In your mind, where are the top ten US party schools?

[coolio]

Hello folks,
Coming back to FORUM.uz after a little vacation. Lotsa new persons around here. I was wandering, what are the top US party schools by your view, and where are they located?

would be glad to hear from you guys

[Iroda]

Hi!

I think I know one good University. It is University of Illinois in Chicago. My friends study there and say it is good. Maybe no, but it is one of best... But still not Harvard University....

[Jennifer]

Well, according to one report, here are the top twenty:


Indiana University - Bloomington
Clemson University
University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa
Penn State University Park
University of Florida
SUNY at Buffalo
University of New Hampshire
University of Colorado, Boulder
Florida State University
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Texas at Austin
Michigan State University
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Louisiana State University
University of California-Santa Cruz
University of Tennessee
New York University
Ohio State University-Columbus
Virginia Tech
Tulane Universityhttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/08/26/earlyshow/living/parenting/main519804.shtml

However, I have never attended any of the above, so I'm only passing on second-hand information.

[Dilshodius]

Well, according to one report, here are the top twenty:


Indiana University - Bloomington
Clemson University
University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa
Penn State University Park
University of Florida
SUNY at Buffalo
University of New Hampshire
University of Colorado, Boulder
Florida State University
University of Wisconsin-Madison
The University of Texas at Austin
Michigan State University
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Louisiana State University
University of California-Santa Cruz
University of Tennessee
New York University
Ohio State University-Columbus
Virginia Tech
Tulane Universityhttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/08/26/earlyshow/living/parenting/main519804.shtml

However, I have never attended any of the above, so I'm only passing on second-hand information.

Has anyone noticed that almost all universities on the list are state universities. This is a sad fact about American state universities: state universities put less emphasis on the quality of education and more on quantity of students. So, students chill and get wasted, knowing that the only thing they have to do is to show up on the midterm and finals. Don't get me wrong, I am talking about the majority of state universities, not all of 'em or particular one.

[Shirin_Qiz]

http://www.columbia.edu/

by the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York.
man oqigan Universityt

[Jennifer]

state universities put less emphasis on the quality of education and more on quantity of students.

I will respectfully disagree. I think that with the larger state universities, there is simply less "control" over the students than at smaller colleges. I went to a state university, and the experience is pretty much what each individual makes of it. If you are quite serious about your studies, you will usually find faculty members who will help you. On the other hands, I saw many who flunked out by not studying.

Also, larger universities generally tend to be state-run (not always, but generally) and there are simply more opportunities than there are at other colleges because of the size. It's easier to blend-in.

[Dilshodius]

I will respectfully disagree. I think that with the larger state universities, there is simply less "control" over the students than at smaller colleges. I went to a state university, and the experience is pretty much what each individual makes of it. If you are quite serious about your studies, you will usually find faculty members who will help you. On the other hands, I saw many who flunked out by not studying.

Also, larger universities generally tend to be state-run (not always, but generally) and there are simply more opportunities than there are at other colleges because of the size. It's easier to blend-in.

Yes, I absolutely agree with you. Actually, it was something that I wrote 'between the lines'. State universities have "less control" over their students.

If you are quite serious about your studies, you will usually find faculty members who will help you.

Another thing is that, sometimes, students at state universities are not encouraged and self-motivated students are not supported by faculty members. In (at) many state universities, the average class size is about 70-75 students, whereas, at private liberal art colleges the average class size ranges from 13 to 20 students. At private colleges, almost all professors have office hours [e.g. 8 hours/week for professors at my college], whereas, state colleges have only TAs to assist students who need help [if any needed] because it is not possible for one professor to assist and help 100-200 students in his class. Professors can hardly be reached. Maybe it differs from university to univeristy, but as far as EKU, UK and Ohio State are considered, the situation is like the one I described above. I would appreacite if you could post your expirience at state university.

Thank you.

[Jennifer]

Salom Dilshodius

Another thing is that, sometimes, students at state universities are not encouraged and self-motivated students are not supported by faculty members.

You are, as the British would say, absolutely spot on. A huge university is an excellent place for a non-self-motivated person to become totally lost and confused! Unfortunately, I witnessed it many times.

I was reared in a small town in the midwest, and my first semester at a state university was very much an eye-opening experience. In high school, if you don't do your homework, a teacher nags you and pretty much pushes you through. I didn't have experience with that, per se, as most of my classes were very easy, and I just didn't have to study at all. I quickly learned that I absolutely HAD to study! And, if I didn't, I paid the price. No one looked after me but *me*. When I had problems in a class, I could always find help, but the help never came "looking" for me.

By contrast, I know someone who attends a very small college. The experiences are so completely unlike mine. I almost think of his college as a babysitter! If he isn't doing well, then the professors call him and get him to come in for extra help. That idea is so foreign to me.

Many of my basic core classes were taught in lecture halls, with ~500 students in a class sometimes. However, as you mentioned, there were often smaller discussion groups set-up with TAs for more personalized instruction.

For me personally, I preferred the large university. The experience forced me to be more responsible, and I felt more comfortable with the large diversity of students. However, many prefer and excel at smaller colleges, as well. A wrong "fit" in a university or college can be devastating, so it's very important for people to access their needs when choosing colleges. What's right for one person isn't necessarily good for the next one.