Hi!!! I was accepted into both University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and Villanova University class of 2023. I am beginning to narrow my choices and I was hoping someone could provide insight into the general pros and cons of each university as I am unfamiliar with both. I live in the Midwest and have always dreamed of living in the Northeast, but Michigan seems to make sense proximity-wise as it is a 4 hour drive from home and I expect my family to visit often. To anyone with loyalty to either school, what fuels your pride and is there anything worth noting about the social and academic culture? I am attending college to study first and foremost, but I am hoping that they will be the best four years of my life too! I do not want to choose the wrong path. Please help!
Thank you!!
I don’t think it’s a good idea for your family to visit often. Part of going away is to experience being independent and you will be too busy to have to entertain them visiting often. Plan to come home for fall break in October and again thanksging. And a few weeks later you will be home again for Christmas break. Michigan has the quintessential college town Ann Arbor and great recreational and spectator sports. And great Greek life. Fall football Saturday’s, with tailgating, parties and rah rah spirit is a lot of fun. These are pros. Plus of course the top notch academic program in almost every field. You can’t go wrong academically with Michigan. I am not familiar with Villanova but you need to compare the cost difference —not worth it to pay much more for one versus the other especially if it will involve borrowing/loans. Are both schools affordable? Don’t go into too much debt for undergrad. Also if you want to study business but were admitted to Villanova business school but not Ross, then that should be a consideration too.
FWIW, my spouse is involved in hiring many kids out of these schools for the nyc area (consulting/accounting) and is unimpressed with the Villanova business school (and in general) grads. As direct admits to business school they have too a narrow focus and lack a general liberal arts well rounding that would make them more empathetic people and better overall candidates. If U Mich requires 2 years of general liberal arts before Ross, that is ideal and U Mich kids are just better candidates in general.
I don’t think you can beat Michigan for academics or the college town atmosphere. It seems obvious to me, The only exception might be if you want to major in business and weren’t a direct admit to Ross. You may not get into Ross at all in that situation.
You said you are unfamiliar with both schools yet you are choosing which of the two to attend? Why did you choose to apply to both in the first place? I would try to visit both in the next month to become better informed, to start.