<p>Alexandre,
You actually touched on one of my pet peeves about W&M and some other schools-their histories and how the schools use that history. Sure, I like the fact that W&M is the 2nd oldest school in the US (after Harvard) and that it had such a great history with the founding fathers. But schools like W&M and any school that relies too heavily on famous alumni or historical prestige need to look forward and think about influencing the future. I like W&M and think it is an excellent state university and it's really neat that W&M has a nice history, but that plus a buck will buy 'em a cup of coffee. Maybe. </p>
<p>To me, that forward looking perspective is what makes sakky's comments above about UC Berkeley so powerful. After Stanford, UCB is the school most closely associated with Silicon Valley and that area and the technology industry will be an absolutely critical part of the US and global economies in the decades ahead. Hopefully, California won't ruin the UC system and will fund it properly so that it can continue to make important contributions to business, commerce, medicine, etc. </p>
<p>Institutional and political leadership will decide a lot of this over the next decade and whether the top group of public universities can sustain the quality to compete with many of the top privates. I am optimistic that this can happen with their graduate programs and the research efforts as most of these universities have large established infrastructures that can be leveraged for many years to come. But for undergraduate education, I am less optimistic as it seems that the money and resources are being stretched further every year.</p>
<p>$2.3 billion dollar gift by state to build and rebuild facilities....by far the most generous gift by a state to a school. SAT rising every year.... up over 90 points in 10 year span. Building a college town to attract more students..... football program projected to be a top 25 in just a few years. People in CT know it will be a top 15....its just a matter of time. UConn really is the hottest public in the country when you factor in where it was 12 years ago.</p>
<p>lol...ba$tards....I know, I know....The future may look a little shady.....but they just build one of the finest indoor training facilities in addition to a new stadium, which will surely attract top recruits. Many doubted the basketball program in the early 90's, but... well, I'm sure you know the rest.</p>
<p>UConn has been doing a fabulous job of attracting top notch students to its honors program, and a lot of these students who are not getting into the top schools in todays competitive college admissions market are choosing UConn. It is widely considered the best public in New England, being a very attractive and affordable choice for many. The difference in stats today as compared to just 10 years ago is astounding, and all figures point to further growth.</p>
<p>UVa is generally not ranked in the top 20 in either Engineering or Computer Science. However, UVa is certainly good and generally ranked in the top 40 in both.</p>
<p>*you're and no, not really. I dont let out ridiculous statements about my school that are so farfetched. UConn is a good school, but stop acting like it's a top 20...</p>
<p>Omniscient1: better review the terms of service, lest you be banned for rudeness.</p>
<p>loslobos71, I agree -- UConn is about top 20. (Even at my school in southern California, there's a big poster for the school in the counseling office -- and there are very few non-California schools advertised there.)</p>
<p>Well if we're just predicting what the US News rankings will be, then yes, I am on drugs. But if we're giving our personal opinions, then no, I am not.</p>