10 Reasons to Go to a Research University

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As a parent getting ready to fork over a third of my income to pay for my daughter to go to a state university, I wish I had done more research before she chose a school. It makes my blood boil that students are an after thought at these schools. Why do they bother to have undergraduate programs if all they want to do is research? It is going to be a very long 4 years for me and the university. I am not paying $20,000 a year for my daughter to be taught by a grad student.

Daniel Freysinger of CO 12:13AM May 14, 2012

Absolute rubbish. My personal experience at a research university has been professor's who pale in comparison with my community college professors. People who teach at a junior college do so because they have a passion for teaching. Professors at a research university are there to accomplish their research - and most of mine have no business being in a classroom. They sit down and click through powerpoint presentations and rarely pick up a piece of chalk, leaving the burden on the Teaching Assistant.

DDub of CA 2:25PM February 26, 2012

It seems like everything in this article is about how great a biology, chemistry, etc. major has it at major institutions. What about the rest of us? As an English major I don't see any advantage to access to DNA sequencing devices.

w.schorn of TX 4:48PM July 30, 2010

RE: "Most of the large research U's in the nation are the schools most known as party schools. They may not be the top research U's..."
Name one TOP research school (private) known for a "party" culture done to excess.
Large public schools harbor the Animal House types. Certainly not the most respected private universities.
Actually knowing people who attend various private schools around the nation teaches one that there are, indeed, huge differences between the party 24/7 state research schools and the elite privates.
They are not drunk 24/7 (for the most part) at Cornell, Northwestern, or Columbia, that's for sure.

In the Know of IL 11:37PM June 18, 2010

that the authors make them out to be. Maybe they should have discussed more from a departmental view a little more. In my experience undergrads at large research U's do not cover as much material as at a small private teaching U. All the great equipment is not as available to an undergrad at a Research U as the authors make it out to be. And I just want to respond to the nutjob who complains about drinking. Most of the large research U's in the nation are the schools most known as party schools. They may not be the top research U's but still, claiming that it is the teaching schools where the heavy drinking is going on is nonsense and probably the complete opposite of the truth.

Falmouth of VA 10:31AM June 07, 2010

This certainly doesn't describe everyone, but in many many cases, it does seem that when you encounter people from non-research oriented institutions, they often put more emphasis on partying than actually doing something for the larger society with what they've learned.
Honestly, haven't others noticed that when in the workplace, those who came from more "serious" institutions were less likely to show up to work droning on and on about the shots they drank this weekend (and every single weekend, actually, because the drinking cycle just never seems to end)?
Some of these people go to school because it's required for starting a career, but so much of their small talk banter revolves around non-intellectual topics like booze, booze, and perhaps some shots (smaller containers of--you guessed it--booze) thrown in there.
What is the purpose of attending an institution of higher learning, only to add toxins to your system on a cyclical (chronic) basis????
Can US News PLEASE do some health-reporting not only on traditional college "binge drinking," but also on the long-term chronic drinking condition of weekend alcoholics, which goes on well after college in many cases.
At best, the conversation cheapens the professional work culture, and at worst, it can affect the brains and personalities of these people when they enter the workplace. They can become rude, sarcastic, get into shouting matches with coworkers, and yet many do not seem able to realize that it is their chronic DRINKING that is affecting them.
Normal people do not drink chronically, as in must do it each and every weekend, and they certainly do not exhibit the personality traits of aggression and rudeness common to those with lingering after-affects of a weekend spent drinking.
It's also just plain declasse to come in to a professional culture and ramble on and on about booze on a perpetual basis.
Have yet to see this from the hardcore "life of the mind" research schools; they end up in top notch grad schools, usually, doing more cutting edge research that betters the larger society (far more than shot-chugging drunks do).
Please report on the health (and workplace) repercussions of these "party" school cultures, please. It's a real problem in society when the non-drunks have to put up with the unprofessionalism.

Drinks Infrequently of IL 11:56PM May 20, 2010

My wife works for a very large research institution in Ohio. At a recent faculty meeting, there were discussions about a position that had recently come open in the department. The debate was over teaching load and research requirements. All professors at major research institutions have a research appointment. Some require extensive research and no teaching, while others require individuals to split their time between classroom and research. These professors in this particular department dismissed the idea of bringing a faculty member on with a 50/50 teaching/research load because they would not get a "strong enough researcher."
I reject the claims made in this blog that research universities have top teaching priorities. They don't. Are there a few teachers at major research schools can be good in the classroom, yes. Are those professors in the majority, no. My experience with major research institutions has been a lot like a Wal-Mart. They don't care about the individual students as much as they care about the "student body."
If you are a high school student, do yourself a favor and go to a private school. You'll learn from better teachers and may get to work with professors on actual research papers.

Ryan B. of OH 9:48AM May 14, 2010

I am a junior at a research university and I am SO glad that I am not at a small, "teaching" university. I have had the opportunity to work alongside a professor who attended Harvard, Yale, and taught abroad. I have learned so much more in my field than my friends in similar areas at other universities, AND I am putting what I've learned into practice.
One fact that you neglect to mention in criticizing research professors is that there are several that are doing their research in education, in ways to better teach in their field. I had a professor whose research was in Chemistry Education and one that does biochemistry research and biochemistry education research, by far the best professors I've had.
The professors at my university have been so excited to get to know students and get them excited and involved in their research.

Daniel C of TX 3:21PM April 30, 2010

well, i prefer lectures and research on/from right-wing staff...

Mike of VA 11:48PM April 29, 2010

As a college consultant, I do not agree with your assessment. I still believe that most students have a better undergraduate experience at a smaller school and the benefits that you mentioned are often available at schools that are not know for their research. Students too often are not inspired by the teaching at a research university and find the experience very impersonal and not particularly motivating.
College Direction
Denver, Colorado

Susie Watts of CO 11:37PM April 28, 2010