<p>alright great. my family is upper middle class so we sorta get screwed (not enough to pay, too much to get significant aid) i hope i get some good money.</p>
<p>recap5,</p>
<p>Both schools have their advantages and disadvantages--and both are in great college towns. Make sure you go to the one you're going to feel most comfortable with, and then enjoy your choice. </p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>recap5: Were you admitted to the honors program/college at Indiana University? If so, then you will find a good peer group as I believe that you can take two honors courses per semester. If you did not qualify for honors, then you may be among your intellectual peers in the regular studentbody as IU's honors is not difficult re: being admitted to the program.</p>
<p>I won't comment on IU since I don't know it, but UMich has that energy of intellectualism about it that you often find at the best schools - it's just there in the confidence of the students and the campus.</p>
<p>Obviously, both schools are huge and you'll find your niche easily either way. But, for the general overall intellectual, I would be surprised if IU shared what Michigan offers in that sense. </p>
<p>If it's worth anything, UMich doesn't ever hurt on a resume either.</p>
<p>I won't comment on UMich since I don't know it, but I will note that IU doesn't hurt on a resume any more than UMich. We have smart students and top-of-the-line professors (esp. in business and the life sciences). We also have tons of partiers and the occasional dud lecturer. The campus is large enough to avoid or meet whichever set you prefer.</p>
<p>I think you'll find happiness at either school, and worrying about it is only detracting from the elation you should be feeling at leaving high school behind :p All this about an "intellectual feel" or an "artsy feel" people like to attribute to campuses is mostly manufactured. I was second in a class of 700 at my mildly competitive school and am maintaining a 3.85 in chemistry here--I have certainly not been held back by the "party" atmosphere. If anything I get a nice egotistic lift every time I walk down Kirkwood.</p>
<p>Right now it seems like this is an enormous decision, but whether you're happy a few years from now doesn't depend on where you go, but what you do with yourself. Personally, I would stay in state and save your parents the extra $15k a year, and save yourself the fretting over finding the 'perfect fit' for grad school.</p>