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NS'ers in college, I need your help and input

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EAST~COAST
Posts: 1017 - Karma: 91
Alright it's that college picking time of the year and my top 2 are Uconn and Umass. I got into both but i cannot decide for the life of me. Please read my thoughts on both schools and let me know if my views are accurate and help me make a decision


Uconn: Uconn has a better reputation education wise being the number #1 public university in the Northeast and I got into the business program as a freshman. The campus is absolutely awesome with all nice buildings and facilities. Sports(mainly basketball) are unbeatable and the campus has a great feeling of camaraderie. It's a nice big school which is what I'm looking for but so is Umass. The downside of Uconn is that it's in the middle of bumblefuck. I want the college experience as well as a good education and Uconn just doesn't look like a big party school. There is 3 bars around the campus and a lot of frats. There is no real college town anywhere within a 20 minute drive of the campus.
$38,616

Umass: Umass gave me $6,000 and admission into the Isenberg School of Management. The school doesn't have as great of a reputation as Uconn academically but it does not have a bad reputation at all. The campus isn't as flattering as Uconn but it does have all great facilities and buildings. It still has sports and it is absolutely massive which is awesome. Umass has been voted "Best college town in the Northeast" multiple times which is a huge plus and there is tons of bars, frats, clubs, etc. I feel an overall better college experience but less of a known academic school.
$28,698

Thats my thoughts on both schools but I really want some input from fellow NS'ers in college now. How important is it to be at a well known school? How important is it to have a great nightlife compared to a subpar nightlife? I want info from anyone who has visited, attended, know someone who goes to either school or anything.. Basically if you know anything help me make a decision.
Jan 6 2012 4:30PM
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JustDidIt
Posts: 2194 - Karma: 160
i vote for UMass. it sounds better in pretty much all the important aspects
Jan 6 2012 4:34PM
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PopsicleStand
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 147
The difference in Academic reputation between the two schools you picked will not have as much bearing on your future as much as you do. Don't forget you still need to shine with good grades etc.

Also. Umass cause its cheaper.
Jan 6 2012 4:38PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
I wouldn't worry too much about cost, you shouldn't let that hold you back. an education is priceless.

both schools sound solid, just be flexible and open-minded when choosing.
Jan 6 2012 4:42PM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
From what I've seen (I graduated college in 2010), going to a "well known" school really doesn't mean much. A potential employer/grad school is going to want to know about YOU, not what school you necessarily went to. I feel like the only time this doesn't apply is Ivy League schools. That seems to give you an advantage haha. If you do well in school, it shouldn't matter where you go because in the end you're going to get the same education and learn the same things 99% of the time. A lot of my good friends are in dental school right now, and the guy who is currently second in their class went to Western Michigan, which is considered a pretty shitty college compared to UofM and State, but he did well, got into dental school, and is making all the arrogant fucks who thought going to UofM would get them everything look stupid.
Jan 6 2012 5:03PM
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PopsicleStand
Posts: 6890 - Karma: 147
Its getting cheapened every day. I agree bettering yourself is never detrimental, but in these times its sound thinking to count the cost and consider it in the final decision. That said, 10 grand over 4 years is not the end of the world. If all other factors are equal though, money is absolutely a concern.

I am in class with a lot of people that have 100k easy in undergrad debt who are in the process of applying to med school, to add another 200k on. Add deferring for a 3-8 year long residency and you are talking half a mil. Everyone thinks doctors make bank...but its simply not true as in the minds of most undergrads. They will be paying back loans till retirement, or sadly maybe even further.

Debt is real, and while it should hopefully not hold you back, it should definitely be a priority concern. Life is meant to be enjoyed, and one of the biggest factors in happiness is wealth (or the stress created in the absence of wealth). Don't lose sight of the bigger picture.
Jan 6 2012 5:07PM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
I went to more of a party school, don't regret it at all. I wouldn't want classes that are more challenging than they are already. It's so nice to have a sweet environment to unwind in. And the states is hella expensive. My tuition's 6g's a year and rez is 6g's too, so it's prolly 1ike 15 once you include books and random shit for a year
Jan 6 2012 7:56PM
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EasyEast
Posts: 1983 - Karma: 118
if money is no object go to uconn otherwise saving 10,000 a year is a big deal pick umass
Jan 6 2012 8:05PM
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thebeesknees
Posts: 3660 - Karma: 160
I can tell you right now that despite UCONN not having really anything in the town, it is a huge party school and if you go there you will rage hard, don't worry about that. If money isn't really an object I would go with uconn without a doubt, but if it is go with umass. When you think about it, either one you pick you're going to party and have a great time.

I'll throw this in there to aid your decision

Click for larger image
Jan 6 2012 8:30PM
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thisandthatfilms
Posts: 7714 - Karma: 526
ct is dildos. dont go there
Jan 6 2012 8:30PM
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fujarome
Posts: 8630 - Karma: 1,561
Every college parties. You will almost always be able to find a party. Don't let that hold such a huge influence. With that said, umass is awesome. I don't go there but I'm around there frequently. Great school.
Jan 6 2012 8:34PM
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theline
Posts: 1507 - Karma: 92
is price an issue?
if it's not, choose UConn. i grew up in amherst, and maybe that's what's guiding my opinion, but i cannot imagine being happy there for four years of college. it's a smaller town then it first appears.
Jan 6 2012 9:09PM
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DUKES
Posts: 5150 - Karma: 691
dont go to college. i just got my degree, and it feels like it just paid 15,000 for another high school experience
Jan 6 2012 9:16PM
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alexat955
Posts: 2732 - Karma: 112
idk how those 2 schools are but i never really leave campus at my school. i dont think that the town will make that much of a difference cause you can always find something to do on campus. I would make the decision based on whether or not money is an issue
Jan 6 2012 9:18PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14486 - Karma: 10,635
LOL I would never go to school in CT. 18 years was enough, I got the fuck out of there asap.

Go to Umass
Jan 6 2012 9:24PM
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DLAM
Posts: 341 - Karma: 38
Isenburg is really hard to get into. I'd go with umass
Jan 6 2012 9:27PM
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bangarangmules
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 84
I don't know much about either of those schools however based off of your information I would definitely choose UCONN. It has a better reputation academically which is worth the choice itself, and forget anything anybody told you...every school is a party school, especially a school that large. For me at least I spend very little time in the "town" of my college, and I could care less if it was great or poopdick. You're going to college to get an education and have a good time. You can party at any school and have a great time, but having that as well as a great education would be more important in my eyes.

To me it sounds like UCONN has more to offer and the only thing that is holding you back is the fact that it doesn't have a great "college town," which like I said in my opinion doesn't matter much. You can have as much fun as you want pretty much anywhere you go. Also for me being able to go watch huge basketball games and having beautiful facilities is great as well.

Either way, that's just my two cents. In the end go with your gut decision and if you find out you don't like it you can always transfer. Good luck with the decision.
Jan 6 2012 10:56PM
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5oup5teeze
Posts: 1259 - Karma: 74
I was thinking Uconn at first. But when I thought about it more, it sounds like Umass has a lot more benefits that will suit you like price, fun opportunities and a great future with a reputable business school.

I'll vote Umass for ya!
Jan 6 2012 11:02PM
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hey-dude-its-me
Posts: 4238 - Karma: 412
I wouldn't know the difference between a degree from UMASS and a degree from UCONN and I doubt anyone else would without looking through a princeton review so go with the cheaper one
Jan 6 2012 11:03PM
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bangarangmules
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 84
Also as for the academic reputation of the school, I find that it can make a difference, however a lot of it does have to do with who you know.


My college is regarded as one of the better education schools on the east coast, and after visiting and meeting several school districts and administrators they have almost always said how great the graduates from our school are, and tell me how a lot of their staff graduated from there. Even for example having a NYS teaching degree is practically gold in southern states. That isn't exactly the point I'm trying to make, however it just goes to show that having a degree from a school with a good reputation is a label that can only help you.




On the other hand, as long as you make good connections in college, and work very hard you should be good in the long run regardless. Just having that initial first impression on a resume can't hurt you but only help you. These are opinions based on my own experiences, anybody feel free to disagree with me.
Jan 6 2012 11:08PM
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EAST~COAST
Posts: 1017 - Karma: 91
These are all really great responses thank you NSG. Thankfully my parents are well off and they are being very generous to me with my tuition which is phonemail so money is not the biggest issue but it will help them out a ton going with the cheaper school (Umass). But it sounds like from everyones responses that both colleges will party hard which is a big factor in my decision as well as academics and that i shouldn't worry about the town itself. I'm going to go and check out both schools again before i make my decision but I feel like Uconn will be the better investment in the long run because it is nationally ranked and known across the US. I just want to feel comfortable and get the full "college experience"
Jan 7 2012 2:37PM
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poptarts4life
Posts: 376 - Karma: 12
Surprisingly there are good things being said in this thread. I'd do uconn if I were you, sports teams always bring ppl together for fun from my experience as an ohio state junior.
Jan 7 2012 2:49PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
Cannot stress this enough. Also, ratemyprofessors.com is key in finding good professors at your school. I don't care what anyone says, if you get the worst professors at your school, you're not going to get a good education, regardless of where you go.
Jan 7 2012 2:50PM
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Culla
Posts: 323 - Karma: 57
I know that there is a lot of, not necessarily pressure, but advice to get a business degree. But I can't tell you how many kids I know who are in the business program and absolutely hate it. Get a degree in what your interested in, if you want a career as wall street executive, fine more power to you, get a finance degree. But my mom is a high level director at the largest hospital in Oregon and all she has is an art degree. I'm not trying to say you shouldn't get a business degree but think about this, a business degree is the most popular major right now, so if your a company say 10 years from now, and your looking to hire someone, who is going to stand out in your mind? The thousand guys with business degrees or the guy with a degree in something else, who might bring a different view point to the office? And which boss would you rather work for, the one who looks outside the box, or the one who looks for a yes man. Obviously I don't know anything about you, maybe you love business, but from experience a lot of kids go into business programs thinking it will get them a high paying job but end up switching majors to what they're interested in.

Sorry about the long post, just my 2 cents.

TLDR; Keep an open mind and try to make a career out of what you love to do, don't try and make something you don't love into a career.
Jan 7 2012 4:41PM
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ILLinoisance
Posts: 3527 - Karma: 5,398
This is true for people who are looking to work under someone else. When you're your own boss (small business owner), a business degree is what you're going to need to have....
Jan 7 2012 5:18PM
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Funkadelic
Posts: 1967 - Karma: 391
I'm currently a senior at UConn. I was also a tour guide for a while, so I know a good deal about the school. Obviously I think you should go to UConn, haha, but if you have any questions feel totally free to PM me.

Academically, UConn is a great school, and it is continuing to get better. I honestly don't think I would get accepted there if I was applying now, since the standards have risen so much just in the 4 years I've been there. The business school is amazing, and if you've already been accepted as a freshman thats a Godsend because most kids have to apply their sophomore year to get in as it's so competitive.

If you're worried about the nightlife, I wouldn't be concerned. As an out-of-stater I knew zero people before going to UConn, and my freshman year I found no shortage of parties. I was constantly going out to parties on weekends. UConn is in the middle of nowhere, but there are a lot of houses around within walking distance that are always having parties. Plus, every freshman in the history of UConn has spent many a night partying at Carriage apartments. The fact that there are only 3 bars doesn't really matter to me. Even now that I'm of legal age I hardly go to the bars, there are plenty of house parties, especially now that I'm a senior and have my own party house plus friends with houses to party at.

There is also a whole new shopping strip with apartments above being constructed basically on campus that will be finished by the end of this year. They're working on building an actual town, I wish I could be a senior in high school now so I could be able to experience that.

Seriously, UConn is a great school and I've had the time of my life the last 4 years. If you have any questions, again, don't hesitate to PM me.
Jan 7 2012 5:51PM
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Culla
Posts: 323 - Karma: 57
Thats totally true, but I think a lot of kids start business degrees thinking it will automatically get them high paying jobs with major companies.
Jan 7 2012 7:09PM
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