University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

The school can is very large, although Ann Arbor can be a fun place to live because it's not too large. It tends to do pretty well when it comes to restaurants and things to do because lots of money comes from being a college town.

As a now 4th generation student at the university, I think I've been thoroughly indoctrinated to the point where it might be difficult for me to be overly critical. Nonetheless, I am aware of, for example, many of my dad's complaints. He attended in the late 70's-early 80's and at that point, the university seemed stocked (paraphrasing him here) with the sort of me-centric go getters that supposedly infested the 80's. They were many and, along with the violent route that many of the more liberal students took during and after '68, there was certainly a combined contingent of less than cool dudes. The administration sort of took the defensive and left a lot of the students to fend for themselves and it was not for the better. Since then, a lot has changed (though really, I'm referring to a pretty informally researched past). I think the idea of "leaders and best" has been incorporated; the undergraduate and graduate programs are all generally top notch. But there is a general pride and love, regardless of your individual pursuits, for the idea of community in Ann Arbor. Support from the university seems to be given freely and easily. The quality of it varies (the effect of mass hires and bureaucracy) but the attitude is still remarkable. The university is massive, but there are many access nodes and assistance programs. Oh and obviously: this is a sports-centric school. Football games are the focal point and probably something like 2/3 to 3/4 of the student body attends every Saturday home game. I will never tire of going to the Big House. If there's anything that represents the communal atmosphere of the university, it's going to a football game in the Fall with 107,501 of your best friends. Cliche to be sure, but fuck it, it's almost true.

I love Michigan - I can't really think of a "big picture" thing I would change. Ann Arbor is such a great city with a lot to offer the students, but the campus is like its own little world too. Unlike other campuses it makes so much sense - the center is the diag and everything surrounds the central location. Michigan time is amazing so you can take back to back classes and almost every class is that close. Football saturdays are incredible and a highlight of the fall and the student section of the Big House is an experience everyone should have and I feel bad for my friends who don't have the experience. Umich is so big that there is something for everyone, but even still it is amazing how small you can make it for yourself. Walking down the streets I always run into people I know and usually have at least one friend in every class (for sure in lecture) There are so many different things to get involved with and once you find your niche its amazing.

I think this is an excellent school, very intelligent and intellectual people come here, and the diversity is amazing, this university really prepares you for life, especially with the challenging courses, though sometimes it's hard when you realize that all you are doing is competing for the better grade in all of our classes compared to your peers. The Michigan spirit is everywhere though, and even the alumni are really close to the university.

The best thing about being at U of M, is being a part of the Residential College (RC)...the RC is a living/learning community within UM's LSA. It is smaller, more personal, and there is a greater focus on languages and the humanities. We have language lunch/coffee hours, the classes have only about 14 people, the teachers know me by my nickname (and we know them by their first names) and make themselves very available to talk to. Two of my favorite classes were travel component classes at the RC (to Germany/Spain and to the U.S/Mexico border). Ann Arbor is an ideal college town. There's everything for everyone. I love walking around the arb (big park) in autumn and spring. The biggest controversy was over this years graduation. Our stadium is being redone so the students rallied to have our graduation here and not at a nearby other school (because we want to graduate on our campus). The university was extremely responsive and we are now graduating on the diag! Everyone...from the most insane football fanatic to those of us who have only seen half a football game (shhhhhh!) has school spirit. School spirit means something different to every student, and we each show that in our own way. anything unusual about UM?: the RC, RC, RC, RC, RC, RC, RC, RC....it has made my experience here.

It is difficult telling people that I go to Michigan at times because I want so badly not to sound elitist in any way. However, by trying to avoid sounding stuck up or egotistical about my acceptance by U of M, I often feel as though I am being egotistical by being so conscious of trying to avoid it.

the best thing is the educations reputation. i would change the strictness of bars and the occurrence of MIPs. the reaction is that you are smart because you got into michigan. union or the dorms (central campus). shitty college town, overrates the concept of a college town. I have been disappointed with the administration. the majority of my teachers are NOT what one would call "ivy-league material". GSI strike is a current controversy. LOTS of school pride. the lack of college experience is unusual. i feel like its so overrated this "college life". complaints- cops are too prevalent and strict

The fall in Michigan is amazing! You'll never forget your first football Saturday... Even if you're not a huge football fan the spirit is unreal! Everyone is decked out in maize and blue-- I would definitely say there is a lot fo school pride. The frats start drinking around 8:00 am and the parties go all day. Ann Arbor is beautiful, especially during the Fall and the Spring. People hang out in the diag. One place to check out is the Arb (Nichols Arbitorium) It's a beautiful place to run, walk, sit, play frisbee, or just explore.

Everything about Michigan is great. the only thing i would change is north campus. many freshmen live there, but not all of them are in engineering, music or art (like myself). it is just a really big inconvenience living so far from everything because nothing you need is up there. In terms of size, i think that michigan is great. we have a huge number of undergraduates which makes things such as school spirit really amazing. it also feels small because once you have your group of friends you feel secure. despite its size, you always see familiar faces when walking around campus. When I tell people that i go to michigan, they are genuinely impressed because of its academic prestige, and they always comment about our football team. Aside from being in class, i go to the library a lot. not only do i get work done, but its somewhat of a social scene. the undergraduate library isn't really quite because people are working on group projects and studying together. I also go to beansters in the league for lunch so i'm there a few days a week. Ann Arbor is an awesome college town. it has everything--stores, restaurants, clubs, bars, everything. pretty much everything is in walking distance. There is a ton of school pride here. Who wouldn't be proud to be a wolverine? on football saturdays the entire student body goes all out and dresses in michigan t-shirts and facepaint and everything. on any given day, at least half of the people I see are wearing a michigan t-shirt or sweatshirt because everyone is so proud to be here.

The best thing about Michigan is its size. It is large enough for you to virtually find everything here. I wouldn't change anything about the school itself. People are always very impressed when I tell them I go to Michigan. I spend most of my time probably in class and at my apartment, I don't really study at the library or coffee shops. Ann Arbor is definitely a college town. The Michigan administration is very up tight and run a tight ship, but if you ever have a question they will always answer you very directly. I'm not sure what the biggest controversy on campus was recently. Yes there is a ton of school pride. Nothing unusual about it here.