UMich Honors vs. MSU ADS

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
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<p>I hope this isn't too scumbag of a thing to do, I recently posted the below message in the MSU forum but I'm hoping to get some UMich replies on it ^__^"</p>

<p>I'm deciding between MSU, where I'm in Lyman Briggs and was fortunate enough to get a full ride, and Michigan, where I've received substantial scholarships to not have to take out any loans at least for my first two years. Both are competitive offers and I'm having a pretty hard time.</p>

<p>I'm still pretty undecided, but I'm definitely leaning towards biological sciences with a possible future in medicine. </p>

<p>Clearly, Michigan has higher rankings and better general prestige, but I'm also aware of the opportunities at State - namely more accessible Study Abroad (covered by scholarship), the PA program (unlike UROP which requires an actual application), and the increased possibility of, if you will, standing out (than at UM. not going to be overly modest...)</p>

<p>What do you think? Distance isn't an issue, but I prefer urban Ann Arbor over EL. At the same time I've got to keep my sights in the future grad/med school rather than on short term benefits and things I would like better.</p>

<p>How do the science programs at the two stack up, and how would they apply themselves to my situation? Any help would be highly appreciated!</p>

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<p>Well, if you want to go to Michigan’s med school, which is better than MSU’s, it gives its own undergrads an edge.</p>

<p>As far as opportunities go, State probably does have better study abroad. But the “application” for UROP is basically a form, and I think as long as you show legitimate interest, they’re not likely to reject you. I’ve never come across anyone who’s been rejected from UROP, personally. And undergrad research is not just limited to students in UROP, anyway.</p>

<p>Michigan’s biology program ranks significantly higher than MSU’s on every list I’ve ever seen. If you didn’t really like Michigan (fit-wise) then it would be a different story, but as long as cost isn’t an issue, then I would say definitely chose Michigan.</p>

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<p>I was pretty much in your shoes when I was deciding. I ended up choosing Michigan for mostly non-academic reasons, but one of my friends found something interesting in our sophomore year when we were thinking about majoring in chem: the coursework for a B.S. in chem at MSU was something like 1/2, or maybe 2/3 at the most, of Michigan’s requirement. I distinctly remember thinking that I’d would be at most a semester away from finishing MSU’s degree at the end of sophomore year, while I was like 9 or 10 classes from Michigan’s at that point. Granted, requirements at either school could’ve changed in the last 3 years and I know you’re thinking bio, but I would say biology at Michigan is fairly rigorous as well.</p>

<p>Research is pretty easy to find at Michigan. UROP is great to get your foot in the door, but if you already have research experience/strong background, you could probably work at a lab after taking a few intro lab courses.</p>

<p>Also, quite frankly, it’s not like a ton of Michigan undergraduates would earn ADS, and very few people get substantial scholarship. I’m sure you’d be fine as long as you don’t turn into a party animal or something.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all of your input! How does advising at UMich play out? I’ve heard both positive and negative reviews; if it’s any help the positive came from a social sciences major…</p>

<p>Rankings - I’ve always been wary about their effectiveness… UM may rank above MSU in many things but ultimately I don’t think it is the numbers that really cuts the difference.</p>

<p>I’m aware that advising is such an individual thing… but are professors/advisors/faculty in general genuinely engaged with undergrads? UM definitely has a grad feel which is by no means a bad thing but I’m a bit worried about impersonality.</p>

<p>Also, another area of consideration - if I’m not sure what I want to do post-grad, does this give UM an edge over MSU? Are courses flexible enough that I’d be able to explore a bit and still come away with a major in a reputable field?</p>

<p>Thanks guys :)</p>

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<p>mizufall, I think you are over analyzing things. Where do you want to be in September? Listen to your gut. </p>

<p>If you go to MSU, will you regret not being at U-M? Is the social scene at U-M more to your liking? Will you be upset that you passed up the prestige or the challenge? Will you be embarrassed if you tell friends and family you go to school there? If so, you are predisposed to U-M and you should go to U-M because you will not be happy at MSU.</p>

<p>If you go to U-M, will you regret not being at MSU? If you struggle in Calc, Chem, Physics or Bio and get a poor grade, will you wish you were at MSU where you may have done better? Will it bother you that you may have to work harder at U-M than your colleagues at MSU at what to outsiders may appear to be comparable classes? Will you fit in at U-M?</p>

<p>If you are instate, you probably know people who are going to both. While I am not suggesting that you spend time with people from high school, do you identify more with the students who are going to U-M or those going to MSU.</p>

<p>If your goal is to go to medical school, I don’t think there is persuasive evidence that the choice of U-M over MSU or vice versa will hurt or enhance your chances. I’ve heard the argument that the prestige of U-M will help in med school admissions. I’ve heard that it is better to go to State for a higher GPA. The curriculum at State will provide you with what you need for med school as will the curriculum at U-M. I know several excellent doctors who went to U-M undergrad and several who went to State.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t choose either school for the advising. The quality of the advising at either school is hit or miss. For med school, the most important thing is to take the prerequisite courses for med school admission, major in something you like (not necessarily science) and meet the graduation requirements. Most of this can be found on-line and word of mouth and ratemyprofessorscom is often as reliable as the advisors.</p>

<p>My experience is that the faculty at U-M is very engaged in undergraduate education although it varies from faculty member to faculty member.</p>

<p>I am not sure what you mean by “reputable field” but there is quite a bit of flexibility at both schools. State has more programs that U-M where U-M focus more on liberal arts education. Social science and humanities liberal arts programs at U-M are especially strong and probably where U-M has a significant edge over MSU.</p>

<p>Unless finances are a major issue, I would on base this decision on cost because the cost difference will not seem significant years from now.</p>

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<p>It looks like finances won’t be a big issue considering he’s got a full ride/almost full ride. </p>

<p>OP, like I said on the MSU forum, it’s really just about fit at this point. Go wherever “feels” right. You don’t know if you’re really going to want med school after the first year or two, so really it’s better to go where you want to be for four years rather than where you MIGHT end up in 5 years. </p>

<p>Good luck. You really have two great options and you can’t go wrong either way.</p>

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<p>MSU’s ADS program is probably the way to go here if med school lies in the future.</p>

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<p>I think advising at most places is gonna be hit or miss. Probably shouldn’t really be a factor for deciding.</p>

<p>But if you really care, I think very highly of the two longest-tenured pre-health advisers through LSA (non-Honors). UMich is obviously high volume as far as pre-health students, and they know their stuff.</p>

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<p>I vote Michigan!</p>

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<p>Depends upon the academics vs the cost. MSU is not a top notch prestigious University, it is a good school with some great programs. Outside the state of Michigan which school will open more doors? How much work do you want to do? How competitive are you? How important is diversity? Michigan - Very selective 41% of applicants admitted; MSU - Somewhat selective 73% of applicants admitted. If you are looking for a top academic challenge choose Michigan, otherwise MSU.</p>

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<p>You have great options either way – in fact, wonderful options. My son chose MSU, due to the PA program. He won the Goldwater as a sophomore and is conducting research at Cambridge this summer (all after just two years at MSU).</p>

<p>He has three majors: Biochemistry, Neuroscience, and English. I think that he is getting wonderful undergraduate opportunities at MSU.</p>

<p>I do not know as much about Michigan, but it is obviously a great school, with the most incredible grad schools. The old saying, “It is all about where you will do your best work”.</p>