<p>So I got into both Michigan and Virginia. I'm planning on studying business regardless, hoping for a career in consulting. Both are out of state for me, and both look good. Assuming I don't get direct admission to Ross, which would be the better choice socially? Not gonna lie, I watched the Michigan "I'm Schmacked" and it definitely seems like a place is want to be. Any guidance is welcome though, as I've never been to either campus</p>
<p>UVA and Michigan have a VERY different feel and culture but are essentially identical academically. If you’re out of state for both then fit is really your only consideration. I would highly encourage a campus visit if possible as you would likely know which one you like better after seeing them. If not - here are the main differences (I looked closely at both as well and have been to UVA multiple times).</p>
<p>Since you asked about socially:</p>
<p>UM:
-Big ten, midwest culture (friendly people, work hard/play hard)
-Michigan weather (it’s -2 degrees right now) can quiet the campus party scene down for a bit during the height of the winter, but those who are determined can absolutely find places to go.<br>
-Ann Arbor - consistently rated the number one or two college town, anything you will ever need as a college student is right here. At 3AM on a Friday night you can choose between dozens of different restaurants that are still open. Charlottesville just doesn’t quite have the same thing.
-Ann Arbor is safer than Charlottesville as well.
-Ann Arbor and people who are here are much more liberal and act accordingly. Google “Hash Bash,” I’ll leave it at that.
-Greek life here is big but not huge, so it won’t feel as necessary as UVA.
-Our football team is actually decent, we have excellent hockey/basketball as well. UVA sports is moderate at best, the UVA/VT rivalry is a joke. If this is important to you it’s something to keep in mind. Also Ohio State/Michigan is the #1 rivalry in North America.
-Less Ivy League feel, more Big Ten Sports School.
-Best party of the weekend is Saturday morning. If you watched that video then you got a taste of what I’m talking about. If you want better examples watch “Pregaming with Pat” on Youtube.
-Bigger alumni base - may not be important in college but after college that may make it easier to meet people.</p>
<p>UVA
-Very, very, very, very preppy. I’m not sure how else to stereotype the campus as accurately as that. If your closet is 99% Ralph Lauren you’ll fit in well.
-People are very, very, very, very preppy.
-By the above I mean UVA has an east-coast attitude, people are much more stuck up on average and less approachable. It’s just a different culture so you may fit in better there than at UM depending on where you’re from/what you’re looking for. Money is more important at UVA.
-Has a higher in-state population which is almost entirely from Northern VA (DC suburbs). Michigan has a higher out-of-state population and in-state kids are from more diverse areas of the state (though Detroit suburbs do dominate as well). It’s amazing how many people at UVA are from Fairfax and Alexandria.
-Party scene is less active and very different, has more of an ivy-league feel. I’m pretty sure their scene is very greek centric.
-They wear suits and ties to football games (it’s a southern thing, they do it at Vandy too). At UM people dye their hair yellow and wear striped overalls and t-shirts. I think this is a good example of what I mean by different culture.
-Smaller by a lot (33% of the size of Michigan). Can be a good or bad thing depending on what you want.
-They say soda, we say pop
-There’s a reason they don’t have a get schmacked video and we do - falls kind of in line with their ivy-league culture (more school-centric).</p>
<p>Let me know if you have specific questions.</p>
<p>Don’t use the I’m Shmacked video to make a decision about which of the two is a better party school. Michigan goes hard, but freshman and sophomore year it is quite difficult to go out every week if you are not involved in greek life.</p>
<p>Go to UVA, weather is better.</p>
<p>“Go to UVA, weather is better.” That’s how I want my children to pick their school. </p>
<p>\s</p>
<p>lol @ the “I’m Schmacked” reference</p>
<p>I recommend you go to Michigan State.</p>
<p>@KyleTwentyEleven, wealth of info thanks a ton. </p>
<p>And @entenduintransit , can I get some reasoning behind that?</p>
<p>^I think he’s kidding.</p>