Hi guys ! So I am an international transfer student who just got into UMich Ann Arbor LSA for Economics major. I have set my sights on the school for a long time, but recently I have some doubts as I also got an offer from UCLA. And I am deciding between the two schools. So can someone, preferably international students who have studied at Ann Arbor give me some details ? I do not care about things such as student body, fraternity, or climate, but I do care about the curriculum, the chance to get internships, networking opportunities, employment aspects, internships opportunity. I also care deeply about the cost of living and the safety of the campus area. Thank you everybody for any tips and helps out there.
UMich has a HUGE alumni network. This is very very helpful, especially when it comes to internships, networking opportunities, and employment aspects. The campus is very safe. Curriculum is strong in just about every area imaginable. Michigan is just all around a wonderful school, and it’s difficult to go wrong with if
If you are somewhat proactive, you can have something for every summer during your time as a Michigan student (this includes study abroad, internships, co-ops, internships abroad, etc.). If you are VERY proactive or have family/friend connections, you can have a great internship freshman year. I applied to a bunch of places with good cover letters and a resume reviewed by a bunch of people, and I was able to secure a couple of offers as a freshman for this summer.
The campus is pretty safe, and the residential halls (where you will almost certainly live your first year, and maybe for years afterwards) are pretty safe with the RA(s) on duty and housing security officers doing rounds throughout the night.
Although I understand your concern for your career, it is important to realize that your most valuable college experiences are probably going to come from things having little to do with your career aspirations.
Being proactive about your career is awesome, but do not ignore the huge personal development the college experience at a school like Michigan will facilitate for you. Trust me, this is coming from somebody who is interested in investment banking/management consulting.
COL is lower in Ann Arbor and the area is much safer than LA. If you share an apartment costs average around $800/mo. It is cheaper further away from campus. Crime in Ann Arbor is mostly petty theft and burglary on campus. You occasionally have bar fights but generally not much else. Other crime areas are mostly in the large apartment complexes near the south side of town . There are homeless people around campus, mostly in the summer, and a lot of panhanding but not much else.
As a transfer student you will probably live in a North campus residence hall and there is bus and shuttle service all night direct to your residence hall.