<p>So I'm trying to decide between UVa and U Mich right now for undergrad. U Mich seems to have stronger programs and departments that pertain to my interests (mainly film) but UVa is just my type of school .
So for any actual college students on here, do you feel that its worth giving up the atmosphere to study exactly what I want or vice versa?</p>
<p>I’d say go for academics. Isn’t this the main purpose for which you are going to college? Fit is indeed a factoring aspect, but I wouldn’t make it a priority over scholastic features. After all, I’m sure you could find your social niche at UMich too. My opinion.</p>
<p>I say go for fit. Unless if want you want to study is segregated from the general college (ie Ross from LSA), it doesn’t really matter how strong the individual departments are in the undergraduate level. Plus both UVA and Umich are stellar in terms of reputation. </p>
<p>EDIT: Also, if you’re majoring in something a little more technical (ie Computer Science) and it isn’t in a separate college of Engineering, department strength matters.</p>
<p>Second EDIT: I just saw that you said you wanted to major in film, if that’s the case, I say go for Michigan.</p>
<p>When I first started looking for schools, I began by downloading a list of all schools nationwide that offered the major that I wanted. I regarded ‘fit’ along the lines of weather when it came to college choice. But, just like Sandro said, this is only my opinion.</p>
<p>Edit: I guess what I meant was that if UVa is significantly lower in program quality then that should take preference, but I don’t know about Film at either.</p>
<p>I am a parent of two college students and it is my strong opinion that fit is really more important when selecting a college. Both schools you mentioned have very good academic reputations. But a large part of college is the fit and the sense of belonging that comes along with it. My older daughter turned down WUSTL and went to Michigan because she thought it was a much better fit. My younger daughter turned down Duke and an Engineering scholarship to UMich (and others) and went to Cornell because she thought it was a better fit. No matter how good the academics at a college are, if the fit isn’t good, then the college is probably not the right choice. Both my daughters have friends who turned down schools that they loved based on fit, and instead went to the ones with bigger/better names. Three of their friends have already put in for transfers. Also, it is quite possible that you may wind up changing your major/minor at some point. Both UM and UVA are great schools, but which one do you think you will be happier at? Being happy with your choice is great.</p>
<p>Do classes fill up fast at U Mich and is it often tough to take what you want given the large amount of students?</p>