Rutgers vs. UMich... and possibly Brandeis

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Like the title says, I am debating between RU, U of M, and Brandeis (the two former gaining more focus). Going pre-med and majoring in cognitive/behavioral science. Here's the story:</p>

<p>Rutgers: in-state, honors program, mom is an alum, parents would have to pay $6k per year, 'rents would buy me a car, I could come home easily on breaks, I know a professor who would let me do research, i think its too big.</p>

<p>I have told myself that I would not go to Rutgers, I have had little to 0 interest in going there ever. Also, my parents have been season football ticket holders since i was in the womb and I have been going to games since inception. I regularly visit the campus (not on tours and such) but for various alumni events with my mom who is a VERY active alum. My parents said that they would buy me a car, but I don't want that to be the deciding factor in my education-- deciding on one college over another by the fact that I get a car? Another thing is that about 1/3 or more of my high school class ends up at Rutgers and I personally want to go somewhere where I know no one.</p>

<p>Michigan: my top choice as of now (will visit soon), parents would have to pay full OOS tuition, relatively FAR from NJ (11 hrs by car), great college town, much more opportunity and better alumni network, wouldn't be able to come home as often, obviously umich athletics and school pride.</p>

<p>Michigan was the last college I selected to apply to, and so my parents do not think that I am as interested in it, but after doing research on it and getting accepted early on, I have come to really like the school. My parents do not think that the education is that much different from Rutgers and do not want to pay the high ticket price (even though they would shell out the money for an ivy or tufts). My parents are also afraid that I would never come home and eventually settle out there, which i totally wouldn't! I do like NJ, but I've lived here my whole life and I want to experience different scenery for college. I love that UMich has an amazing alumni network and also has a huge endowment so doing research wouldn't be that much of a problem I believe.</p>

<p>Brandeis: Much different vibe from state schools, newer, SMALLER, near Boston area, hardly anything in surrounding neighborhood, smaller classes... idk i haven't put much thought into brandeis.</p>

<p>Like I said, I haven't put much thought into it because I kind of ruled it out after visiting (without a tour guide and with only maps). I don't like how it doesn't have the charm of the older schools because its newer. But Boston is a nice area to go to school in, and it feeds to Tufts med school which is huge plus. </p>

<p>PLEASE post your opinions! Is a UMich education worth the money compared with a Rutgers education? PM me also if you have any more personal comments.</p>

2

<p>A Michigan education is outstanding but not work full OOS when you have a great institution like Rutgers for a mere 6K. As for Brandeis, it is also a great school but again not worth anymore than Rutgers. Unless Brandeis comes in at close to the amount in cost as Rutgers, this decision is easy - Rutgers.</p>

3

<p>HAHAHA Rutgers a great institution?</p>

<p><a href=“BigFuture College Search”>BigFuture College Search;

<p>Only 2% of Rutgers managed to score a 700 or higher on the Critical Reading Section on the SAT and only 4% could do the same in Math. Your peer group at Michigan will be on a whole other level.</p>

<p>Rutgers is merely an average 4-year university while you can make the argument that Michigan is one of the best schools in the country.</p>

4

<p>The $182,000 ($45,500 per year) difference between Michigan and Rutgers for you would make a big contribution against medical school expensive tuition.</p>

<p>So would the $208,000 ($52,000 per year) difference between Brandeis list price and Rutgers for you.</p>

<p>Unless your parents consider that to be pocket money, that is a huge reason to go to Rutgers at $6,000 per year.</p>

5

<p>For some reason, in-state students spend a lot of time hating on Rutgers. Outside NJ it has a solid reputation. Perhaps because of the grad school? In any case, it is extremely difficult to justify the OOS cost of Michigan when Rutgers offers what you need.</p>

<p>A college/university endowment has almost nothing to do with research opportunities. Most of those come out of the lab groups that are pulling in serious external funding. Since you have a clear academic goal, and a PI who is already willing to let you into a research group, that would be another reason to choose Rutgers. You won’t have to spend months trying to find a compatible group that will also accept you.</p>

<p>As for wanting to not know any of the students, just exactly how many of your HS classmates are going to actually land in the honors program with you at Rutgers, let alone in your specific classes? Unless there is a whole bunch of you who are interested in the same major, chances are that you will go weeks without seeing anyone from “home” unless you want to.</p>

<p>So you see that I’m voting with ucbalumnus. To to Rutgers, save the money. Spend it on a car or living expenses while you do an unpaid summer internship at NIH or NIMH or somewhere else, spend a semester or a year abroad so you can get the “I don’t know anyone here” experience. Choosing the cheap university will buy you a lot more flexibility.</p>

6

<p>Insane difference in $$…were you accepted anywhere in the middle financially?</p>

<p>Unless your parents have limitless funds, or you are one of those NJ kids who evaluates their self-worth by the car sticker for college, take the lowest COA, get an amazing GPA and save your dollars for grad school/med school etc…</p>

7

<p>Thank you everyone for the responses. I am not eligible for FA (Rutgers gave me merit scholarship, nothing from Michigan, and nothing from Brandeis). I’m not poor, but I am definitely not upper class either. My parents do have the money, its just that they think Michigan and Rutgers are on the same level in all respects and would rather pay $6k over $50k because in their minds its the same education. However, if I had gotten into an Ivy (which I am on the WL for two) they would fork over the money no questions asked. </p>

<p>@ Goldenboy8784: you posted the stats for Rutgers Newark. NOT New Brunswick which is the better school between the two (and the one that I would attend). Here is the link you should have posted </p>

<p><a href=“BigFuture College Search”>BigFuture College Search;

<p>Also something to add to equation, my grandfather has said on multiple occasions that he would help pay for a big part of med school if any of his grand kids were to go…</p>

8

<p>Rutgers by all means. Many family meembers are graduates from Rutgers and they are as successful as those from MIT. My cousin is a phamacy major and she was able to work anywhere any time, without any problem, now she is in the retirment age and still own about 7 rentals.</p>

9

<p>UMich is an AMAZING school. However, paying $$45,500 a year over $6,000 at another amazing school doesn’t seem worth it. </p>

<p>“Another thing is that about 1/3 or more of my high school class ends up at Rutgers and I personally want to go somewhere where I know no one.”
Out of the 5 campuses and the 28,000+ undergrads, I sincerely doubt that you’ll run into your old classmates often. </p>

<p>“I do like NJ, but I’ve lived here my whole life and I want to experience different scenery for college.”
Alright, I completely understand this. However, the 5 different campuses are all SO different that you still have so much to explore. I know this can’t exactly make up for the fact that you’ll still be in NJ, but you can always take a train to Philly or NYC to explore some new scenery! </p>

<p>Many people judge Rutgers based on some of the students who get in. You can’t judge a school based on the students, though. Most of the programs at Rutgers are ranked top-notch. Just because some students who get in are slackers does NOT mean the school itself is bad. The slackers will most definitely fall behind and fail miserably. The intelligent students will thrive and earn a degree highly coveted by employers. It is a great school, and it should not be judged by the few idiots who may get in here and there.</p>

<p>I think you should go for Rutgers. I’m sure a student like you could qualify for the Honors Program (which is great- you get separate rooms from the non-honors people!). That way, you can be distinguished from the slacker students while earning a degree at a top-notch school, AND while saving a BUNCH of money annually!</p>

10

<p>I can understand that you are not the biggest fan of Rutgers and I am personally a big fan of Michigan but given the price different, I believe that Rutgers is a much better choice.</p>