University of virginia vs university of michigan! HELP!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
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<p>Hi, I am a senior from Alaska. Among the schools I'm applying to are University of Michigan and University of Virginia. I'm going to have to choose one of these two, though, because the application fee is $75 each. I mean, come on, I have to work like six hours to make that much. </p>

<p>Biggest factor in choosing my school would be money, and on College board it says Michigan meets 90% of students' needs on average, and University of Virginia meets 100%. The average net price for my parent's income bracket households, however, is about the same for both schools (13k ish). I ran both their net price calculators, and UVA was about $7,444 a year for me. UMich was a ridiculous amount of $$20725 - $32525/year, which is more than half my parents' income. I double checked everything on the calculator, and still same amount. I think it might be because my parents have some savings, which still isn't a lot. I know this is just an estimate, but it will be close to the actual value, won't it? Does this mean that UVA will for sure give out a lot more for me?</p>

<p>I want to major in engineering, and I know people are going to probably just say UMich over University of Virginia because just because of their ranking difference. Personally I don't think that matters. I mean, they're both really good schools, and just because UVA is ranked lower doesn't mean I can't get as good an education there as I would at UMich, right?</p>

<p>I want to also have something to fall back on if I decide I want to do something other than engineering, but I guess both schools would have just about everything being that they are state universities, right?</p>

<p>I'm just about done with my UVA application, all I have to do is finish my arts supplement and pay for it and send it in. UMIch deadline is 1st of Feb though, so if I don't apply to UVA I have a whole another month to think it over.</p>

<p>What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.</p>

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<p>oh, and how are the music programs and a capella groups at each school?</p>

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<p>UMich is also great because it has rolling admissions (so the sooner you get that in, the sooner you hear your answer)… or at least it did when my brother applied. My brother went to UMich and I went to UVA. I don’t know how great either one is for financial aid, though. There is a serious divide at UMich between people who are instate and get financial aid, and those who are out of state and don’t (and really that is how it mostly breaks down), and UVA is starting to have a similar divide though it’s not as pronounced and there are more out of state kids on financial aid, though I think it’s not the best decision to take out 40k in loans just to go to UVA. Are you totally against staying in state or a state closer to home that is less expensive? I know a lot of those north-mid-west schools (Dakotas??) offer instant admission if you meet certain criteria (which I’m sure you do if you’re applying to UVA and UMich) and probably offer better financial aid if it is a serious concern.</p>

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<p>There is one huge difference - UVa meets 100% of the demonstrated need of all US students, while U Michigan only makes that commitment for in-state students.</p>

<p>In answer to a question above, UVa has many a cappello singing groups-I think it is about 10 of them. My son is in one. Some are harder to get into than others, and some are more traditional than others.</p>

<p>You might also want to look at the comparative costs of flying to reach each university - although that can change over time and from month to month. I imagine you would fly into the Detroit Airport for U Michigan - the airport is not too far from Ann Arbor. </p>

<p>Charlottesville has a small airport. If you can get a flight to DC’s National Airport, there is a Metro station right there, which can take you to the train station at Union Station, which then provides Amtrak service to within 2 miles of UVa. You can also fly into Dulles, but it would then be harder (but not impossible) to get to UVa from there. Once you get to know people, it would then not be hard to find rides to and from Dulles, because so many UVa students live nearby.</p>

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<p>D applied to UM and was accepted there with a large merit scholarship in LSA. We are instate for UVA and that is ultimately where she enrolled, in SEAS (current 4th year). Ultimately, it came down to cost but she has not regretted choosing UVA. IMHO, Michigan has more to offer in terms of music curriculum; how much of that is accessible to a non-major, though, I do not know. There are many, many singing groups at UVA, as Charlie pointed out. </p>

<p>What type of engineering are you interested in?</p>

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<p>Also, keep in mind that Michigan is twice the size of UVa. That offers benefits in terms of graduate education and research, but I believe a more moderate size provides a more pleasant undergrad experience.</p>

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<p>If you really want to do engineering you should consider other schools that are more well known for engineering and probably cheaper to attend, including VaTech.</p>

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<p>Thank you guys so much for the responses. In all honesty I had not thought about the travel costs. I guess that’s something to consider too. I’m not sure what kind of engineering I want to do yet. It’s not like 100% set in stone that I’m going to get the engineering degree, either. I just like calculus and it comes somewhat easy to me so I thought, hey, I’ll go into engineering. That’s why I don’t want to go to a tech school like VaTech. I don’t think I know enough about engineering to decide a 100% sure that that’s what I want to do. I want to have something to fall back on, and state universities would provide that, I think.</p>

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<p>I don’t mean to be rude at all, but with even the most accomplished, qualified, OOS students, UVa and Michigan chose you, you don’t chose them…that is until you have acceptance(s) in hand. I realize how tough $75 can be to come by, however it may be penny wise and pound poor to apply to only one. You could either risk being rejected by the one you select, or accepted with an unacceptable aid package. Applying to both allows you a chance at both schools and if accepted to both the chance to compare actual aid offers which may differ drastically in loans vs grants. </p>

<p>I would also urge you to include an academic and financial safety on your list that you’d be happy attending if your more ‘reachy’ schools don’t work out. Best of luck!</p>

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<p>Though this doesn’t really answer your question, in my honest opinion, I think you should apply to both. Now I know I’m not in your financial situation and that you asked which is BETTER, but if you think about it, 6 hours of working for $75 is worth it in the long run. If you’re that divided between the two, and you think both are good, and you’re not sure which will give the better aid, then apply to both and make your decision when you hear back from both.</p>

<p>Chances are, you’ll get thousands in financial aid, and the $75 application fee would have been worth it. 6 hours of work for 4 years of education ;)</p>

<p>Again sorry that this doesn’t answer your question LOL. I see plenty of people have responded with quality advice so here’s my two cents.</p>

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<p>I’ll add on this version of your thread in response to charlieschm that Michigan students tend to get annoyed when people criticize our size :]</p>

<p>The buzzphrase on campus is that “you can always make a big college smaller” by doing extracurriculars, joining clubs, or living in a learning community etc., and that’s absolutely true. I suppose Michigan will feel way bigger if you go to any home football games, seeing as Virginia doesn’t even get close to filling Scott Stadium :]</p>

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<p>Both are great schools. It comes down to fit and costs. If you have the academic profile to be accepted as an OOS student at these schools and you come from Alaska there will be many schools willing to offer you merit scholarships as well as need based aid. Throw a wide net out and see what opens up for you.</p>

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<p>I agree wholeheartedly with blueiguana…OOS admissions is tough for both of these schools, but it’s especially difficult at UVA (OOS acceptance rates hover ~22-24%). UVa fills no more than 1/3 of its class with OOS students. UMich, on the other hand, has 43% of its freshman class from OOS. [Enrollment</a> trends: Out-of-state students form 42.6 percent of University of Michigan’s freshman class](<a href=“http://www.annarbor.com/news/university-of-michigan-sees-increase-in-out-of-state-students/]Enrollment”>Enrollment trends: Out-of-state students form 42.6 percent of University of Michigan's freshman class) Your odds are probably better at UMich where acceptance rates are higher ([University</a> of Michigan–Ann Arbor | Best College | US News](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-michigan-9092]University”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/university-of-michigan-9092)), but you need to recognize a $75 app fee is small potatoes compared to what you’ll be paying over the next four years. You should apply to both, if both interest you, and if you think you have the stats to make you competitive for admission. I would advise you to also consider applying to schools that are known to offer merit money. You can run the financial aid numbers all you want, but you may likely be disappointed to discover the package awarded is still insufficient; hence, you need to cast a wide net and compare packages once they have been released. FWIW, IMO most OOS families living outside a 10 hour radius tend to grossly underestimate the expenses that go along with attending school far away. Things like storage fees, fees incurred because of getting stuck at layover airports, etc., etc. can really add up quickly. We’re full pay and live ~20 hours away. We thought we had provided a cushion for unexpected expenses, but have come to realize that cushion should have been an over-inflated queen size air mattress! :D</p>

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<p>Jellyman, The reason most state schools are accepting more and more out of state students and international students has nothing to do with diversity. They are looking for students who are well funded who will pay the high OOS COA. Most will save most of the need aid for IS students and each school is different with it’s finacial aid. Apply, fill out the fin aid forms, see what you get and go from there.</p>

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<p>I would go with UVA. If UVA accepts you, your need will be met, guarnateed. With Michigan it is doubtful that it would be even if you are accepted.</p>

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<p>UVA admissions are need blind; admissions and financial aid are separate offices. The admissions office has no idea whether or not you are full pay when they decide to admit you. Perhaps I’ve misunderstood bud’s observation, but being accepted to UVA isn’t contingent upon your ability as an OOS student to pay full freight. UVA also won’t be throwing money at you simply because you are from Alaska. </p>

<p>If you are looking for merit money and are not a Jefferson Scholar nominee, you’ve missed the boat on any significant money. Some UVA clubs sponsor small scholarships and there are a few others, but it probably won’t make a dent in your overall costs. The other thing to remember: at any school, they will be the ones determining your overall financial need. You may think you need more aid, but the school will have to follow their guidelines in determining what you are eligible for. If your parents financial circumstances change, your aid package will change too; and not always resulting in more money. </p>

<p>I hope you have some safety schools lined up; it looks like you’ve also applied to Rice and Brown, which are excellent schools, but also extremely competitive for admissions.</p>

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<p>Yes, I’d also look for some schools that are both financial and admissions safeties - preferably on the west coast near an airport that has affordable direct flights from Alaska. </p>

<p>Financial aid typically does not take into account unusually high travel expenses, and sometimes fares increase during the holidays. Even Amtrak has jacked up rates at times over Thanksgiving.</p>

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<p>I’ll answer this question from an entirely different perspective. Which degree is “more valuable”? The answer is, it’s a meaningless question. Both are very good schools with good engineering programs. Obsessing over ranking and reputation is silly.</p>

<p>I’ve worked in the technology industry more than 30 years, and I can tell you with certainty that the ranking of the school attended (undergrad or grad) is a non-predictor or a very weak predictor of professional success.</p>

<p>Since your money is tight, I’d advise this: apply to a good school that you like, where you have a very good chance of getting in. (Your grades & scores are in the top 25% of admitted pool.) Ignore rankings.</p>

<p>Also ignore advice on internet forums. :-)</p>