<p>I have been accepted to Quinnipiac and Loyola College in Maryland. Let's assume I am accepted into the following schools, Loyola Chicago, Fairfield University, Ohio University, and Michigan State.</p>
<p>Which schools would you recommend me to attend?
I plan on majoring in history/minoring in international relations...
Any input would be wonderful.</p>
<p>I'd go to Fairfield University or Loyola College In Maryland
Loyola would probably be my first choice</p>
<p>I was leaning towards that, but why do you say that?</p>
<p>anyone else agree/disagree?</p>
<p>bumppity bump, anything? pro's and con's of the schools?</p>
<p>38 and only 1...gimme some more :)</p>
<p>buuuummmpppp</p>
<p>From The Princeton Review</p>
<p>Loyola College in Maryland</p>
<p>Academics
"A Jesuit school in suburban Baltimore, Loyola College in Maryland “seeks to develop the whole person—intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.” Jesuit values are stressed through the school’s “well-rounded curriculum, encouraging participation in community service, and teaching values in diversity both on and off campus.” Across the board, students say the Loyola faculty is comprised of accomplished scholars and talented teachers. A senior shares, “Professors are the best part about Loyola College. They love their subjects and their students, and make class interesting with their enthusiasm.” When it comes to academic or personal matters, “the professors at Loyola are so caring it almost seems unnatural. They will go out of their way to make sure you understand material and always have their door open after class discussions.” What’s more, the academic experience is characterized by small class sizes and ample discussion. A sophomore offers, “I could not be happier with my academic experience at Loyola. Even the biggest classes are small enough to facilitate close interaction with the professors.” Outside the classroom, academic opportunities abound, and “professors encourage us to become part of the department through research or work-study programs.” Likewise, the “administration cares deeply about fostering growth outside of the classroom.” A senior attests, “As a three-year member of the student government association at Loyola College I have always been impressed with the openness of the administration and their willingness to work for the best interests of the students.”"</p>
<p>Student Body:
"Loyola tends to admit outgoing and well-rounded students who want to benefit from all the academic, extracurricular, and social aspects of college life. On the whole, students “care deeply about their education and realize that they are here to learn. But they also enjoy themselves and are not too uptight.” Considering the fact that Loyola is a private, Jesuit college on the East Coast, it’s not surprising that “the average student comes from the greater Philadelphia, New Jersey, and New York area (although that seems to be changing) and ranges in economic background from middle to upper class.” You’ll find a shared affinity for Ugg boots and The North Face apparel on the Loyola campus and “the majority of students are preppy.” Even so, you can’t judge a book by its cover. A sophomore tells us, “Everyone seems like they may be a typical ‘Loyola Girl’ but when you look deeper, you find that these people are unique and diverse.” No matter what your background or interests, “there are enough clubs and a wonderful student life on-campus that atypical students find their place and become as much a part of Loyola as typical students.”</p>
<p>Campus Life
"Despite the demands of coursework, you’ll get the full college experience at Loyola College in Maryland. Outgoing and social, most Loyola undergraduates are “motivated to achieve a balance between academic success and the social benefits of college.” In the admiring words of one junior, “The typical student at Loyola is genius at time management. They find a way to get to the gym at least three times a week, go out at least three times week, and pull off above a 3.0 GPA every semester.” However, Loyola students never lose track of their educational priorities, telling us, “The social life is very important here, but in all honesty, academics come first.” In addition to hitting the off-campus bars, there are many attractions in the surrounding city of Baltimore. A sophomore reports, “For fun, my friends and I go out to eat in Baltimore, head to Towson mall, and go to the movies or concerts. Baltimore has a lot to offer to the college student.” There are also plenty of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations at school, and “Loyola goes to great lengths to develop a sense of community across the campus.” On that note, day-to-day life is easygoing and pleasant on Loyola’s pretty campus. Happily, campus housing is top-notch, and “many students live in suites or apartments, and can thus cook their own food in their own kitchens.”</p>
<p>Quinnipiac University</p>
<p>Academics:
"The physical beauty of Quinnipiac University is a particularly appealing attribute. The “beautiful campus with Sleeping Giant Mountain in the background” boasts many a picturesque vista, both natural and man-made. As far as the latter is concerned, the library “is gorgeous, with huge three-story windows and leather armchairs everywhere!” Quinnipiac’s “great” academics manage to draw students away from the windows and into the classrooms. Undergraduate academics at Quinnipiac are divided into five schools (and one new Division of Education), with the School of Health Sciences offering especially outstanding majors. Among these is a 6.5-year physical therapy program that leads to a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Students appreciate the fact that “classes here at Quinnipiac are small, with generally less than 30 students,” that “not one class in the university is taught by a teacher’s assistant” and that professors “have so much experience in the ‘real world’ with the subject they teach.” They warn, however, that “sometimes you can have a little bit of trouble with the adjuncts.” Regardless of how good they are as teachers and lecturers, professors “all seem to be willing to help outside of the class time and communicate rapidly through e-mail.”"</p>
<p>Student Body:
"To get a picture of what students here look like, just grab the nearest name-brand clothing catalog: “J. Crew, Ralph Lauren, and the North Face could do a magazine shoot here. [There are lots of] very preppy-looking, clean-cut kids.” If their clothes aren’t enough to give you a sense of the socioeconomic background from which most QU students come, take a stroll through “the student parking lot, [which] is full of Mercedes, Lexus, BMW, and Acura cars.” Intellectually, “Most students don’t seem to be their high school class president or their high school overachiever,” but respondents emphasize that QU students are “hard workers.” Given QU’s location, it’s not completely shocking to learn that “Many of the students come from surrounding New England states as well as New York and New Jersey.” Many respondents lament the female/male ratio (about 3:2), and the fact that there are “very, very, very few minorities”—”but with each entering freshman class the diversity does grow slightly.” And regardless of their backgrounds, friendly students make Quinnipiac “a comfortable, enjoyable place to live. The students are understanding of one another.”</p>
<p>Campus Life:
"According to students, life at Quinnipiac outside of class follows a regular schedule to it. “Thursday night everyone goes to the clubs in New Haven. Friday night everyone parties on campus. Saturday night most people go to Toad’s (a popular New Haven nightclub).” And if you have “no transportation, no problem. Quinnipiac shuttles will take you into New Haven to the clubs.” “However, if partying is not your thing, don’t worry because Quinnipiac sends out e-mails every week with the [school-sponsored] weekend events. These events include comedians, movies, game room nights, and much more.” For outdoorsy types, miles of hiking trails lie right across the street, and “climbing the Sleeping Giant” is a popular pastime here, weather permitting. When it’s “nice out,” students take full advantage of their gorgeous surroundings: “You will always see kids with their towels lying on the Quad doing work. Others also enjoy playing Frisbee on the beautiful grass.” “Support for the athletic teams,” however, “is so-so. Men’s ice hockey draws the best. Students also support the men’s basketball team pretty well.”</p>
<p>Loyola University Of Chicago</p>
<p>Academics:
"Standing tall alongside the shore of Lake Michigan, eight miles north of Chicago, many students are quick to affirm that Loyola’s greatest asset is “the school’s location.” Proud of its “strong Jesuit tradition,” Loyola University—Chicago “encourages creative thinking and allows students to explore the complexities of the world in and out of the classroom.” The professors here are “very knowledgeable” and distinguished in their respective fields, and are always “willing to help students as much as they can.” “Small class sizes” help students “feel comfortable asking questions,” and professors’ “expertise” and “passion” make it “much easier to learn.” Many students, however, express disappointment with the administration citing “red tape” and “layers of bureaucracy,” which make many offices “a bit inaccessible.” Recently, efforts to “streamline university services” have been made, resulting in the creation of “a central location for the Dean’s, Bursar, [and] Cash Office” with “easier accessibility” to students. The President’s Office also holds regular town meetings and informal gatherings to encourage an ongoing dialogue between students, staff, and administration, and a service excellence initiative also continues to evaluate and enhance student services. The Office of First-Year Experience, created in Fall 2007, provides services to help freshmen and transfer students transition to Loyola through special seminars, mentoring, and more. While the administration can be “daunting,” the “Professors are always in reach, and the academic experience is uplifting.” As for the Loyola experience, in the words of one student, “I love this school and I love the city it is located in.”</p>
<p>Student Body:
"Loyola has a “very diverse mix of students.” While many are “White and from the Chicago suburbs,” many others are “of all different races, ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientations.” One student was surprised to discover that a “large portion of students aren’t Catholic.” The university supports diversity through its on-campus “ethnic and cultural groups” so that students “rarely feel alone or ostracized.” As one student explains, Loyola is a “good place to be surrounded by such a diverse student body” as “There’s definitely room for different people.” Students here “take academics seriously” and have a “good work ethic.” Most are “politically active,” “generally liberal,” and “social justice oriented.” Others caution that most students are “traditional-age, 4-year students who have been there since they were freshmen, making it hard for new transfer students and commuters to fit in.”"</p>
<p>Campus Life:
"It’s all about location, location, location. As one student explains, “I’ve learned some lessons in the classroom, but more on the streets around campus.” Living in Chicago, “Students tend to have plenty of options in terms of what to do for fun.” There’s an active “local bar scene,” as well as “concerts, museums, plays, and almost anything else one can think of doing.” Getting around town is really easy: “There is a [CTA] station dedicated to the campus which makes it extremely easy to travel anywhere within the city. Each student is also given a U-pass which provides unlimited rides on any Chicago public transportation.” Students who prefer to stay on campus will find “plenty of other activities” to capture their attention, including “intramural sports, clubs, and Division I basketball games.” Serious sports fans should be warned, however, as “Sports teams do not rule this school,” even though the city itself is pretty well-known for its enthusiasm for athletics. Students don’t let life in the big city deter their need for the great outdoors either. They enjoy “being right on Lake Michigan” where there are plenty of “parks close by with good running trails.” The school itself is located in one of “the most diverse neighborhoods” in Chicago. There are “African, Thai, Chinese, Italian, and Puerto Rican restaurants next to Mexican grocery stores, Middle Eastern bakeries, and vegetarian stores.” The entertainment options are so expansive that, as one student claims, “If you get bored in Chicago, it’s your own fault.”"</p>
<p>Fairfield University</p>
<p>Academics:
"Study amongst the trees of the “breathtaking campus” at Fairfield University, a competitive mid-sized school with a Division I basketball team and Jesuit ideals. A stalwart of the preppy New England college scene, the school has wealth and is definitely “image conscious,” but financial aid packages are said to be super for students in need; several of the large scholarships also “entitle you to preferred registration for small classes.” Fairfield’s extremely rigorous and time-consuming core courses ensure that students receive a well-rounded education, and the small enrollment assures students small class sizes once they move beyond the mandatory curriculum. The school’s Connecticut location is just an hour away from New York City, which provides a plethora of work study and internship possibilities for the students. This is especially convenient for students in Fairfield’s notably strong nursing and business programs, the latter of which is taught by a faculty mostly comprised of current and ex-professionals. Though students are generally happy here, thanks to an involved student government and a high quality of life, many wish that there was “more school spirit” amongst the student body. The “Leviathan” administration has not curried much favor with students, with the Registrar, Career Planning, and the Division of Student Affairs receiving singular complaints. Complaints of inefficacy and bureaucracy abound, and the various offices “act in distinct bubbles, with one hand not knowing what the other is doing.” Opinions of professors are at the opposite end of the spectrum, as most find almost all their teachers “extremely engaging” and “wonderful people.” “They actually read your essays and provide constructive criticism,” says a student. “Professors have been amazing, inspiring, accessible, and have defined my time at Fairfield,” says another."</p>
<p>Student Body:
"Almost everyone hails from the northeast at this “homogenous, preppy school” with “generally very intelligent” students. Pockets run pretty deep amongst students, which leads some of this “Ugg wearing, blond haired, Seven for All Mankind-wearing” crowd to “think they’re God’s gift to mankind.” There are plenty of “more mellow, normal folks” here, and even though “it doesn’t take much” to be considered an atypical student, those that are usually “find their own niche and have no problems living their lives the way they wish.” With the rising enrollment, the school is attempting to increase this diversity, and there’s a “growing Gay and Lesbian population.”</p>
<p>Campus Life:
"Not surprising for a school with an “ideal party location on the beaches of the Long Island Sound, only an hour north of New York City by train,” students here like to drink. Although all go to “most of the classes,” they know that they “must leave time for going out on Tuesdays, Thursdays and the weekend,” making Fairfield “the opposite of a suitcase school.” “Weekends are usually for partying, whether it's a townhouse party or a party down at the beach. Once you turn 21 there are some great bars in town too.” This isn’t to say that hedonism completely rules the school; many students remain very active in student activities and service organizations, and for those who don’t want to party, the late night programming “offers tons of activities and trips almost every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.” The student government organizes many of these events, as well as trips into the city for Broadway performances, comedy shows, and sporting events."</p>
<p>Ohio University - Athens</p>
<p>Academics:
"OU has a well-deserved reputation for wild parties, but that’s hardly all there is to the school; as one student explains, “OU will give you the college experience you want. If you want a good education, it’s there for the taking. If you want to mess around, get drunk, high and just party, well, you will definitely be able to get that. If you want a great education while still having a lot of fun, there is no better place than OU.” Serious students will find “enclaves of intellectual curiosity” amid the slackers and revelers, especially in the Honors Tutorial College, “the greatest strength of OU.” Writes one participant, “Without it, OU would be just another state school with some decent programs.” Top programs here include “nationally respected schools in journalism, the arts, and business,” and “a good communications program.” Across all disciplines students “have a lot of great facilities and resources to use,” including professors who “are very intelligent and passionate about what they are teaching. Most are accessible and eager to help, but of course there are the occasional professors here simply treating it as a job and not a passion.” OU operates on a quarterly academic calendar, meaning that academic demands can occasionally be “utter hell, as in caught-in-a-bathtub-with-a-bleeding-iguana-and-a-piranha hell.” Some feel that “considering we are on quarters, sometimes I don’t feel like I retain that much information” from classes. Even so, academics are generally manageable; as one student puts it, “There have been a handful of classes that blew me away (in a good way) and a handful that made me feel like I was in high school, while the rest fall somewhere in between.”</p>
<p>Student Body:
"“The typical student at Ohio University is white upper-middle class,” “but there are growing African American and Asian American populations” and “Students from lower incomes are increasing because of a new scholarship enacted for students who live in the Appalachians.” A panoramic snapshot of the student body would still look pretty homogeneous—with the typical student fitting “the frat boy stereotype”—but if you pull in closer you’ll find “numerous groups and individuals to encounter. They may not be the major organizations on campus, but you’ll certainly be able to find a place to fit in via talking to people and seeing flyers around campus.” Size helps; with more than 16,000 undergrads there are enough folks to support almost any subpopulation, including “a large and active gay population that for the most part is accepted by the students and faculty of the university.”</p>
<p>Campus Life:
"Not all OU students party out of bounds, but enough students love to recreate that “On the weekends you could definitely find a party anywhere on campus, and all the bars are packed, especially on game nights.” The school throws a number of organized campus-wide parties, including a legendary Halloween festival that involves “the largest block party in the US.” “No one misses out on Halloween. Even the graduates come back,” one student reports. The OU party scene is large but it’s not the only game in town: While “many people in Athens look forward to getting smashed every weekend, an alarmingly large number of students do not. There are a great many critical thinkers and politically active people on campus. Many people just sit around and drink, but others go to Donkey Coffee and Espresso, spend time in the library, and hang out with friends.” Hometown Athens is small but has an active music scene; “Rock, punk and folk bands flourish in the many bars and cafes downtown.” Also, “The university offers several social activities that do not revolve around drinking—comedy sketches, theater and music.”</p>
<p>Michigan State University</p>
<p>Academics:
"Michigan State University’s large size is both its greatest asset and its greatest potential downside. The benefits of size include near-unlimited choice: “MSU is extremely varied, and there are opportunities for anyone who wishes to take advantage of them,” including “over 200 majors to choose from.” Those majors include “good engineering and science programs,” an “amazing communications program,” “the best political science program in Michigan,” “the only agriculture school in the state,” and “an absolutely amazing School of Hospitality Business.” Economies of scale also allow MSU to offer “great study abroad programs,” “a lot of helpful free tutoring in math and other subjects,” and “great web programs that make it very easy to download class materials and view assignments. You can also e-mail the whole class questions or just your professor, through our Angel system.” As far as possible downsides to the school’s size, MSU students find that they have to “fend for [themselves].” One student noted, “Initially I came from a smaller college where there was more guidance and interaction with professors. At MSU, this is just not the case, although MSU’s residential colleges do make the university seem smaller for students in related majors.” That means potential peril for students who aren’t self-motivated. One undergrad explains, “There are two roads you can follow when at MSU. You can study hard and earn a degree in a reputable, challenging setting; or you can soak your brain cells with alcohol instead of academia.”</p>
<p>Student Body:
"MSU’s size ensures that “This is a fairly diverse campus, especially considering that it is located in the northern Midwest.” Because “Study abroad is emphasized at MSU,” there are “a lot of foreign students, and they seem to fit right into the general population.” One undergrad observes, “For the most part, everyone seems to do their own thing, and no one seems to have problems with that.” The predominant attitude seems to be “live and let live,” as “A lot of people tend to associate mostly with members from the same racial or ethnic background, although that’s not always the case.” What unites students—besides their love of MSU sports—is that most “are extremely friendly. Random people in classes ask you if you need a ride home, and, even better, random people offer you a seat on the bus. It’s comforting to know that these are the people soon entering the workforce and ‘the real world.’”</p>
<p>Campus Life:
"Life on the MSU campus “generally revolves around the weekend and the basketball or football team. You get through the week looking forward to one of the two.” Indeed, “Sports are huge here, and nothing beats football Saturdays or basketball nights. Tailgating is a religion.” The school has a well-known party scene; one undergrad concedes, “We’re ..."Life on the MSU campus “generally revolves around the weekend and the basketball or football team. You get through the week looking forward to one of the two.” Indeed, “Sports are huge here, and nothing beats football Saturdays or basketball nights. Tailgating is a religion.” The school has a well-known party scene; one undergrad concedes, “We’re known as somewhat of a party school, and MSU lives up to the title. Although during the winter there is less to do around campus, being here in the fall more than makes up for it! If you attend MSU, you’re bound to have a great time.” Even teetotalers can have fun here, since “Between free on-campus movies and club meetings and concerts, there is never a dull moment on campus.” East Lansing has its own allures: a student explains, “Walking downtown on Grand River is awesome when it gets warmer out”; there are “decent stores and restaurants. Also, in the warm weather you are bound to see people sitting out on their porches. Many of them are having parties or just hanging out, and a lot of times they’ll invite you to come on up!” Or you can just enjoy the “breathtaking beauty of the campus,” with its “old buildings and beautiful trees and plants that make every walk to class a great one.”"</p>
<p>Ohio U and MSU are both relatively wholesome places, offering traditional self-contained college experiences...lots of green lawns, bigtime sports, on-campus activities, good comaraderie, school spirit and cohesiveness. </p>
<p>The other schools have that more urban, outward-looking flavor...they're either in the city or the students would often make a dash to a big city to soak up more "adult" activities. </p>
<p>It's hard to imagine a person NOT being able to decide between Ohio U/MSU and Loyola of Chicago. Their settings couldn't be more different.</p>
<p>id go to Loyola maryland without a doubt</p>
<p>The choice is really just that, I really want the college experience, partying WITH learning, great sports, and a welcoming feel from the school. I know everything's really different with each school, but there's something I love about each of them...which makes the decision really hard.</p>
<p>So, all in all...which schools do you think willl give me the full college experience, with good parties, and good history. </p>
<p>and no, i'm not a student looking to just get drunk the next 4 years of my life, i want to get a good job and a great experience out of all of this too</p>
<p>I'd still say Loyola College In Maryland</p>
<p>Is it really as cliquey/preppy/uptight and party-less as they say?</p>
<p>yeah I think so, if you are indeed worry about the preppy-ness, then look at Michigan State because it's big enough of a school where you can find someone who likes to party or someone who dosen't want to</p>
<p>Im not realllly concerned about the preppy-ness, i'm a pretty preppy kid myself I just like chill laid-back kids. I think it will probably come down to Loyola and MSU...and that decision could be made for me</p>
<p>alright then I think Loyola In Maryland is definitely the school for you</p>
<p>buummmpppppp</p>