<p>MIA, I lived in Paris, which I consider even more culturaly and historically significant than NYC, and I still loved Ann Arbor. It really varries from individual to individual. You should visit to decide.</p>
<p>As for the weather, Ann Arbor is colder than NYC, but not by much. On average, Ann Arbor is roughly 5-7 degrees cooler than NYC.</p>
<p>Yea I also had the same questions as geomom... anyone got answers?</p>
<p>Geomom, although your questions are valid, as in any university with substance and depth, the answers (which I are laid out below each question) to all of them will be simple; it depends on each case. The world is seldom black and white, and Michigan, like most world class, elite universities, is designed to mirror the real world.</p>
<p>Do any engineering students have thoughts on the following questions
(these are things that it might be hard to figure out in a three day visit):</p>
<p>"How is the morale among engineering students? Do they work hard but
think it is fun and worthwhile? Do they support each other? I see UROP
opportuntities - are these easy to get, and is the faculty welcoming?"</p>
<p>Most of my friends at Michigan were Engineers. They seemed to have good morale, but on average, they definitely worked harder than LSA students. UROP opportunities are availlable to most Freshmen who request them, assuming they ask for them before the recommended date. Faculty at any top research university are welcoming if the students show initiative.</p>
<p>"Are undergraduates welcomed at departmental seminars? Does the general
student body have an attitude about engineering students (those nerds!)
or do the engineering students integrate well into Michigan?"</p>
<p>I am not sure what you mean by "Departmental seminars"? There are seminars intended for undergrads and there are graduate classes that are open to undergrads. However, there are seminars and classes that are only open to graduate students. And Engineering students do not look different than other undergraduate students, so no, they are not regarded as nerds, nor do they have trouble intigrating. Socially, students of all majors and colleges within the university live in together andmingle freely. This said, it is safe to say that there is a higher ratio of "nerdy" students in the CoE than in the college of LSA.</p>
<p>"Sports: Is there a level in between sports professional (varsity football players)
and the spectator? Are there lots of opportunities for a healthy, active student
to play club sports and intramurals, or are the facilities for the pros?"</p>
<p>there is varsity sports and intramurals. For popular sports, intramurals will vary by level. As for the facilities, some are primarily used by varsity, others are open to all. And by the way, there are no professional teams at Michigan. Professional atheltes get salaries and are allowed to sign endorsement contracts. College athletes are not.</p>
<p>"Are there good clubs to go hear live music in Ann Arbor?"</p>
<p>Yes, Ann Arbor has a good music scene...and so has Detroit, which is less than one hour away.</p>
<p>Sorry, just a joke about varsity athletes being professional (didn't mean it in an unfriendly way).</p>
<p>We are visiting Ann Arbor as I type; DS is off sampling classes (MATH 296 and MATSCIE 242) and nosing around the campus. Everyone we have interacted with so far has been helpful and pleasant. Compared to other state schools, the dorms and dining halls range from fine to VERY NICE (esp. the new dining hall at Mosher-Jordan). </p>
<p>I'm impressed by the architecture -- lots of atriums and skylights in the newer and remodeled buildings. </p>
<p>More later...</p>
<p>Glad to hear you are enjoying sunny and balmy Ann Arbor Geomom. Let us know more of your thoughts when your visit is over.</p>
<p>We got pretty good impressions. The engineering departments (Materials Sci/ Chem E and Electrical) seemed vibrant. DS reported the Physics of Materials class was full with about 40 students, so even partway through the semester attendance is not dropping off. The professor was friendly, as were the students. He especially likes the Material Science undergraduate laboratory, and reported it was actively being used by students today.</p>
<p>The math class was good, too. It was about 12 students, and the lecture was interesting, although DS noted that the professor was winging it (no notes). The math department was especially welcoming and plied him with information and a UMich Math Department T-shirt.</p>
<p>The physics department, in contrast, struck him as quiet.</p>
<p>Meanwhile this evening I took in a humanities lecture "On Human Bonding". It ranged over history and social commentary and religion and the meaning of democracy. Fun. My favorite take-away from the lecture was "Religion is the thing you are bound to," a statement I could chew on for quite a while. On the way out I got into a discussion with a senior from South Central LA majoring in Political Science who asked the lecturer several questions and could quote from deToqueville, and a psychology major, and an English major about whether UMich is "self-consciously" diverse. DS was back in the hotel room reading a novel - too bad he missed that. I was thinking, "this is why you go to college."</p>
<p>I am glad you enjoyed your visit to the University of Michigan. Hopefully, your son will chose to attend it. It is a great place to spend one's undergraduate years.</p>
<p>I got accepted into UM Engineering and am going to attend.
I'm an international student and I've never been to Ann Arbor. I'll be visiting next month.
I was very excited when I heard from Michigan as it was my 1st choice school.
From what I've been reading in the forum the university is great.
What's the university like for international students? Is it a culturally diverse place?
Also, any advice on housing? I've been told the housing in the central area is the best. Is that true?
Thanks.</p>
<p>Vic789, Ann arbor has a very high foregin born population (~20%?), one of the most diverse (in that there are several different ethnicities) places in the US. Especially if you are Asian or South Asian you'll feel like you're still at home.</p>
<p>Ann Arbor has a large percentage of Asian/South Asian population. Chinese and Indians especially. Most of them actually work for UofM as faculty or in the Medical System. Many others are employed by the Auto industry (though that is dwindling). Most of these are very highly educated (have a Dr or Prof in front of their names) but a very friendly bunch. You can also find restaurants of every major cuisine (incl Ethiopian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian etc). There is a significant number of foreign-born student population, at UofM and the Eastern Michigan University in neighboring Ypsilanti.</p>