Anonymous
02/12/2026 08:47
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:I would not think about it for a month. See what other apps come in. Do accepted student days. You'll know. If it's a real jump ball, save the 200k.
I bet he ends up at MI
Solid advice, agreed.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 08:24
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
I would not think about it for a month. See what other apps come in. Do accepted student days. You'll know. If it's a real jump ball, save the 200k.
I bet he ends up at MI
I bet he ends up at MI
Anonymous
02/12/2026 08:19
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Visit the campus to see if Michigan is a fit. We visited Michigan twice last year. While we had fun, I was surprised to see homeless men hanging around near restaurants a block away from campus, pot shops, etc.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 08:11
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I know you say you don't want finances to be the decision maker, but . . . .
Paying OOS tuition in Michigan when you can pay in state for UVA seems crazy to me. Michigan is a really really big state school. It's a great state school, but from out of state, you get state-school services at private university prices.
What does your student think? Maybe the $200K would be better put towards a graduate degree, or half an apartment, or even to a charity important to you both.
I think the prestige difference btw the two places is marginal for undergrad.
You could make the same arguments for attending a private university over instate UVA. Michigan is not your typical state school. Far from it.
Both Michigan and UVA are not your typical state schools. Far from it.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 08:11
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Pretty similar schools in terms of social, sports, and academics. We have an overfunded 539 even then would hesitate to pay private school tuition for a public school. But, you say not a consideration, so just let kid choose. There is not wrong choice here.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 08:06
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:UMich for STEM, UVA for humanities and especially anything that benefits from the DC proximity.
As an outsider with no tie to either, this is where my head went. I do think getting out of bubble is good for growth, but a political science major would change that.
Michigan has one of the very best poly sci programs in the country, better than UVA and if returning to DC, the student will be able to differentiate from the hordes of new grads by having that experience PLUS local connections. That said I think this is a close call, no wrong outcomes, but it’s just not the case that UM’s program is weaker.
This is not really relevant for undergrad. Michigan has a better political science department broadly but people are not hiring in DC based off of strength of political science department. Might have a marginal impact if the kid wanted to do a PhD.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 07:59
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
I don't think a smart person says "money is not a factor." Go in-state and invest the rest for your kid. They'll be so thankful when they're older.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 07:54
Subject: Re:Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Michigan.
If you go to Michigan, you can have a shot at working in Europe (maybe UK) with future residency or citizenship. You can have that option open to you if you attend certain unis.
If you go to Michigan, you can have a shot at working in Europe (maybe UK) with future residency or citizenship. You can have that option open to you if you attend certain unis.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 07:38
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Agree with the advice to go to admitted students days.
Other things to consider are around the non-academic aspects. What activities/clubs are they interested in? How competitive are those clubs? Greek life is big at both but dominates more at UVA. Do they want a break from the NoVa crowd (some kids just want a fresh start)?
Other things to consider are around the non-academic aspects. What activities/clubs are they interested in? How competitive are those clubs? Greek life is big at both but dominates more at UVA. Do they want a break from the NoVa crowd (some kids just want a fresh start)?
Anonymous
02/12/2026 07:32
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Don’t decide until you go to both schools admitted students days…
Anonymous
02/12/2026 07:24
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
We have told our kid that any money left in the 529 is theirs for a house deposit or a car or whatever (after paying the penalty of course). My son immediately chose in state. DD has to make a similar decision before May 1.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 07:21
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
DC at UMich and had same choice but for the Engineering schools. Chose UMich, didn’t want FCPS 2.0 experience. Wanted to get away from VA schools.
He loves UMich and says everyone so much friendlier and less pretentious.
He loves UMich and says everyone so much friendlier and less pretentious.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 07:11
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:UMich for STEM, UVA for humanities and especially anything that benefits from the DC proximity.
As an outsider with no tie to either, this is where my head went. I do think getting out of bubble is good for growth, but a political science major would change that.
Michigan has one of the very best poly sci programs in the country, better than UVA and if returning to DC, the student will be able to differentiate from the hordes of new grads by having that experience PLUS local connections. That said I think this is a close call, no wrong outcomes, but it’s just not the case that UM’s program is weaker.
Fair enough, don't know enough specifics about either, just assumed proximity to DC would offer some advantages in opportunities.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 07:09
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:UMich for STEM, UVA for humanities and especially anything that benefits from the DC proximity.
As an outsider with no tie to either, this is where my head went. I do think getting out of bubble is good for growth, but a political science major would change that.
Michigan has one of the very best poly sci programs in the country, better than UVA and if returning to DC, the student will be able to differentiate from the hordes of new grads by having that experience PLUS local connections. That said I think this is a close call, no wrong outcomes, but it’s just not the case that UM’s program is weaker.
Anonymous
02/12/2026 06:57
Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:If from Virginia and debating then likely have preference for UMich.
I agree with this comment. You’re struggling between full-freight at Michigan and a massively-discounted UVA. Which means that your kid wants to go to Michigan, and the money matters more than you want it to.
My only other thought is that maybe you or your kid thinks small gradations in USNWR rankings matter much more than they do. In terms of prestige, Michigan and UVA are the same.