What is the UM Twin Cities like? (Stillwater, Princeton: private school, university)

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by golfgal

You do realized that the US News rankings are based only on those schools that PAY to be in those rankings, right? The U of M traditionally ranks very high among large universities. Having TA's teach classes is very common at larger universities. Most of your criticisms of the U are common practice most everywhere with state universities--which is why they are state universities and not private schools like Hamline.

Well, I do not take US News as the law. I do know that they are biased in one way or another but the U isn't tops on the Princeton Review, either.

As for TAs. I already stated in my original post that TA's are common on every college campus. But it is not as common to have a TA teach an entire 400 level course. At that level the teaching should be done by, and a student has every right to be, taught by a professor. Many students actually chose a particular course based solely on the professor that teaches it. Getting stuck with a TA kind of short changes the situation-especially since the students are paying for it. Now, the U of M-Twin Cities campus is unique in that it has an above average number of TA's-simply because there are far too many students for the professors to handle. That is a fact that you can Google or talk to students who currently attend the U.

Yes, Hamline is a private for-profit school. But because of that it needs an edge to separate it from the rest-quality education and top notch faculty.

Also, there is a difference between a "state" college and a "University of" college. Too bad Minnesota mixes the two together.

For the record, I do not attend Hamline. Never attended Hamline. Nor do I wish to in the future.

[Minnehahapolitan]

K-Luv. It may have been easy to get into the U fourty years ago, but it is alot harder now. Half the kids are denied. You need an ACT in the mid to upper twenties. Carlson, Technology, et. cetera are harder than that. Alot of courses have TAs, but you would figure that when you enroll at the largest university for 1000 miles. Hamline may have more professors, but they are private and small. It is easier to get in there. Minnesota's state colleges are in Mankato, Saint Cloud, Bemidji and Winona. We hardly mix the two. And since when did we start referring to the U of M as UMTC? Thats silly.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by Minnehahapolitan

And since when did we start referring to the U of M as UMTC? Thats silly.

I don't know about "we", but I only did it because I did not feel like typing U of M-TC. I assumed that everyone would know what I meant by that.

TA's are teachers' assistant, not teachers themselves (although some TA's are working towards an eventual teaching career). Yes, the U of M Twin Cities campus is the largest school, but it is not the only game in town. I think that you are missing my point, though.

[Minnehahapolitan]

I don't know how I am missing your point. Your posts (on the whole) have not said, "look into the other schools in The Cities", they have tried to discredit the integrity of The U. You don't say "Also, there is a difference between a "state" college and a "University of" college. Too bad Minnesota mixes the two together" to broaden someones horizons. As far as public universities go, there isn't alot else in The Cities. There are Hamline, Macalester, Saint Thomas and Saint Catherine's, but they serve a pretty different purpose. I know what a TA is, I don't think that necessitated an explination.
---Minnehahapolitan

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by K-Luv

I don't know about "we", but I only did it because I did not feel like typing U of M-TC. I assumed that everyone would know what I meant by that.

The U of M is "the U of M" or "the U". Other branches like UMD or UMM are self-explanatory (the third letter tells you where it is).

UMTC sounds like a solution in search of a problem. :-)

[lukeache]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

The U of M is "the U of M" or "the U". Other branches like UMD or UMM are self-explanatory (the third letter tells you where it is).

UMTC sounds like a solution in search of a problem. :-)

Haha How about UMSP? That is U of Minnesota-St Paul! Then, we have UMR, that is University of Minnesota-Rochester. Not to forget, UMC, that would be University of Minnesota-Crookston. This is so silly!!

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by lukeache

Haha How about UMSP? That is U of Minnesota-St Paul! Then, we have UMR, that is University of Minnesota-Rochester. Not to forget, UMC, that would be University of Minnesota-Crookston. This is so silly!!

At least none of the U of Minn campuses have changed their name recently like my alma mater did.

I graduated from Mankato State University, dang nabbit, not "Minnesota State, Mankato"...

And my beloved Hopkins Lindbergh High School (go Flyers!) is now just plain Hopkins High School. No maroon and gold, just blue and silver. "Royals." Ptui. And no more Lindy 500 during homecoming. Have they no shame?

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

At least none of the U of Minn campuses have changed their name recently like my alma mater did.

I graduated from Mankato State University, dang nabbit, not "Minnesota State, Mankato"...

And my beloved Hopkins Lindbergh High School (go Flyers!) is now just plain Hopkins High School. No maroon and gold, just blue and silver. "Royals." Ptui. And no more Lindy 500 during homecoming. Have they no shame?

Actually many of them have changed their names--Southwest State in Marshall is now Southwest MINNESOTA State. SSU was so much easier to say then SMSU.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Actually many of them have changed their names--Southwest State in Marshall is now Southwest MINNESOTA State. SSU was so much easier to say then SMSU.

I didn't think Southwest State was a U of Minnesota campus. :-) Or are the state universities and U of M systems merged together these days?

[Minnehahapolitan]

/\ Its not. The U of M is in Mpls., Duluth, Morris, Crookston and Roch.
MnSCU is community colleges, Saint Cloud, Winona, Mankato, Marshall, Bemidji. Two systems. Also, thank you for explaining the difference between the U of M and UMD. I was too lazy to explain why UMTC was weird.