<p>I don’t quite understand why it matters if it’s better across the board…?</p>
<p>This guy is going for computer science. A future employer of his will not care if UIUC was good or **** in economics or project management or whatever. They will care about, if anything other than CS, the related fields, ie. engineering, which UIUC is better at.</p>
<p>I mean… what is the point of this argument…?</p>
<p>^^^The point of the argument is that people sometimes, and oftentimes, change their minds about what they decide to study. If I’m going to pay for OOS tuition to go to either school, I’m going to go to the school which gives me the best options just in case I change my mind. Michigan pretty much equals UIUC in engineering. However, the rest of the university academically for the most part, is better.</p>
<p>I can see the logic in that, but I honestly would pick my school based on the program I want and not assume that I will fail out. Perhaps that’s just me.</p>
<p>Guys, I think the difference is negligible. Both universities are engineering powerhouses. It really boils down to location, cost, atmosphere, etc.</p>
<p>I too see a bit of logic to it… but if the difference is so low, then it honestly doesn’t matter. There is also the matter of going to the best program for your intended field of study, which will be important for your future as an engineer if you choose to continue your education to be one. With this logic, no one should ever go to GaTech or ERAU, and people who get into MIT should just reject it and go to Harvard because it’s more well-rounded.</p>
<p>If the interest in CS isn’t strong and a change of majors is a real possibility, then one should study and be aware of the range of future program options available before choosing the school. UM is a great school, but it doesn’t offer such programs as aviation (not aero-engineering) or agriculture - which are available elsewhere. Tough luck if the UM engineer wants to switch majors, or double degree, with one of these programs. My friend at another Big10 is a chemical engineering major and enjoys taking flight classes.</p>
<p>^^^^Huh? Who cares about aviation and agricuture if you have no interest in them? Michigan offers many, many majors. I can guarantee you that some of them are NOToffered at UIUC or that other B10 school you mentioned. My point is, that with the vast majority of disciplines offered at BOTH schools, Michigan is better.</p>
<p>And our point is we think he should make his choice based on his program of interest, not his backup plan.</p>
<p>^^^^Your point would be well taken if UIUC were substantially better in his area of interest. It is not. Michigan is better in most other comparable areas. Also A2 is a much nicer city to live in for four years as compared to UC. If the OP were instate for UIUC, then I agree he should go there.</p>
<p>I never said the OP should go to UIUC though. That is what you are missing. I said UIUC is slightly better but that it wasn’t a big enough difference to REALLY matter so they should visit the two and pick the one that he/she feels the best about. If the surrounding school is an important factor to the OP, then that would be an advantage to UMich. The surrouning town is pretty mug personal preference. I personally like what little I have seen of Ann Arbor more than Urbana-Champaign but I haven’t seen much of AA.</p>
<p>My point is it would be folly to just dismiss UIUC becase the rest of the school is better because that advantage is approximately negated by the slight advantage UIUC has in the CS department.</p>
<p>“My point is it would be folly to just dismiss UIUC becase the rest of the school is better because that advantage is approximately negated by the slight advantage UIUC has in the CS department.”</p>
<p>My point is that the costs of both schools are high for OOS and the slight advantage UIUC has in the CS department is negated because the prestige of Michigan and the better location of Ann Arbor makes it so. To be blunt, UC is about the most boring place I could imagine spending four years of my life. It’s not like going to college in a fun, vibrant city like Austin, TX!</p>
<p>rjkofnovi, ann arbor isn’t better because you said so, and you keep saying ‘prestige of Michigan’…pleeez</p>
<p>OK. Let’s talk about the prestige of Iowa State. Please…</p>
<p>I can tell you there’s people like you at my school but they eventually mature out of it…I like to see people that are happy with their school more than any other, it’s pride… but being elitist just shows off insecurity</p>
<p>Making comments about universities and towns you obviously know very little about shows ignorance too. I have been to U-M and UIUC many times. Have you ever been to either or both?</p>
<p>are you telling me you don’t actually attend University of Michigan?</p>
<p>And to sit here and think about the poor student who posted this thread hoping for decent help is now listening to grown men (or teenage kids looking for an argument) fight over miniscule differences.</p>
<p>I am sorry aggieengineer. You are right.</p>
<p>Don’t be sorry to me. I’m not the one directly affected here. This little fray just needs to end.</p>
<p>Thanks, Guys…</p>