Michigan Engineering

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
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<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I recently got into Michigan engineering and I'd like to get some different perspectives on the school (preferably from current students and graduates). I haven't visited campus yet, so I really only know what's available on Michigan's website and past college confidential threads.</p>

<p>Feel free to answer as many of my questions as you'd like:
Can you tell me a bit about classes/professors? Are you impressed with professors or dissatisfied with graduates teaching classes? Are classes so big that you never received personal attention? Are professors easily accessible if you need help? What about the caliber of students around you?--Are you intellectually challenged by your peers? Is the atmosphere competitive and ridiculously stressful--or manageable and collaborative? Do you feel like you are part of a community as a michigan engineer, or are you just a number? Also, I'm a girl, so is there a nice community of female engineers? I'm a little worried because the school is only about 22% female. Also, for those of you who have graduated, were you satisfied with your career opportunities or grad school options?--What are most of your engineering friends up to after graduating? And all in all, if you had to go back in time and make the decision again, would you pick Michigan a second time?</p>

<p>To give you guys a little background on myself:
I'm pretty sure engineering is the right path for me. Of course I can't be 100% sure until I've actually starting taking classes, but I know I'll pursue something in math and science. Let's say for sake of argument, though, that I did want to transfer out of engineering. Would my group of friends/life at UMich completely have to change?</p>

<p>Any advice you all can give me is greatly appreciated.</p>

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<p>They vary. Some are great, some are terrible, and others fall anywhere inbetween. Some classes are easy, some are hard. Once you start and talk to people in your major you’ll find out who is good, who is bad, what classes are easy, what classes are hard, etc.</p>

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<p>Most classes are taught by professors. Some are taught by adjuncts, post docs, and a few who are just finishing up their PhD. Most of the time you won’t be able to tell the difference. Occasionally there are a few classes taught by GSIs (i think EECS 280 last winter was taught by GSIs or something - I might have the semester wrong) but it’s not usual. Often times non-professors are better at teaching than professors because they are trying to prove they’ll be good at teaching, where as a professor has less to prove. Discussion sections and labs are usually run by GSIs or IAs (undergrad version of GSI) depending on the class.</p>

<p>In general, I’d say the teaching ability of those teaching is pretty good. </p>

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<p>For 1XX, 2XX, and 3XX classes, you’ll usually be dealing with a GSI or IA rather than a professor when you need help. This can depend on the class but in engineering these classes are usually strictly required where as the 4XX and 5XX classes are the elective classes where you will interact with a professor more. This only really applies to Engineering. Departments in LSA could be totally different. </p>

<p>In courses where there’s 300+ students (eg. EECS 280) there’s going to be office hours going on all the time. </p>

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<p>It ranges. You’ll meet some really dumb people, and some really smart people. Most people are “pretty smart” but nothing especially impressive. I’m not really sure what you mean by the 2nd part of that question.</p>

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<p>Generally cooperative. An example, one of my classes last semester a few students got together and created a pretty comprehensive study guide and sent it out to the whole class. That’s not especially usual but it happens. </p>

<p>It might also be major dependent. EECS is more cooperative than IOE. </p>

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<p>I have yet to understand what it means to “fell like I’m part of a community” so I can’t really answer. University of Michigan isn’t a cult, it’s a business. You buy for a service, they provide it. You’re not going to fall in love with the University as a firm anymore than you have with your favorite fast food restaurant, but you may enjoy your time here as you do at your favorite restaurant. </p>

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<p>Don’t worry. It’s not that awkward. </p>

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<p>I’ve known people from here who have gone onto MIT, Stanford, UIUC, Princeton, Johns Hopkins, or Georgia Tech for grad school. A lot of people get jobs at Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, JP Morgan, plenty of other “high prestige” companies. </p>

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<p>Yeah.</p>

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<p>It doesn’t have to but it will.</p>