<p>I am nearing the end of the allotted time to make my decision, and I have narrowed my two choices down to University of Michigan (in-state) and Wash U. I plan to study Chemical Engineering, but that may change. I am posting this on the Wash U page and not the Michigan page because I am leaning towards Wash U and want some reinforcement on that instinct. So I am looking for some people to sell me on why Wash U is great.</p>
<p>My biggest worry is the lack of (real) sports. I realize there are Division III sports, but I grew up always being a huge football junkie. Thankfully, my favorite team is a school that is academically inferior to all the schools I am considering, and by attending Wash U, I would be able to continue to cheer loyally for them and not be bound by a Michigan or Notre Dame. The second worry is how the rankings actually play out in the education. Michigan is (and has really always been) a top 10 engineering school, and that is really hard to pass up. I also have to pay somewhere around three times as much to go to Wash U. Money is not an issue, but saving money never hurt.</p>
<p>The biggest promise for me is a MUCH better climate than Michigan (I hate the north, any distance south is a good move). I also have family in the area, and the dorms and food are great.</p>
<p>Help me out guys! I don't want to be indecisive come the May 1st deposit deadline!</p>
<p>You should list (and wtg) what is important to you and then rate each school in each area.
Socially the schools are very different. I am surprised when I see these two schools as someone’s final choice. I guess it could be that school size isn’t important to you.<br>
It was one of the wtg areas for me. </p>
<p>Well, you’re certainly right. There’s hardly a sports culture at washu. That could be a good thing in that you could keep your favorite team, like you say, or it could be a bad thing because not many people really care about sports. I obviously cannot speak to your climate preferences, but I would say they’d have to be pretty important to pass up a well-respected engineering school for one that is three times the cost.</p>
<p>Ultimately, I can’t tell you how much your preferences are worth, or just how valuable the saved money would be. Best of luck with you decision!</p>
<p>have to agree with onecot59 - you need to weigh whats most important to you, since the choices are quite stark: big vs small, div I power vs Div III, pay a lot versus vs not so much, and weather. But in terms of ranking; in travels with my DD, i’ve learns that in a field where advanced degrees are essential, if you do well at an undergrad degree from a top school – which both are – rankings dont matter much when it comes time to apply to grad school. </p>
<p>Have you visited both schools? I hope so. Good luck!</p>
<p>I have two kids at state schools and one went to Wash U. The atmosphere at WU is amazing and she has graduated with life friends. The professors were easily assessable and involved. I can’t even say enough about it. That being said, like the other responders, you won’t have the big 10 feel, but they do have sports. The basketball games are fun to watch…my daughter passed up Notre Dame, but didn’t miss the sports because she loved everything else so much it didn’t matter. Good luck to you!!</p>
<p>Two very different schools. I actually know more about Michigan than I do about WashU. A couple thoughts:
– I’m not sure how much better the weather is in St. Louis than Ann Arbor. A marginal improvement, if any. I don’t think this should sway your decision.<br>
– The cost savings are significant if you are in-state to go to Michigan. This could come in handy if you have any interest in graduate school.
– The sports culture at Michigan if you want to participate is crazy fun. My daughter drove to Atlanta for the championship games and had the time of her life.<br>
– Michigan is much larger. I think the environment at WashU is more nuturing for your first few years. You are pretty much on your own at Michigan very early – you will be looking for Soph year housing a month into your freshman year. Housing is not great at Michigan but is improving as they renovate the dorms.<br>
– Ann Arbor is one of the greatest college towns out there.<br>
– WashU is an outstanding school – I’m not trying to suggest that Michigan is a better school; only that based on your criteria, it sounds like a better fit but only you can decide that.<br>
I’ll also say that having my daughter within driving distance from home has been a great thing. If you live in Michigan, the drive to St. Louis is long.</p>
<p>You may have already made your decision at this point, but I just want to add that what seems very important to you today (ie Div I sports), may not be as much as a priority in the future. You love sports, and so does my son; however, while he may not ever go to a football game, the professional sports are really easy to go to and a lot of fun so you can get your fix that way.</p>
<p>Think about this- there are many opportunities available to you at both schools, and they are both great schools. But taking advantage of the opportunities at a very large school sometimes is a lot harder than it is at a smaller school. Are you the type of person that will work to get the opportunities that are available to you at a school the size of Michigan? Did you do that in high school? If the answer is “no” then I would encourage you to think harder about the advantages of going to a smaller school- think beyond the “rah rah” of a football game. I know a lot of kids who have gone off to large state schools and graduate with a degree but not an awful lot of other achievements on their resume. And I know a lot of kids in that position who are still looking for jobs. Your college experience should be about fun but also about adding worthwhile experiences to your resume- and unless you are playing on the field for the team, Div 1 sports does nothing for you at the end of the day.</p>
<p>And while it seems important to you now, once you are in college you will see that. The weather? My So Cal son is playing football in the snow…when it actually snows which is hardly ever! I just think some of your other criteria (ie cost) are more important factors than weather or climate. My son went through a “everyone is having more fun than me” period for the first semester at school because of kids posting FB pics of football parties. And now, I don’t think any of his friends enjoys school and the experience as much as he does. Just my 2 cents!</p>
<p>The flip side of course is that Michigan may be more real life like. It absolutely is harder to find your way at a big school where no one holds your hand and shows you the way…kind of like real life. As far as a resume, at either school you build it - its all in your hands to build it. You have opportunity at both to do so. Being a fan of D1 sports doesn’t really take away much time from building a resume.</p>
<p>I am considering these two schools as well, for economics. I am very torn because they are so different. I am transferring from a small LAC in NY. Also considering UNC. The deadline is approaching and I am very confused! Good luck with your decision.</p>