The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Date: Dec 31 1969
Major: Architecture (This Major's Salary over time)
I had a not so great experience at the U of M Ann Arbor as a 3+ master of architecture program student.

The academics were definitely a mixed bag. The studio courses were exciting and very creative with a great set of experienced and creative professors to encourage your development in design and artistic sensibility.

The non-studio courses were not relevant. Many classmates would not even show up or bother to buy the book. These courses were supposed to cover useful technical information but you got a very general non-useful overview of things like structures, construction and environmental technology. I got the feeling that they were only there because they had to be, and designed to be easy and fluffy enough to not get in the way of studio classes.

There was definitely a philosophy of design concept/appearance is the most important thing. However, if you are looking for a job in architecture then I feel like you are seriously lacking in technical skills, and no one gets hired right out of school as a design architect.

One saving grace of this system is that Michigan has an excellent internship program. They do week long spring break internships (unpaid). That may not seem like much, however the list of firms you can ask to intern for are impressive. Additionally, sometimes as an architect what you need is to be able to make connections and visiting a firm for a week is an excellent way to network. I did this week long intern program and found it to be a good experience and would have interned for the firm over the summer if I didn't already have other plans.

Unfortunately these plans involved interning with a firm that wasn't directly set up with Michigan. This proved to be a very bad experience as the firm had expectations that I had a set of technical skills and understandings which I didn't have. At this point I realized how unprepared I would be to go to work for a firm that didn't have an understanding/relationship with University of Michigan. The firm itself was a terrible environment, so maybe more of a reflection of the firm than the Michigan. However, it did make me painfully aware of the technical skills and understandings I had not at all developed while in school.

The experience I had socially with the school was not a great one. I have a quiet book worm, down to earth personality, and found it really hard to make friends if I didn't want to take part in drinking heavily and/or going to sports games. Also, I came from a middle class background and felt at times looked down upon because I didn't come from a wealthy family or have a wardrobe of designer clothing. My class/year specifically I've heard from a student still there has been known to the faculty as one of the more cut throat groups of students to be at tcaup. I didn't feel like there was a helpful community of students, but more of an unhealthy environment where sometimes classmates would avoid helping each other or try to steal ideas and make them better than the person who originally came up with them.

Overall I would not return to Michigan if I had the choice.