<p>I'm a rising senior trying to decide between applying to the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Michigan. Due to the other amount of other apps that I am doing and because I am not willing to part with any of those schools, I have come to the conclusion that I need to pick between these two schools to apply to. </p>
<p>I am hoping to pursue a combination of Engineering and Economics in college and I plan on going into tech entrepreneurship or management consulting after college. </p>
<p>Michigan: I really enjoy the campus environment and strong academics offered by the university. I haven't visited UT, but I went to a summer program at UMich. I also feel like UMich has a stronger reputation among consulting circles, which contributes to the greater recruitment there. I feel like UMich also has much stronger math and economics departments than UT-Austin. </p>
<p>UT-Austin: The city of Austin offers incredible access to research opportunities and a vibrant tech scene. UT also has a variety of special undergraduate programs that I would love to take advantage of. UT has great computer science and engineering programs. </p>
<p>Overall, I am completely confused as to which I should be aiming at and would love for some advice. </p>
<p>Another thing to consider is that my dad would allow me to go to UMich over my flagship state school if I was accepted, but I am unsure if he would let me go to UT-Austin over my state school. At the same time, there is the possibility I won't get into UMich but might get into UT-Austin, considering their relative acceptance rates. </p>
<p>What should I do? To which one should I apply? </p>
<p>You can’t go wrong with either, honestly. Where do you want to live after college? If it’s the north, pick Michigan, if it’s the south pick Texas. It’ll be easier to get work if you’ve already been rooted in the community and have a degree from the area.</p>
<p>If you are OOS, both UT Austin and Michigan will be high reaches. UT Austin’s acceptance rate is relatively high because they auto admit the top 7% of students in every Texas high school. The number of spots left after that are relatively low. But apply to both </p>
<p>Will your dad pay fore both OOS?</p>
<p>My dad will pay for UMich OOS for sure. UT-Austin might take a little more convincing but I think I can convince him. </p>
<p>As for where I want to live, I definitely don’t want to live in Ann Arbor. It’s a little small for me. But I am also hesitant as to whether Austin will have the combination of tech and consulting opportunities I desire. </p>
<p>Do you like hot or cold? They are both very good schools and you can’t go wrong. Engineering is strong at both. Lots of recruiters for engineering and high tech and research at UT. There is recruiting for consulting as well but I am less familiar with the details. </p>
<p>Michigan has a better reputation historically, but is in a part of the country that is slow/no growth. UT is on the rise and in an area that is booming. What do you think about Texas the state? </p>
<p>If they are both OOS for you it may come down to where you get in and where your folks will pay. </p>
<p>If you, “definitely don’t want to live in Ann Arbor” then don’t apply to Michigan. I just made your choice easier. </p>
<p>“But I am also hesitant as to whether Austin will have the combination of tech and consulting opportunities I desire.” </p>
<p>Austin is a huge city that will have everything. You don’t have to worry abou opportunities when you are in Austin. In Ann Arbor, the opportunities will be limited, but not in Austin</p>
<p>Doesn’t Michigan have a better reputation/more prestige? </p>
<p>I am not at interested in schools because of prestige. However, I recognize that prestige can be a large factor. Especially for consulting, prestige of schools seems to correlate with recruitment opportunities. Does UT Austin have top-notch consulting recruitment?</p>
<p>Consulting firms operate regionally. There is no real HQ. Most major consulting firms will have large offices in Dallas and Houston. They will also have major offices in Chicago and Detroit. Where do you think those will recruit the most? Dallas and Houston offices will likely actively recruit at Rice, SMU, TAMU and UT-Austin. Chicago and Detroit offices will recruit most at Chicago, Michigan, Northwestern, Notre Dame, UIUC, WUSTL and Wisconsin-Madison.</p>
<p>Also, you underestimate Texas’ prestige. Where it matters, it is definitely very well regarded. Go with your gut on this one. Something to consider is where you would like to live when you graduate. If you prefer living in the South, Texas would be a great choice. If you prefer the Midwest or the Northeast, Michigan would have the edge. I don’t think either school has that much of an advantage over the other in the West Coast.</p>
<p>Where did you decide on
@sirswish7 </p>
<p>Rising seniors don’t get to decide until they are admitted.</p>
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<p>Be careful with basing selectivity on overall admission rates, especially for schools with various admission buckets like division, major, and in-state/out-of-state. For example, UT Austin is a safety for top 7% rank students in Texas (who take up most of the admission seats), but a reach for everyone else (who must compete for the remaining few admission seats).</p>
<p>But if your father won’t pay for UT Austin, then there is no real point in applying there.</p>
<p>@sirswish7 Curious as to what your state school option is, that your dad might not let you choose UT over. </p>
<p>Thanks guys for all the feedback. I’ve decided that I’m going to apply to Michigan. Potentially doing EA. </p>
<p>Best of luck to you! Go Blue!</p>