<p>Coolbreeze, you and I had a go-round over UM/Mich on another thread and I am glad to see you're investigating further.
I corroborate the general consensus that UM is both significantly harder to get into (generally) and more rigorous (overall.) UM's School of Music is ranked in the top 5 nationally including Julliard. However, MSU it well-respected for music composition, and I believe has a unique opportunity to study music therapy. MSU is incredibly strong in physics and is about to receive a huge grant to work on particle acceleration. So it really really really depends on WHAT fields interest you and you should maybe put more emphasis on the area of study as opposed to the overall reputation of the school.</p>
<p>But here's something I hope you consider. Please GO VISIT U M's campus. Call the department of your favorite subject or field of study and arrange to SIT IN on a freshman class AND a senior class if they'll let you. I know you've already visited M State, but if you didn't sit in on classes there, please do so.
Attend a performance. Eat lunch in the town. Ride the busses. Talk to the students. Take the formal tour, and then create your own tour. Stay overnight on campus. Do this while you're still a junior, so that if you determine you want to gain acceptance at UM, you can begin writing very strong essays and getting excellent recommendations this summer. Then apply early.</p>
<p>I truly believe that your intuition will tell you -- once you've immersed yourself at EACH school -- which program/school is THE RIGHT FIT. All the prestige in the world (for the school) will not make you happy in the day-to-day. Good luck on your journey!</p>
<p>kmccrindle said it well, it all comes down to which school you can see yourself at for four years. The comments that UMich is typically harder/more competitive/more intellectual students are generally true, though if it comes down to MSU residential college or honors college vs UMich regular, this could largely be negated.
The name on the UMich degree will get you more recognition outside of Michigan though, and that's important if you want to leave the state and get a job with your bachelors.</p>
<p>My school every year takes seniors ( I'll be a senior next year) to many university campuses. One on their list is University of Michigan- Ann Arbor along with Michigan State University, and I'll try to go visit both when given the option as a 12th grader. I don't really plan to leave this great state Michigan to settle, but do plan to explore the world ofcourse ( I don't think attending one of the schools will hurt my chances in that area).</p>
<p>Overall both are GREAT schools, UMich is just better.</p>
<p>UMich is much more serious and prestigious institute. MSU has a laid back atmosphere with a big party scene. Basically, people who want to advance and go on to grad school, tend to lean towards UMich. MSU is for the people who are looking to experience the whole college scene as well as get a pretty good education.</p>
<p>One thing I do like about MSU though is Lyman Briggs and James Madison College which offers smaller classes focused on your major without having to be in the Honors program.</p>
<p>But that doesn't necessarily mean that UMich doesnt have parties right? I mean, even though MSU is a huge party school, you can still "experience the college scene" at UMich. Though its a harder school and people there may study more, they still have time to relax and throw some wild parties</p>
<p>The big difference is that Michigan's students generally don't party/get drunk on weekdays. Depending on your point of view, that's either an indicator of a good party school or an indicator of alcoholism.</p>
<p>Yeah a good thing about Michigan State University ( or at least from what I was told) they know how to do well in academics, but yet still have a good time. I couldn't go to a school where I feel drag of no fun, and lack the college experience. Usually many tell me that University of Michigan- Ann Arbor is boring, and there is always something to do on campus at Michigan State University. I've long agreed to the ideal, although after seeing Ann Arbor downtown maybe UofM-Ann Arbor isn't all about competition etc....</p>
<p>How is there more to do on campus at Michigan State than there is at Michigan? If you're in to cultural things, East Lansing pales in comparison to Ann Arbor. Plus, you're twice as close to Detroit, if you want to take advantage of anything going on there.</p>
<p>
[quote]
How is there more to do on campus at Michigan State than there is at Michigan? If you're in to cultural things, East Lansing pales in comparison to Ann Arbor. Plus, you're twice as close to Detroit, if you want to take advantage of anything going on there.
[/quote]
I only half-agree with this. Ann Arbor is a great place, but MSU's campus is just as nice, they're both very different though. UMich is more integrated with Ann Arbor and a more suburban campus, whereas MSU is a large self-contained campus with lots of green, both have their fair share of old/impressive architecture though. </p>
<p>And I've never thought too highly of Detroit despite all the times I've been there</p>
<p>here in Michigan, we're truly lucky to have 2 such fantastic public universities. Few other states can say the same. My d was accepted to both, and altho she has chosen UMich, she was also very impressed with MSU's Honors College. And both Ann Arbor and East Lansing are great college towns with lots of exciting events going on at all times.</p>
<p>I've never thought of being "closer to Detroit" as an advantage ...FOR ANYTHING!</p>
<p>Ann Arbor is a great town and offers everything a college student could want. East Lansing is also a great town - </p>
<p>In this economy, I'd give the nod to UM - more recognition beyond the state of Michigan - let's be honest, you may want to focus outside the state of Michigan if you're looking for a job.</p>
<p>There's tons of reasons to go to Detroit. Joe Louis Arena hosts the CCHA playoffs, and usually a couple neutral site college hockey games each year (Michigan and Michigan State play once each year at JLA). If you like the theatre and want to see bigger productions, you're that much closer to the Fox Theater and Fisher Theater. Special events at JLA/Cobo. Concerts at St. Andrews, Magic Stick, etc. Detroit Institute of Art. Detroit Science Center. Detroit may be a crappy place to live, but it still has lots of good reasons to go visit.</p>
<p>Yeah I don't see being close to Detroit an advantage, I wouldn't even wan't to stay in the suburbs of Detroit. I guess I'm sorta seeing Ann Arbor largely divided campus, with many things to do... but since it seems the city of Ann Arbor dominates largely most activities may take place off campus. I'm sure downtown Ann Arbor has many things to do, but when you can't make it downtown, is there alot on campus to do ( that's what I was thinking)? Seems like Michigan State University focus alot on downtown East Lansing as well, but give many options of activities on campus. This is base off not visiting University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, so once a visit I'll most likely have a better ideal of the school.</p>
<p>Are you aware of how large Michigan State's campus is, and how close downtown Ann Arbor is to Michigan's campus? MSU's campus is roughly the size of the Hill+Central Campus+downtown Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>Downtown Ann Arbor is minutes (in walking time) away from my dorm... so... uh... you can pretty much always make it downtown, unless you are a cripple and there is 3 feet of uncleared snow outside...</p>