Engineering isn’t highly renowned ? What are they known for then ?
Remember I showed you average salaries. Highly renowned is a myth (short of a few schools) but one you buy into. hmmmm CWRU has ALWAYS been known for engineering and a few other things.
It and RPI are likely landing sports for MIT wanna bes.
All of the universities on your short list are very good ones, and I’m sure you will be able to find smart and dedicated people at all of them. But since you mentioned your robotics team, that reminds me that one very good way to learn more about each university is to research its project teams and clubs. If you find a type of team or club that interests you, it is possible to contact them, and arrange to visit them when you visit the universities.
For example, my son is a huge Formula 1 fan, so he became interested in Formula SAE project teams (a competition for student-built race cars). He visited these teams at each university he visited, and learned a lot from talking directly to students and touring their project spaces. This was by far the most valuable part of the process for him, when he was at the point of deciding between a few schools.
Grade deflation and accessibility of classes (can you get the classes you want?) are both good things to ask students when you visit, as well as any other questions you have about the student experience or student life.
@Chtaze congratulations on your wonderful college acceptances. Really, this is going to come down to your own personal preference. Enjoy any further visits, and enjoy choosing your home for the next four years.
In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with any of these options!
My daughter did not say there was grade deflation. She studied and did very well.
I think they are better known for their pre-med programs and it’s great med-school.
Pre med is a set of classes. It’s not a thing. We can agree to disagree. They are strong in health sciences, social sciences, engineering, performing arts and more. It’s a beast in engineering. Really good.
My D would say “no” to grade deflation at Purdue but there is also no grade inflation. Probably the toughest sequence for engineers is calc because the gradings scheme caps the number of As. It’s the closest to an old school grading on the curve that was murder on GPAs in the 80s/90s.
Yeah I’ve heard from friends at purdue that Calc is really challenging but obviously it’s like that everywhere. I really enjoyed the campus despite how many people told me that it isn’t pretty. My friend took me through all of the engineering buildings and I thought the makerspace was really interesting.
I am obviously a big Purdue fan. My D loved everything about her experience there. The facilities, maker spaces, labs, etc… are amazing!
Profs were super engaged and accessible and the career readiness focus is second to none.
My hesitation for you is BME and pre med. If you said you were 100% in for engineering, I’d have very different comments.
Please feel free to PM me if you’d like more details about my daughter’s experience (she was a chem e).
My son and I loved Purdue but this is why it matters what YOU think and not friends. Both he and I and I’ve been twice, thought UIUC was gross. I didn’t tell him of my feelings b4.
Others love it.
It’s why no one can answer this and all your questions but you.
Regardless of the selectivity differences, all are outstanding in quant programs but with UNC not having engineering short of the one program (shared with NC State).
CWRU is much smaller than the rest. As strong academically and you noted pre med strength and that’s the first thing you mentioned - pre med - but it’s a smaller university.
These folks disagree for biomedical engineering.
They have CWRU (ahead of MIT) and UNC on their list. But not the others. See below.
There are many rankings for everything. Some use data. Some use perception (U.S. news).
In the end it’s your rank that matters !! If that’s UM then great.
Btw - U Mich BME average salary in 2023 is $69,746 (only 17 reported), lower than others on your list and others (lower ranked) not on your list mentioned b4.
That’s why when you say but they have higher pedigree, I ask at $150k more than higher earning Purdue if pedigree pays your bills ?
Purdue is $71,224 but does not show # of respondents.
CWRU doesn’t show but rather has a graphic of bands with $85k plus nearly a quarter of the students. I put below.
UIUC reports $74.3k but Ike a lot of data 28 reported employment but only 17 salary. That’s likely meaning less salaries and likely the same for many schools that don’t filter out responses without salaries. Hopefully others do.
UNC shows no data - with an NCSU note so maybe need to look there since joint. NCSU shows joint with UNC at $73,594. 18 reported employment and 16 salaries.
Ranks are either opinion (U.S. News - read the methodology for subject rank) or whatever data someone decides to use.
Personally, I like the starting salaries. That’s one scoreboard that matters, to me, most but even it has issues with both location - you’ll get paid more in Boston than St. Louis - and response rate.
Good luck.
The location and cost of living will obviously change the salary at certain areas but the baseline salary is around 70k which is meh especially when you go to college.
My overall take away from this discussion is to change my major to something else. Even though I like BME it probably won’t set me up for success in the future. I will explore majors at the schools that I’ve already gotten into.
I also want to add that I still have decisions coming out over the next few weeks but these are very hard reaches, If I get into one of these schools I will most likely end up there and forget about these great schools. But that is highly highly unlikely and i’m very grateful for the schools that I’ve gotten into as well as all of the input that I’ve received from this forum today. Thank You!
For pre med maybe.
I studied journalism. I failed. Now I’m in the car biz. Journalism wasn’t for me but if I didn’t pursue the dream I’d always have regret.
Always study what interests you.
Always.
I truly believe that.
Many biomedical engineers will make a fortune. If that’s an area you want then go for it. It will 100% set you up for success. Are you money driven ? If so than there are other majors like professional pilot at Purdue. Hopefully it’s not just about money. I show salaries so that you can realize ROI, if ROI by $$ is of interest.
Bye $70k is great for a new grad and yes that salary will likely be similar most places as I showed. Dang I made 4.25 an hr for 16 hours a week 
That’s why you need to understand - is going to UM straining your folks or not ? They might say sure because of fairness but will it impact their day to day or retirement.
It’s fair of you to ask and consider if you choose to.
But please pursue the degree you want. But you’ve been through a few in this thread alone.
What is your true passion - pursue that until it’s not !!! You want to enjoy what you do - not be miserable.
You have such phenomenal choices and at different price points. And all have so many back ups for you except UNC if you decide on a different engineering major.
You’re in a GREAT position here.
Good luck whatever you decide.
I thought you already got into hard reaches. OOS UNC is as tough as any school in the country.
My first choice would be Purdue without a doubt due to the relatively low price.
so why do you keep mentioning Michigan.
Great school - Purdue
No one is direct there - it’s First Year which in many ways is great. You might find another area of engineering you love - or you might end up in biomedical.
Purdue is known for very good food (my son spent a week there and raved about it). Food is fuel - so it’s important you are well fed.
@momofboiler1 has spoken extensively of their career readiness focus.
And you already love the campus.
And honestly, when you are just chit chatting with people in society, Purdue is a HIGHLY RESPECTED name - no one will think differently than Michigan.
My son had a Purdue sweatshirt and when we were in restaurants or walking around, we got “Boiler Up” all the time!!!
UM is great - but it’s double the price and I personally don’t know what you are getting for that.
And if you decide to go to a data degree, Daniels has Integrated Business and Engineering, Business Analytics, and Quantitative Business Econ.
They also have data science but not sure how hard to transfer into.
Personally, if you want a big school, I think it’s the right choice.
Best of luck.
Don’t UMich physics majors take the 160/260 series, while engineering studies take the 140/240 series?
I think the overall applicant pool will definitely be harder at schools like Northwestern, UPenn, and UC Berk. I think getting into these schools will make paying 90k worth it.
