Michigan State University Top Questions

MSU is an excellent teaching university, which is trying to reinvent itself as a half-assed research university. I feel because of this, the actual educational value of what's being taught is begining to suffer for undergrads, but will be improving for grad students in the future. I like the interesting people I meet, and since it's such a big campus, you have the opportunity to meet a lot of them. The campus itself is one of the most beautiful I've seen, so if you like wildlife and natural settings, you'll love it for that. The reputation for students really depends on what department you're in (if you're in a good one, a MSU degree is respectable). East Lansing is a really good hangout as well, and borders campus so it isn't too bad of a trek. The administration as a whole has the same faults of any other, being uncommunicative, bloated, and autocratic, but there are certainly universities where this is far worse. For the most part, MSU is an average state college that excels mostly in the departments where the best degrees are to be had.

The best thing about MSU is that it is so big and there are some many people that you meet a new person from a different background like everyday. The size is perfect if your into being on a large campus. Speaking of the campus, it is definitely the most beautiful campus ever. It is covered in trees,flowers and has a river that runs through it. Most of my time I spend on campus is probably in one of the classrooms but sitting underneath one of the trees by the river is also a great place. East Lansing is absolutely a College Town. MSU wouldn't be what it is without East Lansing or vice versus. The city and the school work together to make life in East Lansing wonderful. The biggest controversy over the past year was the so called riot in April but things have calmed down since then. Is there school pride at MSU? Well that is just a bit of an understatement. We Spartans are hardcore about everything MSU we try to be the best at everything we do whether its sports, academics or just being the best fans in the country. Green and white bleeds from us. One memory that I'll never forget was during the 2006 Football season. We were playing Notre Dame, who one of our biggest rivals. We were killing them in what seemed like the storm of the century. The wind was howling, rain was blasting the entire stadium but we are too hardcore fans to leave. We were even shouting to the storm "Is this all you got?". Even though we ended up losing the game in the last few minutes its the memory of all us students banding together as one in the worse storm that is then best part.

I have found that a lot of campuses are sprawled through out the neighboring city such as the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. But Michigan State is different. It's really cool because MSU is like a mini city full of people your age and always tons to do. It's very big and would take about an hour to walk from the west side of campus to the east side. Although this may sound kind of daunting, once you get used to it and begin to learn where everything is at it is really a great feeling, king of like it's your city and your campus. Although it may sound weird I sometimes love feeling anonymous walking through campus. I feel anonymous because although you will see people you know, you rarely see the same person twice in one day. It is a large contrast from my high school where everyone knew everyone else and everyone else's business. But at MSU the anonymity allows me to not worry about being myself and not worry so much about what other people think. It's really nice. Although I have had a few professors that I have no liked or did not agree with the majority of professors and faculty that I have interacted with have been more than helpful and very nice. Yet I still check allmsu.com and see how other students have rated professors before I schedule my future classes. It is a very helpful site and comes in very handy so that even if you can't get out of a class you will at least be prepared.

MSU is huge! When you walk to class you pass hundreds of students, and even up until Senior year, it is rare to see someone you know..no matter how many friends you have. You have to be willing to have a long walk to class, and trek through the snow when all you want to do is lay in bed. Campus is beautiful, and it is so nice to be able to go sit by the red cedar between classes, or just for fun. I love the student body..everyone that goes to MSU is in love with their school and it makes being there so much fun. East Lansing is great..I love how campus is set up, and the student housing is right across grandriver with tons to do in between. The first day that its warm out in the spring is my favorite time of every year..everyone is outside on their porch and everyone is so happy and excited that it's finally getting warm. The only thing that sucks is that it means the semester is almost over.

MSU has a lot to offer. A great campus (you will definitely get used to the size quick), amazing professors, amazing classes and advisors, great opportunities, an awesome social aspect, and it is full of surprises.

MSU is huge...There is so much to do here and it takes up almost literally the entire city of East Lansing. Whatever you are into...It's definitely here. I couldn't really pick the best thing about MSU. The campus is gorgeous, the population is the most diverse I've ever seen and the opportunities for work, study abroad, extracurricular activities, and most importantly education are just endless. Between the Izzone and the newly united student section in football, school pride is through the roof. The only complaint Ive ever heard is the campus is enormous and slightly confusing to drive around.

Best thing about MSU is that scenery and location. It is away from everything just in the middle of the state even though its by the capitol. Campus seems like a good size but things can be changed such as the setup of how buildings are located, how living space works, little things but nothing crucial. Most of my time is spent around central campus because i lived there and if i left my room, most of my friends lived around there, and the inter mural building is fairly close as well. There is school pride of course because we all chose to come here right? so i think everyone should have it, but just not let it effect you if you see people from "rival schools" etc. I'll always remember orientation when i didn't know almost anyone coming in, and i had to force myself to meet new people, and to open up. I saw a lot of people who knew each other from high school and they stayed in their cliques but soon they were going to have to meet new people too, so that was an experience that will always stay with me.

I love the large size of MSU. Some may think of it as intimidating but you find your group and once you have a major you will surprisingly see the same people around campus. The actual campus is beautiful, and the students bleed green. I will always remember the football games, and how important and fun they were for everyone.

MSU is the best place in the world. Seriously. The campus is beautiful, the people are friendly, and there's always something to do. There's a million clubs and groups you could join and so getting involved isn't hard. The dorms are actually very nice, and the food is pretty good. MSU is a very large school, which I personally think is great. It gives me opportunities I would not have elsewhere. Plus, you can always make a large school seem smaller by getting involved, but you can never make a small school larger. I never go a day without seeing someone I know walking around so size isn't an issue. I guess the only complaint I would have is that it's cooold during the winter and sometimes classes are not close. A twenty minute bike ride at 8 in the morning with below zero temps is NOT fun. But the bus system is decent, so there's always that option.

While the campus is very large, you will not get lost after the first week. There are a ton of people here which just means there is a ton of friends to make and things to do. The pride to be a Spartan is thrilling (goes along with the pain of underachieving on a somewhat regular basis). I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.