Hi everyone!
I have been accepted to both schools, and I was wondering which one you all think is better? I am from New Hampshire, and really want to live somewhere other than the East Coast! My family all lives in MN, so it would be amazing to be close to them.
I have seen both, and love both. I know they are very different, but I just love certain things about both, and hate nothing. I hope on rushing a sorority, also. Texas’ housing seems better to me, but I like the idea of being in Minneapolis. I like the “Aggie Tradition,” and their sports teams. But, I am somewhat worried I would feel out of place here coming from out of state.
The cost of attendance will be about the same for both, so there isn’t much comparison there. AP credit is almost identical…
I would be majoring in Neuroscience at the U of M and Microbiology at TAMU, and plan to go on to med school… I know both schools are strong in these fields.
So, which school would you go to and why? Which one has the friendlier, happier students? When I visited, Texas seemed a bit more welcoming, but I didn’t have a problem with MN by any means. As for weather, I like the cold and I like the hot… Haha I will wake up one morning wanting to live in the cold and the next morning wanting hot. It is so confusing.
Please add any opinions/experiences you have had with either school!
I don’t know much about Collegeville other than to know its no where near as cosmopolitan as Minneapolis with its great culture (music, theatre, art museums, etc), the campus being adjacent to downtown (great shopping, restaurants and clubs), on a new light rail line, on both banks of the Mississippi, near the Minneapolis chain of lakes and the people are terrific and welcoming. The College of Biological Sciences is rated very high with strong students. The athletic tradition is both strong and growing (wait until you see hockey in Mariucci arena!).
You’d love it.
I’d say it depends on how adventurous you’re feeling.
Do you want a whole new experience? Texas will be something entirely new- a smallish college town in one of the reddest states, where you will be the curiosity. There is a lot of campus pride, and Aggie football rules! But it’s a long drive to anywhere other than campus, and options for entertainment or experiences will be limited.
Do you want something new, but less dramatic of a difference? Winters in Minnesota aren’t much worse than you can get in New Hampshire (depending on where in NH you are). You’ve said you have family there- very nice to have a safety net in place. And Minnesota is in the heart of a large metro area. You can walk to over a dozen theatres, museums and take public transport to everything else.
I had a similar choice at your age- and I chose Minnesota, and of course I’m proud of my school. Academically, I’d give Minnesota an edge over A&M, but A&M is more of a traditional college “experience.” And Texans are great- just ask them, they’ll tell you! Minnesotans don’t like to promote ourselves. We’re content to know that all our children are above average. 
Good luck! Let us know what you decide!