University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

all classes and departments are different-- some classes have around 20 students while other lectures are filled with 300 students. in my experiences the professors and graduate student instructors are easy to contact and meet with outside of class for help

Michigan academics are some of the best in the world. Some of the smartest people in the world are students here (and there are also people where you are shocked they got in.) The art and design school is much different than LSA. I am fortunate enough to have all my teachers know me by name. I am able to form relationships with my professors much easier than other schools. But there are a lot of GSIs and the professors have office hours weekly, so it is easy for students to get to know their teachers, they just have to make the effort. There are thousands of classes offered each semester, which can be overwhelming, but is also very liberating. Studying is a must, but budget your time and you will still be able to go out a lot.

While it seems easy to just blend into your chemistry 1200 student class, various science departments at University of Michigan makes it really easy to take advantage of resources such as study groups, GSI's, and open office hours. Michigan students defintely have intellectual conversations out of class, however I would extremely reccomend takign an intergroup dialog class to develop the balance of an intellectually open and stimulating conversation with your peers. Classes are competitive- no real way to prepare yourself for that.

As a pre-med student, the classes are pretty hard and I have to admit, I have to devote a lot of my time to my studies. I know it will pay off in the end, and I realize that with a Michigan degree, it will be easier to get a job after I graduate. I really want to go to grad school at Michigan, but we will see if my grades are good enough.

Introduction courses are pretty easy and include going to lecture and then a discussion section. Most likely you won't know your professor but rather the GSI that runs your discussion section. However, all students have the opportunity to go and meet their professor during office hours so if you crave a personal relationship, it is possible to make one. The hard classes here are really hard. So I suggest finding what it is you like to do so that you don't mind the hard work. Majoring in Communications AND Spanish is difficult but rewarding. And in Spanish, you definitely get to know your professors (as in any language study) because classes cannot be larger than 25 students. This is extremely beneficial because you get more direction and more attention from the professor.

My favorite class right now is the Exhibiting Mesopotamia class, I love the professor and the fact that everything I learn is new and fascinating. The larger classes seem impersonal sometimes but discussions are always personal and more cozy.

Almost every department at Michigan is considered good or excellent, and Michigan has enough departments that everyone should be able to find something they can really get into. Students are not overly competitive. The quality of instruction is good, but it is less good than one might expect. Professors and graduate student instructors tend to be chosen for their standing in the research community more than for their talents as instructors.

The answers to many of these questions depend on the specific classes. For instance, some classes, like Intro to Psychology, have roughly 500 students in their lectures. These students do not all get to know the professor, though anyone who wishes to is usually encourage by the professor to do so--most of the professors here love getting to know students, actually. Oftentimes these classes are divided into discussion sections, in which they are taught by graduate student instructors. Like any professor, some GSIs are fantastic, while others aren't. I'd say overall the ones at University of Michigan are pretty great, but I don't think they all are. Other classes are considerably smaller--for example: seminars, those in small concentration departments, or the Residential College (a living-learning program focused around language, arts and the humanities.) It's pretty much up to the individual to decide on the types of classes they want to take, but also depends on what's offered in their area(s) of study. I personally chose to do the Residential College because I prefer the intimacy of the small classes and community, as well as the close bonds with professors and other students. Students in the RC also live together in East Quadrangle as Freshman and Sophomores, which leads to a strong community.

The University is easy to get lost in. There are so many things you can study and be apart of that it can be overwhelming at times.

My brother goes to UCLA and comparing his experiences to mine, it would appear that Michigan does a hell of a lot better facing similar challenges while managing a similar reputation. We have comparable majors (I'm English, he's History) and the access I've had to my profs and TAs (or Graduate Student Instructors, as we say) has far outstripped his. While the large lecture hall still comprises a good deal of the 200-300 level classes, efforts to get into at least one or two manageable 25-75 student liberal arts classes per term should be successful. In classes where you do get into a huge lecture, there are normally discussions with very outgoing and inviting GSIs. The quality of the learning in the discussion varies, but personally, I've been able to connect with a lot of them. They practically insist you come to office hours and if they cancel, they offer to meet you at a coffee shop or something. Like I said above, access is very doable. It's a matter of small effort. As far as class difficulty goes, I'm a pretty bright dude, took all the AP and whatnot that I could and subsequently it's been fairly easy for me. I've got like a 3.6 - 3.7 and probably could have done better, but I like relaxing and hanging out. I'm not trying to brag or whatever, just saying that maybe I'm not the best one to ask how a person's individual experience will go? I'm lucky that I had a high school that prepared me very well for the rigors of college. If I went to an Ivy, I'd be just like everyone else and probably working a lot harder just to keep up. Here, it's a relaxed environment amongst most students anyway, so I never really feel imposed upon. In general, amongst the liberal arts students, it's pretty laid back and the profs will accommodate you. The quality of your ideas and writing is what gets judged and if that's lacking, you'll find you have a harder time.