So...

[dambo]

if you had to choose between moving to Grand Rapids, MI (Grand Valley State University) and Dallas, TX (Southern Methodist University), which one would you pick and why?

please let me know ASAP, since I have to make a decision by Monday...thanks!

PS: the full story later.

Comments

[yrsuchariot]

I looked at their websites and I think I would go with Grand Valley, because it actually offers women's studies classes. Plus, Texas scares me! And I'm wary of academic institutions with religious affiliations.

hope you don't mind the reply

[jennfromtx]

Being wary of institutions with religious affiliations is just like a man being wary of going to a Woman's university (like Texas Woman's University here). Most colleges now-a-days do not force any beliefs down your throats even if they were founded on them. Men attend TWU and aren't expected to act like a woman or become one for that matter.

I can see why you would be intimidated by our great state, though. With our massive land coverage and influence in the U.S., Texas tends to be feared. That's one of the many great reasons why I love it here. ;)

Re: hope you don't mind the reply

[dambo]

ok tell me please, since your posts were very helpful...tell me what you think about SMU's name and religous affiliation and what kind of school it is, what kind of students i would find there.

this is one of the most important things to me and nobody has addressed it

thanks so much!!! :)

Re: hope you don't mind the reply

[jennfromtx]

Here in Dallas, when you tell people you attend or even teach at SMU, they are pretty impressed. It's not your normal college that you would just drop in one day and decide to attend. It is more of an upperclass university since it is private and does cost more than public colleges. Have you checked out this web page? It lists the demographics of those at SMU, including the faculty and diversity. As any college student is most likely to do, students there do enjoy going out and experiencing Dallas night life, but, the campus is close enough to White Rock Lake, a lake known for its biking/running trail that goes 9.2 or so miles around

Re: hope you don't mind the reply

[tullster]

Great point about White Rock Lake.

SMU is one of the best universities in Texas, imo.

Re: hope you don't mind the reply

[readytoruck]

the private, religious schools in Texas generally tell you that you have to take a theology class in order to get a degree. I mean, what's so bad about that? you just learn about various religious beliefs and philosophies. And generally thats the only requirement.

Re: hope you don't mind the reply

[yrsuchariot]

Hmm, I don't think it's exactly the same thing... Keep in mind, I am a religious person saying this. I would just always be afraid that the religious influence would compromise the academic integrity of the institution... Religion does have a history of stifling progress and learning...

And I'm Canadian, so I am certainly not intimidated by the size of Texas! But it's totally cool that you are proud of where you're from. I have my origins in Alberta, which is basically the Texas of Canada...

Re: hope you don't mind the reply

[jennfromtx]

Actually, there is an assimilation. Women have different beliefs (overall) than men. Men who attend a women's university are not expected to think like a woman or have beliefs like one, either. Also, the university itself would not keep a man from learning equally just because he is not of the original gender the university was intended for initially. I understand your fear, but seeing that I have known people who have attended SMU, I can tell you that the fact that it has a religious background does not degrade the integrity of the university. Also, I am at a loss right now as to examples of how religion has prevented progress and learning. Could you give an example

Re: just my two cents.

[yrsuchariot]

Yeah, my opinion is pretty much without foundation. I've never been further south than Utah.