<p>UM - Morris is a public LAC that costs the same for OOS as in-state, which is why I'm interested in it--as a possible replacement for my despised in-state safety (UDel). But I know next to nothing about it other than the website information. What is the campus, and campus atmosphere, like? How rigorous is it academically, particularly in English and Computer Science?</p>
<p>Any information or anecdotes you might share would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>You’d get to maybe take a class from the world’s most awesomest science blogger, Prof. PZ Myers (<a href=“pharyngula | ScienceBlogs)%5B/url%5D”>pharyngula | ScienceBlogs)</a>.</p>
<p>That’s a big plus in my book :)</p>
<p>ZOMG really? I know Myers better as an atheist blogger, which is also a big plus in my book.</p>
<p>I was going to say what post #2 said. Oh, and his blog illustrates how often one can get from Morris (farm country) to the Twin Cities if needed.</p>
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<p>Yeah, that works too :)</p>
<p>Instate, the school is a financial safety for those who prefer an LAC environment. I would apply to Carleton (free if you start application on-line), Macalester, St Olaf, Gustavus (free on-line as well)–all 4 would be better schools and less remote if your financial aid works out. The town of Morris is only 5200 and is 165 miles from the Twin Cities, approximately 30-40 miles of which would be back country roads (iffy driving in winter white-out conditions).</p>
<p>In-state and out-of-state tuition are the same (and quite reasonable), so it’s a financial safety for anyone who cares to apply and a reasonable alternative to one’s own state university. Minnesota-Morris is a pretty good school, one of a relatively small number of public LACs, currently ranked #4 public LAC by US News. It’s strongly emphasizing energy and the environment these days, but it also offers a typical range of LAC majors. Most students who go there seem to like it quite a lot and many develop a fierce loyalty to the school. Morris is a very small town in a largely agricultural region in western Minnesota, a good 2 1/2 to 3 hours drive to the Twin Cities. Location will be a disadvantage for some, and winters can get pretty long out there on the prairie. But as a safety it’s not a bad bet, even for those planning to put some higher-ranked LACs on their match and reach lists.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information, everyone, especially on Morris as a town. I’ve looked closely at Carleton and will probably apply to Macalester, but I am also looking for an LAC financial safety. bclintonk, could you point me to the public LAC rankings by US News?</p>
<p>Just saw this article in the Minnesota Daily. There is now a bus from Morris to the Twin Cities on weekends:</p>
<p>[New</a> bus to go from Morris to Twin Cities | mndaily.com](<a href=“120517spBb1205p – The Minnesota Daily”>120517spBb1205p – The Minnesota Daily)</p>