<p>Hawkette, we each have a picture in our heads of what an "ideal" university should be like. I always have anyway, ever since I was in high school. You do too. I am not going to go into the details of what constitutes an ideal university since we each have our take on this subject, but it is evident that there are varrying, and often conflicting, points of views. </p>
<p>Out of curiosity, can you please provide us with the data supporting your view that Michigan as a school does not belong in the higher echelons in the real world? I have always maintained that in academe and in the real world, Michigan does in fact belong in the upper echelons. There is ample evidence supporting that view coming out of academe, but I have not seen a great many from the real world.</p>
<p>both of them are terrific. UVA has got a kick ass business program, so does Michigan..but judging by Business Week Rankings, UVA is just a point behind Wharton. and if you are thinking of psychology i would go with Michigan..but thats my opinion...</p>
<p>sunny, Businessweek is just of of two rankings. The USNWR is the other. According to the USNWR, Michigan (Ross) is ranked #3 and UVa (McIntire) is ranked #9. Either way, both schools have amazing undergraduate business programs, similar in size and in approach to undergraduate Business education.</p>
<p>When you get to a certain level per capita becomes far less important. UM has some of the best libraries, museums, labs and every other facility known to ANY university in the US. Just because they are spread over more students really does not matter much. Also there are virtually as many top level students as any private school in the country as the top 25% or about 6500 students equals the size of many of the so-called top undergrads. And these will be concentrated in the better majors in the Honors program, sciences, engineering and business. You are at no loss for top competition and people to hang with if SAT score is really a measure of interesting and fun people. </p>
<p>I have yet to see the article that says having 30 students in a class at the college level is any worse than 15 or 20. You are essentially taking through your hat without a shred of peer reviewed evidence. On any given day there is much more going on on the UM campus than at Dartmouth, Duke and a whole lot of similar schools. I have been to them all and you can see just by the posters and the activity lists.</p>
<p>And the Bweek rankings are as bunk as the Times international rankings.</p>
<p>I agree with you barrons if you feel the same way if we were talking about Harvard or Yale instead of Dartmouth and Duke. Otherwise, I would say you were biased and are trying to make UM look better in comparison to the top privates.</p>