I was accepted to Carnegie Mellon as a Dietrich and Tepper joint economic major. I am not even sure if economics is what I want to major in, as I have so many other interests like politics, philosophy, math, science, drama, creative writing, etc. My best two subjects have always been math and science, which is why my advisor suggested Carnegie Mellon in the first place, but it seems those two encompass almost of all Carnegie Mellon’s focus. I fear that Carnegie Mellon won’t be able to offer an environment that will allow me to explore these interests. Am I wrong?
By the way, my other two main options are NYU Stern and Michigan.
If all are affordable, and you don’t know what to study: 1) UofM 2) CMU 3) NYU. My opinion knowing nothing about your situation but what has been stated.
Can you explain? Michigan is my first option right now socially, but academically I am less confident.
For what it is, CMU has amazing fine art programs. Art, Design, Music, Drama, are all terrific.
I don’t know how easy it is to take classes or minor in those programs, but you will not find a shortage of fine arts on campus.
I think Michigan would be a strong option. Let’s say you go the business route. You have to take a one year mandatory LSA (which is your regular arts and sciences). You take your core classes and classes that you would like to explore. And the 2nd year you apply to Ross for business and can pursue that. I think overall, the structure at Michigan allows you to find what you like while not wasting time/locking yourself into a 4 year program that you end up not liking. NYU for business is amazing but that option is very expensive and it’s either you decide Stern for sure or not. Transferring schools within NYU is pretty difficult. And lastly CMU, I have read many social reviews about it and it seems clear that they are very focused (borderline isolated) type of kids. High emphasis on tech/computer science and a full work attitude. You seem like you want a good balance of academics and social life. Academics in particular should be flexible for you to find your path…I think Michigan is your best bet. Good luck!
Check if CMU will allow you to transfer easily to Mellon School of Science or another humanities or social science college from the business school.(in case you do want to change majors). At CMU, you will be able to watch theatre, not sure if you can take classes in theatre check, as they have a high bar for entrance to theatre program. However Michigan does too! Very high bar for Musical Theatre majors at Michigan, but I think you may just want a broad and liberal education and exposure, either college may offer that. . As far as diversity of students on campus, Carnegie Mellon does offers strong programs in social sciences, fine arts, theatre, voice, dance and instrumental music, so there are some students focused on arts and not techy type things.
Michigan has a more rural/woodsy north campus, for the Musical Theatre and Engineers together, and all the other buildings for most other humanities, business and science majors are in the center of Ann Arbor, the more lively campus. Football stadium is south. So thats one key difference in lifestyle, you will walk all over Pittsburgh, you will be on a bus in Ann Arbor a lot. Ann Arbor classes start five minutes after the stated time as students are taking these buses back and forth. Freshman housing at Michigan is also located on both North Campus and the Central Ann Arbor campus. Michigan is a very strong choice for nearly any major and known as the one of the top public schools in the nation. Michigan has Division 1 sports and thus a lot of spirit compared to CMU, so if you like watching football and basketball, could be more fun than the smaller focused CMU. CMU might fit a person who likes smaller class sizes, intense studying and other posts say that Carnegie Mellon Business College is well connected to Wall Street and New York City jobs. Michigan is a big place. CMU a smaller place. Ann Arbor is a fun and academic liberal city. Pittsburgh, a bit more industrial, but attractive in its own way, and very nice college feel with restaurants near U of Pittsburgh which is right next to CMU and walkable.
Look at the ranks for Michigan, to convince yourself its A+ for academics. Its top in physics, actuary, math, musical theatre and many other majors. I am not familiar with business rank, but look it up. Since math is so strong at Michigan, business related math such as accounting and finance will be strong. Statistics are strong. Sciences are strong. Its amazing for everything, really which is why its called a Public Ivy, or top public school in the nation, along with UT Austin, U of North Carolina, a few U of Cal campuses and U of Virginia. I may have left off a few top public schools, but Michigan is a stand out.