OT: Top 10 Non-Academic Football/Party Schools

[poorgradstudent]

I do think that with big public universities a student often gets out of it what they put into it. I’ve known some incredibly smart, talented, skilled workers who came out of SDSU and Cal State San Marcos. But I also know those schools are easy to just sort of skate by and spend four years drinking/high.

I’d also argue the existance of schools like UCLA and USC as proof at least some universities can have it all in terms of academics and athletics and social scene. University of Michigan is another that stands out in my mind; they’ve had some dominant sports teams but it’s also academically prestigious.

All universities have gotten more academically competitive as the cost of tuition has skyrocketed. Once upon a time almost anyone with a pulse could get into SDSU, but these days spots are pretty limited there.

[paramount]

[quote=poorgradstudent]

I’d also argue the existance of schools like UCLA and USC as proof at least some universities can have it all in terms of academics and athletics and social scene. University of Michigan is another that stands out in my mind; they’ve had some dominant sports teams but it’s also academically prestigious.

[/quote]

Yes, but they often have very low standards when it comes to sports and admissions.

[Anonymous]

[quote=paramount][quote=poorgradstudent]

I’d also argue the existance of schools like UCLA and USC as proof at least some universities can have it all in terms of academics and athletics and social scene. University of Michigan is another that stands out in my mind; they’ve had some dominant sports teams but it’s also academically prestigious.

[/quote]

Yes, but they often have very low standards when it comes to sports and admissions.[/quote]

Again, who cares? Everybody knows the athletic departments of large Universities are independent of the Academic departments. Big time athletes have been enrolling in sham coursework and getting paid by boosters under the table for decades, this is nothing new. Sure you can argue that it is idiotic that our Universities are providing a minor league feeder system for professional football and basketball. But to suggest there is any correlation between academics and athletics is misguided.

[paramount]

[quote=deadzone] But to suggest there is any correlation between academics and athletics is misguided.[/quote]

Maybe not a 1:1 correlation, but in my list these schools (for the most part) happen to have poor academics but prefer big investments in football. And that’s really all they’re known for – they make no other significant contributions.

LSU and Auburn for example have close to 90% acceptance rates. U of Phoenix has a lower acceptance rate!

[Anonymous]

[quote=paramount][quote=deadzone] But to suggest there is any correlation between academics and athletics is misguided.[/quote]

Maybe not a 1:1 correlation, but in my list these schools (for the most part) happen to have poor academics but prefer big investments in football. And that’s really all they’re known for – they make no other significant contributions.

LSU and Auburn for example have close to 90% acceptance rates. U of Phoenix has a lower acceptance rate![/quote]

A degree from any one of the schools on your list is 100 times more prestigious than one from U. of Phoenix. Plus while attending any of those schools you can actually enjoy your college experience with sports, partying, hot chicks, myriad of social and extra curricular activities on top of outstanding academic programs and facilities.

You clearly have no concept of University life, did actually attend a University yourself?

[paramount]

[quote=deadzone][quote=paramount][quote=deadzone] But to suggest there is any correlation between academics and athletics is misguided.[/quote]

Maybe not a 1:1 correlation, but in my list these schools (for the most part) happen to have poor academics but prefer big investments in football. And that’s really all they’re known for – they make no other significant contributions.

LSU and Auburn for example have close to 90% acceptance rates. U of Phoenix has a lower acceptance rate![/quote]

A degree from any one of the schools on your list is 100 times more prestigious than one from U. of Phoenix. Plus while attending any of those schools you can actually enjoy your college experience with sports, partying, hot chicks, myriad of social and extra curricular activities on top of outstanding academic programs and facilities.

You clearly have no concept of University life, did actually attend a University yourself?[/quote]

I didn’t have those luxuries; I went to school to learn, acquire knowledge and skills so I could support myself.

[Anonymous]

That’s too bad for you, but no reason to be hating on the Universities where people have fun too.

[paramount]

[quote=deadzone]That’s too bad for you, but no reason to be hating on the Universities where people have fun too.[/quote]

No, it’s not to bad for me at all, and I’m certainly not “hating” (the latest PC/lib term used to demonize someone they don’t agree with).

I was doing more research into this issue of football/party schools and academics. One of the main criteria used to rank party schools is their football program.

The reality is this: These are schools where kids go to party, watch sports and not much else get’s done.

[Anonymous]

Once again, you have no clue what you are talking about. You could make that same statement about “where kids go to party” about all Universities (except perhaps the UC schools since they are mostly Asian). The fact there is good sports or not has no effect on the academic programs of the University.

But the reality is high profile sports benefit the University beyond just athletic budgets because even though the Athletic Departments are independent, successful sports teams improve overall alumni interest which leads to more donations to the school in general, not just to athletics.

[scaredyclassic]

There’s a lot of money in fun

[bearishgurl]

There’s something to be said for a so-called “party school.” Or “semi-party school.” Add to that membership in a “Greek organization.” It all matters in the real world today.

Your kid could be a Valedictorian of his/her HS class but if they’re antisocial (don’t know how to talk to other kids and adults) and can’t/don’t know how to groom or promote themselves, then they’re pretty much toast out there in the business world.

There’s nothing wrong with learning how to take decent selfies and developing your own “brand.” In fact, I recommend it for the Gen Y set.

I also recommend sending them up to college with their prom formal wear (if they own it) and a nice skirt or shirt and tie for public speaking.

I’m going to another semi-formal fundraiser in a couple of weeks put on by my youngest kid’s Greek organization. There will be a few local “movers and shakers” present.

It’s good for your kid in this day and age to get that kind of (legitimate) exposure and learn how to talk to people who are well-known philanthropists who contributed heavily (with their time AND money) to the local area.

If if weren’t for the $75M+ annually in legacies that my kid’s campus receives, their fees would be astronomical because they have a LOT of 1st class services and activities going on for the students.

Party? Bring it on. Like I said, it’s better than staying in mom and/or dad’s back bdrm working at the S-bux across the street from your HS and watching Netflix all hours of the day.

You want your college-age kid to mentally “grow up” and they’re not going to do it at home with mommy and/or daddy helicoptering them.

[Anonymous]

My point is the Academic mission of these Universities is un-affected by the athletic teams, good or bad. If the poster wants to act like an Ivy league elitist and put down these Universities because they don’t produce enough Nobel prize winners, go for it.

But the fact is the presence of elite sports teams is strictly for entertainment. Nobody in their right mind really believes the kids on these football teams are legitimate students.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=deadzone]My point is the Academic mission of these Universities is un-affected by the athletic teams, good or bad. If the poster wants to act like an Ivy league elitist and put down these Universities because they don’t produce enough Nobel prize winners, go for it.

But the fact is the presence of elite sports teams is strictly for entertainment. Nobody in their right mind really believes the kids on these football teams are legitimate students.[/quote]

Agree. And college sports creates another kind of “social life” for the students and is often the only “entertainment” going on in the community in some of these schools. There’s nothing wrong with students belonging to cheer, drill team, marching band, mascots or anything else that supports college sports teams. If anything, it builds confidence to audition for other things, including interviews for internships and “real” jobs. It exposes the student-athlete and students supporting the team in these capacities to interaction with different classes of people that they may have not had exposure to, such as those community “movers and shakers” who have permanent box seats and skyboxes.

If campus is “boring,” where is the inspiration to stay there FT for 4+ years and slog away to finish your degree?

[scaredyclassic]

Currently reading

The art of grace
On moving well through life

I need to move with more grace and that shall be the focus of my remaining time on earth. Less As more ease

[bearishgurl]

[quote=scaredyclassic]Currently reading

The art of grace
On moving well through life

I need to move with more grace and that shall be the focus of my remaining time on earth. Less As more ease[/quote]

You’ve probably already had a lot of practice in this regard, scaredy, but I think part of the university experience is receiving exposure to all kinds of people from all walks of life and learning to speak, act (and move) with more grace and confidence.

Aside from the academics and degree obtained, I look to university as a type of “finishing school” experience for my kids and so far, I haven’t been disappointed.

The CA public HS experience doesn’t exactly lend itself to practical preparation for adulthood, IMO.

[Author]

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