<p>We visited U Pitt a couple months ago. The Holiday Inn at University Center is the closest, but expensive. The university discount only took $10 off a day. The Wyndham at University Place is cheaper and they have a free shuttle to U Pitt. It’s also on Forbes Ave. I had to call the hotels to get the university discount- couldn’t do it online. Don’t wait too long to make reservations. Tonight I couldn’t get a room with 2 double beds at the Holiday Inn in March. We’re trying the Wyndham this time and will get to check out Forbes Ave. The taxi ride from the airport is about $40 each way. There are airport shuttles to/from the hotels, but they cost $20 a person each way. If you bring a car, you will probably have to pay extra to park it at a hotel.</p>
<p>If you can pay a little extra, the Inn on Negley in Pittsburgh is the best B & B I’ve been to in the US. The breakfast is to die for, and the parking is free and there is free internet. It’s walking distance to Shadyside (and Pamela’s) and for dinner Giresole is excellent. If you are there on Sunday, parking on Frew St in Schenley park is free so you can do the Phipps conservatory, Craig street and the Carnegie museum from there. I’ve been to the Chihuilly exhibit twice-it’s a must see! Go at night if you can get tickets (order online well ahead). We’ve been traveling to Pittsburgh for 4 years (D’s graduating CMU this spring) and have always found loads to do. The Wyndam is convenient, but a so-so hotel.</p>
<p>Cangel, Michigan State’s study abroad program is the largest single campus program in the USA, and considered one of the best. Foreign studies is very good and, because of the large study abroad program, there are a lot of foreign students on campus. You’re correct, advising is very good at, esp among big major research schools. </p>
<p>The advise of boysx3 is also very good: James Madison college is a very intense, small residential college – meaning most students live in the dorm where the classes and administrative offices are in one building (Case Hall) promoting a small liberal arts college atmosphere. The academic atmosphere at Madison is high; lots of Phi Beta Kappas in this program; the International Relations programs at James Madison is nationally renowned.</p>
<p>MSU grad here. I lived in the dorm next to Case Hall and took some classes there. There is also a science residential college and a new liberal arts one that was just reinstated a year or two ago. It’s a huge campus and very cold in the winter. I have also lived in Columbus and the winters there are much milder than in East Lansing (Columbus is 5 hrs. south). I think winter on MSU’s campus would be a shock for someone from the south.</p>
<p>I was in choir at MSU. There are several choirs there, also a strong music dept. I really loved the football games and the marching band.</p>
<p>When we visited OU, we stayed at the Hampton Inn. It is new, and quite nice.</p>
<p>My daughter just graduated from OU. I also lived in Athens most of my life. We moved away, but I’d move back there in a second. The campus is beautiful. There is alot of walking up and down hills, but it’s good excersise! What does he want to study? OU does run on quarters, and they have been kicking around the idea of changing to semesters for about 10 years. Athens is laid back. Little crime. The worst thing is bars, bars, and more bars!</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone, keep the good advice coming.
He is quite undecided as of now. But history and foreign affairs interest him, also business. We are trying to get him to keep an open mind, somewhat unsucessfully. </p>
<p>We added OU because we could work it into our driving schedule easily, the size was what he wanted, we know a couple of people who are OU grads and had positive things to say (big party school though), and I thought it contrasted well with Pitt - about the same size, but not urban,etc. He’s dead set against OU right now.</p>
<p>Barbmaz - if you could pick one hang-out in Athens that would give him a good feel for the school what would it be? He likes music, so a bar/restaurant that you could take a 16 year old???</p>
<p>My S graduated from Pitt last spring. I was frustrated with the cost of hotels in Oakland, but as they’re all fairly close to campus, and similar styles, found deals on Priceline. Also car rental deals. There is a bus via downtown from the airport right to campus. Parking is expensive, and all hotels charge for parking, though I found onstreet parking overnight. I’m a bit of a big city driving wimp, but found my way around Pittsburgh in time, and grew to have quite an affection for the place. Yes, go to the museum! </p>
<p>My S went on exchange twice from Pitt. Ended up interning in the exchange office, and really liking the staff. They were far more flexible than most schools in terms of which study abroad programs they’d accept, and it worked out quite well with financial aid and being an out of state student. My S said it is one of the best exchange programs in the country, though he also gave high marks to U of Minnesota.</p>
<p>I live within a few miles of MSU and we had 10 inches of snow a week and a half ago and 60 degree temperatures a few days later! Luckily the kids were on break during the snowstorm.</p>
<p>Maybe I better tell you that both extremes of weather are really, really rare in mid-michigan. Right now it is above freezing and no snow.</p>