(going into business)
-things to do in campus (ECs, sports, clubs...)
-east coast
-great social environment/atmosphere</p>
<p>seems like you are making "the college town experience" a greater priority than the actual academic qualities of a particular university. interesting.</p>
<p>"I do understand that there are bilinguals in Montreal, but the French language just doesn't mesmerize me as it does to some (my english teacher in grade school). I don't want to be immersed in the language any more than I have been."</p>
<p>You say "there are bilinguals" in Montreal like they're a small minority...MOST people in Montreal are functionally bilingual, and you probably will not even interact with the ones that aren't because they live in the East End and you would have no reason to go out there.</p>
<p>And you would not be "immersed" in French because it's largely your choice as to how much French you want to use. If someone starts to talk to you in French, you can say something in English and they'll switch to suit you.</p>
<p>Also, you do of course realize that there are no good big East Coast schools in good college towns with lots of stuff to do on campus. There're a bunch of contradictions there.</p>
<p>There are plenty of good East Coast schools in good college towns with lots of stuff to do on/around campus (Harvard and Georgetown come to mind) but neither is "big."</p>
<p>becky: Well, my point is that people just throw out OSU instead of OU because they sound the same and are in the same state. You could just as easily suggest any of the Big 10 schools. They are completely different schools and completely different environments. OSU and Toronto are very large schools. (My sister graduated from U Toronto.) We have researched OU and it is a much more intimate feeling school than OSU (or, I imagine, any of the Big 10 universities). It depends what you are looking for.</p>
<p>OU has 16,000 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate students on a 1700-acre campus in a town that lives and breathes college. About 40% live on campus, most of the rest live literally within walking distance.</p>
<p>OSU has 31,000 undergraduates and 9,500 graduate students on a 3400-acre urban campus in the capital of Ohio with about 22% living on campus. </p>
<p>Toronto has 31,000 undergraduates and 14,000 graduate students on a 688-acre urban campus with 20% living on campus.</p>
<p>Virtually all of the Big 10 universities have great college towns, decent academics, lots to do on campus, and strong social scenes. I'd suggest you buy or borrow a big college guide book (Fiske or Barrons) and sleuth out some information. Also consider subscribing to the US News premium online college site (costs $15). There is a lot of information on there about how much money the various schools dole out. </p>
<p>OU does have some major scholarships for out of state kids with high SAT/ACT scores. They may be a factor for you, I don't know.</p>
<p>Personally, I love Canada and wouldn't mind living there at all. That said, I can see why you might be ready to move somewhere else. That is a normal part of growing up. I live in New York State, and I like it, but if I were choosing a college, I'd be looking to get out of the NY/NJ area for sure.</p>
<p>Yes. The entire college experience does really matter to me, as with the academics of the school. I'm here because I need some pointers as to what schools might be a good match. Sometimes searching through the university websites just isnt enough.</p>
<p>I may be wrong about what Montreal/McGill is really like okay? Going off to Quebec has never crossed my mind and the bottom line is that I just don't want to go there. It was a great place to visit, but it's not where I'd like to spend my post secondary years. I'm sorry if I've been ignorant about it.</p>
<p>And no, I didnt realize that there are no big east coast schools with lots of stuff to do. This is all still new to me! Are there any that match part of my criteria?</p>
<p>I'm really ready for a change.. but I don't think my friends really understand it at all. That's probably cause they haven't really thought about universities yet, don't need to until next year. I'm sad about leaving, but also really excited about it. I generally love change and adapt pretty good to it.</p>
<p>OU sounds pretty awesome. dO you guys have any thoughts on any of these: Indiana U, UMichigan, USCarolina and Pennstate? OH and what are the big 10s? I googled it but a lot of sports websites came up..</p>
<p>Thanks for the input everyone!</p>
<p>yeah I'm also wondering, what are the "Big 10s"?</p>
<p>The usual saying is the "Top-25" referring to the most elite colleges in the U.S.</p>
<p>Indiana
Michigan State
Northwestern
Ohio State
Penn State
Purdue
Illinois
Iowa
U Michigan
Minnesota
Wisconsin </p>
<p>(There are actually 11.)</p>
<p>Jimmy--It's an athletic conference, has nothing to do with academic quality or reputation.</p>
<p>I think you should add MSU to your list.</p>
<p>Although it's not as prestegious as UMichigan, it's still a great school. Either way, you said you weren't looking for prestige anyway.
I've been there plenty of times and I love the campus, there's a lot of cool shops and restaurants right across campus.
'Tis a bit of a party school though, much more than Michigan in my opinion.</p>
<p>Thanks! I'll keep MSU in mind for sure. I've actually taken a look at it.</p>
<p>Now if only I could visit some of these campuses..</p>