| Wow, you ask good questions. I don't look at it as people being mean to my daugher, intolerant and with strong and forming opinions maybe. Believe me she can handle it. One other thing I forgot to mention that my daughter loves - the international students and the perspective they bring to both the social and academic life. Oh, one other positive. Mac is not overly competitive. Most students do not discuss grades, it is not a cut throat atmosphere.
It is hard to respond to the class availability. The registration order for second semester of freshman year was completely by luck of the draw. They split the alphabet randomly and my d was either last or second to last. It really annoyed her that she could not get into the 300 level spanish class that she wanted. She is a double major in Spanish and Political Science. She was put on the wait list but the problem becomes space. The Professor said she would not mind more students in the class but there was just no space in the classroom - one problem of a small school. My d registered today for next year and got everything she wanted, 3 poli sci courses and the Spanish class. In all fairness she was able to register as a current sophomore due to AP credits (the only thing AP credits do for you at Mac). Most her friends do not register until next week. I honestly think after your first year it is not an issue. You will also, hopefully, have an advisor you can go to for help if class selection becomes a huge issue.
Ahhh, the money, I too went to Mac but my parents received a bunch of aid. I think my feelings on the money are as follows. If you are going to use the Mac degree to go onto grad school, law school, med school etc. it is worth it. Although not incredibly well known throughout the US grad schools do know Mac and, therefore, when you apply it gets consideration. On the other hand, if my daugher gave up her dream and said "I want to be a teacher" I would tell her to get her butt out of Mac and to one of the state schools that offer her a ton of merit money. You can teach with a degree from anywhere. I do believe the Mac degree opens certain doors for you and the education is valuable but one has to weigh how it will be used. If we were in a different situation and received aid, enough to make it comparable to a state school, I would have no problem with her continuing at Mac no matter what career plan she had - I hope that makes sense. One other valuable asset for Mac, the alumni network. I believe all small schools offer more "connections" than large schools. My d's first choice was Georgetown, an alum cannot help every Georgetown grad but if a soon to be Mac grad calls an alum most likely, due to the connection, the alum will help. I am constantly telling my d to keep her eyes and ears open when speakers and alums come to campus - that could be the person who can open the door to your future.
I hope this helps. Where are you from, would Mac be close to home or far away for you?
I do think Mac has a lot to offer but I also think that perspective students often get a very one sided view of the school. It is all marketing as it is with all colleges. With that being said I do not know any friends of my daughters who are 100% happy with their choice, my d is probably happier than most. |