<p>Among the offers I have received, I have narrowed it down to two universities - UCLA and UMich. However, I am having quite a bit of trouble in choosing among these two universities. From what I've already read on Collegeconfidential, the consensus seems to be that both universities are nearly identical in academics, and that other factors should be taken into consideration. I'm more inclined towards UMich because of its better campus life (and the fact that its undergraduate program is pretty strong), but I'm quite concerned about its steadily declining rank in mathematics in the USNWR. Can somebody help me make a better decision?</p>
<p>Michigan’s Mathematics ranking has not declined according to the USNWR. It has been ranked between #8 and #10 for as long as I can remember. It is currently ranked #8 (tied with UCLA). I am not sure about UCLA, but Michigan’s Mathematics sequence is one of the best there is. </p>
<p>Go with fit. If you have visited both schools and preferred Michigan’s campus, go for Michigan. I am assuming you are OOS for both schools.</p>
<p>Thank you for your response. Although I haven’t visited either campus, I’ve read that the campus life and undergrad rigor are better at UMich. In addition, the plethora of concentrations available to math majors is quite enticing.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how much you know about UCLA, but how would you rate the campus life at these two places? (by the way, is there any reliable website in which I can read up about student reviews of the campus life of various colleges?)</p>
<p>Also, could you please provide a source for your claim that UCLA and UMich are tied at #8? I can’t seem to find it (the only page I found was the world rankings list, in which UMich was at #25).</p>
<p>What are the costs of the two schools? I’d probably pick the cheaper one.</p>
<p>If costs are equal, I think its a tough call. I think most people would be happy at either school.</p>
<p>Perhaps a small point, but UCLA currently has a fields medalist on staff (Terrance Tao.) I don’t believe Michigan does.</p>
<p>[Math</a> Prodigy Terence Tao, UCLA](<a href=“Math Prodigy Terence Tao, UCLA - YouTube”>Math Prodigy Terence Tao, UCLA - YouTube)</p>
<p>I agree that both universities are tit-for-tat. Choose based on fit like weather, social life, and so on. Westwood isn’t a complete college town like Michigan, but it is located in one of the world’s premiere cities. You can party in Westwood, go clubbing on Sunset, go to museums like The Getty, eat at numerous restaurants, go to the beach on the weekends, and so on. These are options that Ann Arbor simply couldn’t match. Whether that matters depends on you.</p>
<p>NRC rankings for math. Note that the NRC ranks grad schools, not undergrad. For an undergrad, the difference in quality between a #9 ranked math department and a #12 one is likely to be nonexistent.</p>
<p>Below is the link. The last time Michigan conducted rankings for Mathematics departments was in 2010. They should conduct a similar ranking again in 2014. I would not worry too much about it though, as departments do not change drastically in 3-4 years.</p>
<p>[Best</a> Mathematics Programs | Top Math Schools | US News Best Graduate Schools](<a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/mathematics-rankings]Best”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/mathematics-rankings)</p>
<p>Another US ranking, although I do not think it is as accurate, is the National Research Council (NRC) ranking. The NRC ranking is very hard to understand, as it uses several different statistical tools and reports rankings in a very confusing manner. The S Ranking (high and low) measures programs according to criteria that scholars say are important while R Ranking (high and law) measures programs according to their reputation among those scholars. Still, it is more reliable a source for ranking US universities than a British source. According to the NRC, Michigan’s Mathematics department is ranked between #4 and #12 and UCLA’s is ranked between #8 and #21. Again, both are equal here too. Rankings do not distinguish between those two universities.</p>
<p>[NRC</a> Rankings Overview: Mathematics - Faculty - The Chronicle of Higher Education](<a href=“NRC Rankings Overview: Mathematics”>NRC Rankings Overview: Mathematics)</p>
<p>“Perhaps a small point, but UCLA currently has a fields medalist on staff (Terrance Tao.) I don’t believe Michigan does.”</p>
<p>True, but Michigan actually has an alum (completed both his undergrad and grad at Michigan) who won the Fields Medal. Does UCLA? ;)</p>
<p>[Stephen</a> Smale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Smale]Stephen”>Stephen Smale - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>I would focus on fit, assuming cost is not a variable. Michigan and UCLA are very different. Michigan is located in Ann Arbor, a college town, while UCLA is located in a major city. Some prefer the college town experience while others prefer the big city experience. Also, UCLA has a far more diverse student body racially and socio-economically. 35% of UCLA students are white, compared to 35% Asian and 20% hispanic. Michigan is 65% white, 15% Asian and 10% black and Hispanic. Also, 40% of UCLA students qualify for Pell Grant (low income families) compared to just 10% of Michigan students, so on average, Michigan students tend to be wealthier. On the other hand, Michigan has more geographic diversity; 40% of Michigan undergrads come out of state compared to 10% at UCLA. Clearly, the campus culture at those two universities is very different.</p>
<p>Which college would be more friendly towards international students?</p>
<p>I think UCLA has greater international recognition, especially in the Far East, for what its worth.</p>
<p>^^Doesn’t answer the question. Michigan is very friendly towards internationals. It has the 8th highest number of matriculated internationals in this country.</p>
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Traffic in West LA is among the worst congestion in the world. Public transportation options include the bus…until Villaragosa builds his “subway to the sea” which may or may not be completed for decades.</p>
<p>Westwood doesn’t have the same traditional college town atmosphere that Ann Arbor does, but Westwood/LA does have much more to do.</p>
<p>^^^^That is why they are hard to compare in terms of location.</p>
<p>reddog, Westwood does not have much more to do than Ann Arbor. LA does, but not for college students living in a college student budget.</p>
<p>Both Michigan and UCLA are very international-friendly. Both have close to 2,000 international undergrads. No issues for international students at either college. </p>
<p>Internationally, Michigan and UCLA have similar reputations, though I would give UCLA the slight edge in the East and Michigan the slight edge in Europe. Either way, the difference in reputation globally is negligible. Both are very well regarded internationally.</p>
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Based on my years of experience living and working in Asia, Michgian has stronger alumni networks in Asia, especially in east Asia.</p>
<p>"Also, 40% of UCLA students qualify for Pell Grant (low income families) compared to just 10% of Michigan students, " by Alexandre</p>
<p>Bottomline go with Michigan if you want to be with rich (arguably snobby) kids whose parents could afford the best private schools and SAT or ACT tutoring. UCLA if you want combination of both rich and poor and high racial diversity.</p>
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<p>That may be, but you’re really responding to a different statement than Goldenboy’s. Whether Michigan has a stronger alumni network has nothing to do with whether it has more international recognition.</p>
<p>I’m also skeptical of your ‘Michigan has a stronger alumni network’ claim. As a Michigan alum, wouldn’t it be fairly easy for you to network with other Michigan alums (as opposed to UCLA alums) which then strengthens your belief that Michigan has the stronger alumni network? </p>
<p>What i’m interested in knowing is A) in your experience in east asia, how many UCLA alums have you met, and B) Of the ones that you have, in what industries have you met them in?</p>