<p>I am a current Freshman in the LSA Honors Program at the University of Michigan considering transferring to, of all places, Michigan State University; I would start at MSU in the Fall 2009 Semester.</p>
<p>My reasons for this are many and varied, but the main ones are the following:</p>
<li><p>At Michigan State I would be in an apartment with three of my good high school friends; one of them is on the exact same pre-medicine track as I am.
At Michigan, I have absolutely no one from my high school.</p></li>
<li><p>My older sister will be in Graduate School at Michigan State for the next two years. The word “convenience” pops up here.</p></li>
<li><p>My primary goal is to gain entrance into Medical School in 3-3.5 years, however I would like to major in Political Science; James Madison College at MSU is world-renowned for its education in the Political Science Field.</p></li>
<li><p>Finances aren’t a huge concern, but Michigan State does have a cheaper tuition than Michigan.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>For all you experts out there, my question is this: Would transferring to Michigan State University be a wise move? As far as earning entrance to Medical School, would a U. of M. degree really carry that much more weight than an MSU degree? Personally, I assume that performance matters over anything else.</p>
<p>Are you serious??? Transferring out of LSA Honors to MSU just because of those reasons? I'd definitely recommend you staying. Do you know that Michigan's Political Science department is ranked 3rd in the nation?</p>
<p>I'm just wondering if those excuses aren't really hiding the real issue you may have with U Mich. I think many people would love to be in your place, and to leave just because of convenience seems like you're really running away from something else.</p>
<p>Okay. ProudWolverine is probably a little biased (based off of the screenname), but I'll try to be neutral (even though I'm applying to Michigan and not MSU). I'm guessing you live in Michigan, and if you plan on staying in Michigan, it makes no difference whatsoever. I live in Michigan too, and despite the rankings, pretty much all of the jobs you can get with a U-M degree (in the state of Michigan), you can get with a MSU degree.</p>
<p>The question is: Why did you choose U-M in the first place? It sounds like MSU may be more convienient to attend, but you had a reason to pick Mich the first time around. Make sure you assess what you loved about Michigan before switching to State. I would never transfer just because of friends, because friends change, and there are new friends to be made at U-M. Remember that either way, you'll get a great education. Choosing colleges (despite what CC says) shouldn't be about the #2 program vs. #11. It should be about what you want, and if you're staying in-state, I really don't see a difference either way. For me, it seems like Michigan is better for me, for you, it might be State.</p>
<p>The two schools aren't that far apart. Visit your family and friends on the weekends when you have time. If you really dislike Michigan, then I would transfer. Otherwise, you are better off staying put. A Michigan degree means a bit more nationally than a State degree and you never know where you might end up. Lastly. you are a freshman who has been in Ann Arbor a whopping two months! Give it some more time. You don't want to regret a hasty decision in the future.</p>
<p>How about if we decide it on the field ... Michigan plays State on Oct 25. Go with the school that wins ... It's at least as good a reason as the ones you have.</p>
<p>As a current MSU student in James Madison college I am definitely biased. But I can try to help you reason through some things that you should think about before you decide to transfer.</p>
<p>1) Do you like Michigan so far??? If you have made friends already and feel generally comfortable and aren't too homesick, and are mostly switching for convenience and education purposes, don't bother. Michigan has an excellent political science program as well (Not international relations though). </p>
<p>2) A MSU degree isn't a noticeable disadvantage at all. It definitely depends on how well you do in your given field, and what field experience you have far more than the university's name in itself. </p>
<p>3) From a LSA honors Michigan degree to a general MSU degree isn't as optimal. If I were you, I'd try to arrange to get into the honors college of MSU because this allows for a huge amount of course flexibility among numerous other benefits. </p>
<p>Now some biased stuff; james madison college is definitely awesome, one of the best for international relations/social policy/political theory.<br>
FYI as a james madison major at MSU you can participate in the STEPS program, which is a Science, Technology, Environment and Public Policy specialization that would also supplement your admission to medical school. If you have any more questions just pm me</p>