about the "big tires at school thing"
let me give you some advice about this froma guy a little older than you, who's been through this sort of thing.
unless you're gonna put 53s on your truck and shut him up once and for all then don't worry about it. believe me it doesn't matter. if you're that insucur, start lifting weights.
as far as tires. buy some used 31s and a winch.
if you absolutly can't stand 31s then get 33s but put 35s out of your mind. you'll just end up cursing them on the trail.
here's another side of it... you're in college. you're "that guy with the truck". you're gonna have chicks to haul around, friends to move, partys to go to. big tires get the cops looking your way, which isn't good ever, but especially not in college.
there's more to 4wheeling than what size tires you have. one word - lockers. buy some of these. even though most people don't do it, i think 31's and lockers would own as long as you had good skid plates. small tires are gonna keep your breakage to minimum. get some heavy duty diff covers. stay away from rocks.
as far as guys saying "4 inch lift and 35 are the way to go", i'm sorry but can you say poseur? that would look really poseur.
get some 31's, lockers and a winch and you are set.
just some advice from someone who's been there.