<p>And personally, I’d prefer supporting a winning football team when attending school rather than constantly bringing up historical records to make up for present day mediocrity on the grid iron :)</p>
<p>Sent from my Desire HD using CC</p>
<p>“And personally, I’d prefer supporting a winning football team when attending school rather than constantly bringing up historical records to make up for present day mediocrity on the grid iron.”</p>
<p>You mean like UTexas? TAMU just got very good again recently. Let’s see how long it lasts.</p>
<p>Michigan is a better engineering program and cheaper since you are in-state, which makes this comparison a no brainer, unless don’t think you would enjoy going to Michigan at all.</p>
<p>Also, one thing that no one has mentioned is that engineering at any university is a very rigorous major. Many freshman start in engineering but end up dropping out of the major later and completing another (easier) major. Therefore, the overall reputation of the university is important too in case you need a fallback option. Michigan enjoys the better reputation overall.</p>
<p>
PetroleumE, yes; ChemE, no. Michigan ChemE has a very strong tie to the oil & gas industry.</p>
<p>The poster who said the Greek system is “non-existent” at A&M is incorrect. The greek system at A&M is over 35 years old and has gotten bigger every year. They even have an entire area set-up for just the Fraternities and Sororities for pre-game tailgates.</p>
<p>A&M is very conservative. It is also always ranked as the friendliest campus in the nation. I’ve had more that one person come back from visiting and tell me they were actually unnerved by how may students walked by them and said hello…that is normal at A&M.</p>
<p>I think the question you need to ask is two fold - what area of Engineering are you considering and where do you plan to live after college? I agree if you are considering Petroleum or Chemical then A&M is a good fit. If you are considering living in Texas after college, then you cannot go wrong with A&M.</p>
<p>Andy, Michigan finished 8-5 this season, but could just as easily finished 11-2, as it did last season. Next year, Texas A&M and Michigan could both finish with 10+ wins as easily as they could end their season with a disappointing 4+ losses. </p>
<p>But as far as programs go, Michigan has a stronger football traditional and program than A&M, although A&M has a very proud and worthy football tradition in its own right. I agree that attending A&M football games would be a lot of fun.</p>
<p>I agree Alexandre-Michigan is the winning-est program in college football and has a really proud athletic tradition. However I think this is the best time for A&M to make that jump to join Michigan, Alabama, Florida, Texas, USC, ND etc. as a truly elite program. A&M has the publicity, we have the pieces, we have the recruiting, now we need to put together a string of dominant seasons to join that elite class. Hopefully we can capitalize on our gains and avoid any major letdowns (see 2011).</p>
<p>TAMU plans to double size of engineering program.</p>
<p>[Texas</a> A&M Plans Sharp Increase in Engineering Enrollment - The Ticker - The Chronicle of Higher Education](<a href=“http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/jp/texas-am-plans-sharp-increase-in-engineering-enrollment]Texas”>The Ticker: Texas A&M Plans Sharp Increase in Engineering Enrollment)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies, as far as the football goes I don’t need much advise I am very educated in that area considering I have season tickets at Michigan and have been to a Tamu game. Alexandre when I refer to tamu having better housing options I mean it is unlimited down there. As a freshmen at Michigan my sister had to have her housing app in a month into school because all housing in Ann Arbor fills up so fast this left her almost no time to make friends and possible roommates for the next year. Also I will be an electrical engineering major so I know u of m has the upper hand but will it really be that much better or is it just what I make off it? Also I assume u of m will be hard and all though I am smart 33 math 35 science on my act I am not a genius so will tamu be a little bit more my speed?</p>
<p>ajsalow, I do not think you are here for advice, but for approval of a decision you already made.</p>
<p>A&M is an absolutely fine place to get an engineering education. If money isn’t an issue, then its good to broaden one’s horizons. Life is too short to second guess yourself so become an Aggie unless doing so will put you in extreme debt.</p>
<p>
Uh, no…Last time I checked, UVa and UCLA were tied for #2 behind Cal; Michigan was #4.</p>
<p>Michigan’s current football program lags behind A&M. In fact, I just read an article a friend had posted on FB where CBS’s early ranking for 2013/14 had A&M as #1 and UAB #2! Whoa!</p>
<p>I agree Michigan is a fantastic school with a lot of spirit and pride, but if “tradition” is what you’re seeking, I’ve got to give the edge to A&M. From the yell leaders to the corp to the 12th man to “whoop”, I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I’m neither an Aggie nor Wolverine so I have no dog in this fight, but even when I go to church and a subtle Aggie reference is made by the minister, the alums/parents yell “whoop” in the sanctuary. The networking for A&M (and UT for that matter) is unlike anything else presuming you want to live in TX or a neighboring state. It really is a “good old boy” society where even ivy grads are usually snubbed in favor of an Aggie or Longhorn. </p>
<p>Michigan gets the edge for the town. (College Station is your typical college town with little to do. However, if you do decide to go, Houston isn’t far.)</p>
<p>A&M has the edge for weather. </p>
<p>Michigan has the edge for diversity (not only racial but political and geographical as well).</p>
<p>My son will most likely be applying to both and might have the same dilemma. I’ve told him they’re both fantastic schools, and it’ll ultimately come down to one thing…$.</p>
<p>“Michigan’s current football program lags behind A&M. In fact, I just read an article a friend had posted on FB where CBS’s early ranking for 2013/14 had A&M as #1 and UAB #2! Whoa!”</p>
<p>Preseason polls are fun and exciting, but should not be taken too seriously. Two years ago, Michigan was not ranked in preseason polls and finished 11-2 with a win in the Orange Bowl and top 10 ranking in the final poll. Last year, Michigan had a top 10 preseason ranking only to finish 8-5 and barely ranked in the top 25.</p>
<p>“Uh, no…Last time I checked, UVa and UCLA were tied for #2 behind Cal; Michigan was #4.”</p>
<p>jc40, I don’t think that was intended to reference the USNWR ranking. There are plenty of other rankings. Typically, Cal is considered #1, while Michigan, UCLA and UVa are all considered legitimate #2 among public universities.</p>
<p>“I agree Michigan is a fantastic school with a lot of spirit and pride, but if “tradition” is what you’re seeking, I’ve got to give the edge to A&M. From the yell leaders to the corp to the 12th man to “whoop”, I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I’m neither an Aggie nor Wolverine so I have no dog in this fight, but even when I go to church and a subtle Aggie reference is made by the minister, the alums/parents yell “whoop” in the sanctuary.”</p>
<p>I don’t know enough about A&M to speak to that, but if by tradition you mean school spirit and pride, I don’t think you can beat Michigan or Aggie pride. Both schools are known for having over-the-top alums! President Ford insisted on having “Hail to the Victors” played instead of “Hail to the Chief”! He even had Hail to the Victors played at his funeral. </p>
<p>“The networking for A&M (and UT for that matter) is unlike anything else presuming you want to live in TX or a neighboring state. It really is a “good old boy” society where even ivy grads are usually snubbed in favor of an Aggie or Longhorn.”</p>
<p>The OP mentioned something about returning home to Michigan after college. The “good old boy” concept is dead among Michigan alums, thank goodness. I can think of nothing less ethical or efficient to market competition than nepotism and cronyism. Most successful HR functions have done away with the practice. But there is plenty of alumni loyalty to the University of Michigan in the state of Michigan. I would give University of Michigan graduate a major leg up over A&M for jobs in Michigan. However, the OP also mentioned he is interested in Electrical Engineering, meaning he could well be looking for jobs in CA when he graduates. In that case, Michigan and A&M would both be highly regarded, with the edge going to Michigan, but not by enough to pass up on A&M.</p>
<p>“Michigan has the edge for diversity (not only racial but political and geographical as well).”</p>
<p>Also intellectual and international diversity. Michigan students pursue a far wider spectrum of academic fields and while only 1% of undergraduate students at A&M are international, at Michigan, 7% of undergrads are.</p>
<p>So, while in principle I agree that a student should go wherever they think they will fit in best, it is not responsible to choose a university that is slightly weaker and costs $50,000 more over four years. </p>
<p>Anyway, I have to go watch Nole destroy Ferrer!</p>
<p>Both Michigan and A&M are great schools with strong engineering programs. Electrical Engineering is a stronger program at Michigan. </p>
<p>I would say make a list of what is important to you during your time in college.
But what I do know about A&M </p>
<p>I actually know several A&M engineering grads in Mich. so if you have good grades, internships etc you can get a job anywhere. The Aggie network while strongest in Texas, Ok, Ark, La, is everywhere.
Greek life in now about 10% of the student population. There are many other great organizations as well. </p>
<p>While A&M is pretty conservative there is a lot of diversity as well. I believe that A&M was also ranked over Texas this year by Kipplinger for best value. </p>
<p>Either way you have 2 great choices</p>
<p>“While A&M is pretty conservative there is a lot of diversity as well. I believe that A&M was also ranked over Texas this year by Kipplinger for best value.”</p>
<p>Only the OP is IS at Michigan, making cost of attendance approximately $27,000/year when you include room and board, books, supplies and miscellaneous expenses. Texas A&M costs approximately $39,000/year when you include the same expenses as well as travel costs.</p>
<p>Michigan at $27,000/year is a much better deal than A&M at $39,000/year, even if finances are not a concern.</p>
<p>@jc40 “Uh, no…Last time I checked, UVa and UCLA were tied for #2 behind Cal; Michigan was #4.”</p>
<p>It really depends which ranking you look at. QS ranks Michigan the #1 public university, USNWR ranks Michigan the #4 public university and THE ranks Michigan the #3 public university. Most people consider Berkeley to be #1 and UVA, UMICH, and UNC to be of equivalent quality overall and thus tied for #2.</p>
<p>What industry do want to work in? Auto–UM, Petro Chem–TAMU. Where do you want to live? Mi, Oh, Wi–UM, Tx, La, Ok–TAMU. Employers ranked TAMU #2 public U to hire from. Texas economy lots of jobs, Michigan not so good–don’t expect to change over next 4 years. Most engineers in HTown (top companies) seem to be Aggies (Longhorns to a much lesser extent). I have never met one from UM. Either school will have a 50% attrition rate, so your chances of actually becoming an engineer are 50/50.</p>
<p>TAMU students are conservative with a great work ethic, which is why the are heavily recruited (Profs are typical liberal Profs you find at any college). If you plan to travel Europe after graduation, join the Peace Corps, or dream of redistributing conservative’s money then stay in Mi, please.</p>
<p>“TAMU students are conservative with a great work ethic, which is why the are heavily recruited (Profs are typical liberal Profs you find at any college). If you plan to travel Europe after graduation, join the Peace Corps, or dream of redistributing conservative’s money then stay in Mi, please.”</p>
<p>If your attitude is typical of the TAMU student body, I am sure the OP would be more inclined to stay in Michigan.</p>
<p>Never attended TAMU so can’t say I speak for student body. I make these observations based on years in industry. Industry places a high value on these grads because they don’t burn employers.</p>
<p>Have been to Detroit and must say it’s a lovely city. Only hotel I ever stayed in with prison-style barbed wire fencing. Best deep dish pizza though.</p>
<p>“Have been to Detroit and must say it’s a lovely city. Only hotel I ever stayed in with prison-style barbed wire fencing. Best deep dish pizza though.”</p>
<p>Not sure what Detroit has to do with Ann Arbor. Perhaps you can enlighten me.</p>