Got accepted for mechanical engineering in both of these colleges. I have began to look at them both, but as an international student, I can’t seem to figure out many pros and cons which can contrast these two universities. Could anyone give me a hand with unbiased pros and cons of each of these universities when it comes to engineering? Thanks.
Overall university…Michigan
Overall engineering…Michigan
Mechanical engineering…Michigan
Top students…Michigan
Location…Michigan
Location…Michigan
Location…Michigan
Cost…Purdue
Haha, could you be more specific with what you meant with location? I understand both West Lafayette and Ann Arbor are nice kind of college towns, and Purdue is nearer to Chicago (even though Michigan is right by Detriot). What makes you like Michigan so much more?
University of Michigan is so expensive. If i were you go to Purdue!
I googled “best college towns in America”. The attached is the 1st entry. Ann Arbor #2, Lafeyette #32. I expected AA to be #1 but I’m not going to argue with Boulder.
Anyway, do your own search and look over different rankings. Then you’ll see what RJK means by location.
http://www.bestcollegereviews.org/50-best-college-towns-america/
You’re hardly getting an unbiased opinion. Haha! Both will deliver a fantastic education for engineering. Both will have equal engineering opportunities, so it is hard to justify paying a huge premium as you will not get a return on the differential investment cost.
That being said, Michigan is more selective overall, has more breadth and depth across more academic disciplines, and more of an international presence. If you can afford the premium for Michigan, it would be my choice.
In terms of reputation, UMichigan is easily the better college. You need to figure out how much more of a financial burden this college places you in. If it is too much to handle, choose Purdue. Today, it seems like the job market is very competitive, so it’s best not be have student loan debt after graduation.
As an executive in corporate America I hire engineers from time to time. All other thing being equal I would not have a preference for the Michigan grad over the Purdue grad when it comes to engineering. Purdue is a very good engineering school. The town may not be as nice and the fellow students not as blue blooded but I think when it comes to engineering I care less about the prestige of the school and more about how the job candidate did and what they studied
Since you haven’t visited I’ll make a few points points. First, you will not go wrong with either one. Second, I’ll agree that Ann Arbor is more interesting than W. Lafayette, however, Lafayette is not bad. Purdue has something like the 2nd or 3rd largest group of international students in the country so you would not be isolated. Finally, the UM Engineering School is on their North Campus which is about 2 miles away from the main campus. They have bus service running to it. Purdue’s Engineering Campus is the main campus so you are always in the middle of things. Good luck in your decision.
Have you applied on ED or RD for Michgan? I have applied on 14th December.till now no decision…