<p>For those wanting a smaller, still excellent Public:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>College of William and Mary ( would be my #1 choice outside CA) USNWR #thirty something. I think its the 2nd oldeest continually operating college in the U.S.</p></li>
<li><p>Miami University of Ohio</p></li>
<li><p>Honors Program at Maryland, Mich. st., or a number of middling publics.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>
As an appropriately hot topic, I’d say that people SHOULD have debated it. And if any discussions ocurred for more than a week, it was largely in part because of new developments such as the Berkeley City Council backing down from the extremely “poor wording” of its incendiary resolution.</p>
<p>
Really? I’d like to hear what kind of discussions it was cited in when it wasn’t relevant. Was it used when people were debating abortion? Creation vs. evolution? The daily weather? The only times I heard about the topic was when people were debating within the context of “that crazy city of Berkeley is at it again…”</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>If Californians have an “air” about them, Texans are just full of something else. All your obnoxious Texan flags, ridiculous pride in being from the great nation (yes, I said "nation) of Texas, and obsession over over-sized belt buckles and under-sized jeans for the males… pot calling the kettle black.
(Ok, the last one was a cheap shot – but it was funny) :)</p>
<p>We all have our faults.</p>
<p>Both of you are guilty of stereotypes 
Universities in Texas tend to be much more much more liberal and less “something else” than the rest of the state. And I have family in California who are the sweetest people you’ll ever meet (although I will concede that the cousin does own a real Gucchi bag).</p>
<p>Is it all the universities in Texas? I’ve only heard about the city of Austin being pretty liberal.</p>
<p>Nice stereotypes about California and Texas - the two most populous states in the country. Both states have millions of people including significant international populations. It’s impossible to generalize either state! 90+% in-state students at public schools in either state translates to more diversity than almost all other public universities in other states.</p>
<p>Agree that William & Mary is a unique public school. Was private for 200 yrs and then after the Civil War turned to the state for financial help. As far as atmosphere and academics it is public in price only. Undergrad focus is much more LAC-type than other public U’s. Haverford/Davidson/Dartmouth/Georgetown at a 33%-50% tuition discount.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Believe me: this isn’t the sort of health re-hashing-issues kind of debate. It was beaten to death like AA was long beaten to death on these forums. No new info. Just people challenging the same principles, people making the same arguments, etc. ad nauseum.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Example: a person deciding between Berkeley and UCLA, and the UCLA cheerleaders come along, bash Berkeley, and then the whole Code Pink thing is brought in. Debate ensues. Nobody learns anything. Person is not closer to choosing. Readers are dumber.</p>
<p>Rinse and repeat.</p>
<p>
I’d rather think for myself, thank you :)<br>
I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree on this topic. You feel it was both an overblown situation and unhealthy rehash while I (obviously) believe it was more on the “legitimate” end of the spectrum.</p>
<p>
Well, perhaps you give readers less credit than I do. I found some of the posts, positions, arguments – especially some of the convoluted rationales by otherwise intelligent people behind the arguments – to be a source of amusement rather than misinformation that misleads the reader. Besides, if one can’t distinguish between a factual statement and good-natured jab/dig (much like the Californians vs. Texans banter)… well, I can’t help you out there.</p>
<ol>
<li>UMich (dream school)
2a. UWisc-Madison
2b. UIUC</li>
<li>UT-Austin</li>
<li>UVA</li>
<li>UCB</li>
</ol>
<p>My top 5 (or 6).</p>