<p>My son is a high school junior and desires to study Aerospace Engineering in college. I know this seems like an easy question given Michigan's ranking in relation to the others but, fo him, it is not. I am a Florida alum so he has grown up going to Gator games and loves the campus and atmosphere at UF. However, we live in Virginia at this point and VT is the best engineering program in the state. Michigan is the only campus of the three that we have not yet been able to visit but, from what people say on this site about Ann Arbor as a college town, I'm sure he would love it. While we have not lived in a climate quite like Ann Arbor, he enjoys the snow, so I don't think the weather would be a negative.</p>
<p>Another twist to this is that he is seeking a Navy ROTC scholarship and all three have a fine NROTC program. We like the structure that the Corps of Cadets at VT would provide but all would certainly fit the bill. Since he is going ROTC, out of state tuition is not an issue.</p>
<p>Should Michigan's engineering ranking (UM top seven undergrad engineering, top three in Aerospace) in relation to the others (all among top 25-30 undergraduate engineering programs) be a major factor since this is undergrad and he will spend at least the next four to five years in the Navy? Could his choice impact his possibilities for grad school down the road if he chooses to leave the Navy following his obligated service? Is Michigan's high ranking something that could assist him in other ways down the road that we are not even considering?</p>
<p>Thanks for any assistance.</p>