Need Help Understanding Big 10 Schools

I've been hearing a lot about the Big 10 schools, but I'm not sure what that means. Can someone explain what makes these schools different from others?

Sure, happy to help clarify this for you! The Big Ten Conference, as it's officially known, is a group of 14 universities that initially came together for athletic purposes. However, these universities also share some common academic characteristics. Here's a quick breakdown:

1. Athletics: The Big Ten conference is largely recognized for its strong commitment to athletics. The schools participate in Division I of the NCAA, and they compete against each other in a wide variety of sports.

2. Size: The universities in this conference tend to be quite large, with student bodies often exceeding 30,000 undergraduates. This usually translates to a diverse range of majors and minors, extensive resources, and lots of school spirit.

3. Public vs Private: Most of the Big Ten schools are public, with the notable exception of Northwestern University, which is private. As such, they often have a strong commitment to providing education to residents of their respective states.

4. Research Focus: Many Big Ten schools are prominent research institutions. They often receive substantial funding for research and offer a variety of opportunities for students to engage in high-level research projects.

5. Strong Professional Schools: Many Big Ten schools are known for strong professional schools, such as schools of business, engineering, and medicine.

6. Alumni Networks: The large student bodies also mean large alumni networks, which can be beneficial for job opportunities and internships during and after college.

7. Locations: The schools are mainly located in the Midwest, providing a specific geographic flavor to the conference.

To sum up, referring to the "Big Ten" schools often implies large, research-focused institutions that have a big emphasis on athletics. But remember, not every Big Ten school might be the right fit for you, so it's essential to research each one to see how well it aligns with your academic and social preferences.