So I'm a senior in high school and I am choosing a college for next year. I have been accepted to the University of Michigan college of engineering and Michigan State University (honors college). I have many factors to consider before picking a school, but I was talking to my friend and have a question. He feels that U of M is better because it is more selective and "prestigious" so you can get a better job and "better" education. I feel that the difference is negligible and MSU may even offer better education at their honors college because more classes are taught by professors and in the honors college you get more small-sized classes. My question is, how much does "prestige" weigh in job searches? It seems like it can help for some employers but others don't really care. Also, for anyone in Michigan who knows about these two schools, is there really a difference in the quality (comparing U of M to MSU honors)?
I still have a lot to think about before I decide but I want some opinions on this part. Thanks.
Visit your schools to make sure you can stand living there for the next four years. A huge class taught by some professor who doesn't know your name with a discussion section by TAs isn't all that great. It takes more effort and talent to get your name out there. A supportive recommendation letter from a professor means more than the same letter from a TA (or from a TA and cosigned by a professor).
Prestige does matter a bit, but it depends on how well you do. An A at Harvard means more than an A at your average college, but a C at Harvard's gonna raise more eyebrows. Also, when you're out there job searching, the prestige of your last educational institution will matter the most; others - significantly less.
So really, it comes out to:
1. Can you do just as well at the more prestigious university?
2. Do you have the talent to distinguish yourself amongst a larger number of students?
3. Do you enjoy the place?
Hey. If YOU think that MSU is a better university, then by all means go there. YOU have to live with this choice, not your friend.
| snowboardalliance wrote: |
So I'm a senior in high school and I am choosing a college for next year. I have been accepted to the University of Michigan college of engineering and Michigan State University (honors college). I have many factors to consider before picking a school, but I was talking to my friend and have a question. He feels that U of M is better because it is more selective and "prestigious" so you can get a better job and "better" education. I feel that the difference is negligible and MSU may even offer better education at their honors college because more classes are taught by professors and in the honors college you get more small-sized classes. My question is, how much does "prestige" weigh in job searches? It seems like it can help for some employers but others don't really care. Also, for anyone in Michigan who knows about these two schools, is there really a difference in the quality (comparing U of M to MSU honors)?
I still have a lot to think about before I decide but I want some opinions on this part. Thanks. |
Grats on the acceptance. Depends on what's in the college and all that. Quality, assurance, etc. I'm a sophomore and already considering applying to either MIT (lol..) or University of Phoenix somewhere.
-meatwadI'm in this same situation right now. I don't know whether to go to a college that is very prestigious or just one where I will be comfortable with the academics. I have the test scores to get into some top of the line colleges but I don't know if I could keep up with the workload there comfortably.
If you plan on going to grad school then prestige is more important. By that I mean that picking a prestigious graduate school is more important than picking a prestigious undergraduate school. That is what I have heard at least.
Personally I don't like the whole concept of prestige. I think a person should be judged more on who they are and what they can do than on where they went to school.
A pedigree is always important for outside world as a first impression. It is tough to get in a good college and a student passed out from that college is expected to be good.It is not the professor or the number of students but it is the system of that college which makes a good finished product(human).The possibility of being passed out with a very low grade is very less because of the two reasons--
1. The student admitted through proper admission procedure and screening is always a good student.
2. The regular sessional examinations prevent an academically poor student to sit for the final examination unless he/she gets a minimum marks in sessional.
But still an exceptional individual can perform from any platform but in general a good college is always a better choice.
One of the important things to do at college is to make friends and build up your contact network. In general a more prestigious college will attract better students and thus your contact network will be with more successful people. This can be a great advantage in later life. Whether there is a major difference in status between the two you mention is another matter. Try asking some adults who have some status- doctors, lawyers etc - they will know, but they will probably not post here!
That really depends on the job you will choose. But in these circumstances, I would say the choice doesn't really matter, as long as you do real good.
a prestigious schooll weighs a lot in job hunting, believe me.
