Michigan State as a Dream School

[Anonymous]

We went to tour Michigan State last week while visiting family. We happened to meet this dean who told us about Michigan State being a "dream school." I loved the school and impressed that this ranking of Dream Schools is taking into account what students actually do on campus rather than the GPA's of incoming students. Anyone have experience at MSU?

https://undergrad.msu.edu/news/2025/09-centering-the-student-experience

[Anonymous]

My friend’s son is there and is enjoying it.

It was my senior daughter’s first acceptance, and it’s a relatively easy admit for DC area kids.

For all those considering other out-of-state publics (Penn state, SC, Tenn, Auburn, Pitt, Indiana, etc) it is a good target or safety.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Southwestern Michigan. I think of Michigan State as where people who can't get in at U of M go. Assuming they are smart enough to not have to go to Northern MI or Eastern MI instead. Or WMU. Which is not that smart. Michigan State was for the high-average students who needed in-state tuition.

Hierarchy for people from Michigan: U of M, Mich State, WMU, then trailing way way behind are Northern (I knew one person who went there, they were lucky to get into a 4 yr, lol, and I knew one person who went to Eastern because they were into forensics/debate and Eastern had a program). Most people I knew went to U of M if smart, and if not Mich State. Or WMU. Many, many went there, because I lived in Southwestern MI, and that is where WMU is.

Average to good students with money went to the small private liberal arts schools like Hope (obviously religious), Alma, Kalamazoo, Calvin (very obviously religious), etc. Or out-of-state but nearby, like Univ of Wisconsin Madison or Purdue or something. Really good students with lots of money went to fancy places like U of Chicago or Oberlin.

Bottom line: Michigan State = average students. Highish side of average. But average. And it is very, very midwestern in culture.

[Anonymous]

For those that don't know, what exactly is "very, very midwestern in culture"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Southwestern Michigan. I think of Michigan State as where people who can't get in at U of M go. Assuming they are smart enough to not have to go to Northern MI or Eastern MI instead. Or WMU. Which is not that smart. Michigan State was for the high-average students who needed in-state tuition.

Hierarchy for people from Michigan: U of M, Mich State, WMU, then trailing way way behind are Northern (I knew one person who went there, they were lucky to get into a 4 yr, lol, and I knew one person who went to Eastern because they were into forensics/debate and Eastern had a program). Most people I knew went to U of M if smart, and if not Mich State. Or WMU. Many, many went there, because I lived in Southwestern MI, and that is where WMU is.

Average to good students with money went to the small private liberal arts schools like Hope (obviously religious), Alma, Kalamazoo, Calvin (very obviously religious), etc. Or out-of-state but nearby, like Univ of Wisconsin Madison or Purdue or something. Really good students with lots of money went to fancy places like U of Chicago or Oberlin.

Bottom line: Michigan State = average students. Highish side of average. But average. And it is very, very midwestern in culture.

Is Kzoo for average kids or above average? Any reason they pick Kzoo College over Western MI?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Southwestern Michigan. I think of Michigan State as where people who can't get in at U of M go. Assuming they are smart enough to not have to go to Northern MI or Eastern MI instead. Or WMU. Which is not that smart. Michigan State was for the high-average students who needed in-state tuition.

Hierarchy for people from Michigan: U of M, Mich State, WMU, then trailing way way behind are Northern (I knew one person who went there, they were lucky to get into a 4 yr, lol, and I knew one person who went to Eastern because they were into forensics/debate and Eastern had a program). Most people I knew went to U of M if smart, and if not Mich State. Or WMU. Many, many went there, because I lived in Southwestern MI, and that is where WMU is.

Average to good students with money went to the small private liberal arts schools like Hope (obviously religious), Alma, Kalamazoo, Calvin (very obviously religious), etc. Or out-of-state but nearby, like Univ of Wisconsin Madison or Purdue or something. Really good students with lots of money went to fancy places like U of Chicago or Oberlin.

Bottom line: Michigan State = average students. Highish side of average. But average. And it is very, very midwestern in culture.

Can you elaborate on what you mean about very Midwestern culture? My DD got in with a $60K scholarship so we are thinking of visiting although it was more of a safety for her. We're at MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Midwestern culture is the old Buffalo Wild Wings slogan…beer, wings, sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Southwestern Michigan. I think of Michigan State as where people who can't get in at U of M go. Assuming they are smart enough to not have to go to Northern MI or Eastern MI instead. Or WMU. Which is not that smart. Michigan State was for the high-average students who needed in-state tuition.

Hierarchy for people from Michigan: U of M, Mich State, WMU, then trailing way way behind are Northern (I knew one person who went there, they were lucky to get into a 4 yr, lol, and I knew one person who went to Eastern because they were into forensics/debate and Eastern had a program). Most people I knew went to U of M if smart, and if not Mich State. Or WMU. Many, many went there, because I lived in Southwestern MI, and that is where WMU is.

Average to good students with money went to the small private liberal arts schools like Hope (obviously religious), Alma, Kalamazoo, Calvin (very obviously religious), etc. Or out-of-state but nearby, like Univ of Wisconsin Madison or Purdue or something. Really good students with lots of money went to fancy places like U of Chicago or Oberlin.

Bottom line: Michigan State = average students. Highish side of average. But average. And it is very, very midwestern in culture.

Is Kzoo for average kids or above average? Any reason they pick Kzoo College over Western MI?

If they want a LAC with 1200 students or a R2 university with 17000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Southwestern Michigan. I think of Michigan State as where people who can't get in at U of M go. Assuming they are smart enough to not have to go to Northern MI or Eastern MI instead. Or WMU. Which is not that smart. Michigan State was for the high-average students who needed in-state tuition.

Hierarchy for people from Michigan: U of M, Mich State, WMU, then trailing way way behind are Northern (I knew one person who went there, they were lucky to get into a 4 yr, lol, and I knew one person who went to Eastern because they were into forensics/debate and Eastern had a program). Most people I knew went to U of M if smart, and if not Mich State. Or WMU. Many, many went there, because I lived in Southwestern MI, and that is where WMU is.

Average to good students with money went to the small private liberal arts schools like Hope (obviously religious), Alma, Kalamazoo, Calvin (very obviously religious), etc. Or out-of-state but nearby, like Univ of Wisconsin Madison or Purdue or something. Really good students with lots of money went to fancy places like U of Chicago or Oberlin.

Bottom line: Michigan State = average students. Highish side of average. But average. And it is very, very midwestern in culture.

Your info is 30 years out of date.

[Anonymous]

He may be referring to the new book by Jeff Selingo called Dream School.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Midwestern culture is the old Buffalo Wild Wings slogan…beer, wings, sports.

Is this any different than the kids at Indiana and Ohio State? My daughter loved visiting there and thought the kids were great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Southwestern Michigan. I think of Michigan State as where people who can't get in at U of M go. Assuming they are smart enough to not have to go to Northern MI or Eastern MI instead. Or WMU. Which is not that smart. Michigan State was for the high-average students who needed in-state tuition.

Hierarchy for people from Michigan: U of M, Mich State, WMU, then trailing way way behind are Northern (I knew one person who went there, they were lucky to get into a 4 yr, lol, and I knew one person who went to Eastern because they were into forensics/debate and Eastern had a program). Most people I knew went to U of M if smart, and if not Mich State. Or WMU. Many, many went there, because I lived in Southwestern MI, and that is where WMU is.

Average to good students with money went to the small private liberal arts schools like Hope (obviously religious), Alma, Kalamazoo, Calvin (very obviously religious), etc. Or out-of-state but nearby, like Univ of Wisconsin Madison or Purdue or something. Really good students with lots of money went to fancy places like U of Chicago or Oberlin.

Bottom line: Michigan State = average students. Highish side of average. But average. And it is very, very midwestern in culture.

Is Kzoo for average kids or above average? Any reason they pick Kzoo College over Western MI?

If they want a LAC with 1200 students or a R2 university with 17000

I would put Kalamazoo College above WMU, academically speaking. It’s a lot more $$$ and they have a required year of study abroad. Def more of a quirky kid scene at well. There’s math equation graffiti on the dumpsters (or was decades ago..)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Southwestern Michigan. I think of Michigan State as where people who can't get in at U of M go. Assuming they are smart enough to not have to go to Northern MI or Eastern MI instead. Or WMU. Which is not that smart. Michigan State was for the high-average students who needed in-state tuition.

Hierarchy for people from Michigan: U of M, Mich State, WMU, then trailing way way behind are Northern (I knew one person who went there, they were lucky to get into a 4 yr, lol, and I knew one person who went to Eastern because they were into forensics/debate and Eastern had a program). Most people I knew went to U of M if smart, and if not Mich State. Or WMU. Many, many went there, because I lived in Southwestern MI, and that is where WMU is.

Average to good students with money went to the small private liberal arts schools like Hope (obviously religious), Alma, Kalamazoo, Calvin (very obviously religious), etc. Or out-of-state but nearby, like Univ of Wisconsin Madison or Purdue or something. Really good students with lots of money went to fancy places like U of Chicago or Oberlin.

Bottom line: Michigan State = average students. Highish side of average. But average. And it is very, very midwestern in culture.

Your info is 30 years out of date.

DP. And I mostly agree. MSU is filled with UMC average kids that couldn’t get into UofM, love to party, and own a family lake house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those that don't know, what exactly is "very, very midwestern in culture"?

As a midwesterner I wonder myself. I don't even know what midwestern culture is. I mean, I know the stupid stereotypes.

I wouldn't be looking to that person for insights.

MSU is a highly rated university. I would be delighted if my kid went there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in Southwestern Michigan. I think of Michigan State as where people who can't get in at U of M go. Assuming they are smart enough to not have to go to Northern MI or Eastern MI instead. Or WMU. Which is not that smart. Michigan State was for the high-average students who needed in-state tuition.

Hierarchy for people from Michigan: U of M, Mich State, WMU, then trailing way way behind are Northern (I knew one person who went there, they were lucky to get into a 4 yr, lol, and I knew one person who went to Eastern because they were into forensics/debate and Eastern had a program). Most people I knew went to U of M if smart, and if not Mich State. Or WMU. Many, many went there, because I lived in Southwestern MI, and that is where WMU is.

Average to good students with money went to the small private liberal arts schools like Hope (obviously religious), Alma, Kalamazoo, Calvin (very obviously religious), etc. Or out-of-state but nearby, like Univ of Wisconsin Madison or Purdue or something. Really good students with lots of money went to fancy places like U of Chicago or Oberlin.

Bottom line: Michigan State = average students. Highish side of average. But average. And it is very, very midwestern in culture.

Is Kzoo for average kids or above average? Any reason they pick Kzoo College over Western MI?

If they want a LAC with 1200 students or a R2 university with 17000

Michigan is a R1. Try again