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The University Of Memphis is the only one of the three mentioned above as well as Middle TN that are among the Washington Monthly's top 100 Universities for 2010.
The University of Tennessee is the only one that's ranked among the top public universities in the country by US News and World Report, 47th. The University of Memphis isn't ranked.
The Princeton Review ranks the University of Tennessee as among the country's top 100 best value colleges. The University of Memphis isn't even ranked among colleges just in the Southeast.
Kiplinger's also ranks The University of Tennessee among the nation's top 100 universities for best value. The University of Memphis didn't make that list, either.
Entering freshmen at the University of Tennessee had an average ACT score of 26.5. Entering freshmen at the University of Memphis had an average ACT score of 21.7.
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its - possession
it's - contraction of it is
your - possession
you're - contraction of you are
their - possession
they're - contraction of they are
there - referring to a place
loose - opposite of tight
lose - opposite of win
Well anyway, I guess I had my entire post deleted.
Here is the jist of what I said, with my cultural assesment of Appalachia removed :
Paying out-of-state tuition to major in communications at UT-Knoxville seems like a mistake, especially when you consider the other alternatives out there.
First, while it's possible to get decent education at UTK, a major in communications will be of questionable value. And it will be hard to leverage what you do actually learn in communications into a related job in East Tennessee. Your proximity to major job markets will likely determine what kind of job you get after graduation--particularly with a major in communications from a lesser-known school.
The social scene at UTK revolves heavily around sports. Moreoever, an overwhelming percentage of the students are in-state. That means they are coming in with pre-established groups of friends. It will be probably easier to meet new people in a university that isn't such a local draw.
UTK is situated in Appalachia, a region which is known for its lagging economic development. As noted above, this will likely impact a job search.
You're young and can afford to take risks. The one regret most older people have is not taking risks. Why don't you look at universities situated in large, vibrant cities--LA, NYC, DC, or San Francisco. It may seem intimidating to move at 18 to one of the cities, but it's the one point in your life when you have little to lose. Sometimes it's just easier to jump into the deep water. You'll be able to start over and make the life you want, and do better than you think.
I have actually attended all these universities except UTC. I have degrees from two of them, and one from Vanderbilt. Don't ask why; it just worked out that way.
A communications major actually does prepare you quite well for many types of positions beyond "mass media." Much better, I think, than a history degree or English.
When you study the journalism side of communications, you learn how to research; how to COMMUNICATE with others, which really is the most important part of any job; how to spot BS; how to search for a source or cause, pursue something until its conclusion; etc etc etc Whether it's done in print or online, it's still a valuable skill set.
Because of technology, the journalism field has changed more rapidly than many others in just the past 20 years. That's not to say that the university programs aren't keeping up with those changes - that's their job. At UTK the program now is called Communication and Information.
If you're 18 and you want a great college experience, from your list I would choose UTK. Memphis still has a good number of older and married students and draws from a narrower geographical range of students. UTK actually draws true traditional undergrads from all over the country and has several degree programs that are considered excellent. UTC is up and coming and in a cool city but not as established as the flagship university.
Knoxville's economy is largely fueled by the regional location of the main campus of the University of Tennessee, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and other Department of Energy facilities in nearby Oak Ridge, the National Transportation Research Center, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
In April 2008, Forbes Magazine named Knoxville among the Top 10 Metropolitan Hotspots in the United States and within Forbes' Top 5 for Business & Careers, just behind cities like New York and Los Angeles.
2010 - Knoxville ranked 7th Top Metro for Alternative Energy Industry Leaders. Source: Business Facilities Aug. 2010.
2008 - Metropolitan Knoxville named No. 10 on the "Best Places for Business and Careers" list. Source: Forbes Magazine March 2008.
2010 - Knoxville ranked 5th Top Metro for Economic Growth Potential. Source: Business Facilities Aug. 2010
2010 - Knoxville named One of the "Best Cities for New College Grads." Source: BusinessWeek Magazine August 2010.
2009 - Knoxville in Top 25 of Forbes Magazine's "Best Bang-for-the-Buck Cities." Source: Forbes Magazine Nov. 2009.
The metropolitan Knoxville area was recently ranked the "best place to live in the United States and Canada" among cities with a population of fewer than 1 million. The ranking came from the Millennium edition of Places Rated Almanac.
Knoxville's economy is largely fueled by the regional location of the main campus of the University of Tennessee, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and other Department of Energy facilities in nearby Oak Ridge, the National Transportation Research Center, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
In April 2008, Forbes Magazine named Knoxville among the Top 10 Metropolitan Hotspots in the United States and within Forbes' Top 5 for Business & Careers, just behind cities like New York and Los Angeles.
2010 - Knoxville ranked 7th Top Metro for Alternative Energy Industry Leaders. Source: Business Facilities Aug. 2010.
2008 - Metropolitan Knoxville named No. 10 on the "Best Places for Business and Careers" list. Source: Forbes Magazine March 2008.
2010 - Knoxville ranked 5th Top Metro for Economic Growth Potential. Source: Business Facilities Aug. 2010
2010 - Knoxville named One of the "Best Cities for New College Grads." Source: BusinessWeek Magazine August 2010.
2009 - Knoxville in Top 25 of Forbes Magazine's "Best Bang-for-the-Buck Cities." Source: Forbes Magazine Nov. 2009.
The metropolitan Knoxville area was recently ranked the "best place to live in the United States and Canada" among cities with a population of fewer than 1 million. The ranking came from the Millennium edition of Places Rated Almanac.
I do have seasonal allergies, but if I have to, I can just get an air filter for the dorm or get OTC pills for it. Also, University of Memphis I am not interested in. I like UTK because it has good national rankings. I want to avoid a regional college. As for the communications degree thing, I understand you are just helping me out by picking a reasonable career field. Well, truth be honest, there is hardly a career field (except for anything in Medical field) that doesn't guarantee a job. Like I mentioned, I don't want to just go IT because it is known to be the career that is being outsourced overseas. Even jobs in the US by immigration and H-1B visas. Employers that are corporate tend to hire IT professionals overseas for cheap labor (which I am frustrated by it). Yes, the employer will have to eventually let the immigrated worker go, but there are loopholes and immigrants can find their way to another job (correct me if I am wrong). If an IT field doesn't go well, this degree will give me a Plan B. I actually found an article from Princeton Review that communications is in the top 10 college majors Top 10 College Majors
Last edited by 94buickcentury; 05-11-2011 at 03:53 PM..
Reason: More details
I do have seasonal allergies, but if I have to, I can just get an air filter for the dorm or get OTC pills for it. Also, University of Memphis I am not interested in. I like UTK because it has good national rankings. I want to avoid a regional college. As for the communications degree thing, I understand you are just helping me out by picking a reasonable career field. Well, truth be honest, there is hardly a career field (except for anything in Medical field) that doesn't guarantee a job. Like I mentioned, I don't want to just go IT because it is known to be the career that is being outsourced overseas. Even jobs in the US by immigration and H-1B visas. Employers that are corporate tend to hire IT professionals overseas for cheap labor (which I am frustrated by it). Yes, the employer will have to eventually let the immigrated worker go, but there are loopholes and immigrants can find their way to another job (correct me if I am wrong). If an IT field doesn't go well, this degree will give me a Plan B. I actually found an article from Princeton Review that communications is in the top 10 college majors Top 10 College Majors
Even nursing is no longer a guarantee. So many people jumped on the bandwagon that in some markets it is no longer easy to get right in.
But from your own link: Be warned, however, that these are not necessarily the degrees that garner the most demand in the job market.
On that list is English as major, education along with IT. They suggest social work as a career once attaining the coveted communications degree. Oh, boy! Might as well work in fast food; at least you might get a discounted meal. And of course they then through in the caveat. So my guess is these are the top ten popular majors, not really a comforting thought.
You are correct, no guarantees any longer. But I've seen a lot of recent grads think they are going to become a reporter only to find that there are far too many candidates for incredibly few jobs. There's also an amazingly huge herd of writers that give their wares away for free on the internet. And true journalism is rare.
If you can parlay that degree into another faction, though, such as marketing, you have a better shot. The ability to sell something will always be a commodity if you are very good.
And things change. There is no way to know what the job market will look like in four years.
Whatever you do, best of luck! My vote is still for UTK.
Allergies are the trade-off for the breathtaking beauty of our flowers and trees in The South. After seven springs, the landscape still takes my breath away and the allergies get better for most people. If nothing else, March through May will make an atheist into a believer. At one time I thought that only the power of the ocean smashing against a rocky coast could do that but I was wrong.
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