U of M vs. Purdue

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>I've narrowed down my college search to the two schools mentioned in the title. I'm trying to decide which one to go to. I live in Indiana and purdue offered to pay $10,750 of the roughly $17,000 annual cost (including tuition, textbooks, etc). U of M on the other hand has not offered anything. My parents are currently writing on my behalf, stating that although our financial situation is secure, we are Russian immigrants and the price of U of M would put a pretty heavy strain on our family income. Do you think the university is likely to offer a scholarship?</p>

<p>I plan to major in biochemistry. At Purdue, students are able to do research with professors as early as freshman year if they want to. Is this possible at U of M? Is U of M's placement into grad school significantly higher than Purdue's for biochemistry majors? What about job placement? </p>

<p>Overall, the pros and cons of each school:</p>

<p>U of M:
+ great reputation
+ ice rink on campus for intramural hockey
+ diverse student body
+ college town
+ proximity to Detroit (Red Wings, not that I'd have the spare money to go to the games though)
+ accepted into honors college
- prohibitively expensive
- nobody I know is going
- perhaps so big that I could get lost and not find opportunities for research</p>

<p>Purdue:
+ extremely cheap
+ early research opportunities
+ accepted into honors college
+ familiar and comfortable with the campus
+ will get credit for classes taken within the Purdue system this year
+ girlfriend of 4 years going to Purdue
- not as much of a name brand (though I hear it's improving out west)
- peraps a less diverse student body
- In Indiana</p>

<p>Do you guys think it's worth it for me to go to U of M?</p>

2

<p>for biochem i've heard purdue has got a good program. just stay in state. dont come out of college in so much debt</p>

3

<p>Definitely go to Purdue.</p>

4

<p>ya, my family is Russian immigrants too (citizens now but obviously we haven't had as much opportunity to save for college as others), but I highly doubt U of M would throw us any money if I do get accepted. U of M is known for being stingy so go to Purdue.</p>

5

<p>muzicgirl, Michigan isn't stingy, it just isn't wealthy enough to give out more scholarships and aid. Historically, Michigan had a small endowment compared to its peers. In recent years, its endowment has outpaced all other universities and grown substantially. However, even now, its endowment, relative to its size, still lags that of its private peers. Schools like the Ivy League, Duke, MIT, Northwestern, Stanford etc...have larger endowments per student and as such, can give out more aid per student. Thankfully, at the current rate of growth, in a few years, Michigan will be in a position to afford more aid to its students, but the university isn't there quite yet.</p>

6

<p>Sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out malicious. It's just that, from a student's point of view, Michigan is one of those schools that can leave you drowning in debt. I think a lot of publics for OOS are like that.</p>