Michigan was one of my top schools when I was applying for college. I ended up getting into Michigan early action and went on a campus day in January. I had a bad gut feeling the entire time, the very first second I even got to the hotel, and really just hated the entire tour. When we got home, my parents were super excited and were basically like “why would you not want to go there it’s amazing!” Now, I am in a fortunate position and my parents will pay for my undergraduate education anywhere I go. However, I was admitted to other great schools and it seems like my family just doesn’t want me to go anywhere but Michigan. I keep hyping it up in my mind because I’ve worked incredibly hard to go to a top school, but then I remember how much I disliked it when i visited. I still haven’t heard back from Georgetown or USC (my top 2 schools) but if I don’t get into those, do I suck it up and try Michigan out for a year? Or would that be a giant mistake?
What exactly did you not like about Michigan? Sounds like you were looking for reasons not to go to there. Two weeks ago you were deciding between BC and Tulane. Now you have two new top schools: USC and Georgetown.
What are you looking for in a college? Have you thought about that?
@TomSrOfBoston I went to my campus day super excited because I thought I’d get there and know that it was the place for me. I just felt not excited about anything they had to say.
What other schools have you been accepted to already that you would prefer to go to over U of M?
Well, what would excite you?
My daughter felt like you did when she looked at Yale. She didn’t go there.
Maybe it was the time at which you went? Maybe there were other factors? It is a good school.
Wait for all of your admissions before you decide.
@J123D123 I’ve been accepted to Boston College and Tulane
@TomSrOfBoston I guess it just seemed super big and cold
@“aunt bea” where did your daughter end up going?
Where are you from?
Michigan is cold for a better part of the year. The geography tends to be that way and shouldn’t have been unexpected.
If it is too big a school for you, then you need to deal with those issues because USC is also big and sports are huge on these campuses.
Going to any college with the intention of transferring would be a mistake.
Lol
My daughter has been accepted to BC and loves it there having already visited three times. Yet she thinks she would rather go to U of M yet awaits an acceptance in the deferral abyss. We cannot just randomly visit U of M so I am very curious what specifically you didn’t like about your visit.
The two schools are much different in size.
Can you better put in words what you didn’t like?
Try to honestly figure out what set off the “don’t like it” reaction. It might help you explain it to your parents.
If there is something you really don’t like about it, it’s better to face it now and either address it or accept it. Don’t just squish the feeling then have it negatively affect your college career later.
@“aunt bea” I’m from Chicago. I knew it would be cold, I honestly don’t know if I could list exact reasons for not liking my visits other than the fact that I wasn’t happy the entire time. I actually really like the sports aspect, I guess the location is my biggest hang up.
@J123D123 In all honesty, I just found the campus ugly. The law quad is AMAZING don’t get me wrong. But every other building felt really industrial. It didn’t feel like a place I could call home. The resources they provide seemed awesome, and I liked a majority of the students that I met, but overall I just thought the campus was depressing. I’m not sure if I could be truly happy there. I’m sure there are plenty who would disagree with me, but I just felt uncomfortable and out of place walking around campus.
I’m going to say that this is a stressful time and you’re facing a big decision. Have you visited other colleges that you feel better about? Is this maybe just a case of nerves about the entire experience?
cold dark weather + grim buildings can be depressing, for sure
@Leigh22 I agree that this could be a thing of nerves. But I have also visited a number of other schools such as Georgetown and Tulane and didn’t have this feeling.
I think you’ve made a good point for students who need to VISIT the campuses.
I would say to stick to your intuition, but that’s just me.
My daughter had similar feelings about Yale.
The minute she stepped onto the campus she didn’t feel right. She went on the tour and heard the others in the tour get excited, but she couldn’t.
When we left the tour, she said, “Mom, NO”.
She was very uncomfortable and said that the minute we got out of the car, she was uncomfortable.
Remember that you have to live there for four years. Your family aren’t the ones who have to live there. You do.
You may want to revisit before you decide.
I agree with you. If you are not comfortable, relinquish your acceptance and give your spot to someone else when you hear back from all of your schools.
My suggestion is to wait till you hear from all of your schools and then assess them and if possible visit. If your parents are willing to pay for your education they’d probably be happier paying for a place you are excited to attend. It sounds like you have wonderful choices so far. My D19 has a spreadsheet she uses to list pros and cons and it has helped her see common threads of likes and dislikes.