Michigan State vs. Grand Valley?

gvnee89
Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:33:32 +0000

I’m biased b/c I am about to graduate from GVSU, and was deciding between those two colleges about four years ago. Still, the direct admit from GVSU for nursing is a VERY big deal. Especially since at both universities the nursing program is very hard to get in during your junior year. Still, the two schools are very different, MSU is one of the biggest universities in the nation (many strengths there but many weaknesses), and I’ve heard GVSU referred to as the biggest small college in the nation. Still, it depends what you want. I have friends at MSU and most classes outside of their random majors/residential colleges at MSU (Lyman Briggs, James Madison) are very large freshmen through junior years and even in your senior year. On the other hand, MSU is a Big Ten school with great sports and a great social scene, though I hear the social scene gets old after a while in East Lansing. GVSU will offer more of the small classes and professor/student interaction. If you like class discussion and getting to know your professor, the small class sizes at GV can help you in those regards. Also, Allendale is just an okay college town, but if you combine it with Grand Rapids, I think that being near GR beats EL by quite a bit. GR is a great city and really has changed a lot in the past 5-10 years.
A pretty long post but I think it comes down to small versus big, rural suburban close to great city or a pretty good college town (though both schools surrounding area are nowhere near the greatness of Ann Arbor). They are a both great schools so good luck in deciding.