Michgan State vs. Grand Valley State (Grand Rapids, Lansing: work, health, investment property)

[kyndle]

I'm a transfer student sorority girl from Arizona State Unviversity and I need to start my major in the fall. I was accepted at both Michigan State and GVSU. I want to buy an investment property in either Grand Rapids or East Lansing and I am unsure which city to move to.
This is what I'm looking for in my remaining college years:
-Liberal Studies or General Studies program
-clubs to join so I can make new freinds
-somewhere fun
-somewhere safe
-a degree I can be pround of
-a good city to network with business people in my community

I feel like i could get all of these things at either school and I want to know if anyone has some insight to to area, culture, social scene, academics ect.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Rapunzll]

I've had kids graduate from both schools and I both are fine universities. If you like a huge school, than State is probably the place for you. Most of GVSU's campus is in Allendale, although they do have a campus in GR as well. If you really have a hard time deciding, go by whichever is the least expensive.

[Frank the Tank]

From the perspective of someone that lives outside of Michigan (Chicago), Michigan State is definitely the more well-known school nationally and is probably pretty close to what you've had at Arizona State (large residential campus, big-time college sports, prominent Greek scene), only with snow during the winter. So, if you liked ASU, you'll like MSU better. If you didn't like ASU, then GVSU might be worth a look.

On a related note, I swear that half of the bars in Chicago are run by Spartan fans - the green flags are everywhere.

[iamweasel]

Originally Posted by kyndle

I'm a transfer student sorority girl from Arizona State Unviversity and I need to start my major in the fall. I was accepted at both Michigan State and GVSU. I want to buy an investment property in either Grand Rapids or East Lansing and I am unsure which city to move to.
This is what I'm looking for in my remaining college years:
-Liberal Studies or General Studies program
-clubs to join so I can make new freinds
-somewhere fun
-somewhere safe
-a degree I can be pround of
-a good city to network with business people in my community

I feel like i could get all of these things at either school and I want to know if anyone has some insight to to area, culture, social scene, academics ect.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I would pick Michigan State in a heartbeat. The degree from MSU will be considered much more valuable than Grand Valley.

Like the previous poster said MSU is a huge university with 40,000+ students. It has a VERY active social scene so I think you'll be able to find whatever types of clubs you want.

[magellan]

That's a tough one. They both have their good attributes:

- Michigan State is a Big Ten school so sports are obviously a lot more prominent
- The greek scene is a lot bigger at MSU
- GVSU's campus is a lot cleaner and newer
- GVSU is only about 10 - 15 minutes from Grand Haven and Lake Michigan
- You can find a lot of decent properties in downtown GR (where GVSU's business and health programs are located) or in East Lansing to buy as an investment. Both are pretty safe areas.
- They both are heavily involved in their business communities

At 25,000 students at GVSU to 40,000 at MSU, the size difference doesn't seem like a lot but it makes a big difference. Having grown up near one and now living near the other, I can say the two campuses couldn't feel more different. You should get a guided tour of both and see which one you like better.

[iamweasel]

Originally Posted by magellan

GVSU's campus is a lot cleaner and newer.

I gotta disagree with you on this one. Saying one is "a lot" cleaner than the other is too strong in my opinion. MSU's campus is consistently rated as one of the safest and cleanest campuses in the country.

Grand Valley has a nice campus, too, but I wouldn't say it's cleaner than MSU's campus.

Newer - yes, but frankly the north part of MSU's campus with the historic architecture is wonderful.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by iamweasel

I gotta disagree with you on this one. Saying one is "a lot" cleaner than the other is too strong in my opinion. MSU's campus is consistently rated as one of the safest and cleanest campuses in the country.

Grand Valley has a nice campus, too, but I wouldn't say it's cleaner than MSU's campus.

Newer - yes, but frankly the north part of MSU's campus with the historic architecture is wonderful.

You're right. The older part of campus near Grand River has some great old architecture. The Southern sections and a lot of the dormitories are really starting to show their 1970's architecture, IMO.

For a campus as large as MSU is, it does seem to be pretty safe.

[Rapunzll]

Grand Valley hires the best architects! Their campus looks great, and the Pew campus is fabulous.

[kyndle]

Thanks for all your input! Right now...I'm thinking GV would be a better place to invest. It's one of the only cities in MI that's growing and I expect this continue for a while still. If I went to State I'd want to buy a house right on campus all the houses there are old and probably need some work done...

[helpimstuckinflint]

GVSU is a very good school I would recommend there