I have narrowed down my college search to Iowa State or Michigan Tech and am having a hard time making a decision. I have a 33 act, many ap classes, 4.0 gpa, and am definitely a learning focused person. I am looking to go into engineering, but don’t know exactly which discipline yet. There are pros and cons to both schools. How do the schools compare? Is one better than the other? I keep going back and forth between the two, one week I will lean one way, another week the opposite way. Any input would help.
ISU: pros- closer to home (3 hrs), liked campus, known for engineering, dorms r nice
Cons- larger school, I have heard it’s not as great academically as MTU, I have heard it is a little bit of a party school
MTU: pros- great engineering programs, smaller school
Cons- farther away (6 hrs), lots of snow
Have you been accepted by both? Do the financial aid packages make them equally affordable?
What is your source for information that indicates MTU is better for your possible majors than ISU? What is your source for information that students in your potential majors are more distracted by parties at ISU than at MTU?
I have been accepted into both, and with financial aid, they are relatively close in cost. I have heard from friends at school that students at ISU tend to party more. And as for which school is better, I have seen both sides in rankings, depending on which site I look at, but again have been told from some family members that MTU is better.
The engineering students I knew at ISU would barely have known a party if it had hit them in the face. They were much too busy with their classes and part-time jobs to be distracted by parties. But that was in the last century, so things might have changed a bit 
Provided an engineering program is accredited by ABET, the material covered in the classes is pretty much standard nationwide. Starting salaries won’t be different for graduates of these places, but there may be some difference in recruiting, so communicate with the career centers on each campus so that you can learn about internship and job placement.
Which engineering majors does each place offer? If you look at the courses in those majors, does either place seem to be more interesting? You also should consider what you would do if you decide to not major in engineering. Which place has alternate majors for you?
How soon do you have to decide? If both of these use the standard acceptance date of May 1, you have time to go visit both, sit in some classes, walk around campus, and chat up current students to get a feel for what it would be like to attend.
Have you visited the UP in winter? Just asking. If you love snow and cold, it would be a good choice. You should visit.
I have not visited the UP in the winter, but I have heard about it and seen pictures. I would consider the 250” of snow a year to be a drawback of MTU. I have visited both campuses. They are both accredited ABET. Majors are very similar, except ISU has an aerospace program and MTU does not.
I think you will be busy that 250" of snow will barely bother you. I’d arrange a tour while school is in session at both campuses. See if you stay overnight in a dorm ; sometimes they have accepted students overnight visits. Talk with students and see which one fits you best.