Help me choose...

smart.cookie · 11-07-2009, 09:55 AM

Hi parents,

I'm a high school senior in need of a little advice. I am trying to choose between the University of Michigan and the University of Pittsburgh for Nursing (both are high on the list or NIH funding) and I need some help.

I received a full tuition scholarship from UPitt, making the final cost around $9000-10000 a year (room and board).

I haven't heard back from U of M, but for the sake of comparison let's say it is equal in cost to UPitt.

Other factors: UPitt offered me conditional acceptance to grad school (and I want to pursue a PhD in Nursing) and a place in their Honors College.

My preferences: big campus, big opportunity, city with culture
Things I dislike: pretentiousness, big drinking culture

Right now I really can't think of enough pros/cons for each school to make a decision. I visited UMich and liked it, and I will visit UPitt in two weeks.

Thanks in advance for your help!

smart.cookie · 11-07-2009, 10:21 AM

A bump, if you would please.

smart.cookie · 11-07-2009, 01:33 PM

Ok some other variables:

I live in Michigan, so U of M is instate tuition for me.
I live near Ann Arbor, so UPitt would be farther away from home.
I want to study abroad some time during college (and I would like for the college I attend to have some scholarships to help pay for study abroad)

BobbyCT · 11-07-2009, 02:08 PM

Both schools have very good Nursing programs but I have always heard great things about UPitt's program in particular. If the prices are the same, you might want to give some weight to the fact that UPitt has offered you conditional acceptance into grad school and a place in their Honors college. I don't know if Michigan will give you the same. I think you will make your decision once you visit the campus at UPitt. Some people love it and others hate it. It is an urban campus. They are both great colleges and congratulations on having to choose between the two

anxiousmom · 11-07-2009, 02:14 PM

This is not a decision you need to make right now! Wait until all the cards are on the table and you have both offers in hand and visits done...

yabeyabe2 · 11-07-2009, 02:22 PM

Ann Arbor and Pittsburgh both have a lot to offer, but in different ways; you will know more after your visit. Consider researching each city, as well as each school. I believe Pittsburgh would likely offer more top hospitals.

ctyankee · 11-07-2009, 02:40 PM

Like anxiousmom says ... you have the cart before the horse.

Marian · 11-07-2009, 02:44 PM

I think this is one of those decisions where you can't go wrong -- unless you would have to go into debt for one school but not the other (in which case, choose the one where you wouldn't).

lotsofquests · 11-07-2009, 02:49 PM

Although I agree with the others that you do not need to make any decisions at this time, I would like to put in a few good words for Pitt. It was just announced this week that Chancellor Nordenberg won the $50,000 award from the Gordie Foundation/Outside the Classroom for outstanding effort against alcohol abuse. [http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09307/1010275-51.stm] You will encounter drinking at most college campuses but Pitt is actively providing alternative experiences.

smart.cookie · 11-07-2009, 05:48 PM

Thank you all for the advice. While I know I don't need to choose now, I wanted to get an idea of what others thought so that I could bring those ideas along on my college visit to Pitt and use my observations in making my final decision.

Are there any questions in particular I should ask at Pitt to help me in my final decision? Thanks

blossom · 11-07-2009, 06:48 PM

There are hundreds of questions to ask at Pitt.

What GPA will be required to maintain your conditional acceptance to grad school? will the course sequence allow you to spend a semester away? Is the money conditional on a certain academic performance? What if you decide you hate nursing and want to study anthropology- will you be behind the 8 ball in terms of credits or will all be accepted? What percentage of kids who start the program end up completing- how many transfer to another college, how many drop nursing, how many graduate in 4 years?

Etc.

aglages · 11-11-2009, 09:45 PM

I vote for CWRU. Wait until the end of December and see what they offer. If you are driving to Pitt for a visit you have to go through Cleveland. Take a tour.

MD Mom · 11-11-2009, 10:00 PM

A very high percentage of Pitt students are pursuing medical fields (pre-med, nursing, pre-pharmacy, etc.). I know the percentage was forty, but I don't know whether that was freshmen or the entire university. There are many large hospitals around Pittsburgh and the Pitt medical center is well-regarded. It also has a fine school of public health.

I don't think you will find much pretentiousness at Pitt. The two young people I know at Pitt (one of them is mine) had options like Cornell, Chicago, Carnegie Mellon, and Georgetown, but chose Pitt partially because of the less cut throat atmosphere. They are both happy and challenged.

Michigan is a wonderful school I am sure. My daughter was admitted there, but it is very pricey for OOS. I agree with the other posters that you have some time to make your decision; however, when you visit, you will probably get a better idea of what you think of the campus and the department.

Southwest flies out of Pittsburgh and into Detroit. That might make the commute more manageable. Have fun.

thumper1 · 11-11-2009, 10:18 PM

I think Pittsburgh is one great city. They have a neat small, walking downtown with much happening there. There are major sports teams for every sport. The Pittsburgh airport is a terrific place too. I like Ann Arbor, but it's really a college town with most of what's going on affiliated with the university from what I could tell. Pittsburgh has the university feel (with CMU, Pitt, and Duquesne in very close proximity) but it is a small, easy to manage and affordable city.

I would vote for Pitt if you like it after your visit.

Olymom · 11-11-2009, 11:32 PM

You can find like minded people at any big school. You don't have to go to drinking parties if you don't like them. I assure you that there are other students who know how to have a great time and are worried that they will be the only sober kid on campus. They will be so delighted to meet you!