Top 4 LAC (Carleton College) vs. U of Michigan Undergrad

<p>I've been accepted to both of these schools but I'm not sure what to do. I got financial aid estimates for both schools, so here is the breakdown of my financial aid from the two schools:</p>

<p>Michigan: I would have to take out 5,581 in loans per year
Carleton: I would have to take out 5,900 in loans per year</p>

<p>Also, my goal is to go to Yale Law School, so which University would best help my chances toward achieving this goal?</p>

<p>it depends what you want to study, both schools will give you a pretty decent chance at Yale Law as long as you realize their admissions are a crapshoot for almost everyone. </p>

<p>Personally I would choose Michigan because they have an excellent business program but you should visit both schools and decide on fit.</p>

<p>I didn't mention my major above...oops</p>

<p>I think that I would end up being an econ major if i went to carleton. And, if i went to michigan, i would start out as an econ major and try to transfer into the business school like you say.</p>

<p>I say Carleton, but I am biased. Also, good luck getting into Yale law with a business major...think things through--you should not want to go to Yale law simply because it's #1; it shows you've done little to no research.</p>

<p>The schools are totally different and both awesome. The differences in financial aid are relatively inconsequential. Forget law school. Pick the place you like better. Period.</p>

<p>Major in something that you enjoy and are good at.</p>

<p>Do well. If you're Hell-bent on Yale, then do really, really well.</p>

<p>In two years, remember law school. Go from there.</p>

<p>Congrats on getting to choose between two such wonderful schools :-)</p>

<p>well I would say that if business is your passions then you should choose Mich. I wouldn't put too much weight into what admissions officers think of business majors because if it is your passion and you do very well adcoms will see that. Whereas if you majored in history or something at Carleton that you don't enjoy it will probably show.</p>

<p>It will make no difference at all for law school. </p>

<p>
[quote]
you should not want to go to Yale law simply because it's #1; it shows you've done little to no research.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Actually, I think that's a pretty good reason to go to Yale. I'm not sure what you think more research would reveal.</p>

<p>If you've done the research/self-reflection to know that you have a compelling reason/need to go to the #1 school (as those who aspire to certain fields/positions do), then that's one thing (likewise if you just happen to LIKE Yale). Neither of these is the same as arbitrarily choosing the #1 school. If you're a high schooler going "Eh, I might like law. What's #1? Score. Yale, it is. Now, where's that again?" then hey, by all means, shoot for the moon, but you still have some research ahead of you. There are some things about Yale that are or could be very unappealing even to students looking at top schools, and its ranking will not alleviate this fact. </p>

<p>That said, the OP never said that he was choosing based solely on ranking or hadn't done his research, but he's a high schooler...he doesn't need to have, either! I think that Wildflower's point, which I saw as a legitimate one, was something akin to "don't put the cart ahead of the horse." A senior in high school who's choosing between two great undergrads simply doesn't need to worry about how Yale law will view his choice (as respectable as it is to be so on top of one's future plans).</p>

<p>Certainly, there are plenty of people who ultimately select a law school based on its ranking, and that's just fine, especially for those who want to go into fields where ranking is especially important. But to say that more research wouldn't reveal other good/better reasons to (or not to) select the #1 school is a stretch.</p>

<p>to clear some things up, the main reason for my interest and goal to go to Yale Law is Bill Clinton. I read his autobiography this past summer and I absolutely idolize the man. It is my goal to one day get into politics, maybe as a US Senator, but who knows. </p>

<p>Also, thanks for all the input you guys because its definitely good to get others opinions on an issue that is so important to me!</p>

<p>Both schools can help you get where you want to go. You really have to decide what fits your learning style and your social needs for the next 4 years. FWIW, my son went to Michigan undergrad and is now a lawyer. My daughter is finishing her junior year at Carleton and will go on to get a PhD in chemistry. Both kids choose the best environment for their needs. I have to say, though, that my Carleton D has had a profoundly deeper academic experience than her brother, even though he double-majored (which is very difficult to do at Carleton).</p>