Academics and social life

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>Just a few questions for current Ann Arbor students -
- From what I've heard, Ann Arbor, or any state school for that matter, is pretty spirited. Is there a place for the non-spirited student?
- How cold exactly is it up there? Does it affect social life?
- What's the average class size?
- Generally, do course requirements get in the way of students learning what they want to learn?
- How efficient is class registration, and what are the chances of you getting the classes you want? Is there a "shopping" or generous add/drop period?
- Is it much harder for out-of-state students to get in vs. in state students?</p>

<p>Thanks to all in advance. Any random things-you-should-know-about-UMich would be very welcome also.</p>

2

<p>Ann Arbor itself isn't necessarily that spirited. It is a very highly intellectual and strangely cosmopolitan town. Academics at Michigan take the front seat, make no mistake about that. However, the campus is quite spirited, but many students don't really get into the rah-rah spirit. </p>

<p>It gets very cold, but we're not talking Minnesota/Quebec/Alaska cold. The winters at Michigan tend to be longish, but that does not slow down social life.</p>

<p>Average class size? Well, the breakdown in class size looks something like that:
Classes with more 100 students: 5%
Classes with 50-99 students: 10%
Classes with 30-49 students: 15%
Classes with 20-29 students: 20%
Classes with 10-19 students: 35%
Classes with fewer than 10 students: 15% </p>

<p>That's pretty impressive considering Michigan's size. Even small private universities like Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Harvard etc... don't have much smaller classes. Typically, the main differences is in classes with 10-19 students and 20-29 students. At Michigan, those classes make up 35% and 20% of the total classes respectively, and the smaller private elites, they make up 50% and 5% respectively. </p>

<p>Class registration has improved a great deal in recent years. Students typically get into the classes they want. There is a pretty generous add/drop period.</p>

<p>OOS students make up 35% of Michigan's total undergraduate population, so it is not that much harder for OOS students to get in. Some schools like UNC, UVa and the UCs are tougher to get into for OOS students.</p>

3

<p>
[quote]
- From what I've heard, Ann Arbor, or any state school for that matter, is pretty spirited. Is there a place for the non-spirited student?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes, but it will be a bit more difficult to fit in. You may feel isolated from time to time (especially during football season), but you'll still survive. There's always the option of finding other students like yourself, however... 6000+ incoming freshman means you're bound to find whoever you're looking for.</p>

<p>
[quote]
- How cold exactly is it up there? Does it affect social life?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Depends on your definition of cold. If you're from New England, it's actually a little warmer with much less snow. If you're from Cali, than be prepared to experience something like you've never before.</p>

<p>Social life during winter does get affected. It's a lot more academic-oriented during the colder times. However, you'll still be able to find parties if you look hard enough. Just remember though, everybody works harder during the colder periods. It's not a bright idea to frequently party during winter if you're striving for a 4.0.</p>

<p>
[quote]
- What's the average class size?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Varies from class to class. Also, lectures are always larger than discussions. Lectures are huge, easily encompassing over 50 students. Discussions usually include 15-25 students.</p>

<p>
[quote]
- Generally, do course requirements get in the way of students learning what they want to learn?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>From personal experience, no. UMich is much more lenient compared to schools like Harvard when it comes to requirements.</p>

<p>
[quote]
- How efficient is class registration, and what are the chances of you getting the classes you want? Is there a "shopping" or generous add/drop period?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Class registration is easy and smooth. You are assigned a date that designates when you're allowed to register. Thereafter, you're ready to go online and select your classes. So long as you have your prospective classes ready prior to the registration date, you should be fine in terms of getting the classes that you want.</p>

<p>Yes, there is a 'shopping' period.</p>

<p>
[quote]
- Is it much harder for out-of-state students to get in vs. in state students?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Hell no. UMich is easy to get in as an in-stater AND out-stater. Applying early is key. The average student at UMich is good at everything, but not necessarily brilliant. Hence, don't stress about competing against Einsteins. Many will become great employees, but don't expect your neighbors to be writing a magnum opus or actively championing towards becoming the future president. That's the reality, whether you like it or not (if you don't like it, learn to embrace it when you get accepted, ha ha). The social life, however, is much better than those other institutions where the wannabe future presidents reside.</p>

<p>There is a dramatic contrast in financial aid between an out-of-state and in-state student.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
Average class size? Well, the breakdown in class size looks something like that:
Classes with more 100 students: 5%
Classes with 50-99 students: 10%
Classes with 30-49 students: 15%
Classes with 20-29 students: 20%
Classes with 10-19 students: 35%
Classes with fewer than 10 students: 15%

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I don't disagree with those stats, but they need to be normalized. Your chances of taking those class sizes does not follow the class size distribution (larger classes have heavier weight). Plus, smaller classes are not offered every term and require more prereqs, etc...which make elective courses more likely to be large intro courses, etc.</p>

<p>So the average class size in a student's schedule is something larger (maybe a lot) than the distribution suggests.</p>

<p>Not saying this is a problem only with Michigan, since most large uni's try to disguise it this way.</p>

5

<p>Cherrybarry, the same can be said of any major research university, small or large. Intro classes at schools like Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Northwestern, Penn or Stanford also have 100+ students. Sure, at Michigan, then will have 250+ students, but in either case, those classes will be impersonal and broken down into smaller discusion groups, almost invariably led by graduate students. But most students don't take entry-level classes, even as electives. </p>

<p>I do agree that although 50% of classes offered at Michigan have fewer than 20 students, most students will probably experience a greater percentage of classes with 20-40 students. Again, that can be said of any major researh university large or small.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the all the answers, I found them very helpful and clear. As an OOS from California, my chances of applying to Ann Arbor at this point are very high. If I have any other questions, I know where to go. ^_^</p>