U of M (Twin Cities) vs.U of Iowa

So my mom just recently remarried and is moving to Minnesota this upcoming summer, and tonight she asked me to apply to the U of M (I’m a senior).I strongly disagreed, stating that the University of Iowa (where I was directly admitted to their undergraduate business program) is a much better school. She claims that all state schools are the same, but I don’t believe this.

My question is, is that true? Is there any significant difference between the two? Would I be able to get in-state at Minnesota?

I feel really guilty, I don’t want to really go to either schools, but if I had to choose, I would go to Iowa because in my mind, it’s more logical and it’s an overall better program.

You are going to have to check residency status rules with both schools, but residency generally follows the parents if you are under 24, unmarried /childless, and not a veteran. If your parents are divorced and live in different states, the student generally gets in-state tuition in both states.

You would have in-state tuition at Iowa, but the question is if would you lose it after your Mom moves. Call the Iowa admissions office. Same for Minnesota - would you gain in-state status if didn’t have it initially?

Iowa and Minn-Twin Cities are similar in quality.

@TooOld4School My dad will still live in Iowa, so I would still get in-state even if she moves, because his address is here. But I will definitely call both schools just to make sure. I had the impression that the Tippie College of Business at Iowa was highly ranked, one of the best in the country at that, and the U of M’s business program was just, “eh”.

At least at the graduate level they are similarly ranked. . Tippie has some very impressive rankings like the FT #1 Value rank, Iowa City is a top 10 college town, and you like it, and it’s relatively inexpensive as an Iowa resident. Sounds like a solid choice to me.

You should still apply to Minnesota to keep mom happy. You don’t know that you will be admitted to Iowa and it’s always good to have a low cost backup plan. It’s pretty hard for parents to let go, and little things like that let her know that you value her advice.

You mentioned that you don’t want to go to either school, so where do you want to go or not go?

@TooOld4School I already got into Iowa, I just wasn’t sure about Minnesota. I want to go to UCSD, but people on this forum are starting to instill doubt inside of my mind, so I’m not sure if I’ll get in or not. Iowa is a good back up to have if not!

If you are going to pay OOS tuition at UCSD it is not a good value at all ; $100K extra over Iowa would pay for an MBA at most of the better grad schools or finance a start-up or cover your retirement it you invested it at age 22. If you or your parents need to take loans it would be foolish to do so.

@TooOld4School actually had a thread today that got very intense over that. My parents can afford UCSD, it’s just a matter of whether I’ll get in or not. But if I don’t, I need a back up state school.

That is a different story. You couldn’t ask for a more perfect location or weather except maybe UCSB. Either way, I’d recommend an extended, overnight visit during the term to get a better feel for any campuses you are seriously considering. It’s too bad they don’t have EA, you won’t know for awhile. Good luck !