Imagine attending a football game with more than 16,000 students cheering at the top of their lungs.

Now imagine transferring to a school that enrolls less than half of that number.

Taylor Brown, business accounting junior, did just that when he transferred from Texas Tech University, into Midwestern State University. 

Brown said it was quite the culture shock. Among the student population at Midwestern there are 678 transfer students. So MSU is no stranger to having different schools culture brought onto campus.

“Coming from a college town like Lubbock, to Wichita was almost overwhelming. At Tech I could meet someone one day, and never see them ever again. Here at MSU you can’t seem to get away from anyone, no matter how hard you try,” Brown half-jokingly said.

Despite the differences, Brown said he thoroughly enjoys both universities.

“There is definitely ups, and downs to both schools. At Midwestern you can make much stronger connections, because you are much closer to people. In Lubbock meeting people is much harder because the student population is so great. The only way to meet people is if you go Greek. You have roommates that you get to know well, or previously met people from your hometown that you befriend, but it just doesn’t have the same feel as MSU.”

Brown transferred  here due to complications with his major at Tech. Brown says he prefers the classroom as well, here at MSU.

“At Tech there isn’t one instructor that knows your name, so it is hard to get inspired by them. Midwestern has smaller classrooms so there is a more family like, or friendly learning environment. Plus you can’t skip class without the professor noticing, so the motivation to be in class is always there.” Brown said.

“Game day at Tech is the only thing I truly miss. The atmosphere is unreal, and school spirit crazy. You wake up, and go straight to the tailgates and have the time of your life, before going into the stadium and screaming your face off.” Brown said.

The tailgates consist of barbecue, beer, games, and more beer. The average student attendance has been 13,750 students through the first three home games. Wichita Falls’ Memorial Stadium only seats 14,500 people comfortably. So the game-day experiences at Tech versus MSU are enormously different. Despite the game day and school spirit variances, Brown, who is a native of Arlington, Texas, still prefers his education here at Midwestern State.

“The Midwestern experience is something I would not change. I am making friends that will be around a long time, my girlfriend goes here, and I have passionate teachers, which is hard to find. Sure Tech was a blast, but the MSU life is suited much more for me.”