Michigan State University

Michigan State had it all. Given focus and motivation anyone could fine a place and a path with MSU's great resources and professors. In any large University many students get lost, as I did. There were no professors that I knew personally and if one is drifting it is difficult to get anchored.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

I love MSU, it is very friendly and helps you understand what is you would like to do in life and really let's you find yourself. :-)

2nd Year Female -- Class 2005

Innovation: A+, Collaboration/Competitive: B

Here's my story. My entire family (extended included) are U-M graduates. I applied to only MSU and U-M, and got accepted to both. The choice came down to which would give me the better OVERALL college experience. While Michigan has a very good academic reputation, it is extremely overrated. I swear half of the student body has social anxiety. On the other hand, MSU is underrated when it comes to academics. I think it gets average reviews sometimes because it offers many useless, obscure majors which are rediculously easy to get a degree in. It does, however, have many top-ranking departments that don't get enough credit when standing next to interior design and equine management (Business, James Madison College, Lyman Briggs, Veterinary School, Journalism, English, Education, etc.). In fact, the honors college is one of the most prestigious in the nation, offering a more challenging academic experience than one would find at most large public universities. Also, MSU has an obviously outstanding athletic program, but only recruits will play the big sports. Hence, the huge participation in a wide variety of IM sports. Last but definitely not least, the social scene and student body is the best you could possibly ask for in a college experience. People are very friendly and socially conscious, which is wonderful considering the amount of "rich" kids that are there. People start to realize that rich does not necessarily mean snobby. No one really has a problem with that at MSU, since people of that nature tend to be very humble about that on average (considering the complete opposite at U-M, where people are so self-conscious that they become absorbed in financial differentiation). I personally love the Greek system and house party scene. On the whole, MSU offers one of the best overall college experiences available, in my opinion.

1st Year Male -- Class 2006

Education Quality: A+, Perceived Campus Safety: B+