<p>D is really struggling with the above decision. She loves both programs and is having a hard time turning either one down. Right now she is planning on Pre-Med but is not totally sure if that is the route she wants to go. Because she got a partial scholarship to Michigan, it is a little cheaper than TX (OOS at both schools), but not really enough to be a factor. Although UM is a better school overall, it is not at all clear which honors college is better. She has visited both schools and thinks that both are a perfect fit for her. Although having to chose from two great options isn't bad, it still doesn't make the decision any easier. Any advice anyone might have will be much appreciated.</p>
<p>I don’t think Honors programs matter a whole lot in the grad school process.</p>
<p>I would go with Michigan since it is a bit cheaper and also a bit better overall. Honors should not be the main criterion of which one she should choose. Also consider that UM is about 1/3 OOS. as compared to UT which is less so. Much more diversity to be had in Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>A lot of instate Texas students blow off UT Honors. While a lot of instate Michigan students blow off Michigan too, I think UT’s rejected more by instate Texans than Michigan.</p>
<p>Even though I’ve heard a lot of good things about Plan II (my cousin is in it) all the way up here in Michigan, I think the name of UM along with its Honors College will take your daughter farther. You really can’t go wrong with either school, but I think UM has the edge.</p>
<p>I have one son who attends UT Austin (but not in honors). He started in Liberal Arts then switched to Advertising. His experience has been that its hard to connect since there are few out of state kids and a lot of the other kids are already connected and/or go home for weekends. Also, UT’s requirements are very specific and there are so few courses that are available to kids outside of each major, that he has found it hard to take classes just to explore. He is on a pretty rigid path. The other son just got into UMichigan Honors for Chemistry and Physics. He is finding that the Honors Program is really like a school within a school. there are special advisors, special dining areas, and special orientation sessions. It also appears that the curriculum requirements allow for a bit more freedom, especially since he can apparently make almost any class an honors course if he wants to. I’m sure that this helps since it might not relate to a pre-med path, but thought I’d share anyway. We also got pretty frustrated with UT because it was really hard to register and get the classes my S wanted during Freshman and Sophomore year. It was easier registering for Junior Year, happily. We shall see how it goes with UM. With some experience under our belts, these are the types of things we have found to be much more important than dorms and weather! Good luck.</p>
<p>If Michigan is cheaper, I would recommend Michigan. The Honors program at Michigan is not that special relatively speaking, primarily because the rest of the University is just as excellent, but it is a nice feeling to have been admitted just the same. The average Honors students graduated from high school with similar stats as HYP students (3.8-4.0 unweighed GPA, 1440-1540/33/35 mid 50% SAT/ACT, top 1% class rank and excellent ECs etc…).</p>
<p>There are a few things that make Michigan, in my opinion, a better option:</p>
<p>-Only 60% of Michigan students are in-state, compared to 90% at UT.
-Austin, although one of the nicest cities in the US, has gotten so large in recent years that the University has lost its hold on the city. Michigan and Ann Arbor remain a very committed couple
-Michigan has a top ranked Medical school and hospital which is committed to the University. Roughly 30% of the students at Michigan medical school completed their undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan. The UT-system also has an excellent Medical school but it is in Dallas and not as accessible to UT-Austin students
-Overall, for whatever reason, Michigan has a stronger reputation. Should you daughter choose not to become a doctor, the Michigan degree may open more doors</p>
<p>Of course, those are oversimplied reasons, but then again, the gap between those two peer universities is tiny as it is. </p>
<p>You said she loves programs, but has she visited both campuses? Did she like one more than the other?</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses. She has visited both schools and loved both schools. Even though we were at Michigan when it was 10 degrees, she still loved it there. She is totally into big time sports and we went to a UM/OSU hockey game and she absolutely loved the atmosphere. But then when we went to UT we went to a football game and as we are walking to our seats with the huge band on the field and the stands packed and people yelling TEXAS … FIGHT before the game even started, followed by a flyover and she said “Yup, I’m going here.” That was, however before she visited UM. Don’t get me wrong, the big time athletics is not the reason she has narrowed down to these two schools, but it is important to her. She believes either program would be perfect for her, its just hard to say no to a perfect program. Right now, she is slightly leaning UM, but she is going to give it a couple more days before deciding. </p>
<p>BTW, I have tried to be completely unbiased, but it is hard for me because I’m a UT alum.</p>
<p>BTW2, one thing interesting to me, is that I got six responses in a few hours after posting here. I put almost the identical post in the UT chat thread and got 0 responses. I’m not sure what that means but I think maybe it means something.</p>
<p>Wow, it is eerie how much you sound like my mom, in a good way haha. She went to Berkeley and also tried to be “unbiased” throughout the process, but she is a tiny part of the reason I chose a big sports and spirit school in UM, if not her exact alma mater. Btw I am going to be in the honors program at UM and I can tell you I have already connected with a few girls who are also interested in studying AND rooting on UMs awesome sports. It’s perfect for me :)</p>
<p>Sent from my PC36100 using CC App</p>
<p>“BTW2, one thing interesting to me, is that I got six responses in a few hours after posting here. I put almost the identical post in the UT chat thread and got 0 responses. I’m not sure what that means but I think maybe it means something”</p>
<p>It means that Michigan is considered a CC top university and The UT is not. Look at the number of posts Michigan has on it’s site thread and compare it to all the other schools.</p>
<p>Thanks for the comments, they were very helpful. D accepted at Michigan today and she is totally pumped. Geaux Blue!!</p>
<p>“Geaux Blue!!”</p>
<p>This isn’t Louisiana you know. We say, “Go Blue!” around here. ;-)</p>
<p>@Alexandre:</p>
<p>Is the honors college restricted to LSA students? Or anyone with a honors concentration in any amjor can apply for that?</p>
<p>Can transfer student apply for that?</p>
<p>Honors is purely for the school of LSA. The CoE and Ross do not have honors programs.</p>
<p>Geaux Bleu!!! lol… I can dig it.</p>