University of Michigan vs UMass Amherst

First priority is money.

Ask your parents where the college money is coming from. Not if they can afford Michigan, but where the dollars come from. Say no if the four years’ worth of costs (travel, living expenses as well as tuition and fees) includes any change in family lifestyle or dipping into retirement funds (that is a big no for any school). Of course, no loans.

Okay, so your family is rich. The following based on information from posts. But- you did not qualify for Mass honors. How will you fare at a tougher school? Are you any more likely to get top grades and shine to be accepted for medical schools and grad schools? Will the more intense atmosphere be in your best interest? You were waitlisted- obviously not the strongest candidate.

The nationwide reputation will not matter for your most probable medical school admissions (instate, btw). You can be incredible at any school and get into a grad program. You can be average and not get in from any school, no matter how prestigious.

There are different aspects that if your family easily manage or afford your financial career then Michigan is the great choice for your ultimate career ,but Amherst is best choice if you wants definitely save the money.
https://calculator-online.net/cgpa-calculator/

UMass Amherst Honors has a holistic component. Not all high stats kids are offered honors. There isn’t any objective qualifying threshold. The fact that someone is is not offered honors does not mean much for the caliber of the student. They take into account prospective major, demographics, residency and “fit”. The Honors college has an interdisciplinary nature and a student that is high stats but shows interest only in STEM for example might not be viewed as good fit.

Also, being waitlisted does not mean someone is “not the strongest candidate” and will find the work more challenging than a person who was not initially waitlisted.

Schools like University of Michigan have more qualified applicants than they can accept. That’s why there is a waitlist.

[quote[Also, being waitlisted does not mean someone is “not the strongest candidate” and will find the work more challenging than a person who was not initially waitlisted.
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Exactly. Perhaps the stats were fine, but the essay was not all that compelling.