Hey guys. I was recently admitted into the UMich School of Kinesiology after Tulane being one of my top choices, I would love opinions as to why I should go to one over the other. I need some help here lol.
Tulane gave me 100k whereas I am OOS for Mich, but am fortunate enough to be able to not go into debt for either school. Still, Tulane costing like 13k/year less is nice. Additionally, I am very interested in Kinesiology but not 100% sure that is the path I want to go down (applied undecided to Tulane). However, the Mich Kines program and alumni network is incredible and I feel like it is really hard to turn down. Thank you for thoughts!
(Also still waiting on Rice, WashU, Vanderbilt, not expecting to get in though)
Big state school vs mid size in New Orleans but not right there.
Big sports vs ehhhh sports.
You can’t go wrong either.
You can check outcomes from both. I know Michigan is well thought of in the field but some fields the where doesn’t matter. In that case, you might find a lower cost school abd save money for inevitable grad school.
I assume, but don’t know that this might be one.
Also did you account for year 3-4 at Michigan. There’s increased tuition. About $4k higher than 1-2.
Both are great as are the other 3. You got into these two - why not them too ? These are hard admits.
As you said you’re not sure which track, Michigan seems to have more but Tulane offers a 4+1. Not sure if Michigan does.
Congrats on the acceptances! Assuming both are comfortably affordable it comes down to personal preference. This is a case where two reasonable people could make two different choices.
Ann Arbor and University of Michigan are often viewed as the best college town/college in the country. There is certainly something for everyone in this package.
Tulane is in NOLA which is a fun place to be. And it’s a great college also.
We have been to both…and they are very different feels. I think you need to visit or revisit both colleges and get a feel for how you think you will fit in living there for four years.
Personal choice for you! And lucky you to have to wonderful and affordable options.
Great options (as are the ones you are still waiting to hear from). Tulane has an exercise science major. Until recently, they had an undergrad cadaver lab on campus, but that course was sadly recently discontinued. Not sure if it will return at some point. One of my kids took that class when he was there and decided medicine wasn’t for him and switched to Chemical Engineering! Looks like there is still a head and neck anatomy lab:
If you are weighing the pros/cons of the 2 campuses themselves, certainly they are different sizes and in different climates. Do you want a mid sized or large school? Do you care about access to faculty vs grad students/TAs in lower classes? Do you care about class size? Just some things to think about. Good luck with all your apps.
In terms of your desired major/area of study - Tulane admits all students as undeclared. One of their selling points is ability to take any classes/majors from any of the schools there. You need to declare a major by the end of your sophomore year. Many kids double major across different schools/programs. It would be a good question at Michigan if that same flexibility exists.
You have a couple of very good options in front of you - congratulations!
Can you rank your preferences if admitted to all 5 schools (U Michigan, Rice, WashUStL, Vanderbilt, & Tulane) ?
Of course, it is a matter of personal choice since all would be affordable for you, but it is hard to imagine one turning down Rice, Vanderbilt, WashUStL, or U Michigan (Kinesiology) for Tulane without a special reason to attend Tulane (such as a full tuition scholarship versus full pay elsewhere).
FWIW Tulane is frequently ranked as the #1 party school in the nation.
A big reason I applied to the Mich Kinesiology program is its small school and class sizes. I’m sure if Kinesiology wasn’t for me I could transfer into Mich LSA, but then I’m in a school with 28k other kids (I’m not sure how important that is, but I think smaller classes would be better.)
The big draws to Tulane for me right now are its cheaper price and the freedom to explore multiple different types of careers/paths. Also the weather and small classes appeal to me.
You won’t have large classes all the time at UMich regardless of your major. As you progress to upper level courses in whatever major, your class sizes will become smaller.
Really…if you don’t have to make a decision soon, I’d suggest waiting until you have all your acceptances in hand. May 1 is three months away and you might just have a different point of view by then. And it does give you time to look at your options more carefully.
Besides the 15:1 ratio, most classes are like less than 50 people. My son’s classes in engineering were like 30. They are not as large as people think. The whole school has a small school feel.
I am at work then traveling for a lecture but will try to keep up.
I helped someone get into Tulane a few year’s back. It was the best fit for her. Michigan wouldn’t of been. It’s all about fit and affordability.
The OP needs to Facebook etc with students from both schools. He will get the feel which is right for him. Great choices. Also if money isn’t an issue look at both programs side by side. Talk to professors or heads of departments.
FWIW, the location of the School of Kinesiology at Michigan is on the north end of Central Campus, about block away from State Street, which is essentially “downtown” AA.
For example, Starbucks is like a block or two away, if you like Starbucks (I don’t), Panera Bread, M Den, all sorts of lunch and dinner spots, etc. The Chem building is right next door too. It’s pretty conveniently located.
My question, do you have flexibility to change majors to something like business, for instance if you decide against kinesiology? Employable majors at Michigan are ridiculously competitive. Tulane would be much more flexible. The the average college student changes their major at least once. Food for thought
Switching majors within Kinesiology, switching majors within LSA and a cross-campus transfer from Kinesiology to LSA is relatively easy at Michigan. Even a cross-campus transfer to CoE isn’t too difficult, unless the major is CS.
A cross-campus transfer to Ross Business School is difficult. Not impossible, but not easy either.
