I was excited too....you have no clue what you're getting yourself into.

Is that a good thing or a bad thing??

Get on aim and I'll tell ya...

Take a look - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg2Bpq5B2aw

It'* funny...alot of Ohioans tend to really overlook The University of Akron. The University of Akron is the only public university in Ohio to have a science and engineering program ranked in the top five in the nation. Akron'* Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering program is ranked second in the United States, ahead of such highly regarded universities as M.I.T. and Caltech. Specifically related to you: In 2005, a group of University of Akron engineering students placed 2nd among 17 college teams from the U.*. and Canada selected to design and build a better Sports Utility Vehicle in the first year of the prestigious “Challenge X” competition. The U.*. Department of Energy and General Motors Corporation are sponsors of the three-year competition. The goal is to re-engineer a Chevrolet Equinox sport-utility vehicle to sharply reduce energy consumption and emissions of pollutants while maintaining performance.

10 years ago, The University was NOTHING like it is today. With over 25,000 students the campus is big enough to have a great campus life, but not as big and crowded as schools like Ohio State. I can personally tell you that the campus life is UNRIVALED. In early 2006, Campus Activities Magazine singled out The University of Akron for having the “Best Campus Program” in the United States. It is the third time since 2000 that the magazine has selected UA for this exceptional honor. A $300 million construction program was completed in the fall of 2004. Called "A New Landscape for Learning," the program included the construction of nine new buildings, the renovations or updating of 14 other buildings and structures, and numerous capital improvement projects. The New Landscape for Learning included a new College of Arts & Sciences Building, Honors Residence Hall and classroom complex, a new Student Recreation and Wellness Center, and a new Student Union, as well as beautiful green spaces. There is now a second phase of that, that includes a new football stadium that will be one of the best in the entire nation.

Not to mention the fact that Akron is 20 minutes from Canton (NFL Football Hall of Fame and great shopping), and 35 minutes from Cleveland (Rock and Roll HOF and TONS of things to do. Northeast Ohio is the most populous part of the state, and believe me...you won't get bored here.

As far as academics go, The University'* best-known program is its College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, which is located in a 13-story reflective glass building that overlooks Akron'* downtown. The University of Akron offers the only accredited Emergency Management Degree Program in the United States. The graduate program in industrial and organizational psychology is ranked 6th nationally, and the engineering programs are highly regarded nationally. The University'* School of Law ranked 2nd Best Value in the NATION. The University of Akron has more ENGINEERING AWARDS than ALL OHIO UNIVERSITIES COMBINED - that INCLUDES Ohio State. In their inaugural participation in the American Society of Civil Engineers' Student Lunar Construction Robotics Competition in 2006, Akron engineering students won the event and became the first team in the event'* history to complete all tasks of the challenge. The University also was ranked 3rd in the nation by Intel for wireless access.

The University of Akron’* College of Business Administration graduate program was recognized in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 editions of The Princeton Review'* Best Business Schools. Our Collaborative Program in Counseling Psychology ranks 5th nationally. The University of Akron was identified as one of six leading media colleges in the country by Avid Technology, Inc., a world leader in digital nonlinear media products used in film, video, audio, animation, games and broadcasting. UA’* School of Communication is ranked with programs at Emerson College, the University of Southern California, Columbia College, Howard University and New York University.

Man...that was long winded, and I even left alot out. But trust me, CONSIDER THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON - you WON'T be disappointed. Check this out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg2Bpq5B2aw

You know, that'* hilarious.

My mother graduated from U of Akron, and I have two friends that go there, and not ONE of them mentioned the engineering program I have heard that it'* a very underrated school. I completely overlooked it, especially considering that my grandparents live in Akron as well. I'm going to be going up there in a few weeks to meet my uncle for our annual trek up to Detroit for the auto show, while I'm there I'll be sure to check it out. Thank you for your very *thorough* () recommendation.

No problem Be sure to check out the video too!

I'm so big on Akron because my grandfather is on the board here, and I am a student. It really suffers from a negative perception, which is so sad...and is due to how it was in the 80s and 90s. When you're up here, I'd be glad to meet with you and show you all around.

Thanks, I'll PM you when I get up there.

PS - The video was incredible, I had no clue how nice that campus is.

....which is why you should visit a few before you make your choice.

This shows even more about the campus and surrounding area, including the new $55 million stadium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CntFF9oLLM8

Believe me...these videos don't show ANYTHING compared to what it'* really like