<p>OK ... I'm so undecided right now that I'm gonna put out this thread where people are gonna discuss the strengths and weaknesses of both schools. I was pulled off the waitlist at the University of Chicago last Friday, and I need help deciding and I need to know soon. </p>
<p>This is what I have so far: </p>
<p>Michigan:
- Public school, much larger than Chicago
- Great engineering program means more flexibility and choice if I switch majors (+)
- Good but not great econ and math program
- Big Ten atmosphere + party scene = perfect for socializing, but not so great for school work and fit-wise (not a party person, never will be)
- I've done orientation here, met people, chosen classes, and received my housing info ... I'm ready for the fall term (+)
- I'll run into old people from high school and meet people mainly from in-state
- It's in Michigan ... same old same old, I've lived here my entire life, isn't it time for some CHANGE?
- A big bang for the buck ($22k/yr) with Michigan state govt "rebate" money ($4k via Promise) (+)</p>
<p>Chicago
- Private school, much smaller than Michigan (+)
- No engineering program
- Best econ program in the USA and great math program (+)
- So dedicated to academics, and quirky atmosphere means better fit (+)
- I haven't even sent in my enrollment deposit (which is why I'm here) and all I can do is make friends on Facebook, and I still have yet to make my Facebook account (I admit it, with technology, I'm as ancient as a dinosaur)
- I'll have a brand new start ... people come from all over the country and world (+)
- It's in a different state not terribly far away from home ... new place means new things to discover. (+)
- Costs A LOT ($55k+/yr) and little if any money</p>
<p>Chicago vs. Michigan: 5 - 3 ( <-- Chicago is winning )</p>
<p>I would go with University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, strong in academics and social life. As I’ve also heard many times, University of Chicago is where fun goes to die.</p>
<ul>
<li>Good but not great econ and math program</li>
</ul>
<p>I would certainly agree that UC is the superior econ program, but the math programs are not very far apart. Most rankings have them both in the top 10.</p>
<p>Michigan is considered top 15 in econ too. Better than just good, but not U-C of course. Then again, you want engineering anyway. I hate to say this, but you are out of your mind if you think Chicago is worth $33,000 dollars more/year than Michigan. If you can afford it, take the savings and use it for grad school or a nice downpayment on a new home after graduation. By the way, people also come from all over the country and world to attend Michigan as well. If this were a discussion about HYPSM than I could MAYBE understand your reluctance. Chicago is a great school, but it’s not heads and tails better than Michigan.</p>
<p>Go with UMich, because I already thought you were comming here. </p>
<p>If your choice was Michigan + a house mostly paid for, or Michigan + graduate degree + car + some (I don’t really know how much it costs to get a graduate degree, but I’d assume there’d be some left over), or Chicago, what would you pick. That’s a $132K difference. Obviously you can multiply and have thought of this, but seriously, that’s a lot. If you can really afford (or if your parents can) without any trouble, and than could afford a graduate dregree, and a car, and a house afterwards then you should have something to consider. If not, than even for just the money, you should choose Michigan. </p>
<p>Also, if you’re looking at engineering, how can you consider a school with no engineering program? </p>
<p>You’ll be moving to a new town, that’s change.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t have a facebook either. Since probably everyone else does, you’ll be more similar to the Michigan student body than Chicago’s.</p>
<p>Ditto RJK unless your folks have absolutely nothing else to do with the money. In MI you can buy a decent HOUSE for the cost differential over four years (never mind just the downpayment…).
If money is NO object, indeed U of C is awesome for econ. But I suspect you’ll find an equally quirky and focused subculture at U of M as well. The difference is that at U of M you would have 10x the variety, 10x the course choices and 10x the population, literally, to deal with. Not that bigger is always better, just meaning you’ll have a wide berth academically and socially.
Good luck in your decision, and let us know!
Cheers,
K</p>
<p>U of C has smaller class sizes = more personal attention with professors (professors are full-time, and not taught by teaching assistance)
Most class sizes are less than 20 students, some times less than 25.
Academically, I would say U of C is better, not that UM isn’t, but U of C focuses extremely on academics, they don’t care much about athletics. You can take more courses at U of C (it’s because of their schedule)
Their academics are different, just like the essays, U of C wants you to think outside the box. U of C is devoted to academics and intellectual thoughts. They love people who think rather than memorize.
U of C classes are more discussion based than lecture based, the teachers and students communicate and discuss many things about the topic rather than the teacher just teaching it.
Their science’s is amazing. They are devoted to academic research, your academic is extremely important.
You don’t seem like a party person, so I would say U of C is a good match. If you want social fun, Chicago (the city) is a great plays to have fun and I have to say you can buy stuff cheaper than at Ann Arbor. Their marketplaces are cheap.
If you go into Econ, your job finding is easier than UM. They are world renown. Their sociology is also amazing.
I think U of C is a fit for you since you don’t really care much about parties (note: sometimes UM is really a extremely party place, especially during football season and basketball)
You want CHANGE (go to U of C)
you seem interested in Econ and math, more than engineering (go to U of C)
New place not old (go to U of C)
get away from your parents (go to U of C)
if you really want to do engineering (go to UM)
you want party (go to UM)
you want to feeling of going to a university that is great at sports (go to UM)
you want to have fun at college (go to UM)</p>
<p>Since you don’t care much about parties and like Econ, U of C is a good choice</p>
<p>HOWEVER, don’t take my word for it, YOU have to decide, not me. They both are tremendous school, both are great.</p>
<p>Last year my D was on the extended waitlist for Chicago, and probably would have gone if offered a spot. Now she looks back thinking that it was all for the best…U Mich has turned out to be amazing for her. Her classes have been small (except one intro level course) and she’s part of a research team in UROP that has provided her with opportunities beyond what she thought possible for an undergrad, let alone a freshman. In fact, the opportunities she’s been given as a U Mich student are pretty amazing…awards, a Fellowship at an overseas university this summer, both creative and scientific work published, and interesting extracurricular activities. As great of an institution as U Chicago is, I don’t think all of this would have happened for her there as a freshman.</p>
<p>On the other hand, U Chicago is a unique and intellectual place where you would get an amazing education. You have a very difficult decision to make!</p>
<p>“Also, I don’t have a facebook either. Since probably everyone else does, you’ll be more similar to the Michigan student body than Chicago’s.”</p>
<p>I have to disagree, I think that U of C students is the ones that don’t really have Facebook. UC student’s care about academics, not much about parties and using their time online chatting about life and non-academic stuff</p>
<p>@ Qwerty
LOL oops, sorry I’m really bad a sarcasm when it comes to typing, my bad =)</p>
<p>Honestly, ou can do research anywhere pretty much. So worrying about research, trying to find places to research isn’t a big deal at all. I easily found research as a high schooler at UM, my friend found one at UM Med School as a high schooler. I have seen and heard high school students who found ones at UCLA and many other universities (even private ones like Duke). Simple to say, if high schoolers can find places to research like this, a undergrad can find it just as easy and even easier.</p>
Chicago has lots of teaching assistants too. What do you think they do?</p>
<p>Here’s how one department specifies the roles of the TA’s (yes, they do exist) at U of Chicago:</p>
<p>"Course Assistant Job Description:</p>
<p>Responsibilities may include but will not necessarily be limited to the following:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Assisting faculty in planning course outlines, preparing syllabi, planning paper assignments and exams. </p></li>
<li><p>Attending all course lectures. </p></li>
<li><p>Conducting discussion or review sessions and/or leading field trips to local museums and buildings. </p></li>
<li><p>Evaluating and commenting on student papers and exams. </p></li>
<li><p>Holding weekly office hours. </p></li>
<li><p>Committing an average of about 15 hours per week, including attendance of class lectures."</p></li>
</ul>
<p>you will find that party scene at both schools. People do it everywhere, it’s college.</p>
<p>Cost differential is huge, the two schools are ranked similar and similar in academic reputation, you’re in the midwest at both schools. I think one of the great strengths of going to a school like Michigan is that you can find a place on campus no matter who you are. </p>
<p>About class sizes, intro classes will be big at both. I’m familiar with engineering/math, math classes get pretty small by end of your sophomore year, I’ve had 3 math major roommates. Econ will be big, but I don’t think it’ll be much smaller if at all at Chicago, since it’s one of those really popular majors at any school and especially in Chicago’s case, I’ll bet half of the incoming freshman class came to Chicago for the Econ program. </p>
<p>I think this is a no brainer Michigan. If cost difference was smaller, I’d goto Chicago, since you think you’ll like it more, that’s VERY important as well.</p>
<p>I would normally say go with the best fit…but $120,000? Go to Michigan. Michigan’s econ program isn’t Chicago’s, but it’s still respectable. Chicago econ has its own “school of thought”, but UM has its consumer economic index, etc. I would also argue that its math is on par with Chicago, as it’s always ranked in the top 10. And if you end up wanting to do engineering, you’d better hope you chose Michigan.</p>
<p>Anyways, if you’re serious about practicing econ you should know that it’s where you get your PhD that matters. Your two undergrad options can get you into any grad program if you work hard. Save your money at Michigan and go to Chicago for your PhD.</p>
<p>I would go with Michigan too. Seriously, undergrad is not worth that much money, and Michigan for in-state tuition is a bargain. Yes, Chicago carries more prestige, but Michigan is also quite prestigious. As ppl have mentioned above, if you want to go into Engineering, Michigan is a no brainer. For Econ, Chicago is definitely better, but not better enough to justify paying so much extra tuition. Save the money for grad school, where the name and degree will carry much more weight than your undergraduate institution.</p>