University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

It is really not as big as you think it is.

Sometimes it feels too large, but sometimes anonymity is nice, and there are always ways to make the largeness feel smaller - by talking to your professors outside of class, forming really close-knit groups with the people you live with, joining clubs or starting them, or any other number of things. (Some of my hallmates have combine two of these, for example, by learning that they get along really well together here in the dorm they've randomly found themselves in together and also by joining a humor magazine together.) People don't really say anything when I tell them I go to Michigan, although sometimes I get an appreciative sound. I spend most of my time in my room, lamely, but there are really beautiful places around here to go to, indoors or out. Michigan's administration is pretty AMAZING - I've found unfailingly nice people here, whether financial aid advisors, health counseling services, or instrucors, who are always willing to set confused students straight or give them extra time to write their essays if they really need them. This is a life lesson you can learn anywhere, but there also seems to be no such thing as a stupid question at Michigan - ask it, and someone somewhere will allay your anxiety without delay. The biggest recent controversy on campus was undoubtedly the administration's decision to move this year's graduation ceremony to a non-university building because the main university graduation building is undergoing repairs, although last year's state decision to end affirmative action is still a significant controversy. There is a LOT of school pride, although people show it in different ways. (We seem to try to make sure that there is not an obnoxious amount of it, though, which is nice: before every away game during football season, the provost sends us emails reminding us not to overstep it if we travel to other college towns to watch our team play.) Unusual things about Michigan: I've never spent a lot of time at other universities, so I don't know how much of everything here is wholly unique to Michigan, except obviously the stuff with the words "MICHIGAN" engraved on it, but I've found the Michigan Union, the Graduate Library, the Michigan League, the Law Quadrangle, and the Diag to be unlike any other places I have ever visited. One of the other things I love to pieces about this campus are the microscopic lines of graffiti that years of students have written into the air vents and onto the doors of the Grad, and there's an amazing corner bathroom stall in one of the main school buildings that I like to think of as one of the school's best-kept secrets. This sounds really weird, I know, but inside it is an entire wall of graffiti confessions overlapping each other and answering each other and inking out the funniest, most painful, and most outrageous things - I go there whenever I feel down and need to be reminded how awesome people are, and yet how fraught with the same existential questions that I am. (Someone broke the lock on the door though, so it's no good trying to use the stall.) One experience that I'll always remember is any one of the many occasions that I've spent wandering around the city - under harvest moons, over autumn leaves, through a foot-high layer of unbroken snow, or while Ann Arbor's crazy flock of crows congregated in the sky. Just a few days ago there was a full lunar eclipse that people stopped to watch in little clusters around the university everywhere there was open space, some of them for an hour. I stood on the side of the Diag and watched the sky, too, and way behind me were two people spinning in their sneakers on the frozen ice field covering the grass, falling down a lot but undoubtedly having the time of their lives. It was totally a Moment. I guess that if I have any complaints, it's that the academic environment is so exacting, or feels like it's exacting even when it's not, just because of the precedents that students and professors have set over time, that I've had a really intimidated time of it here, and have often felt like I don't have what it takes to make it in life. Also, people leave the public restrooms in seriously crappy conditions sometimes.

Best thing: Kerrytown-- most students are completely unaware of this small and eclectic Ann Arbor neighborhood, but my friends and I love going to the Natural Foods Co-Op and the local coffee shops to get away and study. One thing I'd change?-- We need a cool college radio station! Too large, small, just right?-- While I realize Michigan is HUGE, I find it hard to meet people out of my "scene." I think if it was smaller there would be less circles and more cohesive plurality. Reactions? Everyone always asks what my major is! Spend my time on campus-- I spend a lot of timeat the Business library even though I'm not in the Business school. The swivel chairs on the 4th floor provide for a comfortable (and quiet) study environment. College town-- Definately, but there is also a really interesting non-college community. Biggest recent controversy-- The administration wanted to hold this year's graduation at Eastern Michigan University, and the seniors were NOT happy about it. Students were upset because the administration did not ask their opinion of the situtation, so discussions, small protests, and forums were held which resulted in a vote to hold graduation in the Diag. School pride-- At the gym last week I looked around the room and probably a third of the students there were wearing Michigan gear. In other words, YES! Unusual? All the squirrels! For some reason they are not scared of us... creepy. Memorable experience-- Spring term is the best time to be at Michigan. A lot of students don't stay, but I highly recommend it. The spring is beautiful in Ann Arbor. My friends and I would spend every afternoon tanning and reading in the Arb and every night there were backyard parties. Student complaints-- Not getting into the classes they want.

1) There are so many advantages from getting a big name school on your degree 2) I'd introduce Mary Sue Coleman to the white kids she's discriminated against b/c she assumes that somehow their upbringing had more advantages simply b/c their white. Obviously she's never heard of trailor parks. 3)The school is way too big-it's a frickin' country but I chose it so I'll deal w/ it 4)Usually they are impressed-but often they also immediatly assume that I'm a self-righteous hypocritical far-left slightly nutty snob. 5)Library/computer lab/class 6)Ann Arbor is very much a college town 7)The administration had to pass an incompentency exam before being permitted to subject students to their idiotic notions. 8)The U of M Stadium-while the rest of the state sinks into recession, millions of dollars are spent in Iraq and thousands are killed in Darfur-U of M students chose to rally and gripe about their graduation in the U of M stadium. 9)School pride is an understatement. 10)I don't know what other school complains about lack of funds and then proceeds to anger large portions of the student body by telling them that no matter what environment they came from-their skin color is just too pastey to be diverse. 11)All nighters in the Fishbowl. I'll never do it again. 12) Total lack of understanding from the admin, useless GSIs, and poor busing systems.

The best thing about Michigan is the diversity. Any type of person can find an interest and their niche here. The school is big, but it is easy to find one's personal community within the greater Michigan community. The school spirit bonds the student body together. Ann Arbor has so much to offer, it's any college student's dream town. There's late night fast food, two movie theaters, restaurants, bars, stores, pretty much anything anyone could want, within walking distance. The University of Michigan is pretty much a city of young people, bubbling with academia, activism, and activities.

The best thing about Michigan is the Spirit and Tradition. There is a huge commitment to academic excellence, but that commitment pales in comparison to the depth of the University's traditions - academic, athletic and extracurricular. Once you're a Michigan Student, You'll always be a Michigan Student. There's an intangible element of Pride that becomes part of you and can never be removed. Ann Arbor has its ups and downs. It's beautiful but overpriced. It's Progressive but stubborn.

The thing about the University of Michigan that cannot be recreated anywhere else is the education I receive; outside of the classroom. My father always asks me what I learn at school, and I tell him about all of the leadership skills I have gained, the knowledge of how to network well, and the ability to plan a successful event for 300 people, he asks me what I "really" learned. He means what I learned in my classes, which is also a great deal, but not what sticks with me at the end of the day. The diversity of the people I meet and the experiences I gain are the things I remember when I go home at night.

The best thing about UM is the people I've met here The campus is a great size, most everything is within walking distance, unlike MSU. Most of the classes are concentrated in one area. Most people are impressed when I tell them I go to UM, unless they go to another big ten school, because other big ten schools hate us because of our football team. Lots of school pride. Tons of stores sell Michigan gear, and it's hard to go to one class without seeing someone wearing a michigan shirt or sweatshirt or hat. However, there's a good amount of fair weather fans when it comes to our sports teams. A lot of students forsaked michigan football when we started 0-2 this year, and we can't even fill the student section in basketball because our team sucks. But, in general, students are proud to say they go here.