<p>^ One additional thing to note in addition to these considerations: Michigan is a significantly better university, which should be added to your two criteria. Michigan will open doors to you that ASU will not (ASU might actually close those doors).</p>
<p>But I agree with everyone else that these are very different schools in very different locations. </p>
<p><a href=“- YouTube”>- YouTube;
<p><a href=“Arizona State Makes 30 Rock! - YouTube”>Arizona State Makes 30 Rock! - YouTube;
<p>Can you explain me what makes Michigan a better University with open doors please ? This would help me make my choice.</p>
<p>Many top firms that will recruit at UM will NOT recruit at ASU. If that is important depends on goals.</p>
<p>ASU has a top business program.
Birdwatch----take into account the preconceived notions of some of the posters here. Barrons, for example, posts negatively about ASU whenever he can.
His favorite school? Liberty U. in Lynchburg. Where they teach their students that the earth is only 6000 years old. I hope that puts things into perspective.</p>
<p>what do you mean “with open doors”?
If you mean “better”’ as in “academically”, my earlier comparison still stands: UMichigan is for the voie gymanasiale students (good ones, too - even if you’re a good student it’s very very hard to get into UMich), and ASU outside Barrett is for voie g</p>
<p>I’m not really going to the US for studying (even if I’ll study hard). It was more about the culture.
Like I said the choice is beetween</p>
<p>UM which has exactly the kind of people I’m looking for in and off campus but with a big competition spirit and a cold weather </p>
<p>ASU which has liberal people in the campus but conservatives outside, is not the best choice academically, and has (from what I’ve heard even if I don’t think they are) stupid people but with a relaxed athmoshere and an amazing weather. </p>
<p>Can anybody else help me make my choice ? This would be amazing !</p>
<p>Guys, can you please read where the OP is coming from? He is here on an EXCHANGE program. It doesn’t really matter which school is “better” academically (though of course it’s Michigan, hands-down). He’s here to have a college experience in the US. Talking about “recruiting” and all of that is silly. </p>
<p>Personally, I don’t think a “typical” American college experience (or typical American anything) is found in the desert, but that’s my personal bias.</p>
<p>If you are interested in seeing the surrounding countryside while you are here in the US, you will find Michigan somewhat like home, though no mountains, but it snows like it does in the mountains. Lakes and forests. Niagara Falls is doable on a weekend.</p>
<p>AZ is completely different. Just sent my daughter there to school this year from a temperate climate. It’s quite interesting to experience, seeing all the bizarre cacti and sandy and rocky terrain. North of ASU is a large botanical garden. In fact ASU IS a botanical garden itself. The Grand Canyon is 3.5 hour drive. You can go to the beach in San Diego or LA on a weekend, 5.5 hours. Many interesting side trips you could do, and there is even skiing in the nearby mountains in the winter.</p>
<p>Michigan is a better school, though ASU has a couple of depts better than Michigan. You will certainly meet interesting people in both places, but have a somewhat higher probability of getting the chance to interact with a prof doing really groundbreaking research at Michigan than ASU, though it depends on your field. ASU has connections in the community at large, not sure what you hope to accomplish during this year, but you surely can do it in either place. ASU is adjacent to a large vibrant city, lots going on.</p>
<p>Michigan has a large % of their student body from out of state mostly paying extraordinarily high tuition for a state school, almost Ivy price, so that part skews rather rich and affects the feel of the campus. They also have nice cross section of Michigan natives paying regular state school prices. Average IQ at Michigan is no doubt higher than ASU, but you’ll find the full range of intellect at ASU as well.</p>
<p>My D is atheist too, though I’m always counseling her to present as agnostic instead, as it’s softer and easier on people, but anyway she hasn’t had any difficulty there, lots of like-minded kids. People are very open and friendly. It goes with the sunny clime I think, weather tends to make people less reserved.</p>
<p>Yeah coming from a really cold place I’m a bit fascinated by the desert. But if you think UM is better to have a real american college experience I think I think I’d really considerate choosing UM. And thank you very much celesteroberts for this complete answer ! The surrounds of Arizona are really a good argument ! This choice is getting harder and harder !</p>
<p>I think both are fine for a year abroad. Really. If weather matters and you’re fascinated by the desert, then choose ASU. You’ll have football and “school spirit” at both, large campuses, thousands of college students, you’ll learn about American culture, you’ll improve your English, it’ll be a great experience no matter what.
The big differences are 1°caliber of the student body and 2° weather. Since 1° doesn’t matter to you but 2° does, ASU turns out to be the better choice.</p>
<p>Thank you ! I’ll try to make my choice now. I don’t why I just have the feeling to miss something by choosing ASU. Same when choosing UM… I hate choices</p>
<p>My daughter is really enjoying the weather there, gotta say. She was home for a month in December, our weather just like Michigan’s and particularly cold this year, so now she’s sending me teasing texts about the nice weather in AZ.</p>
<p>Whatever you decide you’ll have a great time.</p>
<p>“Michigan is a better school, though ASU has a couple of depts better than Michigan.”</p>
<p>That’s a ringing endoresement for ASU. These two schools are not close to academic peers, so there is really no reason to bring that into this discussion.</p>
<p>^Excuse me, what? I was not the one who brought it into the discussion. I was more or less just amiably agreeing with and elaborating on what was said by other earlier posters, that yes, Michigan is a better school, but they are both pleasant destinations.</p>
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<p>Why all the desert hate on here? Lol. </p>
<p>The college experience is really what you make of it. There are some basic elements that need to be exist in order to enjoy that experience, but location/setting is not one of those elements.</p>
<p>I think it’s important to note that there is a heavy midwest/northeast bias on these forums. As such, those people are going to believe that colleges are all supposed to have that classic “old look” complete with gothic architecture, a pristine/well manicured quad, located in a quaint northeast or midwest town, etc.</p>
<p>Personally, I prefer the look and feel of colleges in Arizona over the typical midwest or northeast college - Open space, great weather, crystal clear nighttime skies (excellent stargazing!), unique culture, and tasty southwest cuisine. To each his own though…</p>
<p>At ASU the kids ride their skateboards (longboards) to class year round. I talked to profs who were roller blading in the hallways of math building. My D has been going to the private gym in Barrett because she is kind of intimidated by all the buff kids at the big campus gym. People are really active.</p>
<p>The buildings are different in the southwest. Not better or worse, but with high-ceilinged interior pavilions open to the outdoors filled with fountains and plants, a cool respite from the sun. It’s fun to see different ways of living. </p>
<p>Have to admit, in advance of visiting I was anticipating that I would hate the desert, but did not find that to be the case at all.</p>
<p>Even Michigan’s superior academics and reputation out of the equation, I would rather surround myself with peers at Michigan that are more driven and intellectual, I would rather live on a picturesque campus that has all four seasons, and I would rather have the off-campus extracurricular activities that Ann Arbor offers. Other than cost, I don’t see a reason to really consider ASU over Michigan, but to each his/her own.</p>
<p>Can you tell me the what are the off-campus extracurricular activities that Ann Arbor offers please ? Thank you !</p>
<p>You will have HUNDREDS of extracurricular activities on campus at both. off campus extracurriculars wouldn’t really come into play, especially as an exchange student.
You’re unlikely to spend a lot of time in the “city” surrounding the campus, except to study at a diner, go to a club (if you’re over 21), eat in a restaurant, etc. Most clubs and activities are on campus. The campus will be where you live.</p>
<p>So does anybody have something that can help me to make my choice ? BEcause it’s really hard to decide… Thank you !</p>