<p>I've been accepted to both engineering schools.</p>
<p>I'd rather go to Penn, though it would involve some significant debt for me, which I am willing to accept, particularly leaving school with a mechanical engineering degree.</p>
<p>Since I'm a resident of Michigan, UM is much more affordable.</p>
<p>Any opinions on attending Penn w/ debt vs. attending Michigan without it?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I prefer penn!!!</p>
<p>Michigan…</p>
<p>For engineering, it doesn’t make sense to spend the money on Penn when you are in-state for Michigan.</p>
<p>The grass is always greener on the other side, especially to a high school student who typically does not appreciate what he has in his own backyard until perhaps much older. It is difficult to turn down an Ivy League for a state school that has a much higher acceptance rate, even though its engineering programs are absolutely outstanding and superior to Penn’s (for ME, #5 vs #22). </p>
<p>You didn’t say why you preferred Penn. Perhaps it’s a heart vs. head decision now, and in that case, no one can help you make this decision.</p>
<p>Is there any particular reason you’re considering paying more to go to school that’s significantly not at good at engineering?</p>
<p>Unless your parents are absolutely loaded and the money makes no difference to them, this is an easy call: Michigan. For what you want to do it’s a much better school, and it’s cheaper. What’s not to like about that equation?</p>
<p>If you had said “modest” debt, I might have suggested you go with whatever is pulling you toward Penn…Ivy status, East Coast vibe, experience living out of your home state. </p>
<p>But to go into “significant” debt while giving up the degree from the more prestigious engineering program is not a smart decision. Significant debt compounds significantly and will come to be a yoke around your neck and a weight on your mind. You may have to give up a preferred job in a preferred location because you won’t be able to live there and make payments on your debt…you may have to delay buying a house (maybe missing a great buying opportunity) because of the debt…you will have to delay saving for your future retirement or your own child’s college education because of the debt. (Remember that savings compound also.)</p>
<p>You have the rest of your working life to get out of Dodge, so to speak, and live where you want. Go to UM and graduate without debt.</p>
<p>Yeah, if you study business, go to Penn for sure. It makes no sense to have a “signicant” debt in Penn just for an Engineering degree which is not strong in Penn.</p>
<p>Michigan in business is top 5 as well and I’d not spend the additional $$$ if I were instate and could attend Ross. Just makes no sense to go to a school that costs so much more while delivering less in engineering.</p>
<p>University of Michigan! Less debt and better engineering. Don’t get caught up in the ivy league crap. For what you want to do, Michigan is the better school and allows you to avoid significant debt. This is a no brainer to me.</p>
<p>Michigan is a great school. If you’re thinking about engineering, I’d definitely say Michigan.</p>