Thursday, September 01, 2005

They Have No Class

Maybe we are onto something. Several universities that field powerhouse teams also are ranked in the The Princeton Review's annual survey of colleges where students (almost) never study.

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Anonymous said...

Top 10 Schools Where Students (Almost) Never Study

The Princeton Review

Don't go advertising this fact to your parents, but the college years aren't only about keeping your nose to the grindstone. The Princeton Review's annual survey of college students shows that the student body at these ten schools perennially have more on their mind than just studying.

1. University of Mississippi
For many, University of Mississippi -- "Ole Miss" to friends -- is as much a lifestyle choice as an academic one. "The best aspect of Ole Miss is the southern pride and the beauty that you experience," explains one undergrad. While a demanding education can certainly be had at Ole Miss, it's also possible to glide through. "A lot of students don't come here to get an education. That's a major problem, but probably not the university's fault," writes one undergrad.

Students who considered Ole Miss also looked at Florida State, Mississippi State, Southern Methodist University, and Tulane University.

2. Ohio University-Athens
The university's "very laid-back and friendly" undergrads can "usually be found in sweats and flip-flops generally all year round. We have a very casual atmosphere." It's "the perfect mixture of business with pleasure," students tell us, adding, "We get the work done on the weekdays so we can party hard on the weekends." Most agree that OU is "a rip-roaring good-time party school."

Students who considered Ohio also looked at Indiana University-Bloomington, Kent State University, Miami University, and Penn State University.

3. St. Bonaventure University
Saint Bonaventure was a 13th-century bishop. Translated, his name means, "Oh, good fortune!" If you ask students at St. Bonaventure University, they'll tell you that, when it comes to socializing, it's an apt name indeed.

Students who considered St. Bonaventure also looked at Allegheny College, Canisius College, Fairfield University, and Quinnipiac University.

4. University of Idaho
The most common descriptors of the student population at Idaho would have to be "laid-back" and "easygoing." Many people seem perfectly content, in an "atmosphere that allows the students to be active within the community." Other mellowed-out students concur, with the sentiment "I like to have a laid-back lifestyle, and I am able to do it here."

Students who considered University of Idaho also looked at Albertson College of Idaho, University of Montana-Missoula, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and University of Wyoming.

5. State University of New York at Albany
Many students warn that "Albany is a good school, but the partying can take over your normal good student. You have to be mature to learn to balance both." Says one student, "Albany puts a lot of responsibility on the student; there is no hand-holding. Professors are available, resources are accessible, and involvement is possible, but it is entirely on the student to sink or swim."

Students who considered SUNY at Albany also looked at SUNY at Binghamton, SUNY College at New Paltz, Syracuse University, and University of Connecticut.

6. Emerson College
"Life at Emerson revolves around activities at the school," students report and add that "most people are usually working on a theater piece or a television show, or some other kind of art that relates to their education, but also counts as their fun activity." You may not write as many term papers as you would at another school, but that doesn't mean you won't work hard. One student explains, "While at larger schools you may write 20-page term papers at the end of every course, at Emerson you're more likely to do a video. They take as long, trust me."

Students who considered Emerson also looked at Boston University, Fordham University, Hampshire College, and Northeastern University.

7. Florida State University
"It is all about having a good time while getting a great education" at FSU, and most students figure out how to juggle both tasks. Undergraduates report that Seminoles "are very focused on classes during the week. However, when the weekends roll around, it is all about football (in the fall) and partying! FSU students know how to have a good time, and there is always a party going on."

Students who considered Florida State also looked at Auburn University, Florida A&M University, Florida International University, and University of Miami.

8. Louisiana State University
In some ways, LSU is a victim of its own success. The school devotes considerable effort and resources to its football team, with consistently excellent results. Unfortunately, in the process, the university has created the impression among many students that it is "a football school with an academic afterthought." In general, "It is up to the student to succeed, and sometimes that means doing it on your own and teaching yourself."

Students who considered LSU also looked at Baylor University, Rice University, University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa, and University of New Orleans.

9. University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Endless extracurricular options, academic and otherwise, are available to U Mass Amherst students. The university is home to so many parties that some students refer to the school as "ZooMass." Some appreciate this choice provided by the school: "The ability to choose to party every night or advance one's intellect with the incredible minds that are around (both students and professors alike)."

Students who considered U Mass also looked at Boston College, Cornell University, University of Connecticut, and University of Hartford.

10. Auburn University
Students are largely satisfied with Auburn's academics, although they are happily surprised by the academic excellence--they choose Auburn not for its academic reputation but for the allure of its "old Southern values and traditions." Although many people at Auburn University feel that "the athletic program and the alumni program are the biggest strengths" of the school, the academics are nothing to be bashful about.

Students who considered Auburn also looked at Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Georgia, University of Mississippi, and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.