Help me decide: UMich vs Brandeis

College Search & Selection
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Hi everyone! I could really use some help deciding here. I am planning to major in Econ but may pursue a minor or double major in psych, sociology, environmental science, or international relations (lots of choices hahah). These two schools are super different and I’m not sure which would be best for me.

Brandeis for Econ-
brandeis pros:

  • people are super nice and welcoming
  • big into community service
  • collaborative
  • Boston-ish
  • free laundry, shuttle service
  • scholarship to reduce high cost
  • a lot of small classes
  • research + liberal arts
  • inclusion and social justice values really align with my values
  • professors are said to be very engaged and helpful

brandeis cons:

  • food and dorms are not great, no ac, stuff like that
  • “ugly” campus ranked like top 18 ugliest, I don’t think its that bad but its not like “wow this campus is stunning”
  • a lot lot of studying and time in the library which is expected but still
  • Waltham is not as cool and you’re kinda stuck around campus during the week w/out a car
  • reputation is not as great (my dad cares)
  • more science focused than social sciences

University of Michigan for undecided-
umich pros:

  • Ann Arbor is awesome
  • lots of research and general opportunities
  • PPE major if i want to but it’s a separate app that i have to do like sophomore year
  • huge engaged alumni network
  • my family really wants me to go (I know people say don’t count what your family wants but they are paying which I am so grateful for so I feel obligated)
  • highest ranked of my schools
  • ranked super high for econ
  • close enough to home that travel is easy

umich cons:

  • super big and kinda overwhelming
  • big classes/less relationships with professors especially at the beginning
  • super sport focused
  • the honors program application has been frustrating and i don’t even know if i get in (I know thats not a real con but its an emotional con lol)
  • huge campus size can be scary (for all the size ones, I just worry that as a quieter person it will be easy to kinda fall behind the crowd)

I also have Boston University, William and Mary, UIUC, and UW Madison, but I think Brandeis and University of Michigan are my tentative top two.
The cost for both schools is about the same bc of my Brandeis scholarship, so that is not really a deciding factor.

Any ideas or experiences you have to share would be super awesome, thank you! :smile:

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I know “less than zero” about about your other schools, including Brandeis, but I can comment on UMich.

Class sizes - Yes, it’s a big public school, but the student-teacher ratio is 14:1, where as UCLA, another top public school is 18:1. with UC Berkeley checking in at 20:1.

Large Campus - Have you visited Michigan’s campus? Central Campus, where all your classes will be located is one large rectangle with The Diag dissecting the middle of Central Campus. I don’t believe you even have to cross a street to go from one LSA class to another, unless you have a class in the MLB (Modern Languages Building). The UGLI (Shapiro Library) is right off The Diag. Unless you travel to North Campus for your housing or any engineering classes you probably won’t take (:grinning:), most everything you’ll do will be adjacent to Central Campus (like food, coffee, etc.) or on Central Campus.

And maybe because Central Campus is one large rectangle, my impression when walking around on a normal school day is that it’s not too crowded. There are no large herd migration of students, unless there’s an event going on. Even attending a football game with 111,000 fans doesn’t seem that crowded at the concession stands. But, I also grew up in a big city too. So there’s that.

Picking a major - And nearly whatever your major and/or minor may choose, and they allow you to switch as frequently as you want within LSA, you’ll likely to find a major that’s at the top of its field:

“45 LSA programs are among the top 10, and two programs are the best in their fields. As the primary undergraduate college, LSA is the reason U.S. News & World Report ranks U-M as one of the top universities for undergraduate teaching.”

Honors - As for Honors at UMich, while it guarantees you South Quad accommodations, I don’t think it bestows the same amount cache’ that it does at some other universities like a Barrett at ASU. The workload is tremendous at UMich w/o Honors, and you can always apply for Honors after you matriculate, if you so desire.

Sports Culture - Lastly, while UMich has a very large “sports culture,” football, basketball, hockey, baseball, rowing, soccer, gymnastics, tennis, etc., but since she was a freshman, my D has often had trouble finding other friends to go with to games. She’s sports-focused, but her roommates and friends, over the first 3 years, have typically not been. You’ll find your own group of friends.

Best of luck with your decision.

Edited to correct headings.

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Thank you so much!!

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So @sushiritto beat me to it and changed his avatar… But it’s what he said. It also feels smaller then what it really is. Central campus is compacted and surrounds you with streets with shops and restaurants… It’s typically rated the top campus and top place to live for a reason. It also has national and international reputation. Wear a Michigan shirt just about anywhere in the world and someone will say “Go Blue”.

Your comment about having relationships with professors is incorrect also. My son knows several professors well as much as my daughter did and her small school was under 2,000 students. She even said that Michigan didn’t feel big to her and she likes small and not crowded places.

As far as being a quieter person and it being scary… Well… Going to any college can be scary… Right? It’s all part of maturing… Your people are there… The library is packed on Saturday nights… It’s nice to walk around and feel safe even at night. Transportation is free. I will give you this piece of advise though and both my kids followed through and prospered and one is more introverted.

Ready… “Bet on yourself”… Do somethings that you normally wouldn’t and in college you can reinvent yourself. You don’t have to be the same high school kid you are now. It’s all up to you. So one way to do this is join clubs and activities. This makes a large campus feel small. 35,000 undergraduates scare you? But how about 10-15 people in a club or activity you enjoy? There are 1,600 of those. Or you can be like my son and create your own. No excuse to not meet people. Don’t know if this applies but they also have one of the best Hillels of any campus.

I would listen to your parents. Even just meeting people in your dorm makes it feel small.

Good Luck.

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Are your parents letting you make the final choice?

I think most of the cons on your list for Brandeis are quite superficial. On the other hand, your pros are very valid, namely these:
people are super nice and welcoming
big into community service
collaborative

The small classes and professor interaction you will get from the start at Brandies will help you get great references and insider information about research opportunities and internships. Brandeis is well respected. It’s location means there will be plenty of opportunities to find research, internships and jobs.

If you feel that Michigan will be overwhelming, you could well be right. And there is much to be said for being a bigger fish in a smaller pond. At the end of the day, remember: You’re the one going to college, not your parents.

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This recommendation is easy: Michigan all the way.

Michigan is a world class university with an awesome school spirit with a very large and very engaged alumni network. It is a public university but with an endowment that rivals many elite private schools, and its impact shows in excellent facilities throughout the campus.

And as you said, Ann Arbor is awesome. It is one of great college towns in the USA.

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Would you be able to join the Residential College if you didn’t get into LSA honors?
Is your family okay with your going to Brandeis and letting you decide or are they really pressuring you?
A huge university isn’t for everyone and without LSA honors it can be a very poor fit if you thrive in small classes or smaller environments.
UMich is stronger academically but if it’s not the right fit for you it doesn’t matter (considering Brandeis is a top school, too, it’s not like you’re comparing UMich and Backwater U.)
Have you been able to visit?

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Thank you for your comment. My family would be okay with it as it ultimately is my decision, but I know they would prefer I go to Michigan. I’m definitely going to look more into the LLCs at Michigan or the Residential college!

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Have you decided? It’d be useful for future students to know what you decided and…how you made up your mind! :grin:

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Sorry it’s been a while! I got locked out of my old account!

but… I am going to Michigan!!

It was an incredibly hard choice for me, but I visited the campus again, and it just felt like the right choice. With obviously strong academics, I knew I’d be covered at either school, but Michigan offered more resources and had stronger programs overall. I also know many people who have gone to and loved their time at Michigan, which was reaffirming for sure!!

I’m super excited to join clubs, make new friends, and just try new things! :nerd_face: :grin:

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thanks for letting us know, and for spelling out your rationale, since it may interest future students! :slight_smile: Have a great time at Michigan!