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Studying in Minnesota
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Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes, with more
shoreline than California, Florida and Hawaii combined. It is
home to Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world,
and has developed a premier system of state and national parks
and trails that offer unmatched recreational opportunities.
Regardless of where you choose study in Minnesota, from the
majestic Mississippi River bluffs to the land of Pipestone
quarries, to the urban excitement of Minneapolis and St. Paul to
the pristine lakes of the Northland, the state's natural
surroundings are bound to inspire you.
Minnesota prides itself on academic excellence and innovation.
The state has the fourth highest high school graduation rate in
the United States, and scores on college entrance exam
consistently rank among the top five. Minnesota is home to the
nation's first charter school, and today hosts dozens of unique
magnet schools that provide young people with expanded or
specialized opportunities in such areas as language, science,
technology or the arts. Progressive state policies offer
families their choice of public school, provide educational tax
benefits, and allow high school juniors and seniors to take
college courses at no cost.
College opportunities abound in Minnesota With eight public
universities and 29 community and technical colleges,
opportunities for undergraduate and graduate degree programs are
practically limitless. Campuses range in size from 30,000
students to 400, and are located in every corner of the state,
in farming communities, urban and suburban settings, and perched
on the shores of Minnesota's lakes and rivers. In addition to
the public institutions of higher learning, Minnesota has a wide
array of private colleges as well.
Because Minnesota is the headquarters for one of the world's
largest airlines, flights into the Twin Cities and to
communities across the state are very frequent and often very
affordable.
Minnesotans have invested substantial dollars in making their
public universities and colleges stand out as centers of
excellence. Its public colleges and universities are highly
ranked nationally; with US News and World Report picking
Southwest State University in Marshall as the #1 regional public
liberal arts college in the Midwest. America's 100 Best College
Buys lists Winona State University among its choices.
The state's 29 public two-year colleges offer students a special
kind of experience. For example, St. Cloud Technical College
gives students the specific skills they need to get a good job
fast in a range of careers, including computer technology and
precision manufacturing. Vermilion Community College specializes
in careers in natural resources management, and is located at
the edge of the national Boundary Waters Canoe Area; Fergus
Falls Community College offers all the activities of a full
university, complete with a national championship men's
basketball team.
More than half of the state's higher education institutions are
located in or near the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
This bustling metropolis area offers cultural opportunities,
sporting events, shopping and entertainment beyond compare. A
typical weekend in the city offers dozens of lively theater
productions, professional sporting events, community
celebrations that are 'uniquely Minnesota' and many daily
attractions including a world-class zoo, the Science Museum, and
of course, the Mall of America with its 400 stores and indoor
amusement park. Minneapolis and St. Paul blend cosmopolitan
energy and sophistication with small town security and comfort.
Nearly everything you want or need will be cleaner, closer,
safer and less crowded than most other urban areas.
Minnesota's public education system is supported by a strong and
diverse business community. During the 1990s, the state
experienced unprecedented growth. Goldman Sachs, the
international financial services company, calls Minnesota's
economy one of the most diverse in the nation; it ranks seventh
in the nation in the number of Fortune 500 company headquarters
per million residents. While Minnesota offers the opportunity to
work for one of the largest companies in the world, it also
offers the chance to join small innovative firms - in 1997, the
state ranked sixth in the United States in the number of patents
issued per million people.
Minnesota and its communities have been cited repeatedly as one
of the most livable places to be. It's natural beauty, record
low unemployment, recreational opportunities and academic
excellence have drawn thousands of international students here
each year. |
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