Brian

Some think that MSU students party too much and suffer academically. This is a pretty gross misrepresentation of the school. We have one of the largest student bodies in America and along with that comes a lot of activity. There is ALWAYS something to do. If you want to party Monday through Sunday it's entirely possible. On the other hand you will fail out quickly.

However the rumor that we have a ton of beautiful girls is completely true. I don't think there is a better school in the Midwest for finding a mate. This school is absolutely loaded with talent!

Overall this school is a 10/10. It has something for everyone. Don't be intimidated by the campus size or the number of people that go here. It is very easy to make friends and get involved here. The classes can be large but the professors are usually very helpful and have office hours if you need 1 on 1 help, don't be afraid to approach them!

The campus itself is beautiful and has a serene river running through the heart of campus. It is easy to find nooks and crannys to relax and study in. There are many old historic buildings to explore and the new art museum looks like it will be very interesting. They have been constructing a lot of new buildings on campus, especially for the research oriented majors. Getting around is no problem with a bike or a bus pass.

The best part about this university is the people who go here. They are down to earth and very friendly for the most part. It is easy to make friends and form connections. There is literally a student group for everything and there are always events to go to. If you like sports look no further. The football, basketball, and hockey programs are top notch and are a constant source of excitement for students. Attending fall games in Spartan Stadium and tailgating with friends and alumni is easily one of my most cherished memories.Even if you're not into sports I would recommend attending a few of the games just for the experience.

If you're looking for the complete college experience this is it. Michigan State has just about everything you could want in a school aside from being in the Ivy League. Even still many of the programs are highly ranked. My major (Criminal Justice) is ranked in the top 10 nationally as are many others. I take pride in calling myself a Spartan and I am absolutely satisfied with the education I received. It was worth every cent.

Academics at MSU are stressed and are obviously the main reason for the school. The classes are challenging and school is NOT easy. There will be times when you feel overwhelmed and assignments stack up. Having good time management skills and an ability to stay focused is crucial. It is easy to get carried away in all the extracurricular activities that surround the school so it's important to go easy on your schedule early on. I would recommend incoming freshmen to take no more than 12-14 credits their first semester. It'll be a lot easier to adjust with a more manageable schedule.

Other than the challenge, the classes are usually very stimulating and the professors are top notch and experienced in their fields. Very rarely are classes taught by a T.A. and bad professors are few and far between. I found the classes to be very useful and applicable to the field I'm going in to. The education at MSU is geared towards not just getting a job, but putting the student in the position to create and manage jobs.

MSU students are the best part about the school. The size of the student body ensures that you will be able to find many people with similar interests and hobbies. It's pretty hard to be lonely at this school. There is always something going on and people are always available to talk and hang out.

The makeup of the students is similar to most B1G universities. The majority of students are white followed by Asian, black, and Hispanic. Everyone seems to get along nicely and there are rarely problems with race. MSU has a good mix that will expose you to all cultures and races over a 4-5 period. I have noticed that the foreign students from Asia sometimes form up into cliques and do not really get outside of them. I think this might just be a language and cultural barrier. Fortunately each dorm has a cultural aid to help students fit in and adjust quickly.

Politically the school is much more diverse than normal. There is slight liberal feel to the campus, but a sizable portion of the student body is conservative. Whatever your views are there is likely a campus group that you can match up with. East Lansing is a considerably more conservative campus than Ann Arbor or Madison. There is a balance here that is not usually found in large universities.

The financial make up of the students is mostly upper-middle class mixed with many other situations. You'll likely encounter students from all economic backgrounds. It doesn't seem to be an issue and is rarely brought up in conversation. I don't think I've ever really talked about it with my friends.

Student interaction is a big thing on this campus. That is why you come to Michigan State over other B1G schools. The people here are friendly and it is easy to network and make connections. There are plenty of opportunities to hang out and party on the weekends once your work is done.

Meeting people of the opposite sex is a breeze at this school and is probably the number #1 unsung asset of MSU. Speaking from a male perspective I had no trouble meeting girls. Like I said earlier, making connections here is easy. In an age when many people have resorted to online dating sites, college provides an essential opportunity to hone your skills and meet your soul mate. The girls at MSU tend to be much more attractive than at other schools (trying to be unbiased). Most girls here are fit, pretty, and easy to talk to, which makes it great for guys. I would assume that girls feel the same, but I can't speak for them. All in all State has a fantastic dating scene that will definitely satisfy a scholarly gentleman.

There's no doubt about it, MSU is a football school. If you don't like football then you'll miss out on a HUGE part of campus life. Student tickets are reasonably priced at under $150 for the season. You can always sell your ticket if you can't make the game. The team has been very good with Dantonio as head coach and it looks like they're only getting better. Tailgating with friends, family, and alumni brings you really close together and gives you a sense of belonging.

Besides football MSU has one of the top basketball programs in the nation under coach Izzo. Membership in the Izzone is a coveted prize for the dedicated fans and they have to meet several requirements to get tickets in the lower bowl. The atmosphere is extremely energetic and an absolute blast.

Other sports of note are Hockey, Volleyball, and Baseball. The key linking all these sports together is a high energy atmosphere and a passion on the part of the students. I would recommend going to at least one game for each of the big sports.

If you aren't a sports person there is still a ton of things to do. Fine arts are a big thing here. The new art museum opens in May '12 and will host millions of dollars worth of art. The Wharton Center has big name productions come through pretty regularly, and the theater department puts on some great shows of their own.

There is so much to do here that it's hard to write it all down. There are a ton of restaurants down Grand River that can provide you with whatever you're craving. The MSU dairy store has some of the best ice cream in the country and constantly comes out with new flavors. Other than that there's the on campus dining which is outstanding for the most part. Snyder-Phillips, Brody, and Case hall have new gourmet dining rooms that are highly touted.

Of course we do get a lot of partying in as well. It is possible to party 7 days a week, but I'd strongly advise against it. With such a large campus the parties vary greatly in size and style. There are huge frat parties with well over 2,000 people down to small house and apartment parties with a few friends. Halloween is NOT to be missed. It is a huge event at State and one of the best weekends during fall semester. Go all out and dress up, almost everyone participates and has fun. Just be SAFE!

Our campus has a lot of unique things. It is the second largest campus in the country area wise so there is a lot to explore. I remember driving around one day with my buddy in south campus and we saw that they were having Llama Fest at the MSU Pavilion (Rodeo and horse expo center). We stopped in and it was pretty awesome. They had all sorts of llamas that you could go up and pet. Some of them were dressed up in costumes and they had awards for different categories. It was definitely bizarre, but pretty cool all the same.

Other unique things include the new art museum, the Red Cedar river, Beaumont Tower, the Sparty statue, and all of the sports stadiums.

The dorm vary wildly. There's no telling what type of situation you'll end up in. It's very hard to answer this question. Basically you'll have enough room to get work done and your room won't be trashy. I lived in the oldest dorm on campus and I loved it. The dorm food is AWESOME in most places. Easily the best part of living on campus.

I came to Michigan State for 3 Reasons.

3: The Athletic Programs

2: The Beautiful Campus (and beautiful girls)

1: The Criminal Justice program is ranked in the top 10 nationally.