My D has been admitted to the University of Michigan as well as USC’s Annenberg School of Communications. I would be interested in any feedback concerning the quality of the communications studies programs at each school, as well as comparing the quality of the liberal arts education generally at each school. I appreciate the these colleges have a lot of differences (small college town v big city, etc), and that both are expensive (We are residents of Northern CA). Thanks
I think both schools have well regarded Communications departments, so it really depends on three things:
- The particulars of each program. She should explore both to see if one appeals to her more than the other.
- Where she intends to live and work after graduation. Michigan is likely better for placement in the Northeastern quadrant of the US, from Minneapolis to New York while USC would be a better option if she would rather live and work anywhere from the Rockies westerwards.
- Personal preference. Both have lively campuses and great school spirit, but they have distinctly different campus cultures and feel. Michigan tends to be quite intellectual, while USC is more laid back. Also, the areas immediately surrounding campus tend to be a lot more "collegiate" at Michigan.
By the way, Ann Arbor is not considered a small college town. It is in fact a midium-large college towns. Most college towns have anywhere from as little at 5,000 residents to as many as 200,000 residents. Ann Arbor has 110,000 residents.
Several indirect points: 1) Michigan has spent a huge number of dollars refitting/renovating campus buildings, and the student newspaper, which has its own dedicated building, benefited from a $3MM reno/upgrade in the last 5 years; 2) the student newspaper has generated half a dozen Pulitzer winners over the years…not approaching, for example, Columbia, but respectable given the location; 3) as Alexandre notes, post graduation employment plans should count and in that wise a Michigan degree will provide a solid calling card for the East Coast market which is home to one or two of the 3 to 5 largest concentrations of Michigan graduates; 4) Michigan has received significant dollars for the Sweetland writing center which is housed in a recently built dormitory which is shared with student living space ( http://www.lsa.umich.edu/sweetland/ ); 5) Michigan also hosts a series of well known and respected writing contests ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopwood_Program );
I’m interested in this question as well. I was not aware that Michigan’s communications department was as well regarded as USC’s. Also, curious as to what school the poster’s D is going to choose.
Michigan’s Communications department is housed in North Quad, a $175 million project that includes housing for upper classmen. It is considered one of the most “luxurious” dorms in the country!
http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2015/03/u-ms_newest_dorm_makes_list_of.html
Thanks for the responses. She decided yesterday to “go blue”! At the end of the day, Michigan was just a great “fit” for her in terms of academics, athletics, school spirit, reputation, etc.
Glad to hear it! FWIW - Michigan also has more drinking water than SoCal.
Congrats to you and your daughter!!
Congratulations! I started out in the Comm Studies Department here at Michigan before transferring out of LS&A to the School of Information during my sophomore year. I hope she loves it!
You can’t beat Michigan!
@sorrygoblue how difficult is it to gain admission to the School of Information? What is required of currently enrolled LSA students (my D is a freshman in Comm Studies now) as far as making an inter-school transfer? Any tips or advice you can share would be greatly appreciated!