Second thoughts about Michigan State University

<p>Currently as a junior in high school, I have long wanted to attend Michigan State University as well as it being ranked my top university. Although now getting inside information on the school I'm starting to have concerns and second thoughts.
Few are....
Many people say just about anyone can get accepted into Michigan State University ( I disagree, but seems to be a very popular thought)
You may find a student who slacked off in high school attending Michigan State University, like student who barely pass any of their classes
Slack off? Go to Lansing Community College for a year or two with passing grades, and have no problem getting accepted into Michigan State University.</p>

<p>How accurate would you say these few examples are?
Many people wouldn't have a issue sitting next to a student at a university who slack off in high school. I guess it's just my point of view of certain things.</p>

<p>MSU is a very good university. it has top programs in a number of fields. Who cares if some people don't take advantage of that and slack off? Who cares if MSU gives people who did poorly in high school a second chance to succeed? How does that effect you? I know a lot of people who didn't get into State, and I went to a very good high school, so no, I don't think everyone can get in. But it is a state university, so not everyone is going to be top notch. If you want an elitist environment, go to an ivy league school. I'm curious why this would matter at all, since MSU still has a great reputation in a number of fields.</p>

<p>I'm not surprise at all I got a response like yours, which is what I would have liked to avoid. Who cares? Well I'm one who cares, and I put alot of thought into top universities I select. How will this affect me? Many ways it can, yet I have no reason to give you a explanation.
I was looking for other people ( including students ) view on certain things I listed above. Not for someone to try to pound me with who cares, and are you looking for a ivy league etc... Again this is my point of view and things I care about, and if someone don't care about' things I listed above I wouldn't be like " why don't you care about something like that?" etc... and get rude about their point of view.
Yeah, thanks for the response ( if my question was intended to be answered at all )</p>

<p>Top students go to msu, bad students go to umich and vice versa as well. I have a 33 act, 3.8, lots of aps and chose msu over umich. State is what you make of it. If you choose not to challenge yourself, then yes you can skate by. But then its just a waste of time and money. I urge you to go.</p>

<p>I was pleasantly surprised when I came to MSU how relatively intelligent the student body was. Granted, I'm in james madison college and live in case hall (case hall and holmes hall with lyman briggs are often considered the "nerd" halls), but I love the fact that most everyone I talk to can carry out an in-depth conversation about matters other than college life gossip. But honestly, most everyone here is here because they want to be here. You are sure to find slackers here, but there are far more students who care about their grades and actually try hard to accomplish things. Generally everyone is very laid back and there is little competition for grades, but people do care about their education here</p>

<p>anybody at msu who doesn't care about their education generally leaves after the first semester or two. pretty much everyone here wants to succeed [that's why they're paying 20k/year]. on the other hand, people want to have fun, too :)</p>

<p>my apologies Coolbrezze, I'm sure you have valid reasons for caring. I've just heard too many people bashing (which I know you didn't) MSU for the very reasons you've mentioned, and I personally think they're not important enough reasons to deem State a less appealing university in comparison to it's numerous strong points. To clarify my answer to your questions, as others are saying, most people put in the effort. There are slackers out there, but they are the minority. I'm a science major, and even in labs, where work habits are more apparent, I don't see many people not pulling their own weight. Science majors in particular are usually too difficult to slack in and still survive, so you lose the slackers after the first year or so. Hope that's more helpful than my last post.</p>

<p>Well, I don't know. Being a freshman here it does seem a bit like theres quite a few slackers. On the last Cem 141 (general chemistry) exam, for example, it was probably about the same difficulty as the ones my high school chem teacher used to give but the average score was a 48%. Honestly, i found that a bit ridiculous. You'll often see a lot of people leaving classes early/not paying attention in class, etc. I rarely see much class discussion, and it seems like most of my classes on Fridays don't even break the 50% attendance mark. A lot of people just don't care, and it's a shame.</p>

<p>That isn't to say that there aren't people who care. In my calc 2 class, which is a section specifically for freshman who passed the AP exam, it seems like almost everyone is very intelligent and motivated. I imagine it would be the same for a lot of the honors/residential college classes and higher level classes.</p>

<p>I think it's true that a large percentage of the incoming freshman aren't really here to learn and succeed. If you're looking for a completely intellectual atmosphere this isn't it, and if you're looking to impress people with your college acceptance letter getting into MSU isn't an incredibly outstanding achievement. However, like people have said, it's still easy to find people that ARE motivated and who want to take advantage of the excellent education that you can get here.</p>

<p>Coolbrezze, what exactly are you looking for in a college?</p>

<p>while i agree that the average of a 48% on the gen chem exam was terrible, there's a few things to take into consideration. about 1500 students are in that class, or 25% of the freshmen class. not everyone is good at chemistry, but a LOT of people have to take it for their major.
also, it's hard to do well in that class. i took ap chemistry in high school [but not the exam] and i only got a 78. and i studied HARD. the exams are only 20 questions, so if you miss just a few, your percentage goes down dramatically. thats why you only need an 80% to get a 4.0.</p>

<p>Thanks for the answers everyone, would appreciate more....</p>

<p>What exatcly am I'm looking for in college?</p>

<p>Well it may be difficult/ alot to explain but I'll try to sum it up. Mentioning Michigan State University is my top school, it shows it offer/has alot I'm looking for in a school. Not getting accepted there University of Michigan- Ann Arbor would come to thought, and denied there as well New York University comes to thought as well, and a few other backups.
What do they offer that I like? A few are large campus, large student body, well ranked, medical schools, students are every enthustiastic about their school... also known as school spirit, located across from many stores such as resturants, entertainment, clothing stores etc.... good campus atmosphere, clean campus, and the list just goes on. Although looking at Michigan State University would give a good mind of a type of university I like. Like it may have been mention, the students at Michigan State University are well educated yet still know how to have fun.</p>

<p>Coolbrezze,</p>

<p>I can totally understand where you're coming from. For a very long time, I didn't give MSU the time of day. I was so absorbed in looking at schools like UNC and U of M that I wouldn't even consider MSU. However, after talking with some teachers and current MSU students I started looking more in-depth at some of the programs MSU has to offer and was surprised. I have always worked hard in high school, and as one of the top students in my class had a hard time accepting that other students that didn't work hard at all were getting in to MSU, too. But MSU has some great programs for students that are academically ahead, and many chances to get involved in programs that specifically deal with certain majors. Their Honors College is amazing and gives students that meet the requirements so many great opportunities. Sure, some students don't care about their classes and blow school off, but there are also so many students that do care, too. Continue looking at MSU; it truly is an amazing school.</p>

<p>Oh thanks, ofcourse I will countinue to look into Michigan State University. Although to me, it's very disturbing to know a classmate, or one who slacked off in high school got accepted into a university where you didn't slack off at all in high school and made if not good grades, decent ones. Then to know a large amount of students in your school who slacked off, is attending the same university it brings questions.</p>

<p>MSU must see something in them that you don't.</p>

<p>What do you mean?</p>