Very much agree. I was just using the “get out of Dodge” expression to reflect the OP’s stated strong desire to leave Michigan.
“I would highly advocate a better look at Rice - it has an incredibly good CS program and is a great school. By reputation, one could argue it is the best for CS quite easily.”
“I think you should eliminate the more expensive of Rice / Cornell, and decide between those two based on affordability and fit, keeping in mind Rice’s CS level as a pro over Michigan.”
PengsPhils, those two sentences are inaccurate. All four universities that the OP is considering are excellent in Engineering and CS. I don’t see how one university in this group can be said to have an advantage over the others.
That being said, the OP should obviously balance personal preference with reason. Considering that Michigan is as strong as Cornell and Rice, both in the OP’s chosen major and overall, and the fact that it will cost a lot less to attend, I don’t see how going to Cornell or Rice makes sense.
itsmyusername, just because it is “easier” for Michigan residents to get into Michigan does not diminish your high school accomplishments, or invalidate the hard work you have put into your high school studies. Ultimately, Michigan is one of the best universities in the nation that predominantly admits highly qualified students. Had you “coasted” through much of your high school years, you will most likely not have been admitted into Michigan, and you certainly would not have been prepared to handle the workload that is required of engineers.