Why Marquette?

[BigSky]

austin, tx a top 100 high school rated by newsweek

looking at A&M and texas as well, from my brothers experience going out of state would be nice and marquette has made the most since so far because most public schools out of state arent any better than A&M or texas so ive been looking at private

Marquette will be and feel much smaller to those two schools of course.  The positives are always seeing a familiar face, yet new people too.....much more early involvement in your studies, with your professors....t.a.'s aren't teaching your classes.  Basketball unites a lot of kids, even kids who never had much interest in it prior to attending MU.  It creates a nice positive buzz much of the time.  MU is very urban as well....very safe, but urban with nearby access to a major city stuff. 

The size of MU is much more similar to ND that you mentioned.  Atmosphere however is very different.  ND is an isolated campus, South Bend doesn't really cater to ND students and there isn't much to do or see away from the campus and school.  ND is a great school, great campus, high profile athletics and football......but outside of football, there isn't nearly as much to do than at MU or nearby MU.  Weather will be comparable at both schools.  Weather never bothered me much in college.....since yes....college?  No.  You are way too busy to care about weather.  Summers and fall are nice btw....Winter and Spring not so much.

You can hit the ground running with professor access, classes that you want unlike big state schools, internships many extra cirricular choices etc...it's just up to you to take advantage of all of it.  The Jesuit and religious component is there if you want it and isn't overbearing if you don't want it. 

It's a good choice.  It is a radically different choice than UT or A&M.   

   

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Milwaukee is definitely what you make of it...

I agree with that completely.

I visited a lot of friends at different schools all across the country, and I liked them all.

Some were better than others... but if you are a person who is active and likes to be involved, you will find plenty of people and activites at any school that you go to.

It doesn't matter if you like going out to the bar, or if you are on student government, as long as you are social and get involved, you should have a good/fun social experience.

I would recomend joining a club sport when you get to any campus. Even if you only play for 1 year, you will make some friends who might not live next door to you in your dorm. There nothing wrong with dorm friends, most of my friends were made that way, but joining a club sport (or other club) can help expand your network which is helpful for new students.

Such is life. One of the best things about Marquette was learning that if you were with a good group of people who were your honest friends, you could have fun anywhere, even in the middle of one of Milwaukee's ghettos. Looking back I feel sorry for people who never got to experience what I did at Marquette. These are the same people who now never want to try anything new, only want to go to popular places, and never want to live on the edge a little bit. I've had more fun in dive bars and at house parties than I've ever had at fancy bars or in the trendiest clubs.

Agreed!

I love that MU is kinda slummy off of campus (although getting less slummy).

It creates interaction between all types of people. You have to learn to be comfortable in different types of places, and you better check your "better than some people" attitude at the door if you try to hang with any locals.

We used to order our kegs in spanish because they gave to us cheaper that way. You will experience diversity if you step off of campus... and I think that was a big part of the appeal for me. It was WAY different than my neighborhood growing up.

[MUAlum99]

What made you want to go to Marquette... its top 2 on my list now and was wondering if one thing made you want to go there?

Not one thing, but a combo of many...
- Smaller class sizes means you actually get to know your professors (imagine that!)   
- MOST classes are actually taught by profs, not teaching assistants
- Jesuit/Catholic well-rounded education (having to take Theology, Philosophy and Science classes as a BUAD major was cool!)
- Urban campus with plenty to do (Arts, Museums, Major sporting events, malls, restaurants, internships, coops, etc)
- Big city with a small town feel (not the arrogance of Chicago, LA, New York)
- Small campus (10 min walk from one end to the other)
- Advisors who actually "force" you to try and graduate in 4 years
- Big-time college basketball (football didn't bother me too much as I am a Florida State fan)
- Big enough where you don't know everyone but small enough where you know a lot of people
- Highly motivated, but not overly competitive student body (not a lot of backstabbing to get ahead - MU students watch out for each other, for the most part)
- Party/drinking/social scene is on par with or better than ANY other school in the nation   

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

Milwaukee is definitely what you make of it...

I agree with that completely.

I visited a lot of friends at different schools all across the country, and I liked them all.

Some were better than others... but if you are a person who is active and likes to be involved, you will find plenty of people and activites at any school that you go to.

It doesn't matter if you like going out to the bar, or if you are on student government, as long as you are social and get involved, you should have a good/fun social experience.

I would recomend joining a club sport when you get to any campus. Even if you only play for 1 year, you will make some friends who might not live next door to you in your dorm. There nothing wrong with dorm friends, most of my friends were made that way, but joining a club sport (or other club) can help expand your network which is helpful for new students.

Such is life. One of the best things about Marquette was learning that if you were with a good group of people who were your honest friends, you could have fun anywhere, even in the middle of one of Milwaukee's ghettos. Looking back I feel sorry for people who never got to experience what I did at Marquette. These are the same people who now never want to try anything new, only want to go to popular places, and never want to live on the edge a little bit. I've had more fun in dive bars and at house parties than I've ever had at fancy bars or in the trendiest clubs.

Agreed!

I love that MU is kinda slummy off of campus (although getting less slummy).

It creates interaction between all types of people. You have to learn to be comfortable in different types of places, and you better check your attitude at the door if you try to hang with any locals.

Hell, we used to order our kegs in spanish because they gave them to us cheaper that way.

You will experience some serious diversity if you step off of campus... and I think that was a big part of the appeal for me. It was WAY different than my neighborhood growing up, and I liked that.

[drewm88]

When picking a school, I came to the conclusion that I wanted an urban environment in a big Midwest city, a major university, and a Catholic school. Marquette fit all of those perfectly, and it "felt right." At this point, I have more reasons to love it.

There is so much to do on campus: Athletics, intramurals, student groups of any type (hobbies, service, religious, issue-based, etc.), speakers/presentations, movies, events. There is ALWAYS something happening.

There are plenty of parties to find.

Lake Michigan is a 15 minute walk.

There is tons of stuff to do off campus: Brewers, Bucks, Admirals, Concerts (The Rave is the #1 concert place in the state, and it's next to campus.), Museums, Parks, Bars, etc.

It's a friendly place in general.

There are students here from all over the country.

Public Safety (the equivalent of Campus Police) exists for the sake of the students. Their concern is making sure you are safe, not cracking down on drunk freshman.

Classes are small, and the professors are happy to help outside of class.

Religion on campus is accessible and actually enjoyable.

It is very easy to get involved. There are many options and opportunities, and everything is very low-pressure. Nothing is "clique-y" at all. It isn't just hard-core people that make up the student groups.

Divison 1 athletics. Awesome.

Hope it helps and hope to see you next year.

[Schoolyard]

I liked MU a lot...but Austin, TX??  Are you kidding me?  I would have gone there in a second. In fact, I just told my mom I wished I had gone there.  She laughed and goes "hook 'em." 

MU: Very Cold Weather and No Football.  Texas?  Hot weather, beautiful girls, and incredibe sports.

If you ask me, go to Texas. 

[MUAlum99]

I liked MU a lot...but Austin, TX??  Are you kidding me?  I would have gone there in a second. In fact, I just told my mom I wished I had gone there.  She laughed and goes "hook 'em." 

MU: Very Cold Weather and No Football.  Texas?  Hot weather, beautiful girls, and incredible sports.

If you ask me, go to Texas. 

yea, and be one of 40,000+ other students on campus with no identity.  AWESOME.   

I would assume the original poster of this thread is from Texas considering A&M and UT are on his list.  If what you want is to get lost in a sea of people, enjoy year-round warm weather, watch football and not know who the heck your profs are - by all means, attend UT or A&M.  Great opportunity for you.

If on the other hand you like having 4 distinct seasons, don't really care about attending live college football games (I would argue that most MU students have some favorite team that they watch with passion on Saturdays), like knowing who your professors are and want to attend college in a great metropolitan area with the opportunity for internships, professional sporting events and GREAT restaurants, then choose Marquette.

My only advice would be make sure you visit all three campuses and talk with the students.  You'll know after your visits what school "feels" right.  For your sake, I hope that school is Marquette.  If not, enjoy school in Texas.

[thelost]

yea, and be one of 40,000+ other students on campus with no identity

that is one of my biggest problems of texas and A&M and why i want to go to a smaller school, but baylor just isnt me and i could get into tech without attending another day of school

Marquette just felt right when my father and i visted back in the fall. we have A&M football tickets (dad went to A&M mom texas bro ND) and nothing compares to an A&M game, but then the basketball team took off this year and watching them was fun so im sure basketball at marquette would satisfy my sports needs. i like the urban setting since ive grown up in austin (something A&M doesnt really have) and i would like a change of scenery, plus a majority of my friends will go to A&M and texas and i wouldnt mind starting over. I still have time and just wanted to see what others thought of  Marquette. Thanks! Maybe one day ill see some of yall around

[BigSky]

yea, and be one of 40,000+ other students on campus with no identity

that is one of my biggest problems of texas and A&M and why i want to go to a smaller school, but baylor just isnt me and i could get into tech without attending another day of school

Marquette just felt right when my father and i visted back in the fall. we have A&M football tickets (dad went to A&M mom texas bro ND) and nothing compares to an A&M game, but then the basketball team took off this year and watching them was fun so im sure basketball at marquette would satisfy my sports needs. i like the urban setting since ive grown up in austin (something A&M doesnt really have) and i would like a change of scenery, plus a majority of my friends will go to A&M and texas and i wouldnt mind starting over. I still have time and just wanted to see what others thought of  Marquette. Thanks! Maybe one day ill see some of yall around

Just an FYI kid...U of Wisconsin is 80 miles West of Milwaukee and a good spot for a Saturday weekend football game and 50,000 person school fix, Austin like college town that time in the fall when you get the college football itch.  ND is also as you are likely aware...is approx 3 hour trip from Milwaukee. 

[thelost]

do many people go to wisconson games or nd games? i had wondered about that considering i could easily meet my brother to watch a nd game some weekend

[BigSky]

do many people go to wisconson games or nd games? i had wondered about that considering i could easily meet my brother to watch a nd game some weekend

It's not the same as having it be "your" school, not close.  However....Madison for a weekend or overnight jaunt is a lot of fun.  It was voted #1 party school in the country by playboy.....and happens to be a strong academic school similar to UT. 

More kids will know people at Madison and drive their for a weekend or game.  Halloween is big there.  Less would be heading to Notre Dame.  Chicago, a 1-1.5 hr drive South, and home of many MU kids, is considered the "home" market for Notre Dame and it is covered well there. 

MU has a lot of students who grew up with people who attend Wisconsin.....etc...so it would be more common there.  They are one of the best places in the Big 10 to see a game. 

At MU hoops is everything......more than half of the undergrad student body has season tix....4100 plus....you will not find that anywhere else.  So as you say ...you get your sports fix......

Milwaukee itself is a pro sports town....Packers, Bucks, Brewers.  Marquette has a prominent place in Milwaukee.  You will not have a shortage for sports or athletic opportunities. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I'm not a big college football guy, but that is probably a product of MU not having football... BUT, it was always kind of fun to not have a specific team to follow in college football because I could just enjoy the games and not be obsessive like so many of us are about hoops.

I just watch football casually and root for the underdog and just enjoy the games... hoops is a different story as we all live and die with MU hoops and everything that effects MU (preseason rankings, conf. RPI, holiday tourneys, scheduling, recruiting, etc. etc.).

Austin is a great town though, so I think you have some good options and I don't think either is "wrong choice"... just different. I know I could have gone to a lot of different schools and had a great experience... it just so happens that I chose MU.... and I'm glad I did.

[Sir Lawrence]

thelost:

Here's a perspective from a Milwaukee native, Marquette double grad, and father of four.  Two of my kids are out of college, one in, and one going through what you are going through--looking at options. 

Come to Marquette.  Staying in Texas would be easy and comfortable for you, and you'd be successful I'm certain, but here is an opportunity that doesn't come around in life very often:  an opportunity to see and be in a different part of the world, outside of your current environment or culture, or whatever you want to call it, and you won't regret it.  Not one of the young men and women that my children know who have gone to Marquette have regretted it.  Not one.  Many have transferred TO Marquette from places like De Paul, Creighton, St. Louis, etc. 

You will get a solid education, a world outlook that emphasizes service to others (that's the Jesuit part), and you will help diversify the student body.  That is a plus, in my opinion, since there won't be many kids from Texas on campus--most of the students are from Wisconsin/Illinois/Michigan.  That works to your advantage. 

None of my kids went to Marquette, although the last one is considering it.  And despite my love for the place (all my siblings attended, three of us with two degrees and my brother is a full professor at MU) I'm glad that my kids got the heck out of smallwaukee and their comfort level.

Plus, you will learn to hate ND, even if your brother attends.  Good Luck. 

[rocky2298]

Because the fishing is world class on Lake Michigan