The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

As an in-state student, Michigan seemed like the only choice for me. It has by far the best reputation world wide out of all the state schools in Michigan, and was so much cheaper for me than the other schools of similar caliber I was admitted to. Unfortunately, I really am not enjoying my education or social life here at the University of Michigan.

In terms of education, the size of the institution has been, for me, a serious issue. All of my classes are taught by TAs (or GSIs as we call them), with a large lecture taught by a professor. The TAs grade all the papers and determine the overall grade for the classes. In terms of teaching and grading, TAs can really be hit or miss. Some are great, and some simply do not care AT ALL about the classes they teach. My spanish teacher for my upper-level spanish class spoke frequently in english and once spent an entire class period showing us Brittany Spears and Katy Perry youtube videos... no joke. She once answered her phone in the middle of class. My english instructor admitted to us that she is about to graduate and has "senioritis" so she might not attend lecture as much as she should. Really, your quality of instruction and GPA is based way too much on chance. There's also, in my opinion, too much grade inflation here, and people freak out if they get lower than a B+ in any class.

In terms of social life- at least in the first few years it is pretty much dependent on greek life. If you like to party and drink- great come to michigan! I, personally, do not and have found few other options on campus.... it's not that there aren't any options- they offer free movies and the like every friday- it's just that a majority of students have the sole goal on thursdays, fridays, saturdays (and often every other day of the week) of getting smashed and/or laid. If you want to find people to hang out with who aren't total dorks and don't engage in such debauchery you're really going to have to work for it.

But hey it's a great school... leaders and the best... and it's hard not to feel the school spirit. Michigan's a great school and many people love it here.Basically, my advice is to not choose Michigan just for the reputation- don't be afraid to look at schools that might not be as "respected" but are a better fit. It's all about what feels right for YOU. If you don't like where you're at, you will get little out of your education, whether it's at harvard or community college.

1st Year Male -- Class 2012

Surrounding City: A-, Innovation: F

U of M is a tough school. The resources are tremendous and the network once you graduate is amazing. Michigan grads are everywhere. We call is the Michigan Mafia. My best advice is to do what you love. Everyone here is pre-med freshmen year. Do not feel pressured to become a doctor. Michigan will teach you that there a many other things that you can do to impact society and make money. Financial aid was great. The endowment is huge. The school in constantly expanding. The weather is bad but if you can deal with it being cold then I say come here. Be an individual. You can have whatever you like. I'll admit I hated it when I began but I found a major that I liked and discovered my passion and life at MI thereafter was good. Professors were really helpful but you need to reach out to them. Don't be intimidated. If they don't want to help you then someone else in the Dept. will.

Michigan is a microcosm of the world.
Segregated but more progressive than many other Universities.Be prepared to work. It won't be easy and there is no grade inflation.

5th Year Female -- Class 2009

University Resource Use/ spending: A+, Social Life: C

I wasn't particularly thrilled when I was attending the University, due to the difficulty of my curriculum. It seemed that people were studying all day and night, check out the engineering library(Duderstadt), it's open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and people sleep, eat in there. Extra-curriculars are plentiful, there's a club and team for anything and everything you could want. As a minority student(Asian American) and Out of state student, I felt very comfortable here, there aren't as many racial cliques here as many other elite Universities. My only problem was that, I was pushing myself too hard with the classes to thoroughly enjoy a lot of these amazing extra-curricular activities, it seemed like everybody else were smarter than me. I was involved in high level research in my freshman year and sophomore year through the UROP program(one of the best in the country)

With that said, Michigan offers so many opportunities for you to succeed, the resources and programs available to undergrduate students are second to none. Job placement is also as good as any ivy league University, all the major consulting and investment banks recruit here and heavily. If you are an engineering major you are guaranteed a job by graduation.

I've also heard that many people are concerned about class sizes at Michigan, it's really a myth, with the exception of the first year intro classes, which are big anywhere you go, most classes are around 20-30 people. And even the intro classes have sub-sections for discussions that are 10-20 people. Check out the LSA profile, they tell you the class sizes. Furthermore, the freshman seminar classes are all small. I have been in the professional consulting world for 2 years now, and my Michigan degree has opened so many doors for me, everywhere I go I am respected because of my degree, I didn't realize how prestigious Michigan is until I graduated. I'm about to pursue an MBA, and Michigan undergrads are #11 on the all time feeder list for Harvard Business school. Go Blue!

4th Year Male -- Class 2006

Education Quality: A+, Faculty Accessibility: A-