muzicgirl89

this doesn't seem to be a very active forum but I thought I'd try to start up a thread detailing what makes U of Minnesota a great school. I think its rather underrated on this board so I'd love to hear from incoming students about what made them choose U of Minn (aid can also be considered a reason, it was one of my main ones)!

admitman

Well, I think I will most probably choose UMinn after all my decisions are out since it's affordable(keeping in mind my horrible financial situation), ranked 33 in the world with regard to research capabilities, 71 on US rankings and has a good Biological/Medical/Biomed Eng. background. The weather is going to be a bit of a turn off for me since I love swimming(I don't really like indoor pools) and playing in the sun. Also, being a big univ. with so many undergrads, I'm not sure whether the friends I make will be for life or just for the college period.But hey, it's a small sacrifice I'll have to make to get the education I so dearly need. I know a few of these choices might be wrong; I just hope they don't blow my #ss off!

By the way, which major are u choosing muzicgirl?

muzicgirl89

I chose a math major and plan to teach as of now, but that might change. Since Minnesota's so big, I probably have a lot of options even if I do change majors. The good news though is that Minnesota seems to be pretty strong is math.

One of the main reasons I picked Minnesota is itll allow me to graduate without loans and debt. However, I also think the campus is pretty, the city is really nice and has a lot to do, and I've heard is has some top-notch grad schools I could go into. Plus, it seems Minn has a 5-year program for getting my masters in teaching (instead of 6 years)

cbeley

I am still debating between the U of M and UW-Madison, but some things I like about Minnesota is that the campus is all very nice and more like it's own little town...I thought that was cool. Plus, it's in the city, and it's a very nice, pleasant city.

Wisconsin seems to have a more spread out campus that isn't so much like a campus, but everyone who has gone there seems to have a hard time saying anything bad about it, and I have heard comments from people there and people who have visited that the students their seem...happier. A friend of mine who recently visited the two schools said that at Minnesota no one seemed to really interact and no one seemed all that happy, while everyone seems happy and getting along with each other in Wisconsin.

...Wisconsin does have better dorms and food though.....two pluses. It's a really tough choice and I have been tempted to just flip a quarter...though, just because of what people have said, I'm leaning towards Madison, but won't make my decision until I visit them (if I can).

lville

1. Unexpectedly got a lot of merit $ from them
2. HS has several large scholarships specifically for UMN
3. Carlson is very nice and good at placing graduates
4. It isn't a school that has only 1 good program, so if i switch majors, it is still a respected degree
5. nice city and is close to home (I live in St. Paul suburb)

jhuston

Wow, as of today, my son has now been accepted to Case Western Reserve, Washington University in St Louis, Vanderbilt, Carnegie Mellon and Cornell. Unfortunately, we can't afford to cover the costs to any of them. He's a brilliant young man, just guilty of being raised by an upper middle class father who didn't save the ~$60-80,000 these schools say we're responsible for.

So, that's why... it's looking more and more like... Minnesota (and thank goodness for it!)... here we come!

ibmngirl12

jhuston, i have the same prob i got into Umich ann arbor (collge of engineering) but it'll cost me 30k with finicial aid and U, and only 15k for the U (IT) cuz of instate...i really don't know what to do...so your son is going to the U, was it hard to make the decision? cuz i still have couple of weeks left and yeah...

jhuston

It's official... my son has decided to be a Gopher.

It was an easy decision for him:

-Full tuition + $1,400 undergraduate research scholarship (+ NMF money)
-6 hour drive from home
-Great city
-Institute of Technology looks to be very good
-Chosen physics program very good, top 25 rank, top 10 in published papers
-Second choice chemical engineering among very top
-Great honors program led by a physics guy, many classes, like 'honors seminars' too
-Undergraduate research program led by a physics guy
-Marching band easy for my average horn player (but enthusiastic ) son to get into
-Lots of area employment opportunities
-Zero debt after 4 years

It didn't hurt that they rolled out the red carpet for him when he visited. Everything was one-on-one... they even took us to a Dinky Town restaurant for lunch. Didn't expect that from an out of state university with 30,000+ undergraduates.

tokenadult

Congratulations. My son is in suspense still on his dual-enrollment application. I hope we'll run into each other there.

believersmom

D picked UMN because:
+It "felt" right
+Has everything she wants (beautiful campus but still in the city, reasonable tuition, traditional collegiate activities)
+Far enough away from home but not TOO far (5 hours)
+Big yet still personal
+location with lots to offer outside of campus
+ski racing club
+successful and respected art school with lots of cultural connections
+different from where most of her close friends are going, yet has some friendly aquaintances going(friends of friends and people who live close enough for carpooling home when necessary)
+tons of opportunities on every level making the challenge of just what to take advantage of
+4 year grad guarentee
+experience of others with regard to outstanding personal advising

I'll second the comment on the great level of personal attention that was a shock for the size of the U.

muzicgirl89

Ya, I got the feeling the University was pretty personal when the Dean of Admissions stopped me in the street to welcome me to the University and ask how my visit was going, lol! I was going to choose the U anyhow but that just kinda clinched the deal for me.