<p>I am a 2013 fall international transfer, I am accepted by University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Virginia, and Emory University.
I want to major in either chemistry or physics, and I would like to go to grad school. Please give me some advice, which school will better fit me? Which school is more prestigious? Which school can provide me more research opportunities? It's just so hard to choose. Thank you for your patience and your valuable suggestions!!</p>
<p>They all have Ph.D. programs so you should have similar research opportunities at any one of them. University of Michigan is a big school, as is University of Virginia. Emory is smaller and you will expect to be in smaller classes in your later years. Some students find it easier to attend a smaller school where there is a chance of more interaction with faculty, however, if you have the right kind of personality, you can get to know faculty at big schools too. Emory is in a major city while the other two universities are in college towns. Some students like the urban environment better and others don’t.</p>
<p>It all boils down to your personal preference. It is hard for you as an international student to visit the three schools to get a good feel for them but you need to try to find out as much as you can about them in order to make your decision.</p>
<p>Michigan is definitely the most well known for physics. I also have heard that there are a lot of research opportunities there for undergrads which is a very important thing to consider.</p>
<p>Unless you have a compelling reason NOT to go to Michigan, you should go there. It’s the most prestigious of the three you mentioned for physics and this matters when applying to grad school.</p>