There are fifteen public universities throughout the state of Michigan (three of which are in the Upper Peninsula). There are probably three times that number of community colleges and smaller institutes scattered around. With so many choices, high school seniors are struggling to find the best fit. Allow me to aid in whatever way possible. Here are five reasons why Central Michigan University would be the best choice for the student to make.

1) Cost. Back in 2005, the officials started a policy in which all of the fees would be rolled together into one large sum. In addition, whatever the fee was per credit hour based on that student's class standing, the fee would not increase so long as the student was still at CMU. So in theory the fee per credit hour for the freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors and super seniors (fifth year students) did not increase. The administration got around this drop in revenue by increasing the next incoming class's fee. Still, with all the fees lumped together, it makes the payments easy to predict and easier to accept.

2) Programs and degrees. Even more important than cost (that can be offset by the numerous scholarships) is the vary array of programs and majors to be chosen. There are at least one hundred majors/minors that can be selected, and more are being added each year. People used to ask me what was so appealing about Central, especially if a young person was undecided. I would answer them-it is because you are undecided. Whatever it is you seek, whatever career path you wish to follow, you will find it here.

3) Academics. Yes, one can find classes where an easy A is almost guaranteed. Then again, one can find other classes where he truly had to struggle for that B. There is a saying that it is better to get a B in a difficult class than an A in an easy class. Both can be found here. There is a limit of 21 credit hours (usually seven classes) per semester, which can be done. There are of course teachers that are willing to help, but they seem to be in greater abundence here. There are free tutors for most of the "challenging" intro courses (Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, etc). There is a requirement in which every student must take some type of laboratory class and must take at least one math class (and no it does not have to be Calculus). So it is not easy by any means. But a challenge is what makes college great.

4) Size. This one does not really need explaining. I don't have the exact numbers, but it used to be said that at the most there were 20,000 students on the main campus. Does one see all of them at one time-no, not even the day before the Fall Semester begins. As the commercials go, here you are a name and not a number. That is to say that the teachers here really take the time to get to know their students, especially as one moves up in the classes. As far as the big lecture halls go, a student will probably have three to five classes in a big lecture hall throughout the entire time at CMU. There are many colleges that cannot say that. The campus itself takes fifteen minutes at the most to walk from the extreme south end to the north end. Since many classes (the Monday Wed Fri ones) are 50 minutes, it works out quite well usually.

5) Mainstage. Every August, the day before classes start, there is a massive outdoor concert. It was started around 2000 and gets bigger every year. There is a main band, carnival rides and food as well. But the real appeal of the concert is all the student clubs. Each and every single student club that wants a spot will be given one under a giant tent. In this way, new students can see what else there is to do outside of class. Any type of student club, be it athletic, entertainment, academic or other, is always eager to recruit new members. It is a great way to get to know other people, especially those with similar interests. So yes, Mainstage comes highly reccomended.

Those are the five reasons I have come up with to attend Central Michigan University. If I had to pick a sixth, I would say study abroad. It is eye-opening to say the least, and not nearly as expensive as people think. If you are someone looking around for next Spring, please give CMU a look.