<p>I am a senior in high school (I live in Michigan) and I have been accepted to both colleges. Money is fairly important to me and has been the bulk of how I have eliminated schools so far. I am a descent student, I have a 3.76 GPA (unweighted) and a 29 ACT. I received a half-ride to Alabama in the honors college and no scholarships at University of Michigan. My family isn't rich by any means but it is unlikely that I will receive any need-based aid at either school. All totaled out the University of Alabama is cheaper by less than two thousand which is not a huge deal for me especially since transportation down there would make up for the price. I have visited both schools and I thought the kids at the University of Alabama were a lot nicer and more normal. Both campus' are really nice but I was extremely impressed with the Honors college facilities and housing at the University of Alabama. I am not afraid at all to leave Michigan and a change of whether would be nice but I am not sure if I am willing to pass up on the University of Michigan name. I know I could enjoy going to both colleges, though I think Alabama would be more fun because to do well at U of M I would need to work very hard. I think if I knew what major/career I wanted this would be a fairly easy decision however I am still undecided between studying business and pre-med. I want to go in and take classes in both science and business and decide what I like better while I am there. If I go pre-med I still might choose to major in business or I might major in biology. A big thing I am worried about at U of M is that I won't be accepted to the Ross school of business as it is very competitive and I am not sure if I can make good enough grades, whereas at Alabama I have been accepted in the Culverhouse school of business already. I know at U of M I could always study economics but I know it would not be as good for getting a job out of college as Ross is. If I decide pre-med is the path for me I know U of M is also extremely good in all of their science programs however I don't know if I would be able to get a good enough GPA to get into a good medical school. The main downside of Alabama is that they don't have anywhere near the academic reputation that U of M has. In summary I am extremely confused which option would be better for me. PLEASE HELP ME!</p>
<p>University of Michigan is one of the top Universities in US and its peers are Georgia Tech, UCB, University of Virginia etc. Alabama is on whole another league. If you got a half ride to Alabama, that means Michigan will be slightly expensive like $2000 more… University of Michigan wins here no question…If you had gotten a full ride at Alabama, then it would have been a hard decision…</p>
<p>dhagan3048 :</p>
<p>You have a chance to go to a world class university for about the same price as an average state school. You already know what the intelligent choice is.</p>
<p>Alabama is a very good school IMO. In the past years, they’ve done a lot to deliver a great education to their students (this includes good everything, from nice dorms to great professors and everything in between), and are continuing to do so. They also have a great honors college.</p>
<p>I’m not saying you should pick Alabama, but I’m just putting out there that Bama isn’t some hick school that’s terrible.</p>
<p>If you want to attend medical school, I would choose Alabama since it looks like you would enjoy it more and it would be easier to get a better GPA with the easier course load. If you are serious about a career in Business outside Accounting though, Michigan is the clear choice.</p>
<p>Michigan’s probably a solid notch above Alabama, and it’s probably better for students who aren’t sure what they want to major in. I’d go with Michigan here.</p>
<p>I would go for Michigan. If you do not get into Ross, you will still have excellent professional options from LSA. Also, while a high GPA is essential for medical school, so is a strong MCAT score.</p>
<p>“I’m not saying you should pick Alabama, but I’m just putting out there that Bama isn’t some hick school that’s terrible.”</p>
<p>I agree with the above statement. It just isn’t Michigan…</p>
<p>“If you want to attend medical school, I would choose Alabama since it looks like you would enjoy it more and it would be easier to get a better GPA with the easier course load.”</p>
<p>Alabama over Duke with that type of reasoning.</p>
<p>
That says it all about the difference in academics between the two schools. If going to college to you is just a necessary step for med school, please go to Alabama.</p>
<p>Since costs are similar, I would go to Michigan without hesitation. These schools are not even comparable.</p>
<p>BUT, if you really think you would be significantly happier at Alabama, go there. Michigan students seem to be very happy though. UM provides a great college experience.</p>
<p>Michigan is worth significantly more than Alabama, and it doesn’t sound like it is going to cost significantly more to attend Michigan. </p>
<p>Go to Michigan. You shouldn’t even be considering Alabama.</p>
<p>Unless you really don’t like U of M for some reason. it’s probably the better choice for you. If you would have gotten the full tuition scholarship from Alabama - it would be a tougher decision. Alabama will likely end up costing more over time with the travel and (trending upward) costs for housing.</p>
<p>My son did not like the vibe of U of M at all…and didn’t even apply there. His choices were Michigan State, Michigan Tech or Alabama on a full tuition scholarship. He chose Alabama for many of the reasons OP described above - and he is very happy there.</p>
<p>(By the way, Alabama academics are no cake-walk - especially once you get further into your field of study.)</p>
<p>Quote:
I would choose Alabama since it looks like you would enjoy it more and it would be easier to get a better GPA with the easier course load.</p>
<p>Bama won’t be easier but there may be less students gunning for the limited As in premed classes</p>
<p>Plus, it’s easier to get into at least one MD school from Bama.</p>
<p>What is your FAFSA EFC?</p>
<p>Michigan, for sure.</p>
<p>Not even a close question.</p>
<p>Michigan all the way, and don’t look back. You are so lucky to be able reap the benefits of that fine institution as an instate resident. Take advantage of it.</p>
<p>“Alabama is a very good school IMO. In the past years, they’ve done a lot to deliver a great education to their students (this includes good everything, from nice dorms to great professors and everything in between), and are continuing to do so. They also have a great honors college.”</p>
<p>totally agree with the above</p>
<p>^^^^Totally agree with Michigan over Alabama. :-)</p>
<p>It sounds like Alabama is a better fit for your goals and you seem to prefer it. Unless you have a financial issue (and there doesn’t seem to be a big difference), chose fit over prestige.</p>