Do UM students have an attitude?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
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<p>UMich is a great school; it has a lot going for it, and I think I'd really like the program there (Engineering).</p>

<p>But I've been getting a really weird vibe from the school. When I visited, the admissions speaker talked about how everybody knew the Michigan was great, on par with the Ivies, UMich grads love to hire UMich students etc. The whole time she was giving off an attitude, as though the students would be lucky to make it in. Of course, getting accepted to a strong school would be a great accomplishment, but the we're-better-than-you attitude was a turn off. She wasn't trying to sell the school, it was more like saying "yeah, you already know were really awesome, here are some more specific details, but they don't really matter because you'd already die to go here."</p>

<p>Similar attitude from tour guide: "if you're lucky enough to get in, UMich is amazing in every single possible way ever!"</p>

<p>I ignored that as two isolated incidents with people with a lot of pride in their school, but the acceptance videos are sort of bringing that up again. The general acceptance video was a minute and a half of putting an M everywhere ("the only letter that matters") then saying "congrats."</p>

<p>The engineering video "offered" three tour guides, throwing out the girl who was excited to be there and instead gave a "guide" who was mocking the idea of actually being happy to give the tour to admitted students. It felt like teenagers watching an old Disney movie they really love while saying "this is sooo lame" the entire time.
An actual engineering student apparently wasn't giving the tour. She talked about how those classes didn't make sense to her "but I guess <em>you're</em> the smart one." Unenthusiastically referred to UMich's ec engineering accomplishments, as clearly those were a given, since UMich is so awesome.
The acceptance e-mail referred to this video as "reality-style."</p>

<p>Clearly the student body and the administrators should have pride in their school, but I was turned off by the way UMich went about it. Rather than a positive "we're great" statement, it felt like "we're better than everyone, ever."</p>

<p>~~~~~</p>

<p>Actually getting to my question:
Every school handles admissions in a different way, but I wanted to know, is this attitude prevalent among the student body? Will I be in classes and with students who naturally put down other universities for not being ranked as highly, and have this "we're uber-awesome" attitude?</p>

<p>Also: does anyone else feel this way, or is it just me?</p>

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<p>Well, there’s no shame in being proud of where you go, especially when it is such a great school, objectively speaking. The videos and tours are meant to showcase the best aspects of the university and the students are supposed to be enthusiastic and to make it seem like the best place ever, etc.</p>

<p>To answer your question… It’s unanswerable. There are nearly 30,000 students who go to UMich, and there is no way to generalize a group of that many people in any sort of meaningful or accurate way.</p>

<p>From my own personal experience, no, I have not had any of those encounters, nor am I that kind of person. I’ve gotten to know quite a wide array of people since I’ve been here, and no one’s given me that vibe of arrogance or self-righteousness.</p>

<p>Also, the fact of the matter is, many UMich students truly believe this is the greatest school in the world. I’ve felt that way as well. After spending time here, it’s difficult to comprehend an experience at any other school being as enjoyable or beneficial, so sometimes students may say some… ill-advised things in order to convince others to make the decision to come here as well.</p>

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<p>The thing is a lot of people go here (myself included) and can’t imagine anywhere else being better than Michigan as a whole college experience. Students are extremely and deservedly proud of the University.</p>

<p>Fielding Yost, one of the most revered men in the history of the University, put it well: “The Spirit of Michigan: It is based upon a deathless loyalty to Michigan and all her ways; an enthusiasm that makes it second nature for Michigan Men to spread the gospel of the university to the world’s distant outposts; a conviction that nowhere is there a better university, in any way, than this Michigan of ours.”</p>

4

<p>You must remember that the point of these tours and admissions events is to try to get you to chose Michigan over any other university. There is a belief held by some unfamiliar with the university that Michigan is just another state school, no different from the rest. It may be that the tour guides and admission speaker were trying to remove that belief from any parents or students who might have otherwise crossed the University of Michigan off their list because it was just another university in Michigan, but in so doing gave the impression of arrogance. Needless to say, the “we’re better than everyone, ever.” is not an attitude that is held by any of the students that I know, and it is certainly not a belief I hold myself. I hope you gave tour feedback of your thoughts, because that is certainly not the impression you should be leaving with.</p>

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<p>What we can’t stand are “walmart wolverines” or those who have never attended yet like to cry endlessly that the students don’t show up on time for noon kickoffs against purdue or whatever. Do i have respect for how locals or state politicians or other outsiders think the U should be managed? Or how they think we’re arrogant? Absolutely not. </p>

<p>In some ways it’s easy to get sucked into the environment, so it renders everywhere else kind of bleh. It’s more about school pride though than “OMG Cornell sucks; we don’t want you if you even <em>think</em> of going there!” Well there are a ton of grad students and transfers from other schools and i don’t ever hear put-downs like you describe, certainly not in class (except for State). </p>

<p>If you want my own view, go where you’ll get the most of the next 4 years. The thing is, don’t expect anyone here to lose sleep if you don’t come. I mean, there’s probly 50,000 who would take your place. Isn’t it an attitude to expect much more of a response over a high school senior? A 2 minute youtube vid sounds about right. It’ll take at least a year at any college to prove yourself. </p>

<p>At the same time, there are a ton who do study abroad or volunteer outside the campus area and don’t seem elitist at all. If this sounds confusing, it’s cause there’s 40k students so trying to answer for all would be ridiculous.</p>

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<p>I think this is interesting because I went on a tour and watched both videos and got a completely different vibe. The engineering video wasn’t my favorite, but I loved the acceptance one and found the M thing really cool and a little moving. I later talked to a few of my classmates you got in and they absolutely loved the video as well. So much so that they were theorizing that there was some kind of subliminal message that made you want to go there. For me, I’ve always just felt like there’s a lot of pride and happiness to be there, rather than an arrogant attitude held by the students. When I visited everyone was incredibly friendly and happy. I loved the atmosphere that I felt; it was a place hyped up on school spirit but in a good way.</p>

<p>This is all subjective though. Maybe if you’re getting a weird vibe it isn’t a good fit for you? I personally love the school spirit and enthusiasm, but I know plenty of others who find it off-putting (mostly Michigan State fans… but anyway). If you’re not getting a good feel maybe you could consider the other colleges you’re interested in and really think about what kind of place you want to be in for the next four years. :)</p>

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<p>Thank you all so much for responding. Your answers have all been very positive and helpful!</p>

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<p>^^ lol at walmart Wolverine. My father’s becoming one and its really rubbing me the wrong way…</p>

<p>With thousands here, there are those that will openly discredit any other school and about how Umich is the greatest in the world. </p>

<p>I think overall, there’s a deep underlying sense of pride in the school coupled with great modesty and work ethic. Do I expect people to treat the Michigan name like an Ivy? Not exactly, but I’ve found that being here for three years has opened my eyes to the cailber of other students you work with. Depending on your major/concentration, you’ll be with Ivy types but without the “I go to an Ivy” attitude. </p>

<p>I’m OOS, my siblings and parents went to small liberal arts schools so I really had no previous experience with large public universities. Umich can offer anything you want. Work hard and you’ll get into a sick grad program/job no problem. Then there’s also a huge social environment. It really is one of a kind in terms of academic rigor, prestige, yet fun at the same time. </p>

<p>I’d like to formally apologize for the impressions you received from the admissions rep. It is, in no way shape or form the underlying consensus on this campus. Happy hunting!</p>

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<p>Michigan students have an immense amount of school pride, and could not imagine being happier anywhere else. T</p>

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<p>How many UM students does it take to screw in a lightbulb?</p>

<p>4, one to screw in the lightbulb, and 3 others to talk about how they did it just as well as the Ivy League</p>

11

<p>My D was just accepted into LSA, we’ll be waiting now for some months to see if she passes music audition, trying for joint degree in 2 schools. Of all the places we’ve visited (a lot) she is so incredibly enamored of Michigan. She is desperate to go even if she can’t get in for music. Nothing I say sways her. The music part of campus is far away and you’ll spend all your time on the bus. SO what. The honors dorm for next year is old, not renovated, no AC. No problem. I am really mystified. It is admittedly a great place, but she is head-over-heels in love. Sigh, OOS, can’t imagine how we’ll pay for it…</p>

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<p>I didn’t read your whole question, just the end. I’m currently a freshman at Michigan. I don’t think there’s the attitude of putting down other schools, except for Michigan State and OSU. We don’t sit around saying, “We’re ranked higher than so-and-so. That means everyone who goes there is a peasant.” Yes, we have school pride, but it’s more of a fun thing, than seriously putting other schools down. We respect other schools, like UW-Madison or UM-Twin Cities, but we do have rivalries with State and OSU.
I really don’t think our student body is cocky.</p>

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<p>As long as you don’t count MSU…</p>

<p>Or making fun of LSA if you’re in CoE lol</p>

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<p>There’s all kinds of people there. Some are arrogant, some are humble. The administration and staff gets more worked up about the M image than most students, so don’t be put off by orientation videos. The professors mostly don’t care about that all that much. Most went to school elsewhere. They focus on their work.</p>

<p>All elite schools have an arrogance problem. Don’t catch the bug. Wisdom is with the humble.</p>