Academics
Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan is a “research intensive school, meaning there are a lot of opportunities to pursue undergraduate research.” As a “top-tier research university, many students involved in undergraduate research can participate in meaningful studies that yield publications, “ and students say that “through [their] professors, [they] have been able to secure paid international internships and research positions.” One student says that during their first year, “I participated on a panel for entrepreneurship with the dean of the business school, the director of entrepreneurship, two other students and an alum.” Students gush about how MSU’s James Madison, Lyman Briggs, and Honors College, “which prides itself on offering course flexibility and customization” have “some of the best professors in the country.” A transfer student says that professors largely “understand that teaching a class not only means spewing out information, but also means teaching students how to learn and be successful in and beyond class.” They can “teach flexibly, meaning they can adjust their techniques to cater to the students and they can also explain the subject matter in multiple ways so that it gets across to all of the different learners.” The university offers generous scholarships and “professor assistantships to incoming freshmen,” which provide “the opportunity to do paid research.” Top programs include the “veterinary medicine, teaching, and business schools that attract people from all over the world,” and “nationally renowned” nuclear physics and agricultural programs.
Student Body
MSU “fosters an environment of laid-back, yet urgent creativity,” says one student. “You won’t find an air of pompous prestige anywhere on campus (maybe some frats) but you will find extremely driven people.” Another says “We’re Spartan strong and we’re here to support and encourage one another: it’s a big family here.” The student body at Michigan State is “diverse and massive.” The student body certainly shares a sense of camaraderie “epitomized by the popular slogan ‘Spartans Will.’” While the student body is “academically oriented” and “can provide their peers an intellectual challenge,” the student body at MSU is “not overly competitive, and generally seems to work toward intellectual cooperation rather than cut-throat competition.” “It is hard to paint one picture of a student body that hosts more than 50,000 people,” says one student, “especially one as diverse as the one we have at Michigan State.” Yet everyone at MSU “never misses a beat to yell Go White! in response to Go Green!”
Campus Life
“The greatest strength of this school, for me, is the beauty of the campus,” says one student. The large campus and its surroundings offer “a lot of options, from museums, gardens, fountains, the famous Rock, where people paint to promote events and clubs, and a river in the middle of campus.” Boasts another student, “Some schools have terrible cafeteria food, but MSU has some of the best in the country,” with “a variety of choices as well as healthy options and meals for those with special dietary needs.” The dining plans have unlimited access to the dozen or so dining halls across campus, so it is “always easy to get good food when living on campus.” Sports are popular too, with “huge campus-wide spirit on football game days.” Broadcast “in almost every residence hall on the TVs and certainly in every recreational facility, the sports here are what make MSU, MSU!” Most students “enjoy tailgating, as well as basketball and hockey games.” The campus bus route “takes students to MSU/East Lansing and surrounding town locations, including shopping malls.” The Wharton Center “gives student discounts for most shows,” and “people go out to eat on Grand River, which has a lot of great restaurants.” Students also “chill” at large parties “with loud music and alcohol.” In the past, students have expressed concerns about the handling of some high-profile sexual assault cases, and in April 2021, MSU has released an institution-wide strategic plan to address these issues.
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