<p>D has a strong interest in debate and she tells me Michigan State is one of the top colleges in the country for that. She is looking for a very strong academic environment where she can get a liberal arts education. How strong is the academics at the Honors College (and is it open to out-of-state students)? </p>
<p>She has no interest in football or any athletics and has a strong interest in music. Would she feel out of place at MSU?</p>
<p>The Big Ten is comprised of great schools. If you find one that fits your needs, you should not hesitate to go for it.</p>
<p>This isn’t totally on topic, but my sis attends Northwestern and they shake their keys at football games since “someday the other team will be parking our cars.” I live in Ohio, so I hear all the UMich jokes about OSU (How do you get an OSU grad off your lawn? pay him for the pizza!)</p>
<p>The jokes are all in good fun, as evidenced by the fact that NU shakes their keys at OSU and UMiich just the same. Going to college for many people is an accomplishment, no matter which one it is. And it’s not like the Big Ten schools are bad. You’ll find a lot of them in books of good schools.</p>
<p>Any one of the Big Ten could produce cards like these…
Clever.
[Penn</a> State trading cards tout academics, not athletes - USATODAY.com](<a href=“http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-10-08-faculty-trading-cards_N.htm]Penn”>http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-10-08-faculty-trading-cards_N.htm)</p>
<p>Elite schools can provide a distinct advantage in recruiting. I think it’s unfair, but a lot of things in life are unfair. Fortunately, the advantage tends to be limited to certain fields. For example, if your goal in life is to work for Goldman Sachs on Wall Street, go to Michigan or Northwestern instead of Michigan State or Minnesota. The top firms in fields like management consulting or investment banking won’t even look at your resume if it isn’t headlined by a “preferred” school. But like the other posters have said, would you really be happy working for a bunch of elitist snobs?</p>
<p>Somehow, the name Goldman Sachs just doesn’t have the same appeal it used to…getting bailout $…laying off bunches of people…no bonuses for the big guys. These folks have been knocked down few pegs…</p>
<p>im sorry but when you brought up the name doesnt have the same appeal it used to…i couldnt help thinking a bit more about the name</p>
<p><<of course=“” you=“” should=“” be=“” ashamed.=“” the=“” big=“” 12=“” is=“” only=“” way=“” to=“” go.=“” what=“” a=“” dumb=“” question.=“” :-)=“”>></of></p>
<p>Considering the fact that the 2nd best school in the Big12 would be the 8th ranked school in the Big Ten, or that 10 of the {alleged} Big 12 would be the lowest ranked school in the Big Ten, I’m not quite sure that I’d follow that advice.</p>
<p>"This isn’t totally on topic, but my sis attends Northwestern and they shake their keys at football games since “someday the other team will be parking our cars.” "</p>
<p>The proper chant is “That’s all right, that’s OK, you’re going to work for us some day!” But you’re right, it’s totally in a spirit of good fun, with a wink.</p>
<p>Hey, NW doesn’t usually do too well at football but THIS is a good year. They beat Michigan (but then again so did pretty much everyone else in the conference…LOL).</p>
<p>Big Ten football is FUN.</p>
<p>sh60614,</p>
<p>The smiley face after my post was meant to indicate that the post was made in jest. For the record, there’s nothing wrong with any Big 10 school.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>With the usual caveat about rankings…</p>
<p>Big Ten Schools in USNWR rankings:</p>
<p>National Universities
12 - Northwestern University
26 - University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
35 - University of Wisconsin - Madison
40 - University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
47 - Pennsylvania State University - University Park</p>
<p>Engineering (PhD highest degree)
4 - University of Illinois - UIUC
7 - University of Michigan
9 - Purdue University - West Lafayette
13 - University of Wisconsin - Madison
14 - Northwestern University
17 - Penn State
25 - University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
28 - Ohio State</p>
<p>Undergraduate Business
3 - University of Michigan
11 - Indiana University
13 - University of Illinois - UIUC (tie)
13 - University of Wisconsin - Madison (tie)
17 - Ohio State (tie)
17 - Purdue (tie)
21 - Penn State (tie)
21 - University of Minnesota (tie)
25 - Michigan State</p>
<p>Not to mention the Big Ten Schools’ high rankings in various subcategories of Engineering and Business.</p>
<p>Many Big Ten schools are academically top-notch and a great value!</p>
<p>Apart from the obvious innumeracy displayed in calling an eleven-member conference the “Big Ten,” this is a group of excellent schools that has nothing to be ashamed of on the academic front. Big Ten football, on the other hand, has become something of an embarrassment. . . .</p>
<p>Seriously, though, all the Big Ten schools are among the top public institutions in the country (except Northwestern, of course, but it’s easily among the top privates). Here’s how US News ranks them among all public universities:</p>
<p>Michigan #4
Wisconsin #7
Illinois #10
Penn State #15
Ohio State #19
Minnesota #22
Purdue #26
Iowa #26
Michigan State #30
Indiana #30</p>
<p>All provide an extraordinary range of high-quality educational programs, most with a breadth and depth that can be matched by few other institutions, public or private. All are research powerhouses. Depending on how you count, there are approximately 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States. By any measure, every school in the Big Ten ranks easily in the top decile, and probably higher. Be proud, be focused, work hard, and these schools will open up doors to learning, career opportunities, and intellectual riches.</p>
<p>Not at all!
My D applied to four of the Big 10s and has been accepted to IU (so far! :))</p>
<p>They’re great schools with great programs.</p>
<p>Not for anything, one should never be ashamed of any school. A college education is invaluable (IMO).</p>
<p>“Big Ten football, on the other hand, has become something of an embarrassment. . . .”</p>
<p>Oh come on, these things go in cycles. Been following Notre Dame lately? How about UCLA? Syracuse? </p>
<p>The games are a blast…speaking from someone who came from a state school system (NY) with PATHETIC football.
I guess it’s all relative.
Let’s hope PSU can show their stuff in the Rose Bowl this year. Ohio state really put a dent in the conference reputation over the last couple of years.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Big Ten football isn’t so bad this year. Current Div. I-A rankings (sources - ESPN, SI):</p>
<p>8 - Penn State
10 - Ohio State
15 - Michigan State
24 - Northwestern</p>
<p>Michigan is having a bad year - no bowl game for the first time in 33 years…</p>
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<p>Judging by the total lack of response to my question above, I assume the answer is- yes?</p>
<br>
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<p>Judging by the total lack of response to my question above, I assume the answer is- yes?</p>
<p>VP. Hmmm, if the atmosphere at MSU is similar to PSU, I think she would be fine… but I’m not really sure (maybe go on th MSU board and ask?).
In any case, neighbors D is a music major at PSU. Didn’t have ANY interest at all in football or athletics. Now goes to the games and LOVES them. It’s really about the school coming together as a community. And pride. And fun. (and drinking too unfortunately). Lots of kids BECOME football fans when they go to a Big Ten. I imagine there are those who don’t who are just fine too…as long as they don’t resent it. It’s a big force on campus for sure.</p>
<p>When I arrived at IU I didn’t care about basketball in the slightest. I soon learned what I was missing. That was 35+ years ago. I am still a HUGE college basketball fan and really loved the games at IU. My kids learned to love it as well. We have a cat named after a certain temperamental former IU basketball coach.</p>