Do any of you have any advice for deciding between these two schools? I am thinking about majoring in chemical engineering, but may change to a different field, so overall strength in academics is very important to me. Obviously, Cornell has a great reputation as an Ivy, but Michigan is also very strong in engineering. I have been to Ann Arbor dozens of times in my life and really like the atmosphere there, but I also like the older feeling of Cornell and Ithaca. Also, how tight-knit is Cornell? I don’t want to be in a super-competitive atmosphere.
Michigan is HUGE compared to Cornell despite both being relatively large schools. Both would give you a great education. I would try to visit if I were you. Personally, i’d choose Cornell.
Cornell > Michigan every time although Michigan is arguably the best public school.
“Also, how tight-knit is Cornell?”
As a whole, not very.IMO. There are 14,000 undergrads,studying in seven colleges, many of which are completely different . The various colleges attract very different “types”. Lots of people living together in the freshman dorms will find they have nothing in common with each other, save for having matriculated to Cornell.
What typically happens is out of that melange you will find your group of compatible individuals, then you will be tight-knit with them.
“I don’t want to be in a super-competitive atmosphere.”
Take these separate points:
-A lot of (underclass, at least) science & engineering courses are curved. At most universities, pretty much.
-A lot of engineering students want to get good grades. At most universities, typically.
-A lot of engineering students at Cornell are really smart.
Put them together, what do you think you get?
I’m not sure “super-competitive” is the right handle,exactly though. You’re trying to do as well as you can, yourself, so you study hard. At the end of the day, since the course is curved, you are in effect competing against others in the class. But I don’t think most people look at it like “Ive got to beat you on this test”, more like “I;'ve got to do well on this test myself”. People do study together, help each other, etc. But it’s tough.The subject matter itself is tough.
I have zero experience with Michigan. It could possibly be easier (ie less “super-competitive”) at Michigan if they enroll a lot of less-capable students. Because then those students may make up the lower tail of the curve. At least freshman year, till they transfer out.
But I don’t know if that’s actually the case.
Agree, Cornell over UMich for academics specifically Engineering (although Dyson and Ross are close) However, UMich has the advantage on school spirit, Football and Basketball.
Entering engineering student profiles:
http://profiles.asee.org/profiles/6574/screen/19?school_name=Cornell+University
http://profiles.asee.org/profiles/6621/screen/19school_name=University+of+Michigan
Cornell engineering is more selective (13% admitted vs 28%), and its entering freshman have a bit higher test scores. Very marginal difference (20pts) on the math side thoough, which counts most for engineering
School spirit is not absent from Cornell, for those so disposed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQjATMbzivQ
They seem pretty enthusiastic here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx7LWtwgg_g
and here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtgG96mIDkg
and more generally, here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwebuP2tT-I
Which one is cheaper, and by how much?
Hockey has fantastic school spirit at Cornell, football less so. Though if you play an instrument, it’s not too hard to join the Big Red Marching Band and they have great fun at the football games. The best reason to go watch football there, really 
.
Thank you so much for the advice everyone! @albert69 since my parents are helping me out, I’ll have to pay $6,000 more for Cornell. @mdcmom I actually was involved in the marching band on high school, and probably will continue to do so. Thanks for giving me so much to think about!
I’m a member of the Michigan Marching Band, and I can say that joining the MMB is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have friends in the ChemE program here, and they love it. Our College of Engineering is fabulous generally, so if you decide to switch out of ChemE, you’ll be all set. I can’t speak for Cornell’s atmosphere, but the atmosphere at Michigan is not super competitive (from what I’ve experienced at least). We’re all very collaborative here, and we’re all VERY into Michigan. Lots of school spirit all around.
Good luck making a decision!