<p>I have to decide my final choice next week between going to Michigan or going to UC Santa Barbara. I know in terms of academic strength Michigan is definately better in general. However, in engineering, Michigan has lower average GPA for undergrads (2.7-2.8) compared to UC Santa Barbara(~3.0). So that means I will get lower GPA at Michigan. Also, people who go to Michigan are generally more skilled. </p>
<p>For the provision of going to graduate school, does getting to a harder, more prestigious school that gives lower gpa better than going to a easier, less prestigious school that gives you higher gpa?</p>
<p>My SAT score is within middle 50% when combined(1940) but not in that range for the highest single test(1880). I am an international student and I know that the SAT score does not count how I will do in engineering. For the provision of getting into a good graduate school, should I go for michigan or UC Santa Barbara</p>