<p>So what are your opinions on colleges that are ranked regionally? Would you say that if you go to a school thats ranked number 8 in the region, would you call it prestigious? For you guys who currently go to a regionally ranked U, do you like it, did it meet your expectations?</p>
<p>Why do you care so much about rankings?</p>
<p>^maybe because they denote the prestige of a school, and the opportunities that follow from graduating from a high up one?</p>
<p>Regionally ranked colleges often do have some prestige within their region. If you plan to stay in the area after college, there may be some benefits to having attended a school that’s well regarded in the area.</p>
<p>Whether students like a school or not will depend more on the particular school, the student’s personality, and their individual experiences there, rather than the fact that it’s regionally ranked. You’ll probably get better answers to that question by asking in the forums for the particular schools you’re considering.</p>
<p>One place where the regionally ranked schools may be stronger than a nationally ranked school could be in their regional alumni network. Depending on the school and what you plan to do professionally, this could be a real asset. Check into it.</p>
<p>@ M’s Mom: yea that does make sense since usually people who attend usually live closer to one another.</p>
<p>I currently go to a regionally rank school that within the top 10 and its pre med program is pretty well known. However, since high school I’ve been wanting to go to a big named nationally known school. Their are a lot of advantages to this especially when you apply for a job or grad/professional school. So my plan is to apply to a couple of schools at the end of my sophomore year and see what happens.</p>
<p>I would say that Villanova in Philly and Rollins College in Orlando are two pretty good regional colleges, and will do you well, especially if you decide to eventually live in that college’s metro area.</p>
<p>Are you pre-med? If so, don’t bother transferring to a ‘big name’ school just for the prestige. Med schools don’t generally care about prestige and it could just end up hurting your GPA and ability to get letters of recommendation.</p>
<p>To give you a perspective, I’m a parent of a Chapman University’s student. Chapman is regionally ranked in the top ten, and has a lot of prestige as well. DS chose Chapman not only for the prestige, but for their excellent film program and scholarship opportunities and so on. DS is a sophomore and very happy with the school. They also have an excellent pre-health program for students who are interested in going to medical school. As a parent, I’m very pleased with their programs and outcome of their students. I’m also delighted that DS chose a smaller, private regional school, over a larger, national school, because most of the professors teach the students, not the TA’s. The attention DS received tops any of the national schools where DS has friends who attended. As a matter of fact, one of the friends that DS knew had gone to an IVY school had just transferred to a regional school for the same reasons of how private regional schools give better care to their students. Therefore it’s important to do your research carefully, talk to students and parents from your HS who have family members that are attending the school(s) you are interested in attending to compare notes. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Regionally ranked colleges are great! My kid goes to California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO). For the last 18 years it has been the top ranked undergraduate school (a master’s is the highest degree offered) in the Western Region. For Engineering, Business, Architecture, Agriculture, Math and Science, etc. it ranks among the best in the country as well. This university has an almost legendary reputation among employers here in the West. With their hands on learn by doing teaching methodology, the kids graduate “plug and play” work ready. Often, kids from universities with theory and research based curricula need up to 12 months of on the job training or retraining to catch up. The school not only enjoys prestige, the kids also enjoy the highest starting salaries of any other California public university and equal to expensive privates such as Pomona College, etc.</p>
<p>Osakadad,</p>
<p>Don’t youmean that Trinity University in San Antonio, TX has that distinction?</p>
<p>
Eh, it’s hit/miss on prestige, which is what the poster is asking about. I live two hours from Rollins, yet only heard of them after they started sending me post cards. Conversely, I was aware of Villanova for years.</p>
<p>Of course, prestige shouldn’t be a main factor in this situation. If the school is academically strong in the department, then med schools will know this. Many people from “no-name” undergrad schools go on to top notch grad schools, with high grades and scores.</p>
<p>@gloworm – I stand corrected. You are right. Cal Poly SLO is the highest ranked “public” university in the West. Also, I made another mistake. It holds that distinction not for the last 18 years but for the last 19 years. Here is the link: [Cal</a> Poly Named Best in the West by U.S. News & World Report for 19th Straight Year](<a href=“http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2011/September/news.html]Cal”>http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/news_releases/2011/September/news.html)</p>
<p>Other distinctions are here as well:
[Cal</a> Poly: National Honors, Ranking and Recognition - A Constantly Growing List](<a href=“http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/rankings.html]Cal”>http://www.calpolynews.calpoly.edu/rankings.html)</p>
<p>Trinity sounds like a great school. Thanks for the input.</p>