<p>The reason Nebraska was on the list because I have a personal relation to the medical research they do at that school, and I am very impressed with it. I mean, it is on a graduate research level, but it gave me the impression that the whole university had their stuff together. Didn’t Harrison Ford just go their to learn about his role for his latest film?</p>
<p>These big schools tend to have good facilities for the sciences, is what I’m saying. Am I totally off on this? Is this irrelevant to undergraduate studies?</p>
<p>I too was a little surprised to hear that some feel an education at one of these Universities wasn’t worth the OOS cost. A place like Iowa can offer many things an LAC cannot, and there are many more good professors on earth than can be squeezed in at HYP-- when I think of the GREAT teachers I know who are working at various public colleges… of course there are many questions about the teaching, the quality of life and opportunities, and the fit for the particular student…but I certainly wouldn’t dismiss a major public university out of hand. (I know my daughter is considering several.)</p>
<p>As for size, social environment, etc.: It’s all what you make of it, no matter what kind of school you choose. And I definitely agree with Gwen Fairfax that there are great teachers at public schools. At least at Missouri, it’s a myth that TAs teach all the entry-level courses (they take attendance, make sure no one’s on Facebook in the lecture hall, grade tests, etc.). The only disconcerting thing for my S was the lack of diversity at Missouri. He grew up in a big city, and at first it felt odd that everyone looks alike there.</p>
<p>P.S. to cluelessdad: I’m letting go of buyer’s remorse. I just secretly wish he hadn’t gone a thousand miles away when he could have studied poli sci closer to home!</p>
<p>S2 is accepted & seriously considering OSU. They have an impressive honors program that tries to bring a large university down to a more personal size. For such a huge university, we have had a lot of personal contact. (S2 is OOS). Like the OP, I too am curious about other people’s experiences.</p>
<p>^GeezerM, yes, lots of strong poli sci in and around DC! But your getting a great in-state deal (congrats!) and your S is enjoying his college run – great place to be as a parent!</p>
<p>LOL on the diveristy point, major metro for us too; it is pretty whitebread there, and there seems to be a “good-looking” gene in that state (Brad Pitt attended, I don’t think graduated). It was disconcerting a bit.</p>
<p>+1 Gwen on OOS publics as worthy choices to consider. No shortage of amazing quality profs to go around. We were amazed how much the college shortlists shifted when plugging in different field of study variables.</p>
<p>And the OOS COA cited may still be a bargain when compared to privates that match up for the kid.</p>
<p>If you are looking at these four schools, you should also check out University of Kansas. I have been very impressed with what I have learned about the school, the town its in, and the opportunities it offers its students. It draws from a wide range of states so there is a good mix of students, unlike Nebraska, which is more regional in its population. My son applied to both and was accepted at both, and he is a B- (2.9 gpa) student. He was rejected at Ohio State, which for him was a reach.</p>
<p>H went to undergrad at Nebraska-Lincoln, as did his siblings. I met H in law school at Nebraska and we graduated together from there. Was impressed with H’s undergraduate educational footing (and that of his siblings) and thought that the law school was of high quality as well. As I’ve said before on this forum, there are smart people attending universities and colleges everywhere, even in the fly-over states ( I realize that there was no intended insult by anyone). And as a practicing attorney, my H routinely kicks the butts of those with Harvard, Stanford, Yale, etc. J.D.s</p>
<p>You are correct, OP, UNL’s medical school is a good one.</p>
<p>I too was a little surprised to hear that some feel an education at one of these Universities wasn’t worth the OOS cost.</p>
<p>I do sometimes feel the OOS tuition is worth it. However, some mistakenly think that if they have an EFC below the COA of an OOS school that they will get FA to cover those costs. Rarely does that happen.</p>
I realize that there was no intended insult by anyone). And as a practicing attorney, my H routinely kicks the butts of those with Harvard, Stanford, Yale, etc. J.D.s</p>