Bowling Green State University is one of the better universities in the world. Otherwise, we wouldn't have chosen to come here, right? BGSU is known for its tight but welcoming environment. It's known for diversity and has a bunch of awesome organizations, career opportunities, and bonding opportunities. But when we go out and make new connections, and you say that you're from Michigan, you get asked questions you'd rather not hear about since you know them all too well.

1. You must like "That Team Up North"

Okay, if you ask me, I actually do, since Michigan is my Alma mater. But unless I'm wearing something that features the "Block M" or the name "Michigan" or "Go Blue" or "Hail", don't assume that I like them. Most local kids like them since it's their hometown team, but if that is really the first thing that's on your mind all the time, think a bit differently. A Columbus native who attends Michigan would be offended if you saw them wearing a business-casual outfit and you assumed automatically they like the Ohio State Buckeyes. Your hometown doesn't define who you root for, and your state of residence definitely doesn't define who you root for either. Michigan isn't just made up of one city. It's larger than a simple majority of the U.S. States, and at last, I know that Ann Arbor isn't the only city in Michigan. Its capital city is Lansing and largest city is Detroit. Michigan is also composed of at least 8 universities that can be named right off the bat - Michigan, MSU, Western, Central, Eastern, Albion, Adrian, Grand Valley State. Those universities are in East Lansing, Kalamazoo, Mount Pleasant, Ypsilanti, Albion, Adrian, and Allendale. Yes, you could just be getting to know someone by asking them about their rooting interests, and while such people don't immediately react to it, they're thinking, "[groans]". People from the state of Michigan like many schools, and it's evident based on the number of great universities in the state. There's so much more than just sports in Michigan.

2. What does that mean?

This is, geographically, where I'm from (*points hand*). It's that simple.

3. Why would you attend school in Ohio?

This is a question that some people from the state of Michigan hear when they decide to attend BGSU. Again, the key is culture and fit. Some people say negative things about the state of Ohio, but if you told me that you think the same, THINK AGAIN. It's so ignorant for people to question the intent to attend a university, no matter where it is. Ohio is a great state too, and I love it in this area. I'm an Ann Arbor native but I enjoy myself some Ohio state (the state of Ohio).

Yes, they might be pulling your chain and directing sarcasm in your direction, but asking why someone chose to attend BGSU from out of state (or even in state) is based on a serious conversation that tries to connect people together. That's why college happens at a UNI-versity, where the campus community is supposed to feel like one big family, although there exists diversity within.

4. You couldn't get into Michigan.

Michigan has tough academic standards in spite of its 32% admission rate. Academics alone won't make you succeed at the college level, even if you are the valedictorian. Test scores matter too, and so do essays and personal statements, but the fact of the matter is, the top universities are not for everybody. However, there are plenty of great universities out there, especially BGSU, that have unique opportunities not matched by the schools such as Michigan, Harvard, Stanford, or Princeton. For example, BGSU has an Inclusive Early Childhood Education program but the University of Michigan doesn't have that. Secondly, plenty of strong candidates get turned down for admission, and because of that, the decision a school makes about you says nothing about your abilities. Personal interests play a huge part in where someone does their collegiate studies, and the top universities are not able to host every top student's personal interests and career aspirations. I went to Michigan since I wanted to go there and they had programs that fit my interest (Piano, Intramurals, Statistics, Math).

Personal plug: I came to a great university that has opened me up to a new world that I didn't enter at Michigan. I started going to church again once I got to BGSU since I found one that I loved. I found things that I loved about the university and that's why I came here. Also, you see around the streets that BG is one of the top college towns. There's no disputing it.

5. You want to get away from water.

This should tell you enough.