<p>Hello all, I am a 20 year old student currently attending Ivy Tech. After this year I will have approximately 3 years left of school. I have been conditionally accepted for transfer to Indiana University and Ball State and I am really looking for opinions from others on both(or one) of these schools. I am unsure of my intended major at this point, but I am thinking something in T-Com, or Business. I also have Education or Bio in the back of my mind, but those are much less likely. From what I understand Ball State is stronger in T-com where as IU is stronger in Business, so that's kind of a wash. </p>
<p>I've visited both of the campuses and my general impressions were that the campuses themselves were nice except for Ball State is in kind of a dump of a town where as the whole Bloomington area seemed rather pleasant. During my visit to BSU it didn't seem like parking was a huge issue. When i went to IU the guide was telling my how horrible parking conditions are, and how you are probably better off leaving your car at home. I've also heard that BSU is much more focused on fraternities than IU is. I myself am not a big party person. I drink occasionally, but I'm not really interested in getting wasted every night. So that's basically where i'm at, and what I know, or think I know of the colleges. Please correct me if I'm wrong in anything that i said. </p>
<p>So what do you guys think, and what is your analysis of each of these schools, and where do you think I might best fit in and accomplish my goals? Thanks so much.</p>
<p>Overall your impressions are fairly correct except for the party issue - I don't think IU is any less of a party school than Ball State and that is across the board whether you live in a fraternity or not. The business school at Ball State would be easier to get into than Kelley if that's an issue. Parking is more of an issue for freshman at IU than upperclassmen.</p>
<p>dustin--I'm an IU alum, parent of a future IU student, and, of course, a huge fan of the university. Having said that, I would choose Ball State if I were you. It does have a great T-com program, probably better than IU's for hands on experience. David Letterman has donated millions of dollars to the program over the years which have really helped it. Would it be possible to major in telecom and minor in business. Lots of the students here on the IU forum are business majors so sometimes can fail to see there are other very good options. </p>
<p>For many years Ball State was known as the "teacher college" in Indiana. I don't think it has the reputation anymore, but from what I've seen in the course catalog, the education program is impressive. </p>
<p>In researching schools with daughter over the past year, I've been impressed by the changes at Ball State since I looked at many years ago as a high school senior. There seems to be a focus on hands on experience in many programs which is great. I previously thought of Ball State as a lesser option in Indiana-no longer. I personally think we're seeing the emergence of a third great state university here. Best Wishes.</p>
<p>Thanks rahh, that was very helpful. I think I'm gonna give it about a week or so before really deciding so if anyone else has thoughts about either of these schools, why you liked, or didn't like one please, please, please help me out and share your thoughts =)</p>
<p>Well, I think it kind of depends upon how sure you are that you want to go into telecommunications vs. business (after all, this is probably the key question), and I also think it depends upon where you currently live--after all, if you can save a lot of money at one or the other, then do so.</p>
<p>Other than this, it all comes down to "fit"--which one feels "right" to you--and where do you think you would be most comfortable--after all, you will be spending three years there, so you want to make sure you pick the one that feels like your new home.</p>