<p>My friend is planning on doing chemical engineering and was accepted to OSU (full ride), UMich (15000 per year), and Northwestern (full price) engineering schools. Her parents are more than willing to pay for a private school such as Northwestern but only if it is necessary.</p>
<p>So his question is : </p>
<p>Does it make a difference to go to OSU or UMich for chemical engineering. And is the difference enough to make up for 15,000 a year.</p>
<p>I think it'd be worth it for Michigan. Definitely not worth it for NU, unless your friend really wants to go to NU. Of those three, Michigan is the best in engineering.</p>
<p>The name of your undergraduate institution isn't important in the least if you plan on going to grad school. </p>
<p>If your friend is planning on getting a masters or something, saving money by going to OSU for undergrad could be the better idea (after all, grad school is really expensive). </p>
<p>If your friend only wants a bachelors, a big name school like Michigan may be the better idea.</p>
<p>Well she is planning on getting her MBA from a (hopefully) top school.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The name of your undergraduate institution isn't important in the least if you plan on going to grad school.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I think it's very risky to choose your undergrad institution based on your post-bachelors plan, if one even has a plan while in high school. Especially with chemical engineering, it's difficult to know for sure at this point whether or not you will perform at a high enough level to get into a good grad school. Then factor in that your mind will probably change about grad school multiple times throughout your undergrad career. </p>
<p>Besides, if you're going for a PhD, more than likely you won't be paying much, if anything at all. I think it's pretty common to get a stipend actually. </p>
<p>And I'd argue that your undergrad institution will have an effect on grad school admissions. I'm not saying it will make or break you though, but it helps. Having good LOR's, especially from people well regarded in their field, will boost your grad school chances. And where will you find highly regarded people in their field? At great institutions, such as UMich.</p>
<p>The above doesn't really apply for business school though. You need good work experience for that, so you need to get a good job (and keep in mind that some of the better companies will pay for your MBA). UMich probably has better recruitment than OSU, so UMich wins in that case too.</p>
<p>Personally, I think 15k a year for UMich is well worth it.</p>
<p>It really depends on personal study habits. Regardless of undergraduate institution, anyone can get accepted into a quality MBA program, as long as they work hard, get good standardized scores, participate on campus, seek out internships, etc. Grad schools don't discriminate - they understand that not everyone can afford to pay to go to top schools. </p>
<p>People can get stripends for PhDs, sure, but getting an MBA is expensive. I just think that a full ride is something to seriously consider. I mean, the $60,000 that could be saved is more than the average American makes in a year. I'm not saying that the OP's friend shouldn't choose Michigan, I just think that a full ride at OSU deserves at least some consdieration. After all, it's a solid school and Columbus is a pretty good city for getting work experience.</p>
<p>
[quote]
but getting an MBA is expensive
[/quote]
Some companies will pay for your MBA...my company did, but it was not at a top school.</p>
<p>I have a BS in chemical engineering from a top-ranked engineering school...To be honest, in my working experience I have not noticed a difference in pay or availabilty in opportunities compared to colleagues that have ChemE degrees from lesser ranked schools. You could argue that recruitment opportunites out of college would be better at the stronger engineering school...while this is true, I doubt there is any difference recruitment-wise from Ohio State engineering and Michigan engineering. You could check with both schools career center and make a comparison. Engineers are in great demand; it really doesn't matter where you get your ChemE degree. Saving $60k seriously needs to be considered.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Personally, I think 15k a year for UMich is well worth it.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree that it's a fantastic deal. But, for this person's case, going to OSU for free is a better deal, IMO.</p>
<p>If her parents can afford $50K/year for a private university, they are wealthy enough to easily pay $15K/year for Michigan. I would go for Michigan.</p>
<p>Alumni network and industrial connections might make a difference in the kind of job you get as a fresh grad. It may not matter much with the average engineering jobs but for the more unique opportunities, your professor may be able to connect you with the right people. For example, Michigan ChE has a particularly strong network in the petroleum industry.</p>
<p>I don't disagree that OSU is a great choice; your friend won't be making a mistake going to either. If it were me though, I think I'd prefer UMich. If the friend has already visited each school and has a preference, s/he should go to that one.</p>
<p>//////////////////</p>
<p>UMich >>>>> OSU. End of.</p>
<p>OSU sucks.</p>
<p>^^ I sense a little bias. =p</p>
<p>OSU is still an excellent school that would provide a great education for a cheap price.</p>
<p>I would take OSU and the full ride personally.</p>
<p>In general: UMich = NU > OSU</p>
<p>For your friend's specific case: UMich > OSU > NU</p>
<p>OK I'll be serious - Full ride at OSU is not a bad deal at all, but Michigan for just 15K is even better. Michigan at that price is definitely worth it - better academics, stronger student body and more prestigious.</p>
<p><em>spits</em> How could I even say OSU isn't a bad deal?? <em>spits again</em>.</p>
<p>
[quote]
OSU is still an excellent school
[/quote]
The relevant question here is: how good is OSU's engineering, and in particular, its ChE program as compared to U-M's.</p>
<p>The top ChE grads from U-M may have better opportunities than the top grads from OSU.</p>
<p>powergrid,
I don't think OSU is better than NU in ChE.</p>
<p>Powergrid, for Engineering and overall, NU is better than OSU.</p>
<p>I think powergrid1990 was basing his/her judgment on finances, not quality of the engineering program.</p>