Looking for opinions on these lesser-known schools, especially 3 in Indianapolis

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am looking for opinions on any of these lesser known schools--they seem to be a fit for my D in terms of size, curriculum and admission requirements. Especially looking for opinions on the school's 'personality' or vibe.</p>

<p>She would like a school that is small to med size--smaller classes, profs get to know students--no TA's or mega classes
Stuff to do on weekends--from out of state at all of these schools
Students have in interest in things like community service--not an excessive 'party/drinking school)
Decent dorms and food</p>

<p>List so far is..
Butler (IN)
University of Indianapolis (IN)
IUPUI (IN)
Trine (IN) formerly Tri-State
University of Southern Indiana<br>
Northwest Missouri
U of Dayton
Robert Morris, PA
Monmouth, NJ
Flagler College, FL
Bowling Green, OH</p>

2

<p>It would help to know a little more of your daughter’s interests.
To start off, I’d warn against USI: it’s very much a commuter campus.</p>

<p>Trine is a decent school for engineers. I am personally a big fan of Flagler; my cousin went there and loved it. I have known a few people at Butler and IUPUI; none were particularly high or low on the schools. My uncle went to Bowling Green (this was back in the 70s though) and really enjoyed it and went on to U Chicago grad school. Can’t say much about the rest.</p>

3

<p>U of Dayton has a great atmosphere and a great reputation. That would be my first pick from your list.</p>

<p>Otherwise, Butler is good, IUPUI is more commuter/techy-ish, Trine and U Indy lack reputation, the dorms/food/campus suck at BG (after spending a week there for Buckeye Boys State, I knew what a campus should NOT have).</p>

<p>We have someone from my school applying for U Souther Indiana, very smart and would go for a sports scholarship. So, they are probably a good school and good atmosphere.</p>

<p>Can’t speak for the others.</p>

4

<p>Here are some gut reactions from an Indiana native.</p>

<p>University of Indianapolis–I’ve always had the feeling that it is very much a commuter and vocational school. Didn’t Miss America go to Univ of Indianapolis?</p>

<p>IUPUI–One big advantage to IUPUI is that one can take Purdue or IU courses. While it is also primarily a commuter school, there are dorms and an actual campus. The IU Medical School is nearby. I’ve been told by an acquaintance that went to IU-Bloomington and IUPUI that the business school experience is actually better in Indianapolis. Of course that’s just one person. He did explain though that IUPUI offers more “real world” type experience. We know more and more instate kids considering IUPUI</p>

<p>Butler–VERY well respected in Indiana and midwest. This was probably my D’s second choice. Nice compact campus in a lovely area of Indianapolis–not too far from downtown, but not walkable. There will be plenty for students to do on campus. When D interviewed for scholarships I felt like the professors would know their students, etc. Students also get lots of real world experience. It was actually pretty hard for me to have her turn them down as there were a lot of things I liked for her about the school. She did not go because she “heard” it is kind of preppy. I really didn’t see evidence of that though. It just felt like a bunch of friendly midwestern kids. She does have a very non preppy high school acquaintance there now, but she hasn’t heard anything from her since college started. </p>

<p>University of Dayton–we toured here. When D was thinking about smaller schools this on her list. Of the fours schools mentioned here that I have an opinion about, I think this best fits your description. As a Catholic school community service is important. The school doesn’t push religion down one’s throat though. U of D purchased all of the houses around campus over the years and have converted them into student apartments for upperclassmen. We felt like she would know her profs. I recall some shops and restaurants near campus. I did wish though that the school was not in Dayton. The campus was in a fine area, but overall I was not impressed with the city. Maybe we were just there on a bad weekend, but at 6:00 on a Friday evening in the summer the downtown area seemed deserted. </p>

<p>Trine–despite being in IN I don’t know a lot about it. I do recall they have engineering as brewerfan mentioned. I suspect it gets less recognition in IN because we have two other very well known engineering schools. </p>

<p>Univ of S. Indiana.–again, not much knowledge. I actually didn’t realize it is a public college.</p>

5

<p>Hi Star2008 -
Butler - pretty campus, friendly students. Good Physician’s Assistant program. 10 minutes north of downtown Indy, 10 minutes south of Broadripple (a neighborhood with shops, restaurants, and bars), 3 minutes from the Ind. Museum of Art, very nice neighborhood to the east (large, old, charming million dollar homes), not-so-great area to the south.</p>

<p>U of Indianapolis - pretty campus, surrounded by working class neighborhood. Again, friendly students. Good rep for physical therapy, but that’s grad school. Decent music program</p>

<p>IUPUI - commuter feel, although they have increased housing (I think). You end up with a degree either from Purdue or IU, depending on your major. Reputation is building. Campus is 5 minutes from the center of downtown Indy. Parking is a hassle. Attracts a lot of older students returning to school. Offer evening classes, online classes, etc. </p>

<p>I don’t have experience with U of Dayton, but I keep hearing about it from people whose kids are interested. I know one kid there who loves it - friendly, school spirit, etc. Catholic and not a lot of diversity from white suburban kids from what I hear.</p>

6

<p>We’ve toured Butler, Dayon and Bowling Green. Loved Dayton, liked Butler, and hated Bowling Green. Everyone was super-friendly at Dayton and it seemed a little more laid back than Butler. Butler’s campus seemed smaller and the academics may be a little more competitive. Bowling Green seemed like a large, commuter-type campus. BGSU is known for it’s education dept.</p>

7

<p>Bowling Green is a nasty place, dormsare falling apart. My sister stayed there for a few nights and hated it. USI is a commuter school, according to a friend of mine who went there.</p>

8

<p>Echo what others have said about Butler. It’s a thumbs up - don’t know anything about the dorms there though.</p>

<p>I know a couple of students who go to Trine - one engineering, one business. Both love it. Their parents love the school. LOTS of individual attention. Good scholarships for competitive students. Both are in the Honors program (though don’t think honors = much extra there) and have reaped the benefits of new, excellent housing since freshman year (they are juniors). We did visit - campus it VERY small IMO. </p>

<p>BGSU is just down the road from me. My son has applied as a safety, but have to say it’s the school he is least excited about. I would have to say that some of their educational programs are noted to be excellent (teacher ed as mentioned, theater, etc) but honestly I think it’s the campus, dorms, general reputation that is kind of “whatever”. I feel bad saying that since it is a local school.</p>

9

<p>Sorry that I didn’t post more earlier, but I was in a hurry.</p>

<p>Anyways, I would first suggest for U Dayton that you refer to this thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-dayton/809311-dayton-alumnus-taking-questions.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-dayton/809311-dayton-alumnus-taking-questions.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Also, I forgot to expand more on why U Dayton is such a great school. Honestly, Princeton Review pretty well tags what U Dayton is really like. It is a little outpost of midwestern friendliness, where people hold doors open for one another and really care about helping others and the world around them. Dayton is a rust-belt city, but it still has some awesome spots like the Oregon District, Brown Street, Webster Station (with the Dayton Dragons, a minor league team that has been sold out every year since its creation 9 years ago and holds the distinction of having “The Hottest Tickets In Baseball”), and the old-money Oakwood directly south of campus, which contains “The World’s Best Grocery Store” (Yes, it recently recieved an award for this :))</p>

<p>Dayton B-Ball, and its atmosphere, is awesome. On par with that of much larger schools.</p>

<p>UD has great research opportunities through UDRI, making UD the leading Catholic research institution that is not Notre Dame. The university is also very actively involved in the revitalization of its home city, recently ranked second most involved in its surrounding community out of all universities in the nation. This is mainly due to UD’s extensive focus on service.</p>

<p>Dayton is an especially great university for the aspiring pre-professional student. Its engineering program is one of the best in the state, and it holds the distinction of containing the fourth-best entrepreneurship program in the nation, where each student majoring in Entrepreneurship must open and operate their own business. These students are also responsible for Flyer Enterprises, which operates all of UD’s shops, restraunts, cafeterias, etc., with over $5 mil. in sales each year. Business students also invest all of UD’s endowment, and come up with investment plans to grow their endowment on the market.</p>

<p>I have also found that many students that I know prefer UD to comprable state schools, like Miami of Ohio and OSU. The university also is known as one that generally offers great financial aid, making attendance affordable. Housing is also considered leaps ahead in quality of similar schools, and food to be on par.</p>

<p>Yes, I personally love Dayton (maybe way too much…). It’s awesome, and I am heavily considering attending myself next year (current senior, and yes, I live near-ish to it.)</p>

<p>Good luck with your decision!!! Feel free to PM with more questions :)</p>

10

<p>IUPUI</p>

<p>~Urban
~cutting edge technology
~Lots of action going on around campus
~Health care is a large part of the campus identity.
~Common for MD’s to mingle with undergrads students in campus center.
~Large amount of community service opportunity in Indy,
~ Very few Lecture halls at IUPUI ,so many Profs. Know your name.
~Parking sucks!!
~ Lots of new buildings,and renovations on campus,which has made the campus look really classy.</p>

<p>I would be happy meet up or talk to someone about IUPUI.</p>

11

<p>I really appreciate the responses!</p>

<p>New list… we have found out a little more info on some of the schools/scholarship opportunities and they won’t work out for her sport…and added some new ones that look promising…</p>

<p>Here’s the new list…</p>

<p>Butler (IN)
Ashland, OH
Grand Valley State, MI
University of Indianapolis (IN)
Northwest Missouri State
Monmouth, NJ
Flagler College, FL
Winthrop, SC
Oakland, MI
Niagara U, NY</p>

<p>Sadly, Dayton had to come off the list :frowning: I think it would have been a great fit!</p>

<p>After this feedback will definitely take a closer look at Butler! Anyone ever heard of Oakland in Michigan or Northwest Missouri State U? They look good on paper…but would love any feedback from someone who has been there!</p>

12

<p>Curious as to why Dayton came off the list??</p>

<p>We just toured Ashland. It’s a nice campus, but the dorm rooms were the smallest I’ve ever seen. Also, their required core is 44 hours, which meant few chances to take electives or have a minor.</p>

<p>We drove by Flagler and it is a very beautiful campus, but very small.</p>

<p>Grand Valley State is much larger than the other schools on your list, but has a great reputation and is really an up-and-coming school. You can do a search on this board to find all the positive comments.</p>

<p>Oakland strikes me as a commuter school. Someone from Detroit can correct me if I’m wrong.</p>

13

<p>Flagler = tiny, and from students there apparently it feels like high school as far as strict restrictions on dorms life (no opposite sex visits in dorms ever), curfew. Limited number of classes so if it has your major you’re in luck but otherwise not. Some facilities updated but many) of the few) are in not-so-great shape.
St. Augustine is beautiful and can be fun, but for four years? You can only walk up and down St. George’s Street so many times.
This is one you would definitely have to visit… a whole different experience to most on your list.</p>

14

<p>Thank you for the info…</p>

<p>Dayton had to come off the list bcz we found out they don’t offer scholarships in her sport and even with academic schoarships it would cost a lot more than the other schools…</p>

15

<p>University of Indianapolis a great school!!! It was my number one choice ,but unfortunately i could not afford the school once i got my award letter back. I attend IUPUI instead,and LOVED it!! </p>

<p>You must visit all the schools you are looking at to know if they are a right fit. All my favorite place to go at IUPUI were places never shown to potential students,so really explore the school you looking at.</p>

<p>Uindy is a small school with a ton of opportunities near by,and far, (Athens campus in greece!! ) UIndy is very committed to student success,and offers a nurturing environment. I highly recommend!!!
Uindy is near some shady neighborhoods ,but crime on campus is low. I know tons of people that go there,and they have had no problems. Butler university on the other side of town actually has high crime. LOL :)</p>

<p>GOOD LUCK!!!</p>