skoolisout

It looks like you are in Indiana now so maybe a current SPEA student? Anyway, I appreciate the advice but it could be biased!

So I have been admitted to a few programs. Today I turned down LBJ and now thinking I should have visited and found out what it is like! I'm not seriously considering AU because I wont' be able to concurrently do a masters in environmental science and I really want a science aspect to my training. I know they are starting an environmental policy center but it's just policy and not science. I am seriously considering between SPEA and Ford, and Evans is really just because it's a big city in the pacific northwest (and right now I live in Portland.) I've read that the student services guy is not helpful and I agree - it's hard to reach him and he did not help contact professors to arrange for me to visit classes, nor did he arrange for me to speak to a student. As for SPEA vs Ford. I did my undergrad at Michigan so it's a love-hate relationship. Love certain aspects of the education but also hated that it was a large public school and too many students per class, etc. I also worked in Ann Arbor for years after that and realized that I have explored everything and don't care about the things that makes Ann Arbor novel or cute to live in. The winters also get me really depressed and unhappy, although I have found hobbies now that could potentially offset that winter boredom. I like how Bloomington has more moderate weather, is a completely new town to explore, and has cool stuff to do (like being very bike friendly). SPEA put on a great experience day and I felt so welcomed there. The staff was just amazing and they answer all my questions very quickly. Ford is also pretty good but can't compare to SPEA. I have to apply to School of Natural Resources at Michigan to get the science part, but having talked to people and professor that seems like a pretty straightforward process and acceptance rate is pretty high for current Ford students. Michigan has Indiana beat in Law and Business rankings, and just about everything. But honestly I believe Indiana will do a better job in teaching and training. Having gone to Michigan I know it's a big research university and education plays second fiddle there. So where is the dilemma? The name Michigan. My sister is convincing me that Michigan's "wow" factor is higher than Indiana and that will help me with a job after graduation. She is a lawyer so she believe that education doesn't really matter since they all teach the same thing anyway; what matters is the name. So what should I do? A part of me believes and understands that my graduate experience will be very different from my undergrad experience so I should give Michigan a second chance. But a part of me really wants to spend my life elsewhere. Opinions? Oh and no money from either, but Ford is way more expensive and cost of living is higher in Ann Arbor.