<p>Hi there, I was admitted by Vandy and Umich as a sophomore transfer student majoring in physics and I am having a hard time making the decision, could you help me out?</p>
<p>These two guys, both are top schools, both have high reputation and both can get me an amazing undergraduate experience. As for the physics program, Umich seems has a better ranking, but ranking can't show the whole picture, because Umich is just too big and has too many students, which worries me that I can't get enough resources and opportunities of doing research.</p>
<p>I am a fan of Vandy because its fantastic setting of small classes is too attractive to turn down, but I have no idea how good its physics program for undergraduates is, how good the professors are or how many research opportunities I can get as an undergraduate, perhaps the research opportunity matters most as I plan to pursue a PhD after graduation and that will helps a lot.</p>
<p>So, if you were me, which one would you choose? :D </p>
<p>Since none of us is you, that last question isn’t really answerable. The answer is, it depends. The main differences (other than climate) are the school sizes and the difference that makes in your class sizes and access to faculty. You’ve already indicated that these matter to you. So what do you need to know?</p>
<p>@vandyman thanks and yes,I checked it out the moment I was admitted, and it appears to be an amazing department. What i am worried is that Vandy may not </p>
<p>Oops, i mean its ranking may not as high as physics in umich, but i guess it doesnt matter for undergraduate education, I think that ranking has a lot to do with the grad school, am i correct?</p>
<p>transfertous, in all honesty, are you looking for a tight community and for letters of references from your physics professors for graduate school? The physics department at Vanderbilt and at its peer institutions (Duke, Rice, NWern, Wash U)…is always smaller than say the Biology major department. Therefore it will be doubly personal and your professors will know you personally. Physics is just not for everybody. </p>
<p>I believe Vanderbilt is an excellent place for any person who wishes to pursue a PhD in the arts and the sciences. While living on a campus that embraces you instead of overwhelming you. Look at Vanderbilt’s juried science journals where students publish their research. PhDs in hard sciences are one of the only ways to get underwritten graduate school placements anymore. I understand UMich is a fab college town full of bright people, and perhaps their physics department is inspiring, highly ranked and has more funding? for undergraduate research. So you can’t really go wrong</p>
<p>but you will receive a much more all-round college personal experience at Vanderbilt. And the college years should also be about community, mentors and friendship and growing as a person before you face your career years. good luck. Hope you choose Vandy!</p>
<p>Univ of Michigan is one of the great academic power houses in the world. No question about that. And I am sure its graduate program in physics is better than Vandy’s. But the school has been suffering from serious cutbacks of state money, and experiencing inevitable setbacks. They even get rid of in-state quota to receive high-tuition paying out-of-state students. Besides, you are still a low low undergraduate student. The graduate program ranking is really irrelevant for you at this point. If you are seriously interested in undergraduate research and will go further into the PhD, I believe Vandy is a better choice. </p>
<p>“s. But the school has been suffering from serious cutbacks of state money, and experiencing inevitable setbacks. They even get rid of in-state quota to receive high-tuition paying out-of-state students.”</p>
<p>Nonsense. Michigan has a huge endowment that have served its needs very well. The school has not suffered one bit because of it. Furthermore, the state of Michigan has never imposed a “quota” on instate vs out of state residents. Physics departments are small and tightly knit at most universities, Michigan not being an exception. Michigan is indeed world class in academics, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The same faculty teach at both levels to students. Michigan is known for research at the undergraduate level as well. Vanderbilt is a great school for sure, but so is Michigan. </p>
<p>Michigan is going through the same “privatization process” many other state flagships are going through. The state cuts funding so the schools turns to well funded out of state and international students to make up the shortfall by charging them private U rates. The problem is the state $ is not coming back and UM knows this, so the once great public university is setting itself up to be private U (that accepts a little state money). UM does not want to count on tax revenue to secure it’s future…and you can’t blame them for this. The losers in this privatization are the students. In-state students can’t get into their flagship U and are the red-headed step children and the “well funded” out of state and international students are the prettiest girl at the dance. They spread reputation, bring high test scores, improve selectivity, and of course bring the money.
The state flagship mission of a quality, inclusive, cost effective education for Michigan (and many other states) residents is fading away. </p>
<p>Michigan has an enormous endowment, somewhere around $8B or so. Couple that with a great reputation & solid across the board. I don’t think they have a real weakness (weather?!). Vanderbilt is a fine school, just compare depts & see what suits you. </p>