Anonymous
Post 08/13/2024 07:13     Subject: University of Minnesota?
Anonymous wrote:For a DC kid that wants an urban school, it is a notch below Pitt - campus is not quite as nice or as integrated with the city, vibes are 100% Midwest (compared to Pitt, which is where the northeast meets the Midwest) and academically Minnesota is not quite as solid as Pitt, and feels a bit more provincial. And it requires a flight instead of being within driving distance. Still, it’s a solid school and I would not hesitate to send my kid there

USNWR ranks #53 and Pitt #67. Sounds as if Pitt is a "notch below" UMN.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2024 07:02     Subject: University of Minnesota?
For a DC kid that wants an urban school, it is a notch below Pitt - campus is not quite as nice or as integrated with the city, vibes are 100% Midwest (compared to Pitt, which is where the northeast meets the Midwest) and academically Minnesota is not quite as solid as Pitt, and feels a bit more provincial. And it requires a flight instead of being within driving distance. Still, it’s a solid school and I would not hesitate to send my kid there
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2024 06:20     Subject: University of Minnesota?
Minnesota is also rolling and still gives good merit.
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2024 05:58     Subject: University of Minnesota?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I brought MN up to my DS and he quickly said no. He wants South or West. We have even been to MN a bunch of times. So, was kind of surprised by his quick response. It is the same as the other large state schools and is hard to get into for STEM or business.

I don't get the love for Pitt. My only thought is the cost and the distance to DC is ideal.



I went to Pitt. So did my husband. I really enjoyed it. The professors were good. Still have good memories from science classes, art history, English lit, being a psychology research assistant, choir ensemble, etc. I indulged my love of medieval history by attending departmental talks, etc. I had some profs that wrote notable books/were known in their field. I found the Cathedral of Learning and Nationality Classrooms very inspiring. As well as the Carnegie Museum and Library, etc. I found the local students city-minded vs. sheltered suburbanites, hard-working, and appreciative of the liberal arts. The football team was terrible at the time but that made games more fun for socializing. I didn't care about D1 sports at all. I like great bargains and life hacks. Pitt worked out great for us. We both got full-rides to high-ranked grad schools.


Pitt is popular because it has rolling admissions. Most books and college counselors suggest a very early application to it because an acceptance means your DC can start fall of senior year with at least one acceptancw under tgeir nekt. DS did it precisely for this reason
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2024 02:49     Subject: University of Minnesota?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Question: tons of kids from around here apply to Pitt...and I feel like Indiana U and OSU are also getting a lot of attention. My sense is that these schools are attracting a lot of applications since Wisconsin has gotten much more selective. My question is why has University of Minnesota not gotten a lot of love from around here? I mean, weather is an obvious factor but it's not much worse than Wisconsin, right?
Good for math and macroeconomics

as opposed to micro?
Anonymous
Post 08/13/2024 02:44     Subject: University of Minnesota?
Anonymous wrote:Question: tons of kids from around here apply to Pitt...and I feel like Indiana U and OSU are also getting a lot of attention. My sense is that these schools are attracting a lot of applications since Wisconsin has gotten much more selective. My question is why has University of Minnesota not gotten a lot of love from around here? I mean, weather is an obvious factor but it's not much worse than Wisconsin, right?
Good for math and macroeconomics
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2024 15:37     Subject: University of Minnesota?
Anonymous wrote:MN resident here. There is not a lot of hype surrounding the U, as it lacks the college town vibe of other nearby public universities, especially Madison, and it is often only 20-30 minutes from the suburbs where many MN kids grow up. Crime has been an increasing issue in the campus over the last few years, making it difficult to truly enjoy the neighborhood that it is in.


Thank you for sharing this, pp.
Anonymous
Post 08/10/2024 09:14     Subject: University of Minnesota?
OP here-
Thanks! Helpful info! DC is looking for another safety to add to their list and wants a school in/near a city. Pitt is on the list but many of the others that get suggested to us are Catholic schools (and we are not Catholic). UMN looks like a possibility though I don’t think we’ll make it out to visit…
Anonymous
Post 08/09/2024 22:23     Subject: University of Minnesota?
Op, imo UM rejected applicants from our FCPS HS -until- someone went to visit. Showed interest. They got in. Before that, I don't think UM thought they were serious.

The student that visited and was accepted, did go.
Anonymous
Post 08/09/2024 20:44     Subject: University of Minnesota?
I have relatives in MN, one that graduated from MN…none recommend it for their kids. They admit it’s a perfectly fine school, but it’s not the traditional college experience and not in a great part of Minneapolis.

It’s a good instate/commuter school and gets the job done…but they think probably the worst Big10 college experience.
Anonymous
Post 08/09/2024 20:41     Subject: University of Minnesota?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I brought MN up to my DS and he quickly said no. He wants South or West. We have even been to MN a bunch of times. So, was kind of surprised by his quick response. It is the same as the other large state schools and is hard to get into for STEM or business.

I don't get the love for Pitt. My only thought is the cost and the distance to DC is ideal.



I went to Pitt. So did my husband. I really enjoyed it. The professors were good. Still have good memories from science classes, art history, English lit, being a psychology research assistant, choir ensemble, etc. I indulged my love of medieval history by attending departmental talks, etc. I had some profs that wrote notable books/were known in their field. I found the Cathedral of Learning and Nationality Classrooms very inspiring. As well as the Carnegie Museum and Library, etc. I found the local students city-minded vs. sheltered suburbanites, hard-working, and appreciative of the liberal arts. The football team was terrible at the time but that made games more fun for socializing. I didn't care about D1 sports at all. I like great bargains and life hacks. Pitt worked out great for us. We both got full-rides to high-ranked grad schools.


So glad I saw this. Thank you!
Anonymous
Post 08/09/2024 20:38     Subject: University of Minnesota?
Anonymous wrote:Frankly, it’s never been the same since Brenda Walsh dropped out two weeks into her freshman year.


😂
Anonymous
Post 08/09/2024 19:41     Subject: University of Minnesota?
If you like large and urban it ticks both boxes.
Anonymous
Post 08/09/2024 17:44     Subject: University of Minnesota?
I went there and am not encouraging my senior to apply. I just don't love the campus. It's huge and Minneapolis is not what it once was.
I do think going to grad schools there is better. Many are separate on the West Bank with smaller programs.
Nothing wrong with it though. I personally don't care for it and don't understand the appeal unless you're in-state.
Anonymous
Post 08/09/2024 17:43     Subject: University of Minnesota?
Anonymous wrote:One is spewing crap (Minnesota is a dump) that is at best subjective while the other is talking about a real concern for many people. But sorry that offends some sensibilities.


No offense taken here. I understand there are differing opinions on many issues, and I'm sure we could discuss both sides of whatever topic you're referring to. My main concern is simply sending my child to a good college where they can thrive. I don't see the state's politics as having a significant impact, and if it does, my child will adapt. It's a valuable lesson in tolerance that will serve them well in life. Perhaps it's a lesson worth considering.