<p>I'm planning on majoring in engineering, and I got into Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, Michigan, and Michigan State. Michigan State offered me a full ride, honors college admission, and a job working in the lab with a professor. Carnegie Mellon and Northwestern both left a lot to be desired with financial aid, but are both top notch schools. Michigan offered no aid other than loans, but I'm in state so it's cheaper to begin with.</p>
<p>The three expensive schools might be affordable, but I will most likely need loans. I plan on attending grad school after getting my bachelors degree. What college should I choose and why?</p>
<p>State’s giving you a pretty cool offer–especially the job with a professor. That will give you excellent leverage to get into a top grad school.</p>
<p>STATE all the way. A job with a professor? NICE. Hey I know you were admitted into some “higher ranking” programs but Michigan State obviously believes in you a GREAT deal with that offer. TAKE IT!</p>
<p>I disagree with the posters (I am a mom and Professor in another field and involved in grad school admission). Michigan State is leagues below the other three in ranking, so of course they offer a free ride. If, and that is the only if, the one professor is really doing what you want, then take it. But just because it is free, it isn’t the best. If you need loans, I would look into workstudy at Michigan - that will get you money, and often is a research job. </p>
<p>If you liked CMU, take your parents to CMU - they say in their financial aid letter that it is negotiable to some extent. Otherwize UMICH is by far the biggest “bangs for the bucks”</p>
<p>Hello, I am also having a tough time deciding which university to go to. I could have gotten in UMich but i know that it doesn’t offer a lot of scholarship. I settled on MSU but I do have some doubts. If I could have afforded it, I might have chosen to go to UMich or UMinnesota-Twin Cities. But I believe you have to choose a uni such that when you look back, you don’t regret not having gone to so or so uni. Let me know if you’ll go to MSU, maybe we’ll meet there :)</p>
<p>Engineering employers are very egalitarian. You will NOT get a premium in pay (or chances to better grad schools) because you went to Michigan vs. Michigan State.</p>
<p>I would save the debt burden and go to State.</p>
<p>Actually, in terms of engineering, I’d rank your schools as follows:
U M Ann Arbor
CM
Northwestern</p>
<p>Those are in the top 20 in the US for engineering. Based on the cost and the ranking, UM is your strongest option of those three.</p>
<p>MSU is the lowest ranking on your list, but it’s still in the top 50 engineering programs in the US. In other words, it does not suck, and that offer is worth considering. </p>
<p>If you like CM, Northwestern and UM equally, then strike CM and Northwestern from your list. The aid they offered isn’t good enough, and UM outranks them anyway. Then it’s down to UM and Michigan State. </p>
<p>In terms of grad school prospects, while Michigan State is lower ranking than UM, that won’t matter. Both are considered good schools. In fact, the program you’ll be part of at Michigan State will look great. That’s a real plus. </p>
<p>It’s a tough choice, but I hope I’ve helped you narrow it down a little. </p>
<p>Now, think about which school you personally prefer. Which is a better fit for you? Where do you think you’ll be happier? That’s worth considering. </p>
<p>It’s a rational choice, either way: UM or Michigan State. Picking a lower ranked school that offers more aid is something students do all the time. Is that the right choice for you? Only you can determine that one.</p>
<p>Michigan State is strong in engineering than Michigan and has a rep for students involved in research. You would be getting a terrific education at a great savings and building up your CV at the same time.</p>