<p>Hello Fellow CCers, I have a few questions about U Michigan, U Illinois (Urbana- Champaign), and Purdue. I love all of these school, but I don't know which one is the best for me.</p>
<p>Info:</p>
<p>-If I go to U Mich I will most likely go to LSA and then transfer to CoE (due to stats not high enough)
-Going to U mich will be less costly because I live in michigan, but I also want to start a new friend circle (30-40 people from my school will go to U Mich) and I also want to distance myself from home ( U mich is 1 hr drive from my house, where Purdue is 5 hrs and U of I is 6 hrs)</p>
<p>University should have:</p>
<p>-Vibrant campus life (there should always be something to do)
-Vibrant area surrounding campus
-Tons of research opportunities for Undergrads
-Internship opportunities in aerospace engineering
-Intelligent Student Body
-D1 Sports teams (more excitement during NCAA championships)
-Enthusiastic Professors
-Campus should feel like home
-Social student body
-Campus should look amazing</p>
<p>Thanks for any input and good luck on your college applications!</p>
<p>It sounds like you’re basically describing Ann Arbor and Michigan here. Illinois and Purdue have strong engineering programs as well but U of I is basically located in the middle of a cornfield and West Lafayette is somewhat boring as well. Illinois and Purdue are D1 schools but their athletics are often lackluster compared to Michigan (consistent BCS Bowl contendor and played in the NCAA basketball title game this year).</p>
<p>To top it off, UMich will be your cheapest option. Unless you have the stats to get into Stanford, you shouldn’t be paying like $40,000 extra to attend any school over Michigan for an engineer.</p>
<p>Trust me, you will be able to meet a lot of new people in your residence halls in college and won’t have to see the same kids you went to high school with.</p>
<p>In a school with like 40k students, it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll run into the same people. I probably ran into people I met at my CC less than five times when I was at UCLA. It’s not that unlikely if you think about it. Some people will be staying on campus, others in the nearby apartments, some commuting, etc. When you’ll be free, others will have classes, or will be sleeping etc.</p>
<p>I agree that Michigan seems like the strongest of the three based on everything that you’ve described. I’d recommend going there.</p>
<p>I do know that U of I is, in fact, in a vibrant college city. It is a huge university - you’re looking at some 40,000 students who are enrolled in a U of I program. It really is a microcosm unto itself.</p>
<p>What you seek is found in Ann Arbor. I think it’s a much more vibrant town than C-U and prettier as well as more stuff nearby. Since it’s also cheaper for you, seems like a much better choice.</p>
<p>Have you asked your parents if they are willing to pay for Purdue or UIUC OOS? Do that. If they say yes then apply and worry about it when you get your acceptances. If not rethink your list.</p>
<p>What are your stats? If you are interested in Engineering, you are going to want to start there. UM COE is not much harder for admittance than LSA especially if you are a girl.</p>
<p>I don’t see the point in applying to LSA then transferring. I’m an incoming freshman at Mich and I know a couple people who have to transfer into COE - they all say it is a pain.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in Engineering, I’m guessing your profile will support that. If you have stronger scores/classes in math/science, that will make COE admittance just as likely as LSA.</p>