University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

Michigan is ranked in the top 25 universities in the US, top 5 in public universities in the US, and top 10 for their engineering. Michigan is prestigious for their rigorous but intensive academics, and will give you so many opportunities to pursue your dreams.

The academics at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are extremely challenging. Even if one pursues to take ”easy” courses, a considerable amount of hard work must be put in to obtain a satisfactory grade. What I love about the academics at the university is the challenge it imposes on its students to grossly think outside the box, versus just memorizing and regurgitating what they absorb in the lecture hall or classroom. Because of this, an individual can graduate from Michigan as an independent thinker, which is the true success of a collegiate education.

Academics at the school are horrible. Students are forced to take classes that have no relation to what they are majoring in. The school only wants the students money and cares little about their actual education.

.

Academics at Michigan are certainly challenging, and can be appropriately summed up with the popular mantra "Work hard, play hard". The student body is full of intelligent people, and although we do party, no student at Michigan will sacrifice their academic performance for their social life. Class size varies depending on what kind of class it is (many introduction-level courses will be large lectures). However, professors are always fairly accessible through their office hours or appointments you can schedule by email. Larger lectures will have a discussion section taught by a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) to go over lecture material in smaller groups. Students at Michigan could be considered competitive, but not between each other - students here compete with themselves, and strive to achieve the best they possibly can. The classes at Michigan provide students with the chance to learn about what they truly have an interest in. There are First-Year Seminars open exclusively to freshmen on a huge variety of topics - during my freshman year I took one called "The Science of Religion". It was a really interesting class, and they're usually quite small so it's a great way to meet people as a freshman!

Many classes are graded on a curve, so yes, students are very competitive. Class participation is basically mandatory in classes with less than 40 students, but never mandatory in classes from 100-500. Students study basically all the time here, but it doesn't mean that you have to! I would say education is geared toward learning for its own sake. We have such a diverse course schedule.

The academics at this school is phenomenal. I know a lot of my professors personally, and find them very friendly and helpful. My favorite class here is animal physiology, but maybe because I love biology very much. Students study a lot here, but it never feels lonely since the libraries are packed and study groups are prevalent. While students are competitive, their personalities do not reflect it, for most people here are friendly and humble. The education at this school is very effective in getting graduates jobs, whether its business or med school etc.

Academics can get pretty tough at UM if you dont stay on top on your stuff. A lot of the classes are in big lecture halls with over 200 students so it will be hard for the professor to get to know you on a personal level. But it is certainly possible to get on a personal level with the professors if you are willing. Also, competition here is nothing like I have seen before. Everyone is competing with each other for that good grade. I am majoring in Neuroscience in the Psychology and Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology department.

Academics are excellent at Michigan. Individual attention from professors can be hard to get at times, unless you proactively seek out one-on-one face time with them during office hours. Studying varies by major. As a liberal arts major, you won't be overloaded by work. As an engineering or business major, you will have a lot more work to do. Most introductory classes are large lecture format, meaning that 1-300 students are in a lecture hall with little participation. These classes usually have an attached discussion section where course concepts are reviewed/discussed. High level classes are generally smaller (15-50 students) and have a lot more individual attention.

Academics are excellent at Michigan. Individual attention from professors can be hard to get at times, unless you proactively seek out one-on-one face time with them during office hours. Studying varies by major. As a liberal arts major, you won't be overloaded by work. As an engineering or business major, you will have a lot more work to do.