Public Universities

Applying to College
21

<p>Yeah, WI and maybe IL deserve to be in the first tier.</p>

22

<p>Average SAT...% in the top 10...wow.....just because UCSD accepts few kids...does not mean that the caliber is near UC-B or UCLA or UVA etc....</p>

<p>Jeez....look at the student/faculty ratio, endowment, persistence, etc....</p>

<p>Look at grad school placement. Makes it seem like some Cali kids need to hype UCSD because it would make it okay or easier tto attend without having to deal with not getting into UC-B or UCLA.</p>

<p>I think UCSD is a good school. Better than other state schools or near UC-B or UCLA....probably not.</p>

<p>Stats and USNews rankings are not the measure of qualitiy per se. Look at the reputational scores...UCSD at the same level? Think not.</p>

<p>Again, just an opinion.</p>

23

<p>Rutgers is equivalent as all of those second tier schools you listed... except for MAYBE washington (and is most certainly better than the 3rd tier ones you listed)</p>

24

<p>In my opinion (not in order)</p>

<p>Top: WM, UNC, Michigan, UCB, UCLA, Wisconsin, UCSD
2nd: Texas<em>, Washington, Illinois</em>, Ga Tech*, PSU, SUNY-Bing</p>

<p>I don't know enough to continue, although there for undergrad, OSU should be third tier. They have some somewhat "top" programs like business and have increased admissions, but to group it with schools like TX and IL is a bit of a reach. I'd put it in a third tier with Indiana, Miami of Ohio, Florida, etc</p>

<ul>
<li>= might be tops, IS tops in several fields (McCombs, U of I eng. and same with Ga Tech)</li>
</ul>

25

<p>SUNY-Bing 2nd tier? what</p>

26

<p>everybody is just trying to rank the school they attend/attended/going to attend higher to try and make themselves feel better. it's kinda sad.</p>

<p>personally i think washington is in tier 0 its so good it gets its own tier above all others!</p>

27

<p>I agree with Texas being tier 1 :)</p>

28

<p>Uconn average SAT score for students accepted was 1240, so I think UConn is DEFINITELY above third tier.</p>

29

<p>This really is beginning to confuse me, as I (OOS, out of country actually)'m trying to choose between, UIUC, UVA, Texas (Austin), CMU and Michigan for undergraduate (non-computer) engineering. I'd like to combine engineering with a liberal arts honors program over 4 years, and I note that there is something called Plan II in Austin. Any thoughts anyone?</p>

30

<p>"it's kinda sad."</p>

<p>It's glorious</p>

31

<p>i agree, SD is not a UCB or UCLA but it's close. what i'm saying is the dropoff isn't really that much. i wish i got into UCB..(sorry random tangent)</p>

32

<p>Why are you guys arguing over something which is obviously slanted by your own opinions and not an objective ranking?</p>

33

<p>hey ksanders...if you don't like it then leave...</p>

34

<p>ksand:</p>

<p>To answer your question, the reason I'm choosing to disagree with some here about a few public colleges (like UCSD) is because some of the schools supporters are looking only at the inputs (i.e. selectivity, USNews rank, location) for certain schools--selective pruning. They sometimes ignore outputs (i.e grad school percentages, NSSE surveys, persistance, need-based aid).</p>

<p>I understand the need for ranking in an individuals mind, but doing lists and then pumping up your own school does a diservice to those who sometimes rely on it for imformation. And, unfortunately, sometimes we'd rather hear opinions from our peer group no matter its accuracy. I'm not one of those, usually. And, that may also be why we usually do not dress like our parents want us to.</p>

<p>I do, however, have my biases because I prefer an interactive and cooperative college experience. And, I did apply to UDub in Seattle as a backup school because it is in my state. It's a soild university, but most of the LAcs I applied to have better output statistics. I'm aware of the shortcomings of UW, so I'm a little surprized that other kids, like those who are staunch supporters of UCSD, for instance, do not see too much past the good stuff. </p>

<p>What happens when reality meets the ideal? I think it's our gut reaction to marshall the troops so to speak. Doing that does have consequences that are greater than just saving money on a public school that is "almost" as good. The latter is strange. Almost as good as what...another school? Why not go there then? </p>

<p>If you look at colleges that fit using criteria you've gathered about yourself, assuming your ID and Super ego are not battling to reign supreme, then you'd know that a college or university cannot be all things to all people. But, here on CC, you see it posted every day: why go 'x' when the 'y' public university is better. The funny thing is that the most insistant posters tend to be from California. I know that the UCs are good for some people, but all people???? I don't hear anywhere near as much support for the private CA schools. And, they have many. BTW, I understand that the UC system enrolls more kids, so it is, in part, sheer mass. It's also curious that the Cal State schools also don't get as much support. I know they are solid schools as well, but it seems that rank is more important than fit for a few image aware Californians.</p>

<p>Ranking (aka USNews) here on CC sometimes is used as proof of intelligence, as an award, as validation. I know it's a bit off-putting. But, it seems like even some parents use prestige and rank, or in-state/out-of-state status, to influence their kids. Don't get me wrong, but kids do that as well: believe that their homegrown schools are better than others, even when faced with input or output stats.</p>

<p>It's a way to save face, as well as not be too disappointed when they are waitlisted or worse at a school they hoped to get into. BTW, it also happens with private schools. Again, I think it's because of the increased reliance on where the college/school falls on USNews, rather than reliance on what schools are the best fit given each individual that many of us look at. It's difficult not to. Colleges say not to pay attention, yet they do thing (like Wash U. has done) to increase their rank from the middle of the pack to near the top (in 10 years) by tweaking it's aid budget, using more of their endowment, etc....It's hard to ignore that colleges themselves sometimes speak out of both sides of their mouth. Parents buy into the mentality because it also casts them as good parents--also validation.</p>

<p>Why is it important? Because I'm pretty sure no one wants to go to a school that everyone can get into. It's that exclusive club...that old boy network at a time when the other kinds of networking have been infiltrated by outsiders.</p>

<p>Just an opinion.
IB</p>

35

<p>you leave to isleboy... you stink</p>

36

<p>Hmmm...just took a shower.</p>

<p>I stink because I have a reason to try and be calm when it comes to rankings?</p>

<p>Look, I did look at public schools, and I think that they are great as long as people go in with their eyes open. Why choose not to know until you get on campus? Then, you'll have to reassess and maybe transfer, while still doing college work. Why go through it twice?</p>

<p>Also, did not say public colleges were bad. I liked UW-Madison, UNC, UW-Seattle clearly. I also like Indiana U, UCSC, UCSB, UIUC, UT-Austin, CSU-San Luis Obispo, UVA, William & Mary, UVM, UNH, etc...BTW, I really like TESC and New College of USF.</p>

<p>Again, it's fit, not what will look hippest on the back window of the car.</p>

<p>Just an opinion.
IB</p>

37

<p>"Hmmm...just took a shower."</p>

<p>Stupidity should get you kicked off the board.</p>

38

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<p>I agree that stupidity should get you kicked off....couldn't agree more. :)</p>

39

<p>good one....next time have a better response....one that doesn't stink....</p>

<p>Your reply:
But responses don't smell.
hahaha</p>

40

<p>Actually, if you use personification, it does.</p>

<p>I did not know there was a right response, or a better one. I'm just calling it like I see it. And it is just an opinion. Jeez, why so serious? And, why so touchy?</p>