CUorMichigan?

Ok, so here is my situation. I live in Colorado, and therefore qualify for in-state tuition at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Including tuition and "fees" like housing, books, etc. and factoring in a couple of minor scholarships, I will be paying around 20 to 22 thousand per year at CU. I have been accepted to the U of Michigan Ann Arbor also, and going there would probably cost me and my family around 35 to 37 thousand per year (out of state tuition). I know that a pretty big amount of either tuition will consist of loans since my brother is already going to Berkeley and is taking up a good amount of our 130ish thousand $ per year family income.

So, a few questions for you guys. Will going to Michigan as opposed to CU make it significantly easier or more likely for me to get a good job straight out of undergrad, or into a good grad school or medical school (premed is my tentative plan)? Is Michigan's name-recognition that much better than that of CU Boulder's? And if so, is this extra recognition/prestige worth the extra tuition? Most of my friends in high school and in their first two years of college say CU is the better option, but members of the baby boomer generation tend to say Michigan would be better. What do you guys think?

drb

If you are absolutely sure about premed there will be little benefit to attending UMich over CU. It will be your GPA and MCATs that will be decisive. But most people who plan on pre-med do not stay in this path. So you should consider your major and what you are interested in, and compare those departments.

Also, if you plan on living in Colorado, the CU alumni network would potentially offset any benefit of the UM rep.

Seems kinda late to be deciding, no?

CUorMichigan?

Yes, I know it is late. I guess I am too indecisive of a person. But there are so many factors to think about. Anyways, I confirmed enrollment for both, and am now just going forward with both until I decide. Thanks for the post, really helpful!

So I've heard that the name or prestige of a school only really matters significantly when in business, academia, or law. Is that true, and what about other biological sciences or maybe engineering?

Coolbrezze

If you plan to attend graduate school UM-Ann Arbor would be the pick, unless you plan to attend UC-Boulder graduate school than UM-Ann Arbor extra money for education may not have that much benefdits you seem to be looking for. Also if you suspect to live in Colorado after college, UC-Boulder would benefit.... UM-Ann Arbor for out of state.