<p>So, I have been accepted to Michigan LSA (oos) and have applied to Northwestern. Let's say I get accepted, and it comes down to Michigan or Northwestern.
Where should I go? I'll most likely pursue something in economics, the sciences, or business (Ross at Michigan but NU doesn't have undergrad b school)</p>
<p>I live in Illinois, so NU's proximity to Chicago isn't all that special for me, while Michigan is oos tuition.</p>
<p>Here is what I have gathered about the schools</p>
<p>Michigan -
1. Prestigious and very good in the areas of economics/business and science
2. Not as cutthroat and not as difficult to get high gpa
3. Ann Arbor > Evanston imo
4. Michigan offers a better overall "college experience"
5. While NU's student body is slightly smarter overall, a top student at Michigan will be just as successful whether they are at Michigan or NU (where they would most likely be an avg student facing a curve)</p>
<p>Northwestern -
1. Ranked higher on USNWR national rankings
2. Slightly more prestigious
3. More intelligent student body on average (which is a blessing and a curse)</p>
<p>-- I've essentially arrived at a view that Northwestern is slightly better academically (though both are great), while Michigan is better in all other respects like social life, campus, school spirit, and athletics
Cost doesn't matter.</p>
<p>I posted this on the Michigan thread as well, but I want to hear from NU people, is what I said accurate? Anything you would like to confirm, challenge, or add?</p>
<p>Also, I don’t know if this makes much of a difference, but Michigan markets itself as the “Leaders and Best”. I’m not aware of any NU slogan. And I forgot to mention that Michigan is ranked higher in the USNWR World university rankings.
Something else that came up - people say Northwestern has the edge in that the student body is smaller so the learning and classes are more personalized and better, but then why isn’t Northwestern ranked by U.S. news in colleges for best undergraduate teaching? They ranked the top 14 schools, Michigan is #12. </p>
<p>Judging from the lack of responses, I’m assuming all of you agree with me then that Michigan is a better school. I’ve had numerous responses on the Michigan forum that have told me UMich is better, zero on this in the same time frame telling me otherwise.</p>
<p>I still have a very open mind, but the lack of responses is making me think northwestern may be overrated.</p>
<p>Not only are you arrogantly anticipating something that is premature (you have NOT been admitted to NU) but IF you are admitted there will be plenty of time, if you want, to visit and compare then. Right now, UMichigan is the place for you.</p>
<p>Northwestern is not overrated. Michigan is an excellent school, but NU is ranked higher by US News and is considered by many to be more prestigious.</p>
<p>Another consideration is that you have not yet been admitted to Ross. You will have to apply once you are at Michigan - I’m not sure how difficult admission would be.</p>
<p>Have you visited both campuses? Personally, I will vote for NU over UMich oos LSA. If it is in state Umich, there would be other considerations like the particular program and cost of attending.</p>
<p>I think it’s very naive to go purely based off of one source’s ranking to determine which is a superior school. Both are BIG 10, so social/sports/climate/etc. are all fairly similar; it’s just more subjective to personal preference. Personally, I love both schools, but I prefer NU’s proximity to a major city (Chicago) while Evanston still maintains a college town feel. Also, because UMich is public (and OOS for you), you can expect grant money to be far less from UMich than NU as NU’s private status gives them much more flexibility. Unfortunately, public OOS schools have a general trend of inflating the tuition with little aid given in order to heavily subsidize the cost for in-state students. I have yet to hear my decision from either school, but I am leaning towards NU at this point.</p>
<p>Also, while NU doesn’t have an undergrad business school (which is a downside imo), they have other programs that basically offer a business curriculum. I’d advise you to look into the Business Institutions Program minor and the Kellogg Certificate Program before you dismiss NU as only having an econ curriculum.</p>
<p>Good luck in your search and I hope you end up wherever is right for you!</p>
<p>Prakash, you posted something on December 25 (your OP) and then complained on December 26 that there weren’t enough responses. Why don’t you use those strong NU and Michigan worthy critical thinking skills to figure out why you might not have gotten a lot of responses? </p>
<p>It sounds like you want to like Michigan more. So fine! Like it more!</p>
<p>" I’ve essentially arrived at a view that Northwestern is slightly better academically (though both are great), while Michigan is better in all other respects like social life, campus, school spirit, and athletics"</p>
<p>When it comes to intangibles like social life, campus, school spirit, etc. there is no universal “better.” There are just different flavors. Some people will like Evanston / Chicago. Some people will like Ann Arbor. Some people prefer a smaller place, some people prefer a larger place. Trying to ascertain which one is better is like asking whether mint chocolate chip is better than butter pecan. It matters not how many people like each flavor and how strongly they express that preference. It only matters what you prefer. </p>
<p>The fact that you are counting responses on threads sounds to me like you’re trying to survey people about how passionately they love mint chocolate chip and butter pecan, instead of tasting the two yourself. They are both great schools – there is no need to put down the other – but with some different looks and feels.</p>
<p>Calm down. Relax. Don’t be so defensive. And don’t resort to personal accusations. It doesn’t help your side.</p>
<p>And news flash, Michigan has better school spirit and athletics. No one can reasonable argue against this. NU students get free admission to football games because not enough people want to show up, and the stands still aren’t full.
Anyway, think what you want. </p>