<p>I initially applied ED to Columbia and got deferred. After that point me and my family concluded that my chances of getting in regular were essentially zilcho and that I should find another school. That other school became University of Michigan. I got into the honors program and after doing research and visiting for a weekend I was totally psyched to go. I loved literally everything about UMich. Now, of course, I got accepted to Columbia but, maybe I'm just being stupid, I'm not really that excited about it. I'm actually quite bummed because my parents are making me go. It sorta sucks because everything about Mich seemed awesome and Columbia is probably the exact opposite of UMich in many ways. UMich has 30,000 or so people, Columbia has around 7,000. UMich is in a small city. Columbia is in a HUGE city. UMich has a huge campus. Columbia has a tiny campus. UMich has 1,200+ student orgs., Columbia has about 500 (and is missing some key ones that I was going to join at Mich). Mich students are fun and go to awesome sports games and play video games and chill. Columbia's like ballet and artsy fartsy. (Okay that might have been a slight generalization but maybe some of you know what I mean)</p>
<p>My parents are stuck on the idea that Columbia is just to superior to Mich in job placement to pass it up. I'm pretty sure they also secretly like it because it's way closer to home. I feel like not going to Mich is just giving up way to many opportunities for me because I feel like I would do amazingly there. Anyone got any advice? Am I being stupid for wanting UMich over Columbia? Is Columbia actually much better (as in more fun) than what I hear?</p>
<p>Look, you can’t go wrong here - two great choices. If I were your dad, I’d be happy that you found a place that you’re really psyched about. Keep talking to them; they may come around.</p>
<p>An old friend of mine was faced with exactly this decision. He called his Columbia interviewer to say that he was flattered, but choosing Michigan. The Columbia interviewer told him he was making the biggest mistake of his life and he’d always regret it. My friend loved college, did great work, and ended up at Stanford Law. No regrets.</p>
<p>Look, with this choice, I’d pick Columbia in a heartbeat. And if you want to chill out and play video games at Columbia, you certainly can (I suggest joining a frat). But I don’t think Michigan is somehow wrong. If you know for sure it’s what you want, try to convince your parents.</p>
<p>southpark93, if you ask 100 people most of them will tell you that Columbia is a better school than Michigan. My advice to you would be to follow your passion. Michigan and Columbia are both terrific schools but offer different experiences. It is difficult to compare a Ivy League school in the nation’s largest metropolis to an elite public school in a quintessential college town. Michigan has an excellent economics department and it is a great school to go if you are unsure of what you want to study because almost all of its programs are of national renown. I don’t think you will find yourself limited at Michigan. A number of Michigan students choose Michigan over Ivy schools. I think you need to share your passion with your parents. They will spending a lot of money to send you college and it would make sense for them to send you where it will be best for you. Good luck.</p>