<p>Hello everybody. hypothetically, say i was accepted to harvey mudd college, university of michigan and rice university for engineering (which i have a very good chance of being). If financial aid wasn't an issue, could you please tell me which you would choose and why? thanks =]</p>
<p>-techguy</p>
<p>Michigan, maybe because I have a bias but I would prefer it</p>
<p>I’d go with rice or harvey mudd, so I have a slightly better chance of getting accepted to UMich =]</p>
<p>University of Michigan</p>
<p>Three very different campus experiences. I would think that the one that fits your desires for student life best would be the choice.</p>
<p>Michigan - the school is so big it’s a city unto itself (in a good way)</p>
<p>Rice - residential college system</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd - can you ride a unicycle? Do you mind a 33% female campus?</p>
<p>so far the general consensus seems to be university of michigan =] are their programs better than mudds?</p>
<p>Rice. Its the best.</p>
<p>Mudd’s engineering program is one of the best in the country . . . as are the other 2 you mention.</p>
<p>As with most of these kinds of questions, parsing program differences means making distinctions out of sliced thin differnces. All 3 are equivalently excellent.</p>
<p>Where they differ is the kind of experience you want as an undergrad. Mudd offers classes taught by profs, lots of research projects, close working relationships with corporations throughout the LA area, and a top notch reputation for excellence in the field. You would be in a bubble with othetr tech/nerd folks which after a while would seem like it was absolutely normal. </p>
<p>If you want more interaction with the rest of the world the other schools would be better, although Pomona, Scripps and 2 other schools are right around the corner from Mudd (and for the 33% commenter, Scripps is a women’s college.) But for a tech bubble where applied science is a way of life all day all night, Mudd would be a good fit.</p>
<p>Kei</p>
<p>C’mon. It’s like saying someone gave you chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice cream and you ask us “which will I like better?”</p>
<p>How are we to know? Do your reasearch and see what fits you and what grabs you. Hopefully this isn’t how you’ll search for a spouse! LOL</p>
<p>Remember, it all comes down to what school FITS YOU BEST, not what school we like best. I can give you some perspective on Rice though, since I actually go here. Here are the main aspects of Rice:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Residential College System –> instant family after arriving on campus, easier to make
friends and meet upperclassmen –> also allows for more opportunities to get advice from other students and professors. Often, the profs eat lunch at the residential college dining halls.</p>
<ul>
<li>Friendly, down-to-earth, smart, and quirky students</li>
<li>A sense of community due to Rice’s small student population (3200 undergrads)</li>
<li>A LOT of opportunities for research since Rice is primarily an undergraduate focused institution.</li>
<li>Passionate, smart, caring, and helpful professors –> Rice has many attributes that are characteristic of liberal arts colleges</li>
<li>Located in one of the nicest parts of Houston, next to Rice Village (very nice shopping area and restaurant area), Hermann Park, museums, the world’s largest medical center (Texas Medical), golf courses, and a zoo. Only 15 min away from downtown Houston on the light rail (Rice provides free use of the light rail).</li>
</ul></li>
</ul>
<p>If you have any more questions about Rice, feel free to PM me. I also strongly suggest that you visit Rice if you have not already done so (you can do an overnight visit if you want as well).</p>
<p>If you want to go to grad school, I’d lean toward Mudd; if not, visit each for best fit.</p>
<p>Michigan. Because people won’t be constantly asking you, “Now where is that located?”</p>
<p>Why don’t you wait and see if you’re accepted to all three? If so, then we can have this discussion.</p>
<p>Rice is the best all around school. Mudd is great if you really, really want tech. Michigan would be ok if you want football scene and snow. For me Rice would be first then Mudd, and far down the line Michigan.</p>
<p>^^ Agree with swish14. Rice offers an amazing college experience.</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd - earthquakes
Rice - hurricanes
Michigan - snow</p>
<p>For me Rice and Mudd would be far down the line. Michigan is the best all around school simply because it has no weaknesses academically. Whatever your major or if you change your mind, you’re going to be in a strong program. Also Ann Arbor is the quintessential college town, and the only place out of the three I’d want to live in for four years.</p>
<p>
I agree.</p>
<p>When I was looking for colleges, for example, a large and supportive LGBT community was one of my primary considerations. Michigan therefore would’ve been way ahead of Mudd and Rice on my list. Other people have different criteria and considerations.</p>
<p>The OP does not specify which area of engineering he is interested but Michigan offers strong programs in all areas of engineering. It is one of the top ten engineering schools in the country. It has been at the forefront in engineering and its research programs and the accomplishments of its alumni are well documented. The other schools you mention are excellent schools but neither match Michigan’s reputation and international recognition in engineering.</p>
<p>How about you wait until you actually get admitted and THEN make a board about this.</p>