I got into Purdue instate as a liberal arts major. I am not a math/engineering type of person.
Umich is harder to get into(lower acceptance rate) but I don’t know if that means it is better? Will going to Umich OOS be worth it over Purdue instate?
No, UMich would not be worth you paying $50k+ per year for a liberal arts major (or any major).
Why didn’t you apply to IU???
Unless your family is in the fortunate position where money is not a factor at all, I would not pay up that much for UM. I agree with applying to IU if there is still time to do so.
@mom2collegekids
I was going to apply to IU but they don’t accept the common app so I was kind of lazy. There is still time to apply, so should I apply? I pretty sure I will get in since I got into Purdue.
Michigan offers the academic edge that only three or four dozen colleges or universities in the US can provide, when it comes to resources, curriculum, instruction quality, access to world class faculty etc…
If money is a concern, then I agree with mom2collegekids, no university in the world is worth paying double what you would be paying to attend Purdue. But if your parents can afford Michigan with ease, then it is definitely worth it. Obviously, if you were interested in Engineering, it would be an entirely different story, but for a liberal arts education, Michigan is clearly the better option.
Yes apply to IU!!! Certainly the time it takes to apply is worth $100k in savings!!!
I’d certainly apply to IU. It’s certainly worth your time to have that as an option.
^^^^To expand on my comment, my sense is that Purdue is a very STEM oriented school so IU may be a better fit for someone interested in the liberal arts. You can check the liberal arts offerings in both schools online.
I’ve worked with the products of Purdue, and UMich over the last quarter century. Is there a real difference in quality between the two?
Let’s put it this way, if you can’t tell without asking, then no. Graduates from either will dispute that, which is they’re obligation, but … at the undergraduate level? No.
Is there a subjective difference between the two? Absolutely.
Is that subjective difference worth 5 cents, $100, or $50,000? You presumably know your finances better than internet strangers do.
If you’re in Indiana and looking for liberal arts, I’d call up Hanover too. If your stats are good, they might be a happy medium.
Definitely IU over Purdue for liberal arts, that is what IU does best. IU has truly exceptional business and music programs if you are so inclined. Generally, there isn’t as much of a return in liberal arts outside of a few institutions unless you are in the sciences or go to grad/professional school - you should try to minimize your tuition costs while still having a good experience. Michigan has far more top grad school programs, and much more extensive research opportunities than either IU or Purdue but that may not appeal to you at this point.
If you have been admitted to Michigan please file the FA paperwork and get your actual costs - then you can make an intelligent choice between IU, Purdue and Michigan. Michigan and IU both have Feb 1 deadlines so make haste!