<p>I am very interested in conducting research while I am at Michigan, and thus have been considering applying to either the MRC or UROP. MRC intrigues me, however I am worried that it will not be as social as a regular dorm. I am focused on academics, however I still like to go out and party on the weekends and would like to be around (at least some) outgoing people. Additionally, I have heard that except for the MRC, pretty much all of Mosher-Jordan is upperclassmen -- which concerns me somewhat. Does anyone know what the social scene in the MRC is like? Also, is there any significant difference between being in the MRC and just being in UROP besides the residential component? Any insight would be appreciated, thanks!</p>
<p>I have not participated in either of the programs. However, I feel I am in the exact same situation as you and am undecided on which of the two programs to apply for if either. I am worried I would grow tired of 6 hours of research per week for the entire year and I also am feeling a bit lazy and don’t want to write the essay or answer the short answer questions. Aside from those concerns though I feel the like I would like to participate this opportunity. Let me know if you come to a decision or what you are thinking.</p>
<p>I think I’m just going to apply to UROP and stay in a regular dorm. From what i’ve read it seems like the academic opportunities gained from UROP are pretty comparable to those in MRC; the only difference is that MRC provides a more intense (well obviously) community centered on research. Personally, I think UROP is a better fit for me because it will allow me to interact with a wider variety of people and will ensure that I have access to all of the social things I want to be involved in. And those essays definitely don’t look fun haha…</p>
<p>If you really want to do undergraduate research definitely apply to both MRC and UROP. I was just in MRC this past year and it was by no means less social than any of the freshman dorms (it is substance free but that doesn’t really matter) I and several of my hall mates still went out 2-3 times week. Who ever told you that Mojo is mostly upperclassman was wrong, it houses two freshman MLC’s, the only sophomores are mentors for either of those two programs (and they party too). </p>
<p>You can still interact with a wide variety of people if you’re in MRC, being in an MLC in no way limits who you meet/hang out with. Both UROP and MRC have the same time commitment but MRC has better resources / you get to live in mojo. </p>
<p>The whole community sense of mojo comes from the fact that we all liked research (doesn’t mean we’re anti-social). We just enjoy contributing to knowledge and finding answers. We also enjoyed keeping up with each others’ projects</p>
<p>Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions but you need not worry about your concerns about MRC</p>
<p>Allow me to propose that with a MLC or other focused assembly of people that you can be more social. People tend to connect better around shared interests. Consider Hollywood starts with their actor friends, professional athletes with their athletic friends, and scientists with their scientist friends. When you just pop random people together, conversations tend to become guarded and stiff. The MLC promote deeper connections and greater comfort between people.</p>