<p>I've narrowed down my list of colleges to eight-ish, but I'm having trouble deciding. I haven't been to any of these campuses, so I'm asking you guys what colleges do you think are the best out of this list? (By best, I mean how much fun the school is, the student friendliness, etc.) </p>
<p>University of Akron
University of Michigan
Michigan State
Texas A&M
University of Central Michigan
University of Pittsburgh
Ohio University
Purdue
Boston College
University of Virginia</p>
<p>..........</p>
<p>Michigan, UVA, Boston College
........
......
....
...
..
the rest.</p>
<p>actually i didn't read the criteria of the list. can't speak for the atmospheres really, i was just going on academics. ohio and msu are big time party schools though...</p>
<p>A UVa/BC/UM student wouldn't be interested in Central or Akron. Drop one of those groups.(as in you want academic challenge, or you don't)</p>
<p>First of all, OBrienUM97, MSU didn't even make Princeton Review's (or Playboy's) top 20 party school list and hasn't in years. Secondly, its patently unfair to pigeonhole MSU as just a party school when it is more known for academics, esp in academic circles. It’s a very good school and is among the most balanced btw academics and social life… No, that’s not just Quincy saying that, past Yale Daily News review books have said that as well… Yale, OBrien…</p>
<p>Alright Quincy, "OBrienUM97" didn't say anything negative about MSU's academics. I acknowledge that it is a decent school (ranked 9th/11th in Big Ten I believe) but it is a fact most large state schools have a big party scene. Furthermore, I don't really care what the writers at the Yale student newspaper consider academic and social balance. The social and academic scenes at schools like Michigan, UVA, UNC, UCLA, Texas, Wisconsin, Penn State, and many other large schools provide much better balance to students.</p>
<p>"...when it is more known for academics, esp in academic circles."</p>
<p>Wouldn't all schools be evaluated purely on academics in academic cirlces? Don't really like that argument. I don't know about you, but first thing that comes to mind when I think about MSU is couch burning and riots.</p>
<p>OBrienUM97, you're entitled to your opinion, but don't make it out to be fact. Obviously, you're an MSU hater with some U-M affiliation (I note your screen name) or loyalty which, again, is fine. But what you're throwing out as FACTS are ridiculous personal vendetas which are ridiculous, silly and grounded in nothing. Fortunately, I think most sensible readers will see that and discount your POV on MSU.</p>
<p>It’s a shame some U-M, with all their school has going for it, feel that tearing down MSU somehow pumps up U-M. Why? Alums from other REALLY quality schools don’t do that, why U-M? To the contrary, it makes U-M seem weak and vulnerable and threatened by MSU – that’s why the attacks on MSU are always so visceral. Insecurity about your own school… sad.</p>
<p>Those are a bunch of excellent schools, but they aren't all similar from a social point of view. For example, Texas A&M is conservative whereas Michigan is liberal. At any rate, I am quite familiar with all of those schools. I would rate the schools on your list as follows:</p>
<p>ACADEMICS
Top 25
University of Michigan
University of Virginia</p>
<p>Top 50
Boston College</p>
<p>Top 75
Michigan State University
Purdue University-West Lafayette
Texas A&M University-College Station
University of Pittsburgh</p>
<p>Not ranked as high but still very respectable
Central Michigan University
Ohio University
University of Akron</p>
<p>SOCIAL:
Great overall college experience
Boston College
Michigan State University
Ohio University
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Virginia</p>
<p>Good overall college experience
Central Michigan University
Purdue University
Texas A&M University-College Station</p>
<p>Decent overall college experience
University of Akron
University of Pittsburgh</p>
<p>Quincy, I have no personal vendeta whatsoever for Michigan State. I said that it is a good school with a big party scene, the latter of which is based on my own personal knowledge and experiences. In fact, a good number of MSU's programs are ranked ahead of UMich (political science and others I believe). Also, I think most logical readers would understand that my statement about UM, Virginia, UCLA, etc is my personal opinion as the concept in and of itself is highly subjective. I do stand by that statement, however, because I strongly believe the top publics provide the best mix of academic, athletic, and social life. Understand that I respect MSU and you are misinterpreting my posts if you think otherwise. And I apologize for the riot comment, that was a sad day for Michigan State and most of the arrests made were students not enrolled in Michigan State.</p>
<p>Also, I do not yet deserve the honor of UMich being called "my school". I am simply an applicant with a lot of respect for and desire to attend UMich. However, I take pride in knowing that my "bias" towards Michigan does not affect my perception towards other schools. I believe that when I post on CC, the content I offer is sincere and without prejudice. If anyone is trying to "tear down schools," it is you with your uninformed remarks about Michigan's status amongst "REALLY quality schools" and the state of mind of its alumni when commenting, or "attacking" its fellow state school.</p>
<p>OBrien, Michigan's Political Science department is ranked either #1, #2 or #3 according to most sources, so I doubt MSU is ranked higher than Michigan in Political Science, although MSU certainly has one of the better Political Science Departments.</p>
<p>Hmm yeah I questioned myself as I typed that because I wasn't 100% sure what field it was, but oh well...</p>
<p>Texas A&M, MSU, OU, Purdue, etc. are going to have the most active party scenes, if that's what you're looking for. </p>
<p>BC also has really great social life, minus the frats. (Boston is the ultimate college town).</p>
<p>OK, OBrien, I better understand your POV. Sorry to seem confrontational. Good luck.</p>
<p>^Alexandre, it seems you're basing your "academic" rating of MSU solely on US News, which I don't think is wise... Indeed, you yourself once stated MSU should be rated a top-50 research U with its many high-quality programs spread across many disciplines, $1B+ endowment and quality students, if I recall --- I would quite agree with that assessment… I think many would quibble with many aspects of US News' ratings, like having Johnny-come-lately, tech-oriented, (younger land grant school) UCONN rated about 10 slots higher than MSU, which is the pioneer land grant college. I wouldn’t rate Maryland ahead of MSU either (and there are a number of other US News higher-rated’s I’d put MSU ahead of, too).</p>
<p>Your list has a wide range of selectivity - which is not a bad thing, certainly. Are you aware that UVA is pretty difficult to get into from out of state?</p>
<p>
[quote]
SOCIAL:
Great overall college experience
Boston College
Michigan State University
Ohio University
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Virginia</p>
<p>Good overall college experience
Central Michigan University
Purdue University
Texas A&M University-College Station</p>
<p>Decent overall college experience
University of Akron
University of Pittsburgh
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Alexandre, how did you determine which of these universities were great, good, or decent in this category?</p>
<p>Alexandre, your post was useful.</p>
<p>To help you guys a little bit more, I don't care about partying, I just mentioned that because I want to become more outgoing and become better at making friends, and I don't want to go to a college that is generally cold when it comes to newcomers.</p>
<p>I don't care about academic rankings either, my grades are par, and I doubt I can get into Michigan, Texas A&M, Purdue, and maybe Virginia without a miracle.</p>
<p>I'm just wanting an opinion about what school will give me the best overall enjoyable experience and help me become a better person (the school having a strong psychology department wouldn't hurt though).</p>
<p>LACs to look at: Hiram College (Ohio), Hanover College (Indiana), Kalamazoo College.</p>
<p>Public Uni's: University of Cincinnati, University of Maine, University of Delaware.</p>
<p>I forgot to add UCLA to my list. How hard is it to get in there, and how are they academically and socially?</p>