Housing for First Year Engineering Student.

Hey guys! My name is Kavya and I just accepted my offer for University of Michigan. I was admitted into the college of engineering and I am getting ready to fill out my housing application. I know the Engineering school is on north campus, but I have seen many threads which say that say that most of our classes will be on central campus.

  1. Do you think that it is better to live on North Campus or Central Campus as an engineering student?

  2. Do you recommend any specific dorms to live in for engineering students?

Honestly I have heard that North Campus is very secluded, but I do not want miss out on the social activities at university. However, if classes are mostly on north campus, the commute from central to north will be a pain during winter. I am honestly looking for any advice on what to do, especially from current students. help a girl out.

You don’t have a choice. You fill out the forms and they place you unless you pick a themed living environment. Look up on housing site. Most of your first year classes are on central then after you meet the pre requirements for engineering then your classes are on North. My son is a second year and lived on central his first year and now on north. Both have good qualities and he likes both.

Knowsstuff, my son is also admitted to the College of Engineering, and I have a question for you since your son lived on both Central and North. Was your son a part of some themed living environment his Freshman year? What dorm on central campus he lived in, and how was his experience?

My son is leaning toward Central campus cause everyone says that North campus is the worst. However, I have heard that it is almost not possible for freshman engineer to get into the good dorms like West Quad or South Quad. Is that correct? Many freshman engineers who put Central Campus as their top preference ended up in Markley, and I do not want my so to end up in Markley. Would it be worth to put North campus as his preference then he could get Bursley which is not the dream dorm either, but at least he will have many freshman engineers living with him. Unfortunately, Michigan does not have living communities for freshman engineers, so my question is: would he get a better chance to have engineering students living close (same hall) with him at Bursley?

My son was lsa then transferred to Engineering,so maybe that is why he was on West Quad his first year. But it was great there. But as stated he likes North Ave especially now that all his classes and his job and EC is on North Campus.

I really wish they had a living community for engineering like Michigan State does.

My son is a junior in chemical engineering.

For the 1st year, best to live on central because that is where most of your classes are. You are randomly assigned to a dorm unless you select a learning community or other special interest.

Class in 2nd is about half-half. 3+ mostly north. Some of this depends on the major you select and how many AP credits you have when enter. For instance, most math, physics, chemistry, and bio classes are on central campus are are part of your engineering foundational courses. It will also depend on jobs and research you may be involved in.

Most of the creative stuff - engineering, architecture, music, dance, art etc. are on north campus. It’s designed that way so creative types interact more. North is quieter, and less expensive for apartments too.

Most students prefer to live on central because there is more to do and there more social activities (and more food choices). If you join a frat or sorority, they are all on central. Central is closer to the athletic campus, and the best gym (IM) In addition, it’s easier to sublet your apartment on central.

He lived 1st on central in south quad dorm, 2nd on a north apartment, 3rd in a central apartment, and next year in a different central apartment. The housing stock is somewhat newer with many apartment complexes near the north campus. Central is mostly flats in old houses with some very new luxury high-rise apartments.

My child does NOT want North Campus. Understood housing assignments are random and he will apply for theme community as well as designating North Campus as second preference. Trying to decipher the choices on rooms. To see if there is a way to increase odds of getting on Central or Hills. On the housing application you then have to rank your room type preference. By ranking the groups below:
A. Single
B. Two room triple with private bath
Two room quad with private bath
C. Baits II Two room double with shared bath
Baits II double with shared bath
Oxford two room quad
D. Triple
Quad
Fletcher two room triple.

So obviously group C has Baits. Any insight into where the majority of the other groups may be located?

I went to the hosuing website, my kid is housed on Central and chose C. We’re paying $11,534 for 2018-2019, which means UMich raised the price by about $300/year. Just a plain “double” is what we got. And we’re SUPER HAPPY!

Look at the table:

https://housing.umich.edu/first-year-application-instructions/