<p>Hey guys, I'm having trouble deciding between these two colleges. I've visited both and liked both campuses. Financial issues don't distinguish one from the other. So, here are the factors I'm looking at:</p>
<p>Carleton: I'll play football there, whole smaller atmosphere thing, would do Officer Candidate School instead of ROTC</p>
<p>Michigan: family lives 10 min from campus, prob no football, have ROTC</p>
<p>Any of your opinions would really help because at this point I'm thinking about a coin flip!</p>
<p>Well, first off it seems like you would get both football and something similar to ROTC in Carleton, while Michigan seems like it would only be ROTC, and that is it! Besides those two figures, do you prefer a smaller environment or a larger space? Michigan is pretty large, and Carleton quite the opposite of that. Carleton will probably offer you closer relations with your teachers, but on the other hand if you rely on say, a drinking or partying social scene, Carleton wouldn't be your best bet.</p>
<p>To help you make a choice, just what exactly do you like and not like about colleges in general?</p>
<p>In this turbulent world, my guess is that you would have a bit more control over your destiny via Officer's Candidate School if you are pursuing a military route.
Academically, both schools are wonderful.</p>
<p>My son has managed to find plenty of parties at Carleton! :)</p>
<p>My husband went to OCS instead of doing ROTC. He works for the FBI now. </p>
<p>There is a Carl parent that also had a student at U Michigan. Maybe she'll join in if she's still around the boards. </p>
<p>The biggest difference is definitely size.</p>
<p>LKADmom, why do you say that I would have more control when going the OCS route rather than ROTC? I am just now looking into OCS since I never thought that I'd get into Carleton.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what LKAD mom meant by control. I do know that my husband had more room in his schedule because he did not have the ROTC classes or drills, and did not have to wear the uniform/upkeep etc....</p>
<p>I could ask him what he felt the differences were (remember we are 20 years out of college) if you are interested.</p>
<p>texastaximom, I appreciate the offer and would be very interested to hear what your husband has to say :)</p>
<p>check your pms Geoff. :)</p>
<p>They do share common colors (aka my screen name). S went to UM 99-03 and D is Carleton '08. Great schools - each a fit for the child who attended (attends). S would never set foot on an LAC campus and D is only looking for the big school experience for grad school. My assessment is that the academics are far more demanding at Carleton, but that may be reflective of the fact that D is a science major while S was history/poli sci double major. Good luck with your decision!</p>
<p>that is also the impression I got when I was at Carleton. It seemed a lot more academically strenuous. I am a little put off by that because of my goal to go to law school. the whole applications process is so numbers driven that I don't know if it would be in my interest to go to a school where it was so much harder to get the grades you need, given that the alternative school is also very good. But, that is just some of the inner debate that I am having with myself for my college decision between Carleton and michigan :)</p>
<p>Pre-law kids do exceptionally well at Carleton. Your interest in law works in Carleton's favor, not against it.</p>