<p>I got into both schools of engineering. I am going to visit the two schools in the next few weeks. Would I be crazy to choose one over the other, or it is a matter of personal preference?</p>
<p>Also, does anyone know any significant differences between the two engineering schools (ie. competitiveness)?</p>
<p>Michigan is better than UCLA in Engineering. In terms of overall academics, Michigan and UCLA are almost equal, with the slight edge going to Michigan. This said, given the different settings, it would be wise to chose the school based on fit. So taker your visits and go for the school you prefer.</p>
<p>Alexandre,</p>
<p>I am in a very similar dilemma. Got admission in LSA in both places - undecided leaning towards Chemistry/BioChem, but I might change my mind and do something completely different like focusing on pre-law. I really loved Michigan when I visited it a few weeks ago. In state favors UCLA - but my folks are telling me not to worry about it. </p>
<p>Any thoughts ?</p>
<p>If you are in-state in California, UCLA would cost half as much as Michigan and their Chemistry department is awesome. It is hard to justify. But if your parents are well off and can handle the cost difference without trouble and if you really like Michigan better than UCLA, go for it. Michigan's Chemistry department is not quite as good as UCLA's, but it is still excellent (top 20 nationally) and it is actually very undergraduate friendly.</p>
<p>Thanks Alexandre. I'll know more after my visit to UCLA during easter. BTW is there a link to site that has these rankings ? I wanted to check out a side by side ranking for other departments as well.</p>
<p>Ditto everything Alexandre said, with emphasis.</p>
<p>I don't think you could ever go wrong at Michigan (or UCLA), if you are a motivated student.</p>
<p>Here's a perhaps whack view, though. Depending on how strong the "don't worry about it" statement was from your folks, and whether or not they will have to worry about siblings, I might take a long view and think about them and also about grad school. You might say to them: "look, I want to think about what it's going to cost you, and so I'm going to UCLA." I am not suggesting you be manipulative, but they might go easier on you in terms of financial limits and possibly might be more willing to help with grad school. Of course, don't expect it or signal to them that's what you are thinking.</p>
<p>I am probably reading too much of my own situation into what you should do, but although my folks were overall fairly generous with school and I really can't complain, my Dad was a freak show everytime I came to him to cover the anticipated expenses. If your parents are even slightly more rational, you could show them you are thinking about them.</p>
<p>Just a bizarre thought.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you have a chance to get away from your home state/city, I think that's enriching. Michigan may be a great choice.</p>
<p>There are no undergraduate rankings for individual departments. However, Michigan and UCLA are generally ranked high in all disciplines. </p>
<p>According to the USNWR graduate rankings, Michigan is ranked slightly higher than UCLA is Biology, Geology, History, Mathematics, Physics, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology. </p>
<p>UCLA is ranked slightly higher than Michigan in Chemistry and English. </p>
<p>They are tied in Computer Science and Economics.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that in almost all cases, those two schools are within 5 spots of each other in the disciplines mentioned above, so one can question the validity of the claim that one school is better than the other in a particular discipline. In short, you cannot go wrong either way.</p>