Hello! I was recently accepted to both RHIT and U of M and find it hard to make a decision. I currently plan to major in Mechanical Engineering but also have great interests in Robotics and Management, which means the quality of related minors and/or programs would be an improtant factor to me. I also plan to go to graduate school, so the career opportunities would be less important than academic.(I’m not interested in five-year programs though) Other things such as whether, environment, and facilities also matters, but since I’m an international student, it would not be possible to make a campus visit. I really want to know more about these two schools, any information/adevice would be greatly appreciated!!
P.S. Cost is not a problem.
You say cost isn’t a problem, but is there any net price difference?
They are very different college environments. Both have very respected engineering programs but one is a small technical institute, the other is a big, comprehensive research university. I would think Ann Arbor is a much more attractive college town than Terre Haute. Weather must not be all that different (since they are in neighboring states, within ~350 mi. of each other). I can’t imagine you’d find too much (academically or socially) at R-H that isn’t also available at Michigan (with the possible exception of more small classes and personal attention at R-H).
Have you checked the Michigan and R-H forums?
In terms of quality, they are both top notch. And they have similar weather. But they are very, VERY different. Michigan is very large and offers many different academic options, should you choose to change majors. Rose-Hulman is small, and if you choose to switch to a non-engineering major, you have limited options.
If you prize an intimate college experience and small classes above all else, Rose-Hulman is a better option. Otherwise, I recommend Michigan for an international student…especially if you intend on returning home after college. Michigan has a strong reputation in Europe and Asia, which could make a difference if you look for work back home after college. Also, Ann Arbor has more to offer than Terre Haute.
@tk21769 Thanks! I didn’t pay attention and have just realized that there is no major difference on the cost of two schools, lol. Anyway, are you sure that they have similar weather? I was imagining a big difference since it looks like Ann Arbor is in the north and very close to Canada while Terre Haute is in the middle of the US. Things would be a little different if I was thinking wrongly.
@Alexandre Thanks! I believe I’m going to stick at engineering majors, so not offering non-engineering majors would not be a big problem. Also, sorry for not making it clear: I plan to further my study in graduate school right after leaving the college, and I’m not sure whether I will stay in the US or return to China after that. It’s just I won’t choose U of M simply because it has five-year programs. And I care more about the chance of getting into a better graduate program than their reputation in my hometown.
Ann Arbor is a lot more convenient to travel to/from. Detroit airport (DTW) is only about 40 km from campus, with direct flights or easy connections to most anywhere (non-stops to Beijing and Shanghai) , and easy access to UM Campus on the Michigan Flyer bus (www.michiganflyer.com) or taxi . Terre Haute has no commercial airline service, and only has ground service to/from Indianapolis airport. Rose-Hulman runs a shuttle bus from Chicago O’Hare and Indianapolis airports at the beginning and end of the semester.
Which do you think you would prefer? Rose Hulman, which is a very undergraduate focused private university. It is about 80% male and has a total enrollment of around 2400 people. It will be very STEM centric so the people around you will likely be more like you. It is in a rather isolated town in Indiana and the campus life is not nearly as interesting as it would be in Michigan. Or Michigan, which is a top university regardless of what a person chooses to major in. It is in a small city with a very vibrant campus. The engineering campus is a couple of miles from the main campus and requires a bus (I believe U of M has one) to ferry you to and from the engineering campus. Michigan is a major research university and will have more engineering majors than RH does students. This is a situation where you have been accepted to two very excellent but very different universities. Much depends on you and what you feel would fit you best.
Much different atmospheres. Ann Arbor Michigan is a really nice college town, lots going on and doing OK economically (which is a big plus in that area). Very close to Detroit, and not far from Chicago/Cleveland for culture and major employers for internships, plus good airports. Terre Haute Indiana is not in as good a shape economically, the town itself isn’t particularly vibrant and the area outside Terre Haute has a more agricultural bent. Not too far from Indianapolis which is doing well economically and has culture and major employers. UMichigan is very much a University with all that goes with it and very well regarded as a public university, is doing well attracting research $. Rose Hulman is a very respected STEM school - but likely not as well known outside the US if that’s a consideration. I think it comes down to which feel and geographic location is preferable. Weather won’t be that different, UMich may be a bit colder and a little more snow but not by a major amount.