I was admitted to both the University of Michigan Ann-Arbor and the University of Rochester, and for me both cost around the same.
I’m kind of dying trying to decide between the two, so I’m asking for some help.
I want to go the pre-med route, and I know Michigan is extremely prestigious for this, but Rochester offers the open curriculum and has far fewer students vying for attention in this field. It’s hard for me to compare the incredible rankings Michigan has vs the unique advantages of Rochester.
Is Michigan internally competitive when it comes to the pre-med field? Both schools are renowned for research and I’d really appreciate not having to compete for opportunities, but I’ve heard from a lot of people that Michigan works hard to feel like a small school inside of a bigger school, and I feel like they’re implying that you can actually get close to professors (which is what I’m looking for).
Any help is GREATLY appreciated!! Thank you!! 
Rochester seems like the better fit for you based on what you have written. It simply offers everything you appear to be seeking, without the inherent challenges that could be associated with Michigan’s vast size.
Thank you so much!! I think I’m just hung up on the FOMO of passing up a really brand-name school even though Rochester is probably a better fit. I need that stranger validation haha
Unless you are a big sports fan looking for that D1 school spirit, I would choose UR. It’s just as prestigious to anyone who matters. Students there work hard but also have fun. It’s a beautiful campus and you will get more individual attention.
UR is wonderful for pre-med. There’s a great university hospital right by campus. Highly respected. Huge research focus and yes, you are far more likely to establish relationships with profs at UR. I would say that UR has higher respect than UMich in academia circles. It lacked something in the court of popular opinion for a long time because the school did not promote itself aggressively and many people had not heard of it. UR was also lumped together with the far inferior RIT, and still may be, by some. It did not help that it was physically situated in Rochester, which for many years was regarded as an area to be avoided. This is changing, as Rochester is now regarded as an emerging tech hub and houses in nice areas are selling like hotcakes. The University of Rochester itself is also finally starting to acquire the cachet it rightly deserves. This is a great choice. Congratulations!
@WhrlingColleges
@joecollege44
Thanks so much!! These comments have genuinely helped me. My head was spinning trying to make a decision!! I’m glad I posted this thread-- this has given me some much needed insight and clarity on the situation.
If you look back sufficiently far in time, Michigan might appear to be the up-and-comer in this comparison, @Dawert26:
@merc81
Woah that’s so crazy! Those are from before my parents were even born lol
I love seeing stuff like that haha
I wonder what people will think when they look over rankings from today in 30 years?? I feel like colleges change more rapidly than society as a whole does. Insanity
I think the most depressing part of that article is where they list the $1,000 a year tuitions ;-:
Well, you may get a climbing wall now, @Dawert26.
That noted, congratulations on your acceptances and your success thus far!