<p>Whew! Ok, long list, done all the fine internet research possible, weighing finaid as it comes (or not :)), pls cast your votes and give me any opinions on the choice at hand.</p>
<p>Potential student = very social, intended engineering major (unsure of discipline and also has interests in philosp., archaeology, sociology - so might end up in liberal arts), will audition for marching band - very serious about the marching band part. Have visited all but Miami and Wisconsin so have no real feeling or attachment to either. Views a student body of 40K as a chance to make 40K new friends. </p>
<p>There isn’t a bum in the lot! Those are all good-great universities. For Engineering, Cornell and Michigan are the top 2, but Wisconsin and PSU are also excellent. </p>
<p>Miami and Pitt are also very good in Engineering, but not as good as the other four.</p>
<p>Michigan, PSU, Wisconsin, Pitt and Miami all have excellent marching bands. Cornell not so much.</p>
<p>The best combination for Engineering, Humanities/Liberal Arts and marching band is Michigan, closely followed by Wiconsin. Drop the Marching Band and Cornell and Michigan become you best bet.</p>
<p>Whichever is cheapest when it comes to Cornell, Michigan, Wisconsin or Penn State.
Miami if you plan on living in Florida/South for your career. Pitt if it’s a clear cost savings.<br>
If costs are similar, go with the environment you prefer.</p>
<p>Almost forgot, add Rutgers (instate) to the list though it was the only school we had an instant distaste for (and we really tried to keep open minded throughout the 1 hr bus tour). Also PSU is hopefully enhanced with Schreyer’s Honors College - but that isn’t a done deal yet. Thanks!</p>
<p>It’s obvious. Cornell is in a league of its own when it comes to engineering and it has the Ivy League label that will withstand the hands of time.</p>
<p>averby–really?? Cornell is right in the mix with the rest but hardly vastly superior. A little below Mich, a little above Wisconsin and PSU but all are within a few spots of each other. And Cornell was founded after UM and UW so they all have stood the test of time to a similar extent.</p>
<p>Sounds like UM and UW are your best bets. I was able to visit UW in October (my daughter is at grad school there in CS.) It’s just a really great college town. I was there for a week and enjoyed the different parts of town, cool streets like Willy street and attended the Fair there, went to the great coop store. Went to State Street area to see all the undergrad hangouts. Saw music, lots of venues. Good coffee shops. Good food and restaurants, CHEESE, BEER. You can bike most anywhere and the transportation was good. The Memorial Student Union is fantastic starting with the massive terrace on the lake. Inside is the Rathskellar, a room with a piano people play, art gallery, theater with free movies. Didn’t see much more of the campus, saw the huge stadium. Rose Bowl this year! Just a fun and lively town. My daughter gets to Chicago and Milwaukee occasionally. Can’t you visit?Anyway, I understand Michigan has similiar atmosphere, as good or better a college town.</p>
<p>Actually Cornell is the one I have the most reservations about, clearly the toughest to get into but the vibe (pls excuse my lame hippie language) I am getting from my neighbor who goes there is the pre-med/early engineering classes are designed to weed out people, the professors don’t care to know you. If you have a problem, you can email the TA for an appt which will be 2 wks out. This neighbor has recitations with 200 kids. The vibe is sink or swim and if you sink, well - you didn’t belong there. The vibe I have gotten from PSU and Michigan is that it is a team effort, there are resources if you are having trouble and noone wants to see you fail. I’m more impressed by what I saw at Michigan with research labs, student teams. </p>
<p>Brownparent - Thanks for the input, I’ve been looking at youtube tour videos to get a feel for the town. Just worry about the reputation as a huge drunken bash 7 nights a week! And it is farther from home, Michigan is 10 hours drive, I think Madison is another 5. </p>
<p>If you had to rank the research opportunities for undergrads, how would these shake out?</p>
<p>any reason you left out Illinois? It is quite strong in Engineering, but less so in non-Engineering.</p>
<p>Anyway, Michigan all the way. Cornell is not known for school spirit/marching band, and you are correct that a student often feels, well, unsupported in the midst of the hyper-competitiveness of the premeds. I don’t have any exposure to what it’s like to be an Engineering student at Cornell… Wisconsin would be my #2 choice. A GREAT college town, maybe the best in the country.</p>
<p>Illinois seemed too far, and not better than Michigan. Wisconsin we might have to make a trip to see. Alot will come down to finaid, if any to tip the balance towards one or the other. Thanks for all the input!</p>
<p>My nephew was an engineering student at Penn State who was also in the marching band. He really loved the band. They put them up at nice hotels for several days for the bowl games.</p>