<p>I feel this is a false choice. While it is important to go to a big name school, several LACs have big names, such as Amherst abd Swarthmore.</p>
<p>I am not familiar with Albion, but I know many, many kids who would have the choice between Penn State and a LAC (usually Westminster, Allegheny, W&J) all on par with Albion. Some of those kids chose Penn State, some chose the LACs, and many of these kids were excellent students, preferring the life and opportunities at these smaller schools to manuevering a giant like PSU. I also know a number of Michigan State grads, and they have no problem recommending their school. It really depends on what fits you the best. I know I was overwhelmed when I visited OSU. Not where I would want to go,nor would I want to send any of my kids there. I am definitely a small school person. But my close friend has two kids at OSU and they are thriving, and she is perfectly happy with their choice there. If one of mine chose a large school, yes, I would have concerns, but it would ultimately be his decision. We did look at UMich with my son, and though it was a huge school, in his case, he would have been in a small, tight knit department which mitagated some of the size issues. I cannot see him loose in that school, however, as a general studies type major. Surprisingly, after looking at a number of schools, he felt he would prefer a large school in many ways over an ultra small school. If the school were to be very small, he felt it was important it was also well rounded in offerings and activities, which many are not.</p>
<p>Don't second guess now. I'd say you'll have a better feel after you do the overnight at Michigan State in terms of which school feels better to you - either way, you have a great choice to make and really can't go wrong with any of your choices.</p>
<p>You can go wrong if you live in Michigan and didn't apply to UM for something ridiculous like politics. Whoops, did I say that.</p>
<p>LOL Slipper! Actually I've had some friends go there and hate it..mostly the profs that try to cram certain crap down your throat. And if you don't agree..look out. Stories like that spooked me..not that thats not everywere to some degree..just seems to be so prevalent there.</p>
<p>Running, when I was at Michigan, I wrote a paper about how Affirmative Action was obsolete and useless. I was young and naive then and did not know better. But my position was well supported with Economic data and I got an A on the paper. Later on, I realized that our professor, the one that gave me an A, was one of the fathers of Affirmative Action back in the 60s and a very strong supporter of of preserving Michigan's Affirmative Action admissions policy. His name is Professor George Johnson, professor of Labor Economics. Georgeo Johnson was a typical professor at the University of Michigan. Conservative or liberal makes no difference to a Michigan professor. If you support your position with facts and logic, you will do well...otherwise, beware. </p>
<p>Your friends' experiences do not sound right. Maybe they are struggling academically and they are using that as an excuse to explain what's happening, but there is no way Michigan professors expect you to regurgitate. In fact, regurgitation will almost never get you an A at Michigan.</p>
<p>running,</p>
<p>unless your friend was in women's studies or english, I agree with Alexandre's assumption about your friends. Even on the face of it, this sounds almost laughable.</p>
<p>Having no first hand experience, I can only report what I've been told. I have also heard stories like yours. Actually, the guy that was the most ****ed off was a history major, a few years older than me. Decent student, but not stellar. Ended up graduating, going to law school, and is in Brazil.</p>