I want to know which is the better school for me. I am likely qualified for both. I am applying to engineering and which would be better. I know Michigan has a top engineering program, unlike Vandy but I love both schools. I am interested in math the most, finance, and the sciences. I do not really want to go to a university and get stuck studying a major like mechanical if I end up not liking it. There are a couple majors that seem very appealing, the engineering science major at Vandy, and the Industrial and Operations systems engineering program. They’re both great schools and academics aside I’d love to go to either. I know Michigan is ranked higher, but which should I chose between if I am undecided in engineering paths but love math, and like the sciences and business as well.
Apply to both. I am sure your will find the right program for you at either school if accepted. Note that the admission rate of CoE, particularly from OOS, is rather low. So not every qualified student (by test scores and GPA) would be admitted. Your ACT 34 is within the mid 50 and near 75th percentile for UMich CoE but not really out standing. The admission average last year was 33.
If you want to keep all options open, Michigan over Vanderbilt makes sense. It is superior in every aspect you have listed, from Engineering to Mathematics to placement in Wall Street firms if Finance is your thing. Vanderbilt is excellent mind you, but not in matters that interest you. If you were prelaw or premed or interested in a liberal arts education, I would say both are equal and to go for fit. But in your chosen fields/professions, Michigan edges Vanderbilt.
@billcsho, with n ACT of 34 how is it that the OP’s ACT is not outstanding, even for OOS? His or her score is above the average for CoE and is 2 points away from a perfect score. If the Math and Science ACT components are high, I would say he has an excellent shot based on scores and should make sure his essays and ECs. The scores would seem solid in my IMO.
@umsigmadom Above average and outstanding are different. ACT 34 is outstanding by itself but not among the students admitted at CoE. While the overall CoE admission median last year was 33, the median for OOS would be at least 33 or 34. You are right that the Math score is important though. It does not matter if it is 2 points away from a perfect score. Just like GPA, 3.9 is just 0.1 away from a perfect 4 while it is just the admission average.
I got into both Michigan and Vandy for physics/math and chose Michigan, but it seemed like kind of a no-brainer to me. I’m dead set on research and Michigan not only has more faculty–which means more variety and opportunities–but their math and physics departments are top 10/15 in the U.S. and are a lot more internationally recognized than Vanderbilt’s. This is something I really wanted for potential recommendation letters and experience.
Despite this, I would have gone to the school that gave me more financial aid, but the packages were practically the same. Besides money, I think it’s all about preference (even besides my goals, I liked the idea of living in Ann Arbor better than Nashville, etc.)
I think Michigan is indeed better for engineering though, and even if you switch majors you wouldn’t have to worry about being in a low-ranked department. Only thing is you’re not really free to do business at Michigan unless you get into Ross.
I would say apply to both and make a decision after you get your acceptances.
Thank you all… this was all good advice and helpful… The decision will still be hard nonetheless… The more replies the better. Any more advice would be greatly appreciated!
@eyo777 the issue is I would probably not get into Vandy regular decision… It’s very unlikely. So the only way I would apply EA to Mich and RD to Vandy is if my top choice is Mich which I am still unsure of. I like both schools and environments and cities etc about equal, but education-wise, Mich experience just seems awesome, so Id pick it over Vandy, but strategically playing the ED game with colleges. If I get into Vandy ED and have to go there I don’t think I’d be missing out on much with the (what if), but if I just apply to EA schools and don’t get into Mich I don’t really have any backup options. I mean, USC and UCLA are on my radar for safety schools but I am not nearly as interested in them and still nothing is gauranteed as they are both still great schools. It will either be ED Vandy EA Mich or just only EA schools. I am applying to about 9 schools 6 of which are pretty much EA, and then the other 2 are RD and Vandy is either ED or RD but I am not sure. I would consider ED2 but Id rather not as I heard it almost means nothing to admissions and Id rather keep my options open if I can.
“I would probably not get into Vandy regular decision”
98futureengineer, ED improves your odds ONLY if you are qualified enough to get into the university RD. That being said, why apply ED to Vanderbilt? Why not Cornell? They fit your interests much better than Vanderbilt. In fact, Cornell is almost identical to Michigan (top 10 Engineering, excellent in Mathematics and really good at Wall Street placement). Personally, I would ED Cornell and EA Michigan…assuming you really like Cornell upon closer inspection.
This is just another reason why I dislike universities playing the ED game.
@Alexandre and @rjkofnovi … 1. I don’t really like Cornell and if I do apply it will only be RD. 2. I am not applying to a school just for academics. I am applying to U-M and Vandy as top choices on the premises that they are also the 2 schools I would enjoy living at the most. 3. That is entirely not try about the qualification thing. At my school, kids who apply ED get with an average of .5 lower GPA. For example, the kids at my school that get into WashU with a WGPA get in with about a 4.0-4.2… and a 30-33… The kids who get in RD average with about a 4.5-4.8 and a 33-36…
If you are applying to Vanderbilt ED and accepted you will be attending that school, barring financial considerations, period. Michigan will no longer be available to you and your choice will be made. Would you be happy with that arrangement? If you aren’t positive, then don’t apply ED! That’s why this stupid game that so many elite privates play is really pathetic. Schools like Vanderbilt have no problem filling their classes with well qualified students, they don’t need ED! They use ED to stroke their fragile egos. They could care less how it affects top students in making a major decision.
I agree with rjk. Only apply ED if you are certain that Vanderbilt is your first choice.
If he applies ED to Cornell and dislikes engineering he could always become a farmer (lol).
Part of fit is culture and the kid that loves Vandy might not like Michigan and vice versa.