<p>Hi,
I am really having a hard time in deciding between UMich Ann Arbor and UIUC. I got accepted by those two uni. Price wise, I am an international student, so tution fees between those 2 uni is not really an issue as they are almost the same (although Umich is about 5000$/year higher though). Is it worth it?</p>
<p>I also acknowledge that both schools have an almost equal mechanical engineering ranking, but which one has slightly more edge? Nationwide and worldwide image, prestige, future job connections with companies are ones that I really want to take notice about. </p>
<p>Actually I am also an automotive enthusiast and hope to work in R&D of automotive company after i graduate, so does Umich (Detroit) has slight the edge over UIUC (Chicago) in terms of job opportunities? </p>
<p>Does Umich has better connection with the car companies because it is nearer to Detroit? Or it is not really an issue as UIUC also a great engineering school?</p>
<p>Lastly, in terms of quality of life and place to study, which one is better, Ann Arbor or Urbana-Champaign?</p>
<p>PS: Does Detroit really a bad city? Because sometimes when I said that I want to go to Detroit because I want to work for car R&D department, people said "Really? Detroit?". </p>
<p>Thanks for replies guys!
Really appreciate it.</p>
<p>That depends entirely on your priorities. For me it wouldn’t be, but for some people it would be. Do you have a chance to visit them? I know that is a long shot since you are international, but finding out at which place you feel more comfortable could help you decide.</p>
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<p>Neither. For all intents and purposes, the programs are the same. You will have the same or similar opportunities from both.</p>
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<p>You would think that, and while it might be true, I know for a fact that the car companies recruit heavily from UIUC. Ford donated a really nice rapid prototyping lab to the ME department at UIUC and I had friends go on to work for Honda, Toyota and Ford after graduating when I was there. UMich may have a slight edge, but UIUC certainly won’t hurt you trying to get into that industry. If there is any advantage, it is slight. Remember, UIUC also has a world-class engineering program, so companies will come there even if it isn’t a regional school to them.</p>
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<p>I have no experience in Ann Arbor, but I can tell you for a fact that I did 4 years at Champaign and loved it. Ann Arbor, so I hear, is a bit nicer, but I had no complaints about Champaign.</p>
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<p>Detroit probably gets a worse rap than it deserves, but it definitely isn’t the nicest city in the country. Then again, as long as you stay away from some of the bad parts you probably could live your life there without ever noticing, as with most cities.</p>