I know this sounds crazy, but I am having a difficult time deciding between the University of Pennsylvania (ivy-leauge) and University of Michigan. I want to study international relations, and I know each school has their strengths, but I’m just not sure where international relations fit in. I have visited Ann Arbor, and absolutely love it, but haven’t had the chance to visit UPenn.
Have you heard back from Penn? I though Penn sends out RD decisions in late March. At any rate, is there a cost element to consider? Assuming there are no cost concerns, you should also visit Penn before deciding. Michigan does not offer IR as a major, only Political Science, but the Political Science department at Michigan is one of the best in the nation. Generally speaking, when choosing between peer programs, if cost is not a consideration, I recommend going for fit. Try to visualize your experience at both universities and go for the one you think suits you best.
@Alexandre I have an offer from the coach, if I can make a 100% commitment to the school… cost is not an issue. I just want to make sure I’m going to the best possible school for my career
What sport? Cost is not a concern?
@PurpleTitan Track and Field, and yes cost is no concern.
Penn is an Ivy and private. UMich is a near-Ivy and much bigger.
You will generally be competing at a higher level athletically at UMich.
Why do you want to study IR?
@4101297 Penn is the stronger option here overall for undergrad, and especially for your major. If there is nothing you absolutely love about UMich above all else or something that you really hate about Penn, I would go with Penn (and most students in your position do so). That said Umich has an awesome polisci department.
Btw here are some cool resources/initiatives at Penn might interest you given your major.
https://piw.sas.upenn.edu
https://pennbidencenter.global.upenn.edu
4101297, go with your gut. You visited Michigan/Ann Arbor. You should visit Penn/Philadelphia. You want to go to the school where you feel more at home. Consider the athletic commitment (which program is better suited for you, which coach do you prefer working with, which program has teammates that you like better, etc…).
Academically, Michigan is extremely strong in your chosen field, but Penn is not far behind.
http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/02/03/top-twenty-five-schools-international-relations/
Like Penn, Michigan also has excellent individualized programs, including a PPE major, and the Business school now offers a minor.
https://michiganross.umich.edu/programs/minor-in-business/curriculum
I would not listen to the noise on CC. You want to explore the academic and athletic opportunities at Penn and at Michigan, and then go with your gut.
Why is cost not a concern ?
Athletic scholarship at Michigan & need based aid at Penn ?
Have you been accepted to Penn ?
For those of who have been to both campuses, would you say they’re pretty similar? Or is Penn more integrated within Philadelphia?
Not similar.
Based upon your past posts, you were deferred, then accepted to Michigan & deferred from Georgetown.
With an ACT score of 30, Penn is unlikely to accept you unless you are a recruited athlete.
@Publisher As stated above, I am talking to the Penn coach and he said that if I were to give him my 100% commitment to attending the school he would make a spot for me on the roster. I am not recruited at Michigan, I am not good enough for their team. However, my times do fit in at Penn. I would really like it if you helped answer my question, rather than speculate whether or not I will get in. Thanks (:
Your post above wasn’t clear as to which school you were referring.
Michigan because you have not been accepted to Penn.
@4101297 College Factual and Niche have some IR-specific rankings you might wanna look at. (CC won’t let me post the links for some reason).
And here is the Shanghai ranking for polisci rankings. (widely seen as the most respected academic/research ranking).
http://www.shanghairanking.com/Shanghairanking-Subject-Rankings/political-sciences.html
Regarding location Ann-Arbor is much prettier. it is a pretty college town. Penn is well integrated into Philly but also has a cohesive campus that has a lot to offer and has been really transformed over the last two decades. The proximity to downtown Philadelphia and the defined campus feel provides the best of both worlds (campus community and offerings of a big city).
@4101297 It seems both schools are similarly ranked in IR. Can You visit Penn? You need to list out the pros and cons at each school. At Penn you would play a sport, at Michigan you wouldn’t (for now). That is a major difference between the two. Is playing the sport important to you?
Also, as far as overall prestige goes, I believe Penn outranks Michigan. Browse through the threads about Penn to get a feel of life there. Videos could also be helpful.
Good luck in your selection and congrats! You have two great choices.