<p>I'm having a difficult time deciding whether I want to apply to LSA or CoE. My top interests right now are computer science, economics, and mathematics (but I don't know if they will change - I'm also intrigued by operations research and neuroscience.) I am a girl (which might help for engineering admissions/scholarships?), an in-state student, and a legacy, and I have a 2370 SAT, SAT Math II 800, SAT Chem 790, SAT Latin 800, SAT US History 800, and 5s on 9 AP exams (including history, English, chem, and calc). </p>
<p>I could test out of some of the intro engineering requirements with my AP Calc, Chem, and Comp Sci scores. But I want to keep studying English, language, and history, and I definitely want to study abroad. </p>
<p>My S also has so many interests spanning across both LSA and Engineering fields; in fact, he plans to dual-degree in both LSA and CoE. However, for the CommonApp, he decided to apply to LSA partly because he wanted to live in the Honors Housing on the Central Campus (and he’s been having a blast living with so many like-minded peers there!) LSA Honors Advising has been a very positive experience for him as well.</p>
<p>He had tested out many of the LSA & CoE requirements too via his APs and prior dual-enrolled classes. Being in LSA, this allows him the flexibilities to take both LSA and Engineering classes at a cheaper LSA tuition rate, at least for this first year (not sure if he’ll keep having the lower-of-the-2 tuition rate in his subsequent years).</p>
<p>LSA would be a better bet as it also has Computer Science major there. You will have a higher chance to get admitted and also for scholarship there than in CoE. You will get the AP credits in either schools, however, it may be slightly different. For instance, you would not get the full AP credits for Calculus until you take the next level and get a C or above in LSA while you may get the full credits from Calculus BC. If you have dual enrollment credit, you better check the transfer credit database as UMich does not accept some class credits from some schools.</p>
<p>Based on your description of your interests, you appear to be interested in LSA. COE has a much narrower curriculum. If you are interested in pursuing a career in engineering then should apply to COE. Neither choice is irreversible and if you are unsure it is generally easier to switch from COE to LSA than vice versa.</p>
<p>Ostinato, with the exception of CS, all of your academic interests are exclusive to LSA. CS is offered at both the CoE and LSA. You are LSA all the way. I am not sure why you are even considering the CoE.</p>
<p>There’s alot less hassle to transfer from COE to LSA. You’ll most likely get into both, but LSA definately gives more leeway all the stuff you want to do in terms of multiple areas of study, etc. </p>
<p>You may be able to get a slightly larger scholarship in LSA than in CoE from in state. The main scholarship at CoE is $8000 ($20k for OOS) while it is $10k in LSA (also $20k for OOS). Also, CoE is more expensive in tuition/fees. How is your GPA?</p>
<p>I think I’m going to apply to LSA, but I mentioned in my essay that I’m interested in a dual degree with engineering. </p>
<p>billcscho - scholarships are very important to me. I’m in the awkward spot where my parents make too much to get a lot of aid from UMich, but we can’t afford the tuition contribution the NPC is giving us right now. Without merit aid or sizable outside scholarships, I don’t think I could attend.</p>
<p>My GPA is 4.4 weighted, 4.0 unweighted. I’m homeschooled, so U-M may not put too much stock in my GPA. My test scores support it, though. </p>
<p>With your credential and from in state, you should be accepted at either school without any problem. You should be able to get at least $8000/yr Engineering Scholarship of Honors which would make your out of pocket cost around $20k/year or less assuming no other aid. Be very careful with AP credits. Having too many AP credits would cost you $2100 more per semester in tuition early on in CoE (~$850 for LSA). You may withdraw the credits you don’t need by the end of the first semester though. Having AP credits from Chemistry, Physics, CalcBC, etc may save you almost a year of introductory courses in CoE and that would allow you to have global experience while graduating within 4 years. Your GPA will be considered as you have subject test scores to back it up.</p>
<p>Cost is important, but you should make the decision whether LSA or CoE would fit you better not just based on that. As admission is not an issue for you, you should apply to the school that you have more interest directly rather than considering transfer afterward. Note that school specific scholarship would not be transferable. So it does not matter if you get the $10k/yr from LSA if you end up transferred to CoE and lose it. Since most of your potential majors are in LSA, I do think you should apply to LSA.</p>
<p>@Ostinato1689 Good luck to you. You should be a competitive candidate for merit scholarships at both LSA and CoE. However, you do need to have a decent EC record to go with your academic achievements for the top scholarships (e.g. Fairfax or Bell). My D had very similar credential as you and she did get the Engineering Scholarship of Honors with average EC though.</p>
<p>@Ostinato1689,
LSA seems to be quite generous with its merit-based scholarship. In addition to its largest offer, one could apply for additional departmental scholarship. My S got multiple scholarships that cover more than his full-tuition for 4 yrs. LSA allows him to dual-degree with CoE using his LSA scholarships as long as one of his majors is in LSA. I don’t know if the same is true with CoE scholarship or not.</p>
<p>Once you’re admitted, you should check with the specific departments you’re interested in to see if they have additional merit-based scholarships that they typically don’t advertise. Also, if you have many credits coming in as a freshman, you may be able to complete your dual-degree in both LSA & CoE easily in 4 years (hopefully with generous scholarships too).</p>
<p>There are program specific scholarships, but you will need to wait until you are eligible instead of once admitted. Also, they may have a need component in it.</p>
<p>@billcsho, you’re probably right with additional need-based scholarships. But for some other merit-based scholarship, it may depend on the departmental budget. I can only guess that the sooner we check/apply for these additional (oftentimes unadvertised) merit-based scholarships, the higher chance we’ll get them, and maybe more in the amount as well. Of course, this is all assuming that the candidate has the right stats/background that the department is looking for.</p>
<p>@billcsho, you’re absolutely right about the program-specific scholarships for upperclassmen.</p>
<p>The ones I was referring to, though, are some additional freshman scholarships (i.e., 4-yr scholarships) that some departments may give out to qualified candidates if they happen to have the budget for it. Truth be told, I’m not sure how this works, or if they have fixed budget/ amount to give out every year, or if they are looking for different skill-sets or qualifications each year, etc. So, it’s best to check directly with the specific department once one’s admitted, assuming one has very strong and compelling stats/background to qualify for it. </p>