If the silicon valley is considered and bay area in general, Michigan has an advantage over a UCLA, a big one if you include non-stem majors. Lots of UM grads here who also like to hire and help other UM grads.
^^^Which goes to my earlier point…
“Hmm- I notice the Badgers stuff- and Packers. Not that much Michigan coast to coast.”
Michigan is a top three/four licensing brand. Wiscy is not even close.
Just because you go to a back yard school paying in state tuition, it does not mean you are stuck in your backyard. I know a in-state UofM student who was able to go to study/work in Italy, Japan, Costa Rica and India all within her 4 years at Michigan. The opportunity to go anywhere is there for those that want it.
That’s not true at all. Both schools will be rated equally. And once you’ve worked for a couple years, nobody’s going to care about where you went to school in the first place.
Just take the instate tuition and RUN!!!
Four years does seem like forever when you are 18, and we adults often don’t help with the narrative of the “dream” school. The bottom line is if a student works hard, gets a great education (which Mich provides), they can go live anywhere they want for the REST OF THEIR LIVES. Our now 25 yo son was accepted to UDenver and Vermont. He wanted outdoor/ski lifestyle. No merit at either, and despite higher test scores, he had not demonstrated any real commitment to academics (low HS grades!). We told him to get the best (affordable) education he could, do well, and the world would be his oyster. Although initially disappointed, he enjoyed his college experience at a great Midwestern school with merit and now has a fantastic job in Denver.
Of course I am being hypocritical since youngest is now deciding between Mich (in state) and Tulane (with merit, but still more expensive). Tulane and Mich are vastly different programs, which is part of the decision. Mich/UCLA are more similar, thus making Mich a clearer choice (in my mind) for OP.
I’d also take a good look at class size, ease of getting into required classes, how hard it is to graduate in 4 years in desired major, etc. at UCLA.