<p>I have just decided to choose Uva over USC, NYU and some other unis a few days ago, but I just got a letter from Umich saying that I got in. Now I really don't know which one to choose. People from the other thread have told me that they're very similar and that I should do some research on them. Does anyone have any advice? I'm undecided btw.
Thank u so much!</p>
<p>At that level, your preference should come from other factors. Visit them both and see which you like better. Academics are pretty much the same. Now it comes down to EC's you want to pursue, sports, college town, size, location, etc. I've been to Ann Arbor, and I love it. However, many people also love Uva's town. Choosing between Uva and Umich is probably one of the harder decisions, like picking Harvard or Yale. It's because overall I see more similarities than differences. That's why you should visit and see where you fit better.</p>
<p>Maybe others can point out the differences better and help you decide. What do you want to study?</p>
<p>Also, I might add that Michigan is quite cold. Does that have any effect on your decision? How about cost?</p>
<p>C'Ville is not all that warm in winter either--more than a few snowy days and temps in the low teens are common.</p>
<p>A few things to consider are academic interests. What do you wish to major in? In some fields, like Political Science, Psychology, Engineering and a few others, Michigan is significantly better.</p>
<p>I'm not so sure that they're all that similar -- I've never been to UVA, but from a friend of ours who taught at both and someone we know who was a grad student there, it sounds as though UVA has a more conservative student body and a more southern feel to it, as you would expect. Our faculty friend felt that UVA put more emphasis on teaching quality, at least at the grad level, whereas at U-M it's all about research. One statistic I found very telling about UVA, was the amount of alumni giving. They have a very loyal, very happy alumni. U-M alums are loyal too - but I think if you're comfortable with a more conservative environment, UVA may have happier students. Just some thoughts - and I would definitely validate these with UVA students.</p>
<p>UVa HAD to raise money due to severe state funding cuts. It was desperation time. They got a decent budget this year.</p>
<p>Just to comment on Barrons' thoughts on C'ville's weather... I mean honestly, Charlottesville has a few really cold days and <em>maybe</em> 2-3 significant snows but it's <em>nothing</em> compared to Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>I think Alexandre's comment is right on about academic interest, though I must defend our politics department . The grad program is admittedly awful but the faculty are extremely interested in involvement with undergrads (I had a paid research assistantship from a professor in the dept. by the end of my first year). The only down side to this is that the TAs who lead discussion section for the introductory lecture courses are less than spectacular, to put it nicely; I wouldn't say it's a deal breaker though. We also have some great interdisciplinary programs such as Political & Social Thought (PST), and Political Philosophy, Policy, & Law (PPL). </p>
<p>U.Va.'s strongest programs are probably in history, English, bioethics and religious studies. If you're an engineer, I'd stay away from U.Va.'s e-school unless you're interested in biomed. </p>
<p>I've never been to UMich., so I'm not really qualified to make a comparison here, but I can say that U.Va. at least feels quite small relative to its actual student body.</p>
<p>U.Va. is somewhat more conservative than most comparable schools, but the student body is still errs liberal and the faculty is overwhelmingly so.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the replies! I'm not sure what I want to major in yet, but not the sciences or fine arts. I think i'm quite interested in languages, psychology, maybe accounting and many more. </p>
<p>I don't really like cold weathers, esp if the days are dark and gloomy. I live in Hong Kong and the weather is kind of tropical. I heard that it's always snowing in Umich and there're many months when ppl have to stay indoors and cannot do anything because of it?</p>
<p>Kays, avoid listening to people around you! LOL Michigan is cold, yes. It snows a lot in January and February and a moderately in December and March. It snows very little in November and April and almost never the rest of the year. The weather does NOT affect campus life in any way, shape or form. Whether it is freezing and snowing or hot and sunny, the campus is lively and happening. However, based on your academic interests, I would say both schools will serve you well...Michigan possibly a little better.</p>
<p>if i had the choice, id pick UVA</p>
<p>Michigan is pretty cold, especially since u r from Hong Kong. we Chinese people hate cold climate, seriously, b/c of our asian genes. i live in Arlington, Va. i'd say i hate the winter time. i'd hate Michigan's winter time more.</p>
<p>however, if u want PSYCHOLOGY, go to Michigan, definitely.</p>
<p>It doesn't feel as cold as it is less humid. There are many Hong Kong students at the U of M; most of them will tell you that it's not that hard to adapt to the weather. The HK Student Association is quite active and very helpful. You may want to contact them directly for more information(<a href="http://www.umich.edu/%7Ehksa/about.htm)%5B/url%5D">http://www.umich.edu/~hksa/about.htm)</a>. Btw, the HKSA will probably host an orientation reception again in HK around late July. Watch out for the news.</p>
<p>"It doesn't feel as cold as it is less humid."</p>
<p>Hmm? Cold is usually associated with dry, hot with humid. Is it really very dry? My lips chap very easily :(</p>
<p>Ann Arbor is not dry by North American standard ... but it's certainly not as humid as in HK (around 70%+ humidity in the winter). It 'feels' colder when it is cold and humid.</p>
<p>To give you an example: In HK, if temperature drops to the low teens (degree C), it is a cold winter; if it drops to below 10 degree C (<50 degree F), it is freezing. People will be wearing down jackets and multi-layer clothings (no heating in most homes). When I was in Ann Arbor for homecoming last October, I was amused to see that my young HK friends had adapted very well ... they came out in their short sleeves (ok, double T-shirts aka HK style) even though the temperature was in the high 40's.</p>
<p>But would the weather affect your mood? I somehow kind of picture michigan as cold, dark and wet. Thanks for all the advice, but I still cant decide between these 2 schools. Some ppl say "definitely umich!" but others "definitely uva!". </p>
<p>Is it still possible to visit the schools? I have until 21/5 to decide if i wna go to umich. </p>
<p>GoBlue81, so the weather isn't that bad in Michigan after all? And it's kinda like HK? This is so stressful!</p>
<p>You won't go wrong either way, both are great schools and places. So IMO you don't need to stress over this, you'll be fine, very fine, either way.</p>
<p>The weather in Michigan is very different from that in Hong Kong. It has four distinct seasons. The Winter is longer and it can get quite cold in January and February; and in some years you get a lot of snow. But Spring and Fall seasons are gorgeous. The Summer is not hot and humid as in HK; except for a couple weeks you don't need air-con. There are a lot of blue sky and sunshine in the summer and in the fall.</p>
<p>All I am saying is that there are a couple hundred HK students at the U of M. Most of them will tell you that it's not that hard to adapt to the weather. Contact the HKSA if you would like to speak to current students...some are already home for the summer.</p>
<p>I think it's fair to say that academically both schools can give you an excellent education in the fields you are interested in. However, the atmosphere in the two campuses are quite different. Michigan is unique that it is well balanced with strong programs in almost every department. The campus is more liberal. I'm biased of course, but I believe that Michigan will give you a more complete college experience.</p>
<p>You can certainly visit the schools if you have time. For Michigan, spring term is already in session so the campus should be alive.</p>
<p>I will add that Michigan winters, although cold, are not that bad. In fact, they are quite charming. The city lights their streets with little winter lights and with the snow, the city comes alive. One thing that must be made clear is that Michigan is not Minnesota or Canada. It is cold, but no more so than NYC or Boston.</p>
<p>I lived in Michigan, and yes, the winters can be long and cold, and you can get a lot of snow some years. What are you, 18 years old, right? Go out there and have fun in the snow!!!!!!! It makes Spring all the sweeter :)</p>