<p>It’s time to choose, and chances are that I will be attending either University of Washington (Instate) or University of Michigan (OOS). If I go to Michigan, I will be enrolled in the College of Engineering. At UWash, I would be pursuing an engineering degree. I might also be interested in Biology.</p>
<p>So… I need some help.</p>
<li><p>Which would you attend? Is the extra cost at Michigan worth it? </p></li>
<li><p>How hard is it to switch from the College of Engineering. How about a dual major with say… biology?</p></li>
<li><p>How hard is it to study abroad at Michigan in engineering? Would being OOS make it harder?</p></li>
<li><p>Would I have time to take spare classes, lets say I wanna take a few classes here and there for fun, maybe Japanese or philosophy, but not even to minor in them.</p></li>
<li><p>Is there a soft or hard credit cap for each semester?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I will post more questions if they come up later, thanks for your help, much appreciated!</p>
<p>Both great options. Academically, with all things considered, I would give the edge to Michigan. </p>
<p>Also, once you get east of the Mississippi, UW gets confused for Washington U and loses a little bit of name rec. Michigan, however, is always Michigan.</p>
<p>Still very comparable. Ultimately, do you want to get out of state and experience something different than the pacific NW? If so, you should go for it.</p>
<p>It is fairly easy to switch from the College of Engineering, you have to apply for a cross-campus transfer in the Winter term, but I think it's automatic. You could do a dual major with biology (assuming biomed engineering?), a few of the classes overlap at first, but it definitely takes a lot of work (maybe 5 years) to get an engineering+lsa degree. There are plenty of study abroad programs for every engineering major, but I'm not sure if it is more difficult if OOS.</p>
<p>Also, there are plenty of electives that you have to fulfill, such as humanities and/or social sciences for CoE. Japanese or philosophy can fill these requirements.</p>
<p>I think UWash is poised to join the top rank of public universities. They have increased admission standards, are raising a huge amount of money, and are getting a big funding increase from a booming state. They already have a world class faculty in many areas. One of the most underrated schools in the US. The campus is awesome.</p>
<p>It's much easier to transfer OUT of Engineering than into it! </p>
<p>We found that the engineering school admissions office was extremely helpful in directing us to the people who could answer our many questions. i suggest that you give them a call!</p>
<p>Is it worth paying an extra $100,000 to attend Michigan over UDub? Unless your parents are very well off, the quick and easy answer is no. As Barrons points out, Washington is a very good university. So unless your folks are rich, do yourself a favor and stick to Washington.</p>
<p>Engineering and Biology are two of the top programs at UDub...that plus one of the top research medical school with plenty of research opportunities. Unless your family is very well off, I see no reason to spend the extra $$$ for OOS at Michigan.</p>
<p>One caveat. You need to be even more proactive at UDub as classes may be a bit limited at times. You also should consider if you prefer quarter system or semester.</p>
<p>Hey everyone, wanted to say thanks for our input. If someone else wants to say something that would be great. I will notify you if I make any decisions.</p>
<p>CS and Biology happen to be two of UDub's better departments. Michigan is more prestigious and highly regarded than Washington, but the education you will receive at Washington will be stellar, particularly in those two fields you mentioned. Saving 100K is another big plus.</p>