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<p>Exact same scenario for my son this fall. Many of his honor college classmates have turned down Ivy league and Top 20 schools to attend this state honors college for financial reasons. My son will be surrounded by class vals with the added bonus of being in a school with the highest level of research activity in the nation and a SEC football team. Plus it’s not costing us $50,000 year. Life is good :)</p>
<p>Marion, I grew up in CT. I don’t remember my peer group feeling negative about the state schools, especially UConn, but your right, it is very different up north. I’m in NC now and my son will be starting at UNC this fall. Many people here dream of going to UNC from their childhood. Everyone is excited when you say you got into UNC. People all over the state, college educated or not, wear UNC or NC State t-shirts. There is a state wide passion and a pride for these schools to an extent that doesn’t exist for UConn, UMass, or other New England state schools. Friends of mine who went to UConn are big fans and rabid supporters of UConn, but it’s still not the same.</p>
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My kids go to a rigorous high school with a lot of smart students, and every year, we have plenty of kids going to Ivy League schools and plenty of kids headed to honors programs at our state flagship. Both are great. I’m with MomLive and many others; my daughter would have been fine in the honors program (or one of several other specialized programs at our state flagship) and if that is where my son ends up, that is terrific.</p>
<p>I don’t think there is any thing wrong with state universities. </p>
<p>In term of academics - classes and research, I would say the top public state schools are equally as good, if not better, than the top private school. One key difference between them - resources available to ALL students.</p>
<p>Let me use a simple example. At top private, a campus job may pay a freshman more than $14/hour. How much does a state school pay in their WS program? </p>
<p>At top privates, they have all sort of programs that benefits MAJORITY of the students. They have real campus abroad for the study abroad program instead of a 4 week study abroad trip. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I am not so sure about all these “honor colleges” are as good a deal as they claim. The students do have their own dorm but no one stay in the dorm 24 hours/day. As to the honor class. I think students take one or two honor classes per quater. The majorities of the classes they take are still “regular” classes.</p>
<p>Again, there is nothing wrong with any state university. Many of the gradutes have very successful carreers.</p>
<p>To me, a person’s success depends on his/her motivation, effort and capability. The school they attend is only the secondary factor.</p>
<p>PS. To many low income families and/or families with special circumstances, a top private is often much more affordable than state schools.</p>
<p>Growing up in the Northeast, most people I knew didn’t really consider state schools when I was a teen, but now that I’m looking for my son, I think the attitude is changing somewhat (or at least I am more aware of the more positive attitude.)</p>
<p>I think one change is the economy. When we were growing up, privates didn’t cost that much, so people tended to just pay the extra tuition without thinking. Now, if someone’s paying a whopping sum to a private, they want to make sure it is really that much better, and some people (even some wealthy friends) have opted for public (both in-state and out of state).</p>
<p>My son’s top choices include both private and public. Considering they are all in a similar range academically, it will be interesting to see how the financials shake down in the end, and also, which schools he ultimately is most passionate about (and of course, where he gets in.) Public or private? We’ll be happy either way.</p>
<p>DadII, what public university only has a 4 week study abroad program? UNC’s is a whole lot bigger than that: [Study</a> Abroad at Carolina](<a href=“http://admissions.unc.edu/Academics/Distinguished_Study_at_Carolina/Study_Abroad.html]Study”>http://admissions.unc.edu/Academics/Distinguished_Study_at_Carolina/Study_Abroad.html)</p>
<p>Dad II, I like the French and Italian 8- and 15-week programs offered through Ohio State; these are nice examples of Study Abroad programs through a state flagship.
[The</a> Ohio State University - Office of International Affairs - French or Italian Programs at a Glance](<a href=“http://oia.ohio-state.edu/programs/at-a-glance/french-or-italian-programs.html]The”>http://oia.ohio-state.edu/programs/at-a-glance/french-or-italian-programs.html)
A lot of private schools, 4 - 1 - 4 schools, offer January interim study abroad sessions. Is that what you were talking about?</p>
<p>As others have indicated, it’s only a select few who look down on state schools. In my state, the two [USNews top 50] public flagships open more doors for graduates and garner more respect than most privates. I’m sure the same is true of many, if not most, other flagships.</p>
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<p>I would leave the NY’ers out of that statement…there are several hundred thousand NY students enrolled at the 64 SUNY’s which encompass almost every field of study one could want. There are just so many good, and relatively affordable, private schools in NY that it may seem like we discount our public system. But, truly, many of the SUNY’s are gems and are pretty well respected statewide.</p>
<p>I apologize for not having all the facts. What I was told was that unless you are the top top students, the only study abroad programs available are 4 week long trips. </p>
<p>In other words, I am guessing that an average student at a top state school generally has less opportunity than an average student at top private. Of course, I don’t have any data to support that statement. </p>
<p>Again, I believe a good student should do fine at any school.</p>
<p>"n other words, I am guessing that an average student at a top state school generally has less opportunity than an average student at top private. Of course, I don’t have any data to support that statement. "</p>
<p>I know plenty of students at my local second tier public who’ve studied abroad for a semester. I doubt that all were top students. What seemed to be required was the money to afford it.</p>
<p>"People in New England, New York, and New Jersey don’t seem to have the same strong positive feelings about their state universities that those from many other states do. "</p>
<p>That’s because they Ivies and Little Ivies in their states. In most states, the flagship public (even a second tier one) is considered very prestigious.</p>
<p>I would much rather my S get a great education at his state flagship and come out with minimal debt.</p>
<p>His school has a party reputation, so do many expensive private schools.</p>
<p>The stats required to get in were nothing to sneeze at - he will be in very good company. And the program for his major is ranked highly - why would we spend (or borrow!) over twice as much for essentially the same education?</p>
<p>If you have the resources or have an EFC that will make going to an expensive private work for you, then that’s great! But for those who are middle class and full pay, the state flagship is a place to get a good education without being crippled by debt.</p>
<p>Luckily, S wanted to go to a large, diverse school - another plus for him.</p>
<p>International Academic Programs (IAP) offers over 180 study abroad programs to UW-Madison students across campus. Many programs are also available to Wisconsin residents or degree-seeking students from outside UW-Madison. Instruction is in a wide range of languages, including many options in English.</p>
<p>I think most top flagships are similar. 1- 4 week program?? Must be very small school.</p>
<p>[The</a> Division of International Studies at UW-Madison](<a href=“http://www.international.wisc.edu/studyAbroad/]The”>studyabroad – International Division – UW–Madison)</p>
<p>I have one child at a Top 20 school, and another will be starting at a (gasp!) state-school-that-is-not-the-flagship-or-even-the-second-best. The T20 gave my D a terrific financial aid package & it has been great for her. For my S, though, the great financial aid wasn’t there … he will be working toward a degree that isn’t offered at many schools, and he was only interested in a few of those schools. The state school was the least expensive, by far. Most likely, none of you have heard of the school, but that doesn’t matter. He will have some incredible opportunities, and he will be able to get a job when he is done with school (something many Top 20 school students aren’t able to do these days). So, hey - what IS wrong with state universities? Nothing, really. :)</p>
<p>I’m just so thankful that I hang out with people who are self confident enough not to look down on others’ choices of colleges. Why hang out with the pitiful small minded folks who are making such judgments - kick them to the curb.</p>
<p>OP…our D CHOSE to attend a state university (UVa) over other privates such as Northwestern, BC (Honors), Wake, UNC, etc., etc. For her it was, and will continue to be, about fit. She’s a 4.0, 2250 SAT kid who had many options; however, she went with the one that “felt” right to her. Sometimes I see the grace she exudes when someone asks her where she’s going to college, and she replies, “UVA,” and they look confused. (Many in our region are not familiar with the school and don’t know it’s reputation.) For several kids on CC who are looking for prestige and prestige alone, this response would kill them. I’ve been SO incredibly proud, though, at the poise she has shown. When they say, “You’re going to what? U…B…A??? What?” she simply responds, “No. U.V.A. – The University of Virginia,” and then smiles and walks away totally unphased. </p>
<p>One aside…depending on what state you’re from, I contend and WILL ALWAYS CONTEND that going to a state U can provide you with every opportunity (and often more) than any private INCLUDING the ivys. For example, in Texas, the Longhorns and Aggies look out for one another and network unlike none other. (Texans out there…am I right?) If a student plans to continue to reside in TX, they’re actually probably in BETTER standing at UT or A&M than they would be at Harvard or Yale. Understandably this is not true in other regions of the U.S. or world for that matter, but for the kid who doesn’t want to venture away, the networking channels at these two state schools are frequently superior to most of the privates. (Yes, I realize some might disagree with this statement and might be quick with a rebuttle; however, I hold steadfast to my opinion.)</p>
<p>I know several kids attending public universities who have studied abroad for a semester or year. </p>
<p>As far as the cost of study abroad, it can often be less for students attending a public school, because so many private schools will charge a full semester’s tuition for the abroad program. Additionally, it may be easier for the family of a student who is not paying private tuition to subsidize the study abroad, even if the time abroad costs more. </p>
<p>Here’s a web site that provides information about some of the study abroad programs offered via the Cal State U. system: [Prospective</a> Students | International Programs | CSU](<a href=“http://www.calstate.edu/ip/prospective-students/]Prospective”>http://www.calstate.edu/ip/prospective-students/)<br>
The page refers to “your year abroad” – gives details about costs, financial aid, and available scholarships – and specifies that most programs require a GPA of 2.75-3.00 – I’m sure there are many students who would meet that criteria.</p>
<p>I think that the source of much of the condescending attitude – as well as circulation of negative stereotypes or myths about public colleges – comes largely from a need for people to rationalize their choice to pay the high cost of private colleges. So they convince themselves that the public school options can’t possibly give them or their children whatever wonderful options are prominently advertised in the private school brochures. I’ve seen the same thing, actually, among parents who opt to send their kids to private schools for elementary and high school (they rationalize that they have “no choice” because the local public schools are so terrible, etc.)</p>
<p>My daughter chose to attend Cal Poly SLO over UC Davis, USC and University of the Pacific, as well as another CSU and a couple OOS large, public schools. Although she preferred the “aesthetic look” of some of the other campuses, as well as sports traditions, in the end, Cal Poly was a better fit for her overall. And, it’s affordable. Also, Cal Poly, even though in the CSU system, seems to march to its own drummer in many aspects. That includes the application process.</p>