<p>College letters are beginning to come in and so far im 2/5 (Penn State and Michigan). I also applied to Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, and Johns Hopkins all for Mechanical/Computer Engineering (undecided between the two). Considering I get into all of them (highly unlikely ;/) I will spend my April trying to decide which to attend. What I'm looking for in college is a complete experience - both academically in engineering, and a wonderful college life to meet new people, share ideas, join organizations, and enjoy myself for the next four years. I am already turned off to the idea of attending Carnegie or JHU because I heard the academics are cut-throat and the social life doesn't compare to PSU or Mich (not so sure about Cornell). I'm also convinced that the mechanical/computer engineering program at Mich tops that of Carnegie and JHU by a considerable margin. Also, I am currently living in PA (so that means I get instate tuition for PSU plus my parents work for Penn State meaning that they get 75% off the tuition). However, that may all change next year since they are considering moving to Texas. >_< However, according to them, money doesn't matter, but I want to save my parents some $$$ because my little sister has to go to college too even though $$$ hasn't been much of a problem. I know that the campus is much nicer up at Michigan compared to PSU and the engineering program is probably better too. However compared to Cornell, I really have no idea (campus wise and academically), so I was hoping if you guys could give me some input into which school I should attend. Thanks for reading this lengthy post. :O</p>
<p>Why don't you wait until you find out from all your schools? It seems like UMich is already the frontrunner with only Cornell as your other favored option. If I were you I'd visit Cornell after an acceptance letter.</p>
<p>Don't count the chickens before the eggs hatch ;)</p>
<p>I would definitely say Cornell and Michigan should be your top two choices. Johns Hopkins and CMU are great universities, but they do not have the same undergraduate atmosphere that Cornell and Michigan have. If finances are a concern, obviously, PSU is hard to turn down. </p>
<p>Between Cornell and Michigan, I would say you should pick according to fit. The only way to establish "fit" is to actually visit the two schools. The two schools are similar in many ways. Both do not get the popular respect they deserve among the masses. Both are large. Both have a well grounded and warm student body. But there are many differences. Cornell's campus is more rural and pretty. Michigan is more urban and practical. Ann Arbor is much larger, more lively and ideally located than Ithaca, but it dolesn't have the same natural beauty and outdoorsy opportunities.</p>
<p>You really should visit. Ithaca are Ann Arbor are each less than 6 hours drive from Happy Valley.</p>
<p>Thanks again, Alexandre. Comparing the workload between the two schools, which would you say is more intense? Also, is the social life at both schools very much the same or would you say Mich offers a better college life?</p>
<p>Cornell is generally considered to be extremely intense. Michigan is also intense. In Engineering, I would say they are equally intense from what friends at both schools have told me. Overall, I would say Cornell is a little more intense than Michigan. As far as college life, ikt depends what you prefer. Both can provide excellent experiences...provided you are a good fit. Personally, I feel that Michigan has more to offer, primarily thanks to the location of Ann Arbor, the city itself and college athletics and school spirit. But that's just my personal opinion.</p>
<p>Go to Michigan to see the Wolverines win another national title next year and also to watch us destroy those schmucks from that school down south!</p>
<p>----lol-----</p>
<p>is Cornell really more academically rigorous in terms of engin? according to the US News rankings, U Mich's program tops Cornell's by two schools (U Mich is 7th, Cornell is 10th). I was a bit surprised by that too....hmmm...better program and less rigorous..seems to me that mich would be the obvious choice but that's just me..</p>
<p>The difference between #5 and #15 is not that great. Michigan is NOT better than Cornell in Engineering. Both are awesome Engineering schools. As far as rigor, I would say they are about the same. Go for the school that is a better fit for you.</p>
<p>Hey Alexandre, would you happen to know how Johns Hopkins places in terms of the different fields of engineering and how they are in job and grad school placement? Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins is obviously amazing in BME. They are also relatively strong in Environmental Engineering and they are decent in Electrical, Computer and Mechanical Engineering. But with the exception of BME, Johns Hopkins Engineering is not quite as good as Michigan Engineering, and its job placement, though good, it not nearly as broad and versatile as Michigan's.</p>