<p>I have been admitted to both universities. I really don't know what I want to go into yet. I have visited both universities already, and it's safe to say i DO NOT like U of M's campus. Both of my parents went there so I am getting a lot of pressure to go their also, some family members even telling me that they won't support me if I go to MSU. I would like to get some outside input, thank you.</p>
<p>That is awful. </p>
<p>You have to decide what school is right for you, because your experience at school is yours. And not your parents. Not your other family members. </p>
<p>If U of M doesn’t feel like home to you, then it isn’t. </p>
<p>My spouse and I both went to UM. It was right for us. We had no idea if it would be right for our daughter, and we encouraged her to look elsewhere. </p>
<p>She has chosen UM- but she had to choose what worked for her, and we sat on our hands and let her find her path. </p>
<p>I hope your family is able to do that for you. If MSU feels right for you, then explain the why and how of that to them. I hope they listen. </p>
<p>I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t biased (toward MSU) but I have a lot of friends a both schools. What I can say is that you should respect your gut, if you don’t feel comfortable at UM campus it might be a sign. Make sure you go to MSU campus to see. My sister went to MSU after being accepted to both schools and was very happy with her decision. Almost all of my family went to MSU and loved it. Your family will come around just make sure you do what feels right, pay attention to your gut. </p>
<p>If you are looking for a more biased opinion… again, I have a lot of friends at both schools and I have found that MSU is just a more supportive environment, laid back but in equal academic standing as UM. Again, experiences change person to person, I can only speak to what I have found. </p>
<p>I would have to add, the academic reputations are different, and some courses, especially some of the intro courses, such as calculus- are very different at UM in comparison to MSU. </p>
<p>As an example- the course syllabus for calc one at UM is equal to multiple levels of calculus classes at MSU. We are acquainted with students and professors at both schools ( and a few who graduated from UM and now teach at MSU who confirm this).</p>
<p>I think a student can absolutely excel at either school. No doubt. But the academic rigor is definitely higher at UM, although, same as at any other school, as you get deeper into your chosen path, you can set your pace and your level with course choice. </p>
<p>You can also do some research on academic reputations, grad school placement, and employment issues, to help flesh out the full picture, and to confirm what I stated. </p>
<p>Again, I think both schools offer an excellent education, and the state is lucky to have both. But I would argue that Northwestern is more of an equal academically to UM than MSU. </p>
<p>** I would like to add that I know professors both schools as well and they agree that it is EQUAL academic standing.** Choose the school you are comfortable with!</p>
<p>It seems we know different professors. </p>
<p>Which is all good. </p>
<p>The rankings of both schools and reputations are different. They have strengths in different areas, but it is untrue to say that the academics are equal, and I know the literature supports that. </p>
<p>The key is finding the school that works for you- whatever that may be. Different schools have different reputations, and different strengths. </p>
<p>I am not sure what the comment about a more supportive environment at MSU means. I had wonderful support, as did my friends, my spouse, and the children I know that now go to UM. </p>
<p>In the end, you have to make the decision on what works for you as a student, and what matches your life goals. </p>
<p>Thankfully, there are objective evaluations of program strengths and reputations available, so the original poster doesn’t have to listen to two supporters of the different schools split hairs. The data is available. </p>
<p>(<a href=“http://detroit.about.com/od/education/tp/Michigans-Hardest-Colleges-To-Get-Into.htm”>http://detroit.about.com/od/education/tp/Michigans-Hardest-Colleges-To-Get-Into.htm</a>) </p>
<p><a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/top-public</a></p>
<p>Best of luck to you, however it works! :)</p>
<p>I went with my gut 5 years ago and chose MSU over U of M because I didn’t like U of M’s campus or culture and I loved the RCAH at MSU more than the RC at U of M. I have never, ever regretted my decision and did fantastic at MSU. I’m now at U of M for my master’s and I can safely say that I made the right choice 5 years ago. </p>
<p>Go with your gut. </p>