<p>momofwildchild - The only point that you seem to be trying to make is that Vanderbilt students are smarter than those at UW, which is ridiculous.</p>
<p>I’m not being defensive, just trying to point out how arrogant and silly some of the posts on this thread sound. If you can’t see that then so be it. BTW, I do have experience with private liberal arts colleges and yes, there are huge differences between small and large, public and private; I just think it’s outrageous that you and others find it acceptable to make statements about the intelligence of the general student population at any school. </p>
<p>xiggi - You are entertaining at best. Blasphemy, really? </p>
<p>Bluebayou - Of course there are research opportunities at small private schools, just not as many and they usually don’t give opportunities to undergrads.A few of my daughter’s friends’ parents are paying tuition north of $45,000, they are seething because their kids aren’t building resumes the way my DD is.</p>
<p>The FACT is that Vanderbilt students test substantially higher on both the ACT and the SAT than do those at UW. So while the point is arguable (do those tests accurately measure who’s “smarter”?) it’s far from ridiculous.</p>
<p>The point I am trying to make is that there is a higher percentage of academically elite students at a highly-selective private university than at a large state flagship- however good that state flagship might be. I don’t think there is much to argue about there. </p>
<p>There are plenty of students at Indiana, Wisconsin, Texas, Alabama, Georgia etc. that are every bit as smart as anyone at Vanderbilt, Yale, Duke and the like. There are many reasons for choosing a state flagship, money being one of them. That doesn’t mean that the student bodies as a whole are comparable. They simply are not.</p>
<p>I must be doing better. For a while, I thought that every post of mine that did not amount to a (very) deep genuflection to the greatness of public research universities has to be considered a DIRECT aggression! I guess I am keeping up with the religious theme! </p>
<p>Now, if you want me to use simpler and direct words, I can do that. And do it without relying on the ad hominems some around here love to hurl with abandon.</p>
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<p>Considering the fanaticism displayed by “some” well-know characters in “defending” their schools, and the zeal to push relentlessly, I think that a religious term is very apt to describe any criticism of their favorite schools. Heck, it does not have to be a criticism!</p>
Because they don’t have top ranked medical school, research hospitals, cutting edge STEM research facilities, and established faculties who are leaders in their research areas?</p>
<p>Interesting way to view things. There are what, 3000 colleges, of which 130 have med schools? And many of those focus on primary care. Are you suggesting that Williams, Amherst (first undergrad program in neuroscience), Pomona et al are lacking access?</p>
<p>Again, using ACT scores, there are a few students at the state flagships who would be seriously considered for admission at the most selective private schools. There may be a small handful that would rank in the upper 50% of the students at the more selective schools.</p>
<p>“Again, using ACT scores, there are a few students at the state flagships who would be seriously considered for admission at the most selective private schools.”</p>
<p>Really, please enlighten me what you consider a few?</p>
xiggi, for you penance I want you to (very) deeply genuflect while reciting 10 Hail Marys each orienting yourself towards Madison, Berkeley and Ann Arbor, respectively.</p>
<p>Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beatae Mariae semper Virgini, beato Michaeli Archangelo, beato Ioanni Baptistae, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo, et omnibus Sanctis, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo et opere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.</p>
<p>However, it seems that orienting myself towards Madison, Berkeley and Ann Arbor only requires one position. But to overcome this “lapsus” I will tune in to this weekend’s game in East Lansing. And I am rooting for the local team. Who said I did not like Michigan State schools? ;)</p>
<p>Barrons is probably thrilled you’re tuning in to watch his Badgers. I think they have a decent shot at the NCG. I think Chokelahoma/Okie Light and/or LSU/Bama stumble at some point…esp when they play each other. ;)</p>
<p>It’s not a tiny number, but they get pretty diluted in the middle of all the others. That was my experience at my Big Ten school- especially freshman year. I met some truly unprepared students who bordered on completely unqualified. They didn’t last long. I’ve heard similar reports from many other state schools.</p>