<p>Another CC member and I were having a “discussion” about UA. (She is from Arizona) This person was giving advice to someone about UA, saying that it was considered a “public ivy” of the south. I have never heard this term before, and I have definitely never heard of UA being in the ranks of JHU, UVA, UC-Berkley, UChicago, and many more. She mentioned some books (one from 1985 and one from 2001) that had a list of the 30 “public ivy” schools and that UA was on it. I know UA is a good school but it is in ranks with the schools I listed above?</p>
<p>Not even close. UofA is highly rated as a party school, as has been since the 70’s. Think about it: UofA accepts C+ students…how can that even be close to competitive for public colleges?</p>
<p>
The one from 1985 definitely did not include Arizona. The public Ivies in that book were:</p>
<p>Miami U
Michigan
UNC Chapel Hill
UC system (yes, all of them)
UT Austin
UVA
UVM
William & Mary</p>
<p>The 2001 book, by a different author, did include Arizona. All that really means, though, is that the authors thought Arizona was one of the top 30 public universities – which is not really saying a great deal.</p>
<p>Ok, thank you bluebayou and IBclass06</p>
<p>I knew what she said just didn’t sound right.</p>
<p>"UofA is highly rated as a party school, as has been since the 70’s. Think about it: UofA accepts C+ students…how can that even be close to competitive for public colleges? "</p>
<p>Oh I didn’t know it was considered a party school. : /</p>
<p>I signed up on this website just to answer this question. I attended U of A a long time ago. My advice to you is that you do not apply there. My experience was this:
I was in summer school, and didn’t know anybody in town. So, I spent all summer working on a school paper. When I turned it in, the teacher asked to see me after class. He said, “This paper is too good for a U of A student to have written it. We don’t expect good work here. So, I think you copied it out of a journal.” He was accusing me of cheating, because I had written a decent paper! I told him that I was flattered, and I offered to show him my notes. He said he didn’t have time, but he still didn’t believe me. That is the kind of place it is on the undergraduate level. You can do better. I dropped out of the school and attended a small private school, where they weren’t shocked by a student actually studying.</p>
<p>Thank you duckadoo for your imput. I wasn’t planning on applying there in the first place, but I didn’t want others to get wrong information.</p>
<p>It seems extremely bad for the teacher to think so badly of their school</p>
<p>It’s all a matter of perspective, right? the University of Arizona might not compare favorably (for most students) to Ivies and many of the schools to which CC members aspire, but don’t forget it is still among the top 100 or so national universities. </p>
<p>I think we get a little spoiled on this board thinking (or dreaming in so many cases) about the very highest ranked of the 4000 or so instituions of higher learning in the U.S.</p>
<p>For most people in the US, a degree from University of Arizona would not be seen any differently from a degree from Ohio State, Iowa State, Auburn, U of Oregon, Washington St, Rutgers, Florida St, etc. etc. etc.</p>
<p>It is considered marginally better than Arizona State!</p>
<p>That is true Dunnin, but I was just wondering on the “public ivy” part. I believe it is a good school just not like ivy schools. Many people that go to UA end up being successful.</p>