<p>I was wondering: what is it exactly that sets large state schools apart other than their geographical differences? For example, what is it that makes UM and UT so different? If you live in the state of one, would it be meaningless to apply to the other because of similar academics? Also, how do these schools compare to large privates, such as BU and NYU?</p>
<p>Can't answer your first question other than to tell you that each university obviously has its strengths (i.e. UT A is known for business). Regarding your second question, Michigan and Texas are WAY above BU and NYU, no doubt about it.</p>
<p>UT is strong in a lot of things, business and engineering to be specific. It seems as if UMich (though I don't know too much) is strong in the pure sciences. It is hard to compare state schools. From an economical perspective, it doesn't make too much sense to go to a state school out of state, the opportunites seem similar. A few exceptions to this might be UNC, UVA, UCBerkeley, and of course UT Austin.</p>
<p>Umich is much more expensive than UT A. It also carries slightly more name recognition...aggregately. However, UT A is scintillating in business and engineering. It is arguably more collegiate than UMich in the sense that it has a much greaterr social ambience IMO.</p>
<p>UT Austin has a strong business and engineering school. The school of communications is also quite good, the advertising program there is great. The school also created a film company within the film school, so that should make for an interesting future.</p>
<p>Social Ambience = Partying</p>
<p>Partying happens at most schools. Who cares?</p>
<p>There's more to it than that, UT really helps the students feel together and united, it's something you just have to experience but there's an immense amount of pride for the school.</p>
<p>Haha thanks Jacobian for that. I tried to be delicate considering as how there are some who are not into that kind of thing. :)</p>
<p>Yay Longhorns!</p>
<p>You really can't rag on UT Business. MBHP (Mitte Business Honors Program) is probably an education that is just as good as a wharton education, if not better. The average UT business honors student, is ranked in the top 10 people (not %) of his/her graduating class, and has an SAT score in the 1500s. In 2003, they rejected 25 valedictorians. Quantitatively, those numbers speak for themselves. Qualitatively, UT Business honors is well represented in the top Business Schools around the country (Northwestern, HBS, SBS, MIT, Tuck etc)</p>
<p>Couple that with the top notch engineering honors program and plan 2 liberal arts honors program, and you have nationally elite programs built into a very large and resourceful state school. This combines small classes and an intimate environment with all the assets of a big state research school.</p>
<p>So, does this mean that UT's pure sciences are inferior in any way? I understand that UMich is more well known for the sciences, but would that be any reason for a Texas student interested in science to go out-of-state?</p>
<p>Not at all. Though UT is well known for other things (business and engineering), its sciences are still strong. I actually applied as a transfer student to the school of engineering (1st choice major) and the College of Natural Sciences (2nd Choice major) for entrance in the fall of '05. Though I am opting not to go, I can assure you that the UT School of Natural Sciences is just as good as any, at least in terms of state schools. The reason I am saying this is because admissions are based solely on gpa when determining transfer admissions. It is a "GPA cut-off" sytem if you will. </p>
<p>The cut off was a 3.76 for engineering and 3.54 for Natural Sciences. With thousands of applicants, a 3.54 qualifies as "not too shabby" and quite competitive. Though engineering may be stronger (a 3.76 is astronomical as the gpa cut-off), the sciences are very respected and attract a good number of quality applicants. What you can get at schools like UMich or UT won't be too different. The only difference would probably be the weather to be quite honest. Whether a school is better known for one thing or the other is quite subjective. Both schools are large and have a multitude of research, and probably a similar academic infrastructure with honors programs and the whole works. If money is an issue, staying in state is far more advantageous (unless you are considering a state school like the calibur of Berkeley whose graduate depts are second to none). Go to UT.</p>
<p>Thanks. I'm in the top 10%, so I'd get automatic admission, but I was trying to figure out if I'd feel okay at UT (as I only have 8 choices to apply to). My gut was telling me, I'd be happy to go to UT if it came to that, but I was just double-checking.<br>
Also, can anyone answer my question about the difference at large privates, such as NYU and BU? lilybbloom said they were inferior to the state schools, but why is this?</p>
<p>Throw in USC, and I would like to hear the answer to that as well...</p>
<p>I think the main reason not to apply to UT would be that you just don't like it for whatever reason. Academically it's a great school. If you do apply to UT, know that the scholarship deadline is before the normal deadline and that there are occasionally conflicting dates on their website of doom.</p>
<p>Another word of warning about UT. My son is also is also a potential admit under the 10 percent rule. When we went to speak with the local admissions office, they warned us to get our housing request in this September even before we've sent in the application to school! I believe there's a $50 fee that goes in with that as well.</p>
<p>We found this hard to believe but she explained that there is not enough dorm space for all the incoming freshmen and it's done strictly by date of application. They are advising all potential admits to go ahead and file the paperwork as early as they can.</p>
<p>However, there are a ton of non-university owned dorm-like housing options that will attack with mail constantly, even if you don't go there and didn't bother to jump through loopholes to tell they you're not...</p>
<p>I can tell you based on talking to my friends who go there, it is easy to get distracted at UT. There are always people playing the sports that you like, the streets are like runways for models (girls are beautiful), and there are so many people that you are bound to find a niche and create a good circle of friends. School spirit is awesome with awesome football, basketball, and baseball teams.</p>
<p>Oh, and when I applied after my senior year, the matriculation agreement and enrollment fee was due before I got any word on financial aid. Beware of that...</p>
<p>Michigan may be strong in pure sciences, but it has other undergraduate programs that are considered tops as well. Business and Engineering, for example.</p>
<p>But to the OP in general: State schools are like any other school in one regard: they develop an individual character that is influenced by their history, geographic location, traditions, programs, etc. </p>
<p>I don't know a lot about UT. I know a lot about Michigan. One thing that makes Michigan distinct from many other prestigious publics is the relatively high number of nonresident students on campus. U-M has a about a 34% nonresident population (undergrad). Many people say they feel there is a real "eastern" influence to Michigan's midwestern campus because there are a large number of east coasters around. </p>
<p>Sports are big at Michigan; they've got three revenue sports (hockey, basketball, and football) in addition to really great teams in the non-revenue sports.</p>