<p>D accepted U Mich Honors and UVA. OOS for both, financial aid/cost not a factor. Even though she is from Northeast she has a lot of friends at Michigan through her national youth group – at UVA she is a bit more worried about social fit given reputed (and I emphasize reputed, that being the whole point of this post – to cut past labels and get facts) southern/prep scene. She wants Greek life, which is strong at both schools as best as I can tell. She has a thing for tradition and customs and that part of UVA appeals to her. She knows UMich sports are better (though impressed with the recent Cavs’ hoops run!) and UVA weather is better. She is likely a history/poli sci major. We’re scheduled to visit both again (she visited UVA 2x in fall and Mich 1x) in the coming weeks. Given that these two schools are perennials at or near the top of the public university lists, I’m surprised not to see a 2014 thread comparing the two. I’d be grateful to hear especially from students who considered the two and/or parents who have a D or S at either. My own particular question, although I do not mean to limit responses to this point, is the extent to which at either place she can cut through the size and find professors who care about undergrads. Thanks! </p>
<p>It seems like you have already keyed in to the main differences. MIchigan is going to have a more liberal, northeast vibe to it; while UVA is going to be relatively more conservative. I think it is a very personal choice. I went to Michigan; my daughter considered both Michigan and UVA. My sister lives in Richmond, Virginia, and there is a cultural difference between Midwest/Northeast and the South - not that one is “better” than the other. Although we loved the UVA campus and the weather is definitely better than in Ann Arbor, we are from upstate NY and Jewish, so Michigan appealed to her just a little bit more. I think it is a tough decision and most people would be happy at either place, unless they were at the farther end of either side of the political spectrum.</p>
<p>Both universities are strong in History, but Michigan is stronger than UVa in Political Science. Otherwise, I would recommend going for fit.</p>
<p><a href=“http://m.greeklife.umich.edu/article/michigan-greek-life-strategic-plan”>http://m.greeklife.umich.edu/article/michigan-greek-life-strategic-plan</a></p>
<p>Greek life is under 20% at UM. There are huge amounts of other things to do do there. 
</p>
<p>UVA is more undergraduate-focused and has a stronger Greek Life so it appears to be a better fit than Michigan specifically for your daughter. Academically, its a wash.</p>
<p>Once again the ■■■■■ recommends another school over Michigan…</p>
<p>As a history student at Michigan, I have nothing but rave reviews for my experience. Even in my large lecture classes in the history department (haven’t had any of those since sophomore year), the professors have been very engaged with the undergrads. In fact, some of them still remember me from their lecture classes two years later, and I was not the most talkative student there. The grad students are good scholars in their own right, as well. </p>
<p>We’re a department with incredible resources, and students can tap into them liberally: I got a substantial travel grant to do research this past summer, for example. And the intellectual wealth is even more amazing–my thesis adviser has won several major prizes for her last book; a professor I studied with last semester just won an important teaching prize here; and another professor of mine was an adviser to several presidents on education policy. They talk to me like I’m an equal. It’s the most exciting place I could be a budding historian. </p>
<p>celticbar, if you want to PM me, I can suggest several professors whose classes your daughter may want to visit or who she might enjoy meeting with. I also have some experience with the political science department here and can talk a bit about that, as well. </p>
<p>really appreciate the post Finnlet. We’re visiting this weekend and I will PM you in advance. again, super appreciated. thank you.</p>
<p>I made the decision of Michigan over UVA a couple years back and I haven’t regretted it for a second. I think I would’ve had an equally great time at UVA, and academically they’re identical (as far as I’m concerned), so really it’ll come down to personal preference.</p>
<p>For me, I didn’t like that UVA was in the middle of nowhere. Driving to UVA through all the rolling hills and seeing all the trees was absolutely beautiful, and the architecture at UVA was unbelievable, but I didn’t like that it was essentially 2 hours away from any big city. </p>
<p>I can’t comment on the school spirit at UVA (though I’m sure it’s great), but there is something special about Michigan athletics. You really can’t compare to walking down Hoover Ave. towards the Big House with a hundred thousand other die hard Michigan fans literally filling the entire street as far as the eye can see. And the hockey games are even better and the environment at Yost is something magical. I think it’s the best arena in college hockey, but of course I am biased 
And our basketball isn’t too shabby either (NCAA runner-up last year, made it to the Elite 8 this year). </p>
<p>On the subject of greek life, and full disclosure I hate it and everything it stands for - Michigan has a pretty vibrant Greek community. Sure, it’s only 20% of the student population, but that’s still what, 6k kids? The Greek community at times can be pretty insular, especially at the top sororities/frats, so they have that going for them. But a lot of my friends are involved in fraternities and they seem to love it.</p>
<p>Weather in Michigan absolutely blows, though. No joke, Ann Arbor weather SUCKS. I hate winter. But I’m a die-hard hockey fan and I play pond hockey on North Campus so that’s fun.</p>
<p>I don’t know, I don’t think you can go wrong with either. I’d imagine access to professors will be the same, and class sizes will be the same too. My roommate is a poli sci major, history minor, and he’s always raving about his classes. I haven’t taken one so I can’t give you my personal experience, but there’s that.</p>
<p>Honors at both and OOS … East Coast … wants Greek life … I’m assuming rejected from Penn, Dartmouth and Georgetown? I’d give a very slight nod to UVa, but mostly due to location.</p>
<p>^^^^^■■■■■</p>