Great advice singermom4.
It all comes down to money. If Ann arbor will make you happier, and your parents have a lot of money, then yes it’s worth it. Everything is relative in this world, saying “it’s not worth it” in a general manner is a simple worthless and thaughtless statement. Things have value only if you believe they do. This is an opinion, not advice, i wouldn’t recommend seeking advice on CC on this matter, it’s your call, only you can make the right decision.
@umichalex - First off, congratulations on your acceptance to Umich. Just wanted to say that 
Secondly, here are some specific things to think about.
If you family would qualify via FAFSA for pell grants, for example, there is a chance that Umich could grant you a respectable amount of financial aid even though you’re out of state – but it is a long shot. You just won’t know until you’re offered a package. Make sure your ducks are in a row in terms of things like having submitted the CSS, getting your FAFSA completed on time, etc.
With that said, I want you to consider concretely the difference in overall attendance price the difference between UIUC and UMich, both of which have truly stellar engineering programs. In terms of COA (before aid or merit) you’re looking at roughly $25,000 a year difference. So over 2 years, $50,000. Which is about two and a half brand new Ford Fusions, 25% of the cost of a really nice house in Michigan in which an engineer might live, or a downpayment on a condo in Chicago
Your repayment schedule JUST FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL mind you, not the base amount you need to go to school, would be roughly an EXTRA $500 - $600 a month for the next 10 years of your life. And the repayment on regular student loans for regular tuition to the fed max comes in just shy of $300/mo for ten years.
If you amortized the differential over 25 years instead, you’d bring the monthly payment down a bit but would be spending an insane amount on interest, and still be paying it when your own children, if you choose to have them, go to school.
So, your two years in Ann Arbor might cost you quite a bit in terms of future lifestyle for a very long time, even provided you start out with a good, mid-range salary, which is more likely in engineering but never a given.
Even six-figure earners would “feel” an expenditure of $800-$900 a month. In Michigan, some of us don’t pay a lot more than that on our mortgages Do you want a future where you really can’t afford a new car, an annual vacation, a good school district for your family, nights out with friends at lovely restaurants? Because especially in the beginning of your career, that is what that kind of debt load will mean, and will restrict. Your choices now dramatically influence your future lifestyle.
In your shoes, I would strongly consider UIUC, and try to fall in love a bit. Then if I really wanted to live in Ann Arbor, I would apply for a masters or look for a job in the area, and use the money I saved to increase credential and possible future pay… or have a nicer entertainment budget to kick around Ann Arbor after work
I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but its as frank an answer as you’ll find.
However, you also need not despair – your package may end up better than you think and you any end up able to do what you want…I’ve seen that happen too.
So I’ll send you good wishes for that outcome, but also a wish that your choices now lead to the fullest, happiest life for you, whatever that means!
I went to The University of Michigan Graduate School Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) and later their Ross School of Business (MBA). The OP should consider doing her graduate degree at UM if she wants to have the Ann Arbor Experience or push back her undergraduate degree for a year and move to Ann Arbor now and eventually be able to meet the one-year residency requirement for In-State Tuition (poor choice in my book, given the opportunity cost). I was fortunate enough to have my MSE aid for by my company and I completed the program in 10 months, which did not allow me the opportunity to enjoy Ann Arbor. I did pay for my MBA and the program was fairly intense, leaving very little time to enjoy any social life on campus.
As an Illinois resident, UIUC is not everybody’s cup of tea. Needless to say, I understand what the OP means when she says that she doesn’t not want to go there
@mom2collegekids dude what is your problem…why are you trying to pick a fight and attack someone on a website where people are trying to ask for help/advice? Obviously everyone has their own right to choose which schools to apply to so why don’t you respect that. She may come from an incredibly wealthy family so the amount of financial aid she gets may not matter. I feel like your trying to bring her down because you are jealous that she can pay for an oos public tuitio???
I think mom2collegekids makes a very valid point. If umichalex were from a wealthy family, I do not think he/she would have started this thread. I do not think students generally understand the burden that attending an expensive university can have on their financial stability down the line. I appreciate the desire to attend a university in a nice setting, but to most students, there are financial implications to keep in mind.
I hope @umichalex shares her decision with us. Good luck umichalex wherever you go!
@Alexandre thats probably true but it doesn’t give her the right to start ganging up on someone who’s just trying to give advice on here. Everyone is supposed to be mature on college confidential
My suggestion for OP is to apply and see how much financial aid you can get. I am a transfer student from GA. And the Financial aid package I get from UMich is more than the OOS tuition.