Conflicting Loyalties

So far, I've been a graduate student at Marquette University for about 2 months. I haven't even registered for classes yet (slacking already). However, I have been surprised and delighted at my experience so far. I feel a bit like a traitor for thinking that Marquette could possible be a more quality experience than my alma mater, THE University of Wisconsin. So here how each one stacks up:

WISCONSIN

• BIG student body.
  
• Lots of opportunities for involvement in every cause you could imagine, from gay rights to republican rights. And it's the Republican groups that get lynched.
  
• A large offering of courses to choose from and muddle through in the process of earning a degree.
  
• I wonder who my adviser was?
• A great city to live in, lots of fun events and nightlife.
• World renowned player in many fields
• Competitive admission
• classes that fill an hour after registration
  
• Financial aid??

MARQUETTE

• Much smaller student body
• Catholic university, so probably fewer opportunities
  
• Not too many courses to select from, but since it's a master's program, I would expect that.
  
• Advising staff who recognize me name, and spend an hour on the phone with me discussing all of my various options
• 1/2 of my tuition paid for.
  

Overall, I'm pleased with how much I feel taken care of. Kudos to all of who who are employed by Marquette, for all you do to keep the system running smoothly.

Recommendation

I just had a blissful experience buying running shoes last night. In the past, I've gone to a very small, local running store, where I'm ignored and condescended to, until a local track star enters the store, and then I'm all but shoved out the back door. Not much knowledge, or at least none to share with me, a lowly female runner.

So, needing to trade in my faithful Brooks Adrenaline GTS for a pair exactly like them, I headed to Fleet Feet Sports in Brookfield. There, I had my gait analyzed over and over in an attempt to perfectly correct my over-pronation. There was only one girl working in the store that day,and there happened to be another customer in before me. The clerk (Shoe specialist?) repeatedly apologized for offering me less than one on one service, as she explained the mechanics of my shoe and orthotics.

I can't wait to run today in my new, ultra stability shoes. And I can't wait until he 300-500 mile mark when i have the privelege of giving this store my money again.

Also, they have running club.