I wrote a post about this about a week ago, but I just wanted to do one more post with all the specifics on what school I should go to. I got accepted into both mines and the CU engineering program, and I don’t know which to choose. I want to do either mechanical engineering, Aerospace engineering, or computer science. I know CU is the only one who has Aerospace as a major (because there the only ones allowed to use Aerospace as a name in Colorado), but mines also has a good space program as well, with internships like space X, and ball aerospace. I went on tours to both school and really liked both even though I liked CU a little better, with a better town and bigger campus. I am very introverted and shy so I like the small campus at mines to have a better opportunity to make friends, but also it might be a bad thing at mines to have more attention as I am shy I don’t always like the attention on me. Mines is also a really hard school, and although I would get through all the work done I get stressed out easily, and honestly thinking about how hard mines is kind of scares me, even though like I said I’m very motivated and I would get the work done. Overall I feel like I would fit in better at mines, but I’m also kind of scared of the work load, and feeling nervous about that one on one at Mines being that I am extremely shy. Boulder on the other hand I feel like is a more relaxed school where I would feel less stressed, but as it is a bigger school I feel like I might get lost in the crowd like I did at my high school, and end up with no friends and lonely. Sorry that was so long, but after all that which college do you thing I should go to?
I don’t know if it matters to you, but Mines is also significantly more conservative politically.
And don’t define yourself by being shy. This is your chance to break out of the shell. You’ll probably never be a party animal, but this doesn’t mean you can’t adjust your behavior and get more confidence talking to people. Maybe try a few therapy sessions?
From what I have heard, the engineering program and quality of life is much better at CU Boulder than at Colorado School of Mines. I chose Boulder over other elite colleges this year because it is the perfect balance for me. There are great academics and job opportunities when I graduate but also a relaxed environment where I sense everybody can fit in. Plus, from what I hear, there are more women at CU Boulder. 
I don’t think you will get lost in the crowd, I am planning to get involved in the clubs there next year to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Also, I have heard stories about many, many unemployed Mines graduates because the school and its students were so committed to the whole oil business and now that oil is not doing so great, their students are really struggling to find work. In fact, my cousin went to Mines and was laid off from Shell not too long ago and has been unable to find work since. CU, on the other hand, seems to be really diversified when it comes to engineering, given hat it has the Aerospace program and CS. Good luck on your choice!
For CS, probably CU Boulder is better as well, given the 15 new faculty, the Google influence in Boulder, and bigger dynamic programs in aerospace as well. I like the research programs better at CU Boulder in aerospace they also have LASP, which is a great place to work. Its a research consortium near campus devoted to space physics and engineering. One CU Professor in aerospace works on middle atmosphere measurements on the South Pole! There is a new computer security expert hired at CU in CS, and some good theoretical CS faculty.
There are unemployed graduates from both schools, but CU Boulder has a larger network in what you seem interested in, aerospace and CS. In Mechanical engineering, Mines is very very good though and some grads can get jobs at Lockheed Martin, I do not believe Mines is much harder anymore, CU requires physics for all the majors you are interested in. CU has accepted quite a few international students with high stats. CU may have the better living arrangements, with Global Engineering RAP and Honor Engineering RAP as well. Socially Mines may be easier though, as its just very friendly. At Mines you will not fall through the cracks, they tutor every student, who needs it. CU Boulder also has good support, but there are drop outs, and flunk outs, so you have to work hard to get through either program.
Both schools are getting good name recognition on the west coast as strong programs. You do not have to get sucked into petroleum related mechanical engineering at Mines.
We loved the smaller more LAC vibe at Mines. I think you can get a fine education from either school and should think about which environment will bring out the best in you. Smaller classes, more advising… this is great stuff.
My son will not choose Mines in the end because he wants someplace bigger, but I can say we are all very impressed.