2 answers
2 answers
Updated
Joaquin’s Answer
Current University of Michigan student here! I can give you an overview:
1. Size
UofM is a huge school, with around 30,000 undergraduate students and around 6,000 students in each class. Campus is also fairly big, but most things you will need on campus will be within walking distance.
2. Academics
Admissions for UofM are quite selective, and the academic rigor of courses varies by major and course. If you were a straight-A student in high school, you might need to adjust your study habits to accommodate for college teaching styles, you will most likely still do well. UofM is a top school in almost every discipline, so it's perfectly ok to be undecided when you come in and later apply to any major that interests you.
3. Campus Life
UofM is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is a mid-sized college town about a 50 minute drive from Detroit. Everything in Ann Arbor revolves around the school, and sports are a huge component of campus life, particularly football. The main campus a 15-minute walk away from Downtown Ann Arbor, which is host to many restaurants and local stores, including a farmer's market on Saturdays.
4. Weather
Michigan is very cold. Expect a lot of snow and winters with regular sub-zero temperatures.
Hope this helps!
Look through UofM's website to learn more official information
If you are still in school, keep good grades and study for standardized tests
Explore interests and brainstorm potential majors
Research campus and Ann Arbor
1. Size
UofM is a huge school, with around 30,000 undergraduate students and around 6,000 students in each class. Campus is also fairly big, but most things you will need on campus will be within walking distance.
2. Academics
Admissions for UofM are quite selective, and the academic rigor of courses varies by major and course. If you were a straight-A student in high school, you might need to adjust your study habits to accommodate for college teaching styles, you will most likely still do well. UofM is a top school in almost every discipline, so it's perfectly ok to be undecided when you come in and later apply to any major that interests you.
3. Campus Life
UofM is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, which is a mid-sized college town about a 50 minute drive from Detroit. Everything in Ann Arbor revolves around the school, and sports are a huge component of campus life, particularly football. The main campus a 15-minute walk away from Downtown Ann Arbor, which is host to many restaurants and local stores, including a farmer's market on Saturdays.
4. Weather
Michigan is very cold. Expect a lot of snow and winters with regular sub-zero temperatures.
Hope this helps!
Joaquin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Kate’s Answer
As someone who's lived in Michigan and is going to UofM right now, I could give a comprehensive review of what it's like. Overall, I think Michigan is a great college that has the reputation as a high tier school but with the life of a typical American college life. What I mean by that is that many of our educational departments are top of their field, especially the Business and Engineering schools.
Location-wise: The city of Ann Arbor is a hipster city, with a good balance of college students and actual residents of the city. It's nice and warm in the summer and fall, but gets very cold in the winter. Rent-wise, it's kind of expensive compared to other college towns, but there's housing that matches most people's budgets and interests.
Life-wise: There's something for everybody here. Many people are into sports, other people are more into hanging with their friends and going on the river or walking through our parks. I will say, if you are expecting a bustling city such as New York or Chicago, you will be disappointed as it's pretty quiet outside of the bars and college parties.
People-wise: There are a lot of different types of people here, but most of the people are from the east coast or midwest. The international population is small (because of tuition cost), but I personally there is a substantial Asian, Indian, Jewish, and Arab population. From what I know from my friends, the Hispanic and Black population is small, but they're strong and growing.
Faculty: Could be improved. Not many people like our school's president and we have had a few scandals related to our Computer Science department. But professors in the Business School are nice and have decent lectures.
Look through Michigan Reddit Feed
Look through Michigan fan Instagrams
See Youtube videos of "Day in My Life at Michigan"
Read articles on the Michigan experience
Location-wise: The city of Ann Arbor is a hipster city, with a good balance of college students and actual residents of the city. It's nice and warm in the summer and fall, but gets very cold in the winter. Rent-wise, it's kind of expensive compared to other college towns, but there's housing that matches most people's budgets and interests.
Life-wise: There's something for everybody here. Many people are into sports, other people are more into hanging with their friends and going on the river or walking through our parks. I will say, if you are expecting a bustling city such as New York or Chicago, you will be disappointed as it's pretty quiet outside of the bars and college parties.
People-wise: There are a lot of different types of people here, but most of the people are from the east coast or midwest. The international population is small (because of tuition cost), but I personally there is a substantial Asian, Indian, Jewish, and Arab population. From what I know from my friends, the Hispanic and Black population is small, but they're strong and growing.
Faculty: Could be improved. Not many people like our school's president and we have had a few scandals related to our Computer Science department. But professors in the Business School are nice and have decent lectures.
Kate recommends the following next steps: