DD debating between Umich and Emory for engineering - very torn about it

[Anonymous]

DD has always dreamt of becoming a mechanical engineer and is debating between her two top choices: Michigan and Emory. I acknowledge Michigan is viewed as a safety school for many here and DD does not feel comfortable with going to a lesser known school, which is why she has been leaning toward Emory. What advice should I tell her?

[Anonymous]

First, is she making this decision about whether she should apply to Emory early decision? If that is not the case, she does not have to choose until she has two acceptances. Second, where did you (or she) ever get the impression that Michigan is a safety school and that it is less well known than Emory? Michigan is very hard to get into, especially for engineering. Is your dd a rising senior? She should discuss her choices with her college counselor bc Michigan really isn’t a safety for anyone.

[Anonymous]

At that level I’d focus on fit. They’re both good schools but one is not so far above or below the other to a point that it should matter which one she graduated from.

[Anonymous]

Wait what? In whose universe is Emory more prestigious than Michigan? If anything I’d say it’s the reverse, though I’d be happy for my kid to go to either. So she should put that aside.

Has she visited?

[Anonymous]

Aerospace engineer here. UMich for mechanical engineering is top notch. She will be very capable coming out of there.

Emory I'm less familiar as an engineering school, I thought it was stronger in business/medicine/law.

That sad, many engineers wash out and end up doing something else, and in that regard Emory may be a better fit for other paths.

How committed is she to engineering? Mechanical engineering doesn't pay DCUM salaries unless you start a company or become an executive, it's a very different path. On Blind, the aerospace and mechanical engineers lament how their pay is peanuts. Its fine if your DD is not concerned about income potential, but something I wish I had known.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait what? In whose universe is Emory more prestigious than Michigan? If anything I’d say it’s the reverse, though I’d be happy for my kid to go to either. So she should put that aside.

Has she visited?

Pretty sure this is a private school vs public school preconception

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Aerospace engineer here. UMich for mechanical engineering is top notch. She will be very capable coming out of there.

Emory I'm less familiar as an engineering school, I thought it was stronger in business/medicine/law.

That sad, many engineers wash out and end up doing something else, and in that regard Emory may be a better fit for other paths.

How committed is she to engineering? Mechanical engineering doesn't pay DCUM salaries unless you start a company or become an executive, it's a very different path. On Blind, the aerospace and mechanical engineers lament how their pay is peanuts. Its fine if your DD is not concerned about income potential, but something I wish I had known.

My cousin graduated from UM with an aerospace engineering degree and had offers from all the big players (JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, etc.) It is a very, very good school.

[Anonymous]

Emory for Engineering??? It's a great school but more liberal arts/medicine. Definitely Michigan. And I'm an engineer BTW.

[Anonymous]

Emory is really not a good fit for engineering.

[Anonymous]

Michigan is NOT a safety school. I wouldn’t pay out of state tuition for an engineering degree. Huge waste of money. Most state schools have excellent engineering programs.

[Anonymous]

Has she been accepted at both schools? Why are you agonizing over this now?

[Anonymous]

University of Michigan is no one’s safety school, OP. My DD’s boyfriend got into Stanford and Dartmouth and rejected at Michigan.

[Anonymous]

Obvious question - what are they offering in aid?

[Anonymous]

Does Emory actually have a school of engineering?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Obvious question - what are they offering in aid?

If she just got off of the waitlist at one or both, they probably aren’t offering any. I mean, classes start in two weeks.