<p>I applied Early Response to Michigan, got in, then applied to only one more school: UCLA. I got accepted, and now I'm torn. </p>
<ul>
<li>Both schools are equally appealing.</li>
<li>I'd be paying OOS tuition at both schools; aid offers are both meager.</li>
<li>Both will acknowledge about two years of AP credits.</li>
<li>I'll major in Sociology and double or minor in Spanish.</li>
</ul>
<p>I visited Michigan so I know I like it. I haven't/can't visit UCLA.</p>
<p>Is there anything more you can tell me about either school that would sway my decision either way? Thanks.</p>
<p>Well, </p>
<p>do you like basketball or football better? - (although UCLA football I think is on the verge of a turnaround).</p>
<p>do you like a smaller college town environment or big city, LA glamour?</p>
<p>where would you like to eventually settle after graduation?</p>
<p>do you prefer four seasons or room temperature weather year round?</p>
<p>Okay - Michigan won most of those, but it seems like insignificant reasons to pick a college...</p>
<p>I'd probably go UCLA (due to weather). But they are more or less equally prestigous.</p>
<p>
[quote]
but it seems like insignificant reasons to pick a college...
[/quote]
No, it's not, because the difference between UMich and UCLA, academically, is nil. Regarding where you'll spend the next 4-5 years, environmental factors are important (the sports question was trivial).</p>
<p>You're right. I guess it comes down to the environmental factors that I actually care about. They would be:</p>
<ul>
<li>Which is a bigger party school?</li>
<li>Which has better food?</li>
</ul>
<p>.. um yup that's all i can think of haha. oh and which has more jews?</p>
<p>I liked my years in Ann Arbor very much. I thought the town was great. </p>
<p>Eventually though I got SAD from the weather. (The clouds, more than the cold, long winters.)</p>
<p>Sun sounds like a non-trivial reason to me.</p>
<p>^ v. true. :) But I live in ND so either way is fine to me.</p>
<p>These are so evenly ranked academically, but UCLA has a tremendous Jewish presence on campus and is very close to a prominent Jewish community which is just east of the campus. The Museum of Tolerance is close by as well. I don't know if you are interested in Jewish Studies as an emphasis within Sociology but the program at UCLA is tremendous. As for Partying, it depends how you define it. Michigan it is just alot of drinking and bar hopping. UCLA it is more a variety of party atmospheres from the Frat Party's to the Laid back get together's and everything in between, very Diverse on the party front Food? UCLA hands down especially when you venture into West L.A. UCLA I think has a lower admission rate as well so congrats. Tough Choice.</p>
<p>And for what it's worth -- the food's better in LA. Far more variety in terms of ethnic food. And you can't beat the fruit/veggies at local farmer's markets.</p>
<p>UCLA may be in a large city, but it's the nicest part of the city. Westwood is just south of campus, and it is awesome, there are all kinds of theatres, shops and restaurants. To the west of campus is Brentwood and Santa Monica, to the North is BelAir and Holmby Hills, and to the East is Beverly Hills. There is a Fraternity row on the southwest side of campus, and all of the Sorority houses are on the eastern edge of campus. The dorms have recently been refurbished, or else are brand new, and the food is excellent.</p>
<p>^ West L.A. is nice, but I'd hardly call it student-oriented. I'd pick UMich if costs were the same. </p>
<p>Traffic in West L.A. is horrendous.</p>
<p>Either way there probably are more jews at UCLA or UM than in all of ND. ;-)</p>
<p>^ LOL! Prob true barrons.</p>
<p>id go to ucla over umich easily. after visiting ucla last year, it was hard for me to turn down the school w/ beautiful campus, nice neighborhood, its location in LA, good weather, good women, good basketball, good social life, and impressive academic reputation. don't know much about umich's social life, but the both schools are about equal academically.</p>
<p>@ collegebound40</p>
<p>Where do you live? UCLA and Michigan are both excellent schools. Choose the school that fits your overall needs (academic, extracurriculars, weather, social life). You'll do well at either school. Keep in mind though that most incoming freshman at UCLA will be California residents (if you don't live in or haven't visited California). Michigan is about 35% out-of-state students.</p>
<p>I can verify that UCLA has a strong jewish presence. There is a very active Hillel at UCLA, plus the University of Judaism only six minutes away by car if you want to take any courses there. </p>
<p>You brought up cultural, ethnic issues (jewish). Be aware that UCLA, and most UCs now, are between 40% and 55% Asian. This is a non-issue for me, but it is an unusual demographic that most seem to be unaware of.</p>
<p>^ good to know. Ethnic make-up isn't a big deal to me (i've moved between very different places about twenty million times in my life) but having lived in ND for the last couple yrs I am a little deprived of fellow Jews, haha. Sounds like both U's have a lot of benefits and i'm not really seeing any big drawbacks. Blah this just makes the decision harder!</p>
<p>Michigan all the way!!</p>
<p>Michigan has over 6,000 jews attending the school. They come from all over the country, not just California. UCLA feels like a commuter campus. It's in a huge city that is known for smog and high living expenses. Ann Arbor has a "real world" feel to it. It's a much cleaner and easier town to get around than West LA and you feel like you're a part of something, not just a small wheel in a big city. Sure it's cold in the winter, but will feel mild to you compared with ND. Btw, the Hillel at Michigan is ranked as one of the top two in the entire country. Go to Michigan, you'll never regret it.</p>