I was admitted into UMich and Texas A&M for mechanical engineering. I’m an in-state Texan and was fortunate enough to get some scholarships from UMich, so cost is not a deciding factor.
I want to live in Texas and would prefer to get internships/jobs in Texas. I’ve heard a lot on the strength of the Aggie alumni network and how strong the recruiting pipeline is for A&M engineers, especially within the state.
However, UMich is obviously a really good engineering school with national recognition, and the OOS price is not an issue. I’d like to know how much the regional advantage really matters.
If my goal is internships and jobs specifically in Texas, would Texas A&M provide a noticeable difference because of it’s local recruiting and alumni network? Or would I find similar opportunities for Texas coming from UMich?
Would A&M make a difference - perhaps. But you are only going to get one internship and ultimately you will land where you apply.
My Alabama son had intern offers in NC and MS.
His graduating job offers were in Massachusetts, Iowa, Tennessee, NC, and two rotation programs - the one he chose, he did Utah, CA, Arizona, and Florida and now lives in CA. And his company hires from MIchigan…and W Michigan and other top and non-top schools - and you’ll find A&M kids going all over and Michigan kids going all over.
So you can get to anywhere from anywhere and many of the same companies that recruit at U MIch via handshake will also through A&M and name your other public and private schools - many of them.
The internet has changed things but will A&M get some A&M only listings - yes. So does Michigan and Florida A&M and you name it.
Can you get home from Michigan - absolutely. Can you get to Michigan from A&M - absolutely - you didn’t ask that but just to point out.
A&M is - in a good way - a cult. I attended a business opening in College Station and as intros were taking place, they were all followed by A&M Class of whatever year and a grunt of some sort.
A&M passion is the real deal - but so is go blue. But I’m not sure anything is like A&M.
Anyway, you’ll be fine either way. Congrats on two great admissions.
Here’s a blurb from the U Mich career outcomes page - 2024 data.
I agree that neither school will hold you back for opportunities but if you know you want to stay in TX, I’d lean towards TAMU. Nothing beats the easy of in person career fairs to make finding jobs easier and you will have more TX based companies coming to recruit. Also being a car ride from home can keep costs lower and make it easier to get back and forth to school.
My biggest hesitation is the GPA requirement for transitioning to your major is very high at TAMU. UM would be more forgiving in that regard and changing majors there would be easier if you opt to do something else. UM may also make your resume stand out more when applying for jobs.
Have you visited both? Do you have a preference?
Have you done a deep dive into the structure of the four year plan of study at both schools? Does one appeal more than the other?
TLDR: Congratulations! You don’t have a bad choice here! Excellent programs, amazing alumni networks, huge school spirit at both. IMO there is no wrong decision.
I agree with @momofboiler1 . My mech E son went to Rice. Had internships in Houston and job offers there (though he chose his first job in a different state and now lives on the W coast.) As @momofboiler1 said, local internship and job fairs and interview opportunities can be a benefit. Congrats on your acceptances. But sounds like Tx is the place for you.
@momofboiler1 brings up a great point about getting your desired major. Check both for ease of getting the desired discipline. I’m not sure what gpa you need for each major but this is the one point typically raised.
Students must have a 3.75 cumulative GPA or higher at the conclusion of the semester the application is submitted, or the student must be named a National Merit Scholar (i.e., semifinalist or finalist).
I’ll add - and i’m not advocating for either - but the Michigan stats I showed - 56 placed in Texas.
Don’t forget, that’s how many placed there that reported their info - not how many were offered jobs there. And I don’t know the knowledge rate - but perhaps not everyone reported.
I don’t think you can go wrong at either and while money is not a factor per se, if one is let’s say $100K cheaper than the other, what could your family do with that $100K? Buy you a car? Grad school? Help with a house, etc.
They might be the same but something to think about.
Honestly, you win either way - and as noted upthread, to stay local, A&M might be a better choice but clearly Michigan places in Texas - as likely do most schools. But also remember, jobs move you - so you might get hired in Texas but have to move elsewhere to move up - or then have to find another gig.
If you have a specific interest like oil, then A&M would likely be better - just given the focus in state.
Thank you to all who replied! One thing I will say is that UMich offered close to a full ride, so its around ~13K cheaper per year compared to TAMU. With that said, I am waiting on outside scholarships that might make both schools nearly the same cost. I will visit both campuses in a few weeks, so that’ll help make a decision. Thanks for all the responses!
As I’ve posted before, students at just about any ABET accredited program are going to be equally competitive when they graduate if they have done well in school and had internships along the way. If you also had MIT or Caltech in the mix it would be a different story, but unlike some other majors where college brand can be important the landscape of engineering programs as viewed by employers is relatively level.
Huge congratulations on your acceptances and huge scholarship offer. Just make sure you factor in traveling costs going back home etc. But if Michigan is equal or less expensive that is really hard to o pass up. You can get a job or internship just about anywhere. It’s also where you apply. You really can’t make a bad decision here. As much as Tamu has alumni Michigan has one of the largest networks out there. Look up BOTH schools alumni in your chosen field like on LinkedIn etc. Definitely more regional offers probably will be at Tamu but different type of jobs could be available at Michigan in Texas. They also have an alumni association in Texas. Hit them up to discuss this.
At this point I would be concerned more about Fit and feel. Also look up the labs and professor’s at both.
You applied to both and both are large schools. Now do a deep dive into the granular stuff. Look at each clubs, activities, opportunities.
Pro /con lists. Is there something that stands out about one school over the other?
Again, you can’t make a bad choice so something has to tip this for you
This is honestly a closer call than most people think. Both are excellent for ME.
Since you want to live and work in Texas long term, here is what matters:
The Aggie network in Texas engineering is genuinely unmatched. It is not just a talking point. Texas companies (oil and gas, defense, aerospace, manufacturing) recruit HEAVILY from A&M. Career fairs at A&M are packed with Texas employers, and alumni in hiring positions will give Aggies a real look. You will also have way more access to Texas-based internships during the school year since you are already in state.
UMich is a top 5 ME program nationally and carries weight everywhere, including Texas. But the recruiting pipeline naturally leans toward Michigan and Midwest employers. You can absolutely get Texas jobs from UMich, but you will need to be more proactive about it. Fly-outs for interviews, networking from a distance, etc.
Practically speaking: at A&M you will be surrounded by classmates who are also targeting Texas careers, so you will naturally build a Texas professional network from day one. At Michigan that happens less organically.
If cost is truly equal, I would lean A&M for your specific goals. The engineering education is strong, and the in-state networking advantage for someone who wants to stay in Texas is significant. UMich national prestige matters more if you are open to working anywhere or want to pivot into consulting/finance later.
One more thing: visit both campuses if you have not. College Station and Ann Arbor are very different vibes and that matters for four years.
Texas A&M: complete the prerequisites and earn a 3.75 GPA to get automatic admission; otherwise apply for competitive admission (ME is generally considered to be one of the more competitive majors). Entry to a Major Process | Texas A&M University Engineering
Lower cost and much less stress about getting into your major both are in favor of Michigan.
If you attend Texas A&M but do not get into the ME major, would you accept a less competitive major, or would you want to transfer to another school where you could study ME?
I don’t think so much anymore. My son’s intern interviews were all zoom and 18 of the 19 job interviews he had were zoom with 5 offers. The one he visited (in Wisconsin) - he didn’t get.
My company just hired a $200K+ person - and all from a one hour zoom - which is nuts and we’ll end up making errors in our process - but it’s what we did.
The world has changed.
In person interviews seem to be a thing of the past - at least in regards to college recruiting. Sure, locally and at career fairs, etc. but generally speaking, OP is not going to have an issue going from Michigan to Texas but yes, will have to target specific jobs in the state. But it would be the same in reverse as well. And there likely won’t be in person interviews.
You only need one job. If the OP prefers Michigan (and I’m not talking about for rank which frankly matters little in engineering but prefers being there), I don’t think the risk is extensive. And perhaps OP wants to experience a different geography in their life. The school is less $ with more than enough savings to pay for travel.
I’m honestly not 100% sure about that yet. Ideally I’d get at least a 3.75 gpa no matter what, although I know it could be difficult.
I’m considering maybe trying for a UT external transfer since it was actually my first choice school (I’m auto-admit but I didn’t get my major of choice). But external transfers to UT engineering is very hard, and I would need a very high GPA anyways.
So realistically, I don’t have a solid backup plan if I don’t get ME at TAMU. I did get offered a guaranteed transfer pathway after a year to Georgia Tech ME if I get above a 3.3 GPA though, but I haven’t seriously considered that option yet. I guess I should consider a backup plan if I end up at TAMU but don’t get the ME major.
You should go to a school with the intention on staying there - and it’s likely you’d get the same job at A&M as UT anyway.
Engineering is very - not prestige driven - short of a few schools - as @mikemac said above.
My Alabama kid (turned down Purdue) lived wtih and worked with two kids from a school you just mentioned. He was invited back a second summer for internship. They weren’t.
In his cohort he was hired with, you have U MIch and W Mich. You have other top schools like CWRU and U Wash and CPSLO - and you have Akron and Buffalo.
It’s hard anywhere.
Go on your two visits. See if one stands out.
You don’t need a 3.75 at A&M for MechE. You need it to assure ME. You might ask what actually got kids in.
‘But you needn’t go anywhere with the intent to transfer. Nothing says - I don’t want to be here so I won’t try my best to integrate - like I’ve got one foot out the door.
You’ll be fine at either school. And your visit to each that you said you are taking might tell you - I prefer here.
