I will be going into my senior year of highschool next year. I've been thinking about college and I'm split between MSU and University of Washington (Seattle). I can easily get into either and money is not an issue. So does anybody have some advice beyond money issues to help me decide?
Dude, The University of Montana (Missoula) is the most hippie college in Montana. Missoula is known as "The Paris of the North". There really is no place hipper for at least 500 miles in any direction! Trust me, if you want to hang with hippies while you get your education, U of M is The place! ZW eace:
I've heard this before, but I have also heard MSU is better for science majors and has more stuff to do outdoors. Especially with Bridger Bowl and Big Sky so close.
If it were me, the biggest difference would be in the size of the campus, and therefore the size of the classes. Do you mind being in lectures with 300-400 other students? If not, then disregard this. My personal opinion is that there isn't much difference between the quality of state universities for your undergrad studies, and it's only in the graduate programs that there's much difference. Others may disagree. Also, there's the difference between Bozeman and Seattle as a place to live. I assume you've visited both. Bozeman is a cool town, but it's not Seattle. On the other hand, if you're not a city guy, then Seattle could make you crazy. You got it right with the outdoor activities. You mentioned Big Sky, etc ... don't forget hiking in Yellowstone and Glacier, if you're into that sort of thing. Also the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Wild, wild country.
Cali' makes some good points. If you have never lived in a megalopolis like Seattle, you owe it to yourself to give it a go. That is the real world, like it or not and its a good idea to come to grips with it early in life... Other than outdoor sports and hard-core drinking, Montana is pretty much a void, culturally. Arts and Entertainment are slim to nill. (Lots of Karaoke!) Besides, we don't need anymore snot-nosed college punks in our town! Oh and stay the hell out of the Bob Marshal....! ( Just kidding ... good luck with your decision!) ZW eace:
And don't forget the weather. Seattle's winter is relatively mild, but Montana is freakin' ferocious. Those are hardy folk that live up there.
Bozeman is boring. Missoula is Heaven. When your in HS, its hard to pick a college, but they really are mostly the same. Its much better to pick a city. Also if money is not an issue and you are thinkin of Seatle area, then Evergreen is the college to pick.
