Indiana vs. Iowa

anon94785555
Sun, 12 Aug 2007 16:14:54 +0000

Just previewed my post and found yor latest one, but my comments are still valid.

Why do you want a Big 10 school? Ignore the athletics, you will find many other conferences with equally good athletics (or better) and school sports spirit. People in other areas are just as passionate about their school sports. When choosing a public Midwest school you should be focusing on why you want to spend 4 years here instead of on either coast. Then you need to learn a lot about this part of the country. Around here many would not understand the differences between northern and southern California- everyone there knows them. The best Big 10 school will have a lot in common with your CA choices regarding academics, school size, town size, liberalness, greek presence and all the other factors. I notice you didn’t mention Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois… The climate and terrain does vary from north to south. Iowa City is a vibrant, beautiful, intellectual city. Columbus is a large city. East Lansing is much closer to the northwoods and downhill skiing. Bloomington is a small town in hotter southern Indiana. Consider that you will be spending your time with well over half of the student body from the state you choose- which state culture do you want to immerse yourself in?

There is nothing sacred about Big 10 schools, they are as varied as schools in any other conference. You will find that athletics are not the most important part of your life, even at the most rabid school sports school. Focus on your academic needs first. Compare Iowa to Indiana, see if you can imagine yourself living in each for 4 years. If you can’t get excited about either of them, don’t bother applying.

If you want a Midwest public school on your list go through your list of priorities, there may be a good one in one of your majors that is in another conference that could suit you better. Also, private schools will give more financial aid, consider them, too.