State schools (especially UMich and UTexas)

College Search & Selection
21

<p>"What you can get at schools like UMich or UT won't be too different."</p>

<p>"(unless you are considering a state school like the calibur of Berkeley whose graduate depts are second to none)"</p>

<p>Michigan is ranked roughly 4th in the number of topped ranked programs across the board. If there is a state school of Berkeley calibur, it is Michigan. It's the only other public that comes close. </p>

<p>The only weak department at Michigan is Chemistry and even then its still top 25.</p>

<p>Social sciences, business, engineering, you name it... Michigan is top 10-15 across the board.</p>

<p>If Berkeley is a state school you feel is a notch above Texas and worth considering, Michigan would be as well.</p>

22

<p>^ not really for the price when you have UT in your own backyard</p>

23

<p>guaranteed admission in top 10% doesn't hurt</p>

24

<p>
[quote]
What you can get at schools like UMich or UT won't be too different....(unless you are considering a state school like the calibur of Berkeley whose graduate depts are second to none)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Thanks kazz, I'd missed this.</p>

<p>Jacobian, I'm interested in your source on this. On what basis do you conclude Michigan's graduate programs aren't Berkeley calibre? I'm curious about perceptions and where they come from.</p>

25

<p>One must distinguish between graduate and undergraduate education. A top graduate department may provide lousy undergraduate teaching, i.e., large classes, grad student teachers, no or little contact with professors. Most rankings look at faculty citations, research, funding, etc., not teaching or the undergrad experience.</p>

<p>If possible, when attending a large state university, try for the honors college.</p>