I applied for engineering at U of M but now I’m really unsure if I’ll be accepted. I was wondering if the University of Virginia is a good alternative for the University of Michigan. Are they the same, prestige-wise? If I do choose to apply to UVA, I’ll apply as a neuroscience major, lmao engineering school is really hard to get into. I know that UM’s weather is pretty bad compared to UVA’s, but how do they compare in terms of size, prestige, research opportunities, etc.?
Michigan is way bigger than Uva. Both are in really cool college towns. Both are super hard to get into if you are out of state. Both are respected all over the world. Michigan’s engineering is higher ranked, but it’s not like UVa’s engineering is not well respected either. I think UVa just got ranked higher recently by Forbes than UM did. I don’t know about research opportunities. You can’t go wrong with either of them.
Apply to both, along with some safeties. If you are lucky, you will be able to make a choice later between two or more great programs, after finding out the net cost.
Can’t go wrong with either school. Michigan is much larger. Ann Arbor is a better college town. UVA has a much nicer campus. Both are highly regarded by employers and educators. Michigan is a bit more national in it’s reach, as it takes more OOS kids. Good luck.
They’re probably equivalent in “prestige” (a very subjective term), though most rankings I’ve read have UVA a few spots above UM - but they’re both usually in the top 5 for public universities, so you really can’t go wrong. In addition, remember that UVA doesn’t let you enter your major until after your second year. From my understanding, you’d have to apply as a neuroscience major after second year, and I’ve heard the program is incredibly selective (I think they accept only 25 people a year, but I could be wrong on that). UVA is probably a little bit more difficult to get in OOS as well, just because of the state quotas and such. Either are great options - anyone would be impressed with your admission and attendance to them.
I think it really comes down to where you live. There are some huge price differences here. If Michigan is out of state for you then I wouldn’t even be thinking about it if I were accepted to UVA. OOS tuition is crazy high and not worth the debt.
I’m guessing the OP is not IS at either UM or UVA.
Not much/any price difference between UM OOS and UVA OOS.
If you are in-state for either, that would be a huge plus in my view as they are of a similar level otherwise. Michigan is more known for engineering than UVA, but UVA has become quite good in biomedical in particular, and from what I have seen has good placement out of the engineering school. Michigan is twice as large.
These 2 schools are very different! Both are great and enjoy the ‘prestige factor’, when it comes to employment. However, the atmosphere is very different. UVa is very similar to an Ivy League school, smaller student body, beautiful campus, excellent traditions, and ‘preppy’ student body. Michigan, on the other hand, is a large research university, powerhouse in terms of research work, very friendly student body, internationally better known, and most of it professional schools are amongst the best in the country. Both open doors, though Michigan alumni are more approachable and helpful when it comes to networking for internships/jobs.
If you get admission to either of these places, you should pat your back and feel happy.
@Rintu, We are proudly public, with 16,000 undergraduate students. It’s silly to even try to define a group that large.
What data are you using to back up your statements about our alumni (saying Michigan alumni are “more approachable and helpful” implies that UVA alumni aren’t)? UVA alumni are amazing and they support the school and students is many ways.
Don’t dis Dean J! 
There is an alumni difference: There are far more UM alumnus. Wherever I go in the world, I see a hat, a Tee, Something with the big M on it.
@HRSMom I would say that there probably are “far more UM almunus” - that is because Michigan is twice as large!
Which can be positive or negative…depending on what you are looking for. OP needs to figure out what fits him, not try to fit into any one of several schools.
9 "and most of [UM's] professional schools are amongst the best in the country"
As are UVA’s professional schools.
UM Law #8 in USNWR. UVA Law #8. Ross (UM B-school) ranked #12. Darden (UVA B-school) #11. Though UM wins for med school (11 vs. 28). But we were talking about college not grad school…
As far as alumni networks go, the bigger difference is more likely regional. UVA is going to be huge in DC and pretty big in NYC. UM would be huge in Chicago. Each will be tiny in LA as compared to UCLA and USC.
UM is very big in NYC.