<p>Hey everyone, I'm in a bit of a situation here.
I've been accepted to UMich AA for computer engineering and UCLA for CSE (computer science and engineering). I know that UMich is much higher ranked than UCLA (i believe it's 7 vs. 16) but I'm still unsure of which to choose. Is UMich wortht aht extra 10k? Anyone been in a similar situation? All replies are helpful, thanks.</p>
<p>I would go with UCLA since the rankings are not too much different for engineering.It is true that both schools have a great social life. but think about it. ucla= warmer weather, big city, beaches, hollywood, but really bad traffic. michigan= freezing cold, small town, not too much traffic, lake michigan(but it is like 4 hours away and is frozen most of the year), 30 minutes from detroit, two hours from chicago. Besides, if you're paying 10k extra to live in a place which only gets three months of sunlight a year youd be better off with ucla.</p>
<p>Umm, I'd say UCLA also to be honest. It's cheaper, warmer, etc. Michigan probably has a better college town feel to it. </p>
<p>PS. Michigan is 4 hours away from Chicago (and that's assuming you drive really fast...)</p>
<p>4 hours from Chicago??? You'd have to drive pretty fast.</p>
<p>My house is 3 and a half - 4 hours from Michigan, and it's 2 and a half from Chicago. While it's not exactly in a straight line... it can't cut that much time off...</p>
<p>Well my house is thirty minutes from Ann Arbor and me + friends drove down to Chicago from our town and it took about 5 hours, but we drove fast (although we did take break for lunch, etc, etc). But still, I agree 4 hours is actually a bit low, I'd say like 6ish hours is more reasonable I guess...</p>
<p>I guess, I dunno. We both probably take two different roads to get there.</p>
<p>10K a year is significant but not substantial. Are you folks able and willing to pay for this difference without too much of a strain on their pockets? Or will that cost have to be absorbed by you in the form of loans? If your folks are can and will pay for the difference, I think you should pick the school that you prefer. Did you visit both campuses? </p>
<p>And by the way, the weather in Michigan is actually not bad. There are many ways of looking at weather. One could argue that LA's weather is monotonous and boring. 365 days of the same weather just doesn't do it for some. Some (myself included) would rather have 4 seasons.</p>
<p>It's snowing in April Alexandre. APRIL!!!</p>
<p>I think I've died a bit inside.</p>
<p>While the cost of the program might be more per year, the substantially increased cost of living in Westwood (UCLA environs) makes all things about equal.</p>
<p>UCLA is a great school and I know people who have loved it. But it is LA, and it does draw, in general, a certain type of crowd.</p>
<p>Cvjn, it snowed on my graduation day, May 2, 1996! LOL!!! But that doesn't mean April is a freezing month. The second half of December, January and February are the cold months. October, November, March and April can be chilly, but they are very manageable.</p>
<p>Well it snowed in May a few years back too... not 1996 back... (O_O so... long ago...) but yeah</p>
<p>still, I'm just not used to it. I mean, I should be after living in Michigan for this long, but ughafd;af;daskjfa SNOW~!!!</p>
<p>thanks for the replies guys
as for teh weatehr, i'm not really concerned about that. i actually love cold weather and i grew up in california so i love it here too.
i have not visited any of the campuses yet and i'm not 100% sure if i will. does it really make that much of a difference?
in terms of opportunities, which one will present me with more? will grad schools look at UMich as a much more prestigious university? my parents could afford the money, but i'm sure they would have to take out a small loan in order to do so.
keep the info coming guys, it's been very helpful so far.</p>
<p>Yes, visiting those two campuses makes a big difference. UCLA and Michigan have very different atmospheres. In terms of academics, prestige and opportunities, those two schools are very similar and practically equal, with the slight edge going to Michigan, but it is sight.</p>
<p>Snow in April is AWESOME.</p>
<p>Definately visit the campuses! I'd go for UCLA personally, if its cheaper..warm weather and pretty similar, prestige-wise. Also, if you have any idea where you want to live after college..michigan recruiters tend to be mostly from midwest and new york area while I'm sure UCLA has more of the big cali companies.</p>
<p>It's down to weather and sports. Sunny and warm year round vs 4 seasons and snow. Basketball vs football. Aside from those two things, I can't think of a great way to do a UCLA vs Michigan thread.</p>