Discussion Subject of the Week 14th - 18th of April

The important vocabulary in the text has been made purple for you.

Public Universities versus Private Universities

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A public university is a university that is predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities.

In some regions of the world prominent public institutions are highly influential centres of research; many of these universities are ranked among the world's best in the THES - QS World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

In Turkey, many of the most renowned universities are public such as the İTÜ, Boğaziçi University and METU, while at the same time a few of the notable universities are private such as Bilkent University.

A private university is a university that is run without the control of any government entity, as opposed to public universities. Tuition fees at private universities tend to be much higher than at public universities.

From: http://www.gocollege.com/options/private-universities/

Private colleges and universities are institutions that are run without government interference. Basically, these colleges are privately owned and operated, allowing for whatever the preferred type of instruction would be to be carried out.

Benefits of Private Colleges and Universities

Smaller Class Sizes
Since the campuses are typically quite small, private colleges also have small class sizes. This allows for greater student/professor interaction and a more engaging learning experience. It is doubtful that you will encounter the gigantic lecture hall on a private campus. Even so, most that enroll in a private university see the small number of people on campus as an extreme benefit to the value of their education.

Greater Class Participation
Since classes have smaller enrollment numbers, more one-on-one and group participation occurs. Students that are usually shy tend to come out of their shells and speak up when the class sizes are smaller and if students are to be called on randomly, there is an increased chance that you will be asked to speak. Some people see this as a bad thing, but in reality, it’s a tremendous benefit to students that wish to fully engage in the learning experience.

Increased Likelihood of Graduating
Students that attend a private university rather than a public one have an increased chance of completing their educations. The thinking is that there is less pressure on a private university’s campus, so students can more fully engage in their classes. Likewise, the peer pressures and social issues that are prevalent on public college campuses are typically absent from the private college campus.

Greater Campus Involvement
Activities on campus at private colleges tend to be more intimate affairs, which give a greater number of students to participate in them at a time. Small group functions allow the student body to actively engage in various activities and to take on more challenging roles on campus.
A public college is one that receives federal funding of some sort and may be run by the state. This means that the curriculum must meet certain standards as decided by the state or federal government. Even though this governmental presence may not seem like a good thing, it does carry with it some benefits.

The Benefits of Public and State Universities

Public and state universities have many benefits that those seeking colleges to apply to should know about.

Lower Tuition Costs
Because public colleges are backed by the state or federal government, the cost of tuition and dorm fees are generally lower than private schools. For instance, at a state school in California, as a local resident you may pay about $1500 a semester, whereas at a private school you could pay as much as $10,000 a semester!

Diverse Campus
Public colleges tend to have more diverse campuses than private colleges do. The tuition is more affordable and people from all over the world come to public schools to pursue their desired fields of study. The ethnic diversity is quite high, allowing students to interact will all sorts of people from different backgrounds, countries and financial situations. This helps to balance out the student body and create a more inviting atmosphere for all.

Many Opportunities
Public universities tend to have more opportunities available to students on campus. This is because there are federally funded programs active on campus and companies and corporations use public schools as a means of recruiting students for jobs, internships and the like.
Likewise, public colleges allow students to seek out opportunities more often with abundant career fairs and club days. You can get involved at any point during the year here.

Competitive Atmosphere
Competition is high on public college campuses. For instance, you can join any activity you wish, participate in clubs and even get a job on campus. While you can do these things at a private college as well, you most assuredly will not experience the high level of competition involved as on a public campus. This is the place to make a name for yourself and get in with companies while a student. You can make use of student services to get an internship or a job and secure relationships with professors, especially if you plan on going to graduate school.

Community Based
Even though private schools have a smaller number of students enrolled, public schools definitely foster a great sense of community. You can be a part of large on campus clubs, an organization or take part in community service. You may be going to a college that is close to your hometown, so you may have the benefit of feeling as though you’re providing for your own community in some way. Likewise, students may have grown up in neighboring communities, giving you a sense of a common bond with fellow classmates.

Is There a Difference in Quality when Money is Involved?

From: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/102625/private_vs_public_universities.html

As the cost of colleges will inevitably continue to soar as the years pass, the continuing question is whether students attending private colleges are better off than those attending public colleges.

Some parents, students and professors believe paying the extra thousands of dollars for a private education does wonders for a student in the future who will end up making precious contacts and learning invaluable information for later on in life.

On the flip-side there are those who believe, a private college education is no better than a public school education. Thus, it is pointless to pay extra money simply for the sake of a student saying they attended such and such university. The education is all the same- it's only the name that changes - say some.

The New York Times recently reported that the four-year tuition (which includes classes and the cost of living) at a private school is approximately $30,000 each year - though the cost could be substantially higher depending on the school.In that same report, it was published that tuition has actually increased 81 percent between 1993 and 2004 and that financial aid from private schools has increased more than the cost of tuition itself.

The classic argument in favor of private school education involves smaller class sizes and the idea that students are taught from people who have doctorates and who have done a lot of research in the subject they are teaching to.

Incidentally, many say students who attend private universities, end up networking with students who may eventually end up in high places later on in life (which could possibly be beneficial to former classmates looking for jobs at the same company).