<p>I've been accepted to both Purdue University and University of Michigan Ann Arbor. I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of attending each school. I will be studying Aerospace Engineering and I wish to work with NASA (top choice) or companies such as Lockheed Martin. I heard Purdue has a good connection with NASA, am I correct?</p>
<p>If anyone has been to either of the campuses please comment on your experience.</p>
<p>If it makes a difference I will be a transfer student because I have a already received a Bachelor Degree and decided to switch careers. I'm in my early 20s so I'll have to live in the graduate dorms (if anyone's been in them please let me know).</p>
<p>I would say U-Michigan. In terms of 'connections' with NASA, Purdue has the nickname cradle of the astronauts because it has produced the 2nd most number of astronauts. However, I have looked into it and I really havent come across a recent Purdue astronauts (my reasoning being that Purdue had the first aerospace program so when it came to pickins they were shoe-ins for the first couple batches. Could be wrong though; however more recent of that particular NASA profession come from military institutions. MIT, Caltech, Harvey Mudd, and for some reason Japan.</p>
<p>With that said, Purdue still has a top-ranked aerospace program, but I think its topped by UMichigan. And as for other stuff, UM is just a lot harder to get into. People say there is nothing to do around Purdue (Indiana) but I know that there is plenty to do around and on campus.</p>