<p>My son chose to sign up for the engineering peer mentor program. Any experience out there for that? Also has anyone gotten their tutition notice yet?</p>
<p>Advice for moving in: One-way car rentals are expensive…they add extra fees, so that initial decent rental rate suddenly gets an extra $200 added on. We’ve found it’s cheaper to fly, rent a car and pick-up what we needed there. The stores are fully stocked and you end-up getting what you truly need, as opposed to everything that’s on the list Housing gives you. You’ll also want to see what your room mate is bringing before buying too much.</p>
<p>If you’re coming from some distance, you can do “pack and hold” shopping at Bed, Bath and Beyond in your own area, choosing the stuff you want locally, then they hold it for you at the BBB branch in AA. That way you don’t risk having items sold out when you go shopping around move-in day. </p>
<p>You select items where you live, but don’t pay until pick up. That way, you can change your mind and drop items or add stuff on in the store. Also, my experience is that for the “pack and hold” college purchases, BBB will let you use an unlimited number of their 20 percent off coupons, so start saving those if you get them in the mail.</p>
<p>Veteran Michigan Mom here, I have a senior and a sophomore this coming year, one in LS&A and the other in the Art School. I am also an alumna, so I am pretty familiar with the Ann Arbor scene. If you have any questions, feel free.</p>
<p>For the shy ones, the really important thing, IMO, is to get a good start. Put yourself out there during orientation, try to make good use of welcome week, when all the freshmen are in the same boat so it doesn’t feel as weird to strike up a conversation with someone you don’t know. Also, i agree about the clubs, there are so many available - there is a day in the early part of school when they all have tables on the diag, signing people up, make sure your son goes, so he can see how many different groups there are on campus, all with reps out on the diag urging him to join. My kids both have thrived by finding an avid interest and joining a group - a ready made social group with those with a common interest. </p>
<p>I have truly met few people out of thousands over my lifetime in Michigan who did not enjoy their time spent at UM - the only caveat is that since it is a big school the student has to push himself out there, no one is going to come looking for him - but with even moderate effort there is a wonderful experience to be had both academically and socially.</p>
<p>Littlefalls: My son went into the housing thing randomly. He’s been thinking electrical enr as he always has been interested in this stuff. We thought of renting a van for the ride but I think I like the idea of pre ordering the things he needs and picking it up in AA.We also thought that we would take a few days to vacation around Michigan and take the ride home slowly. In that case I’d rather take my own car. What about your son? Is he in engineering or another major? This thread is a geat idea…hope everyone will keep the tips coming…we’ll all have this sorted out by the time school starts.</p>
<p>Sorry Littlefalls, just re read the comments, so I see that your son is an enineering major.</p>
<p>Great to see this site expanding…if you would prefer to keep your comments more private…feel free to PM eachother and perhaps exchange personal email or facebook info. We could form our own Facebook group…but I don’t know how to do that. I am going to really miss my techie son that helps me out with all of these things. Time to learn on my own. 
I am more than happy to be the coordinator/facilitator. I really think that as the year progresss we are going to need eachothers support. Sure appreciate any and all suggestions. Cheers!</p>
<p>Hey Jazzymom, our kids were in the same dorm last year. I agree it was not an ideal freshman experience, and DS lamented it, but really had a fine year. He roomed blind and got along fine with his roommate. He also found a job on North Campus related to his major, so logistically it all worked out. To Rumandting, DS’s friend was also introverted and ended up with a similar roommate. They got along great. My take-away is that almost anyone can find a place to fit in at UM. There are so many opportunities, I think it is hard not of have a good time as a UM freshman.</p>
<p>^Was it hard for your s to find that job in his major? Did he do Urop by any chance?</p>
<p>^^ His job is with CAEN (essentially the U’s IT department). They post jobs on the umich website.</p>
<p>My son has completed his first year at UMich and was at Bursley. It was a perfect location for him as he is a double major in the College of Engineering and Music Theatre and Dance of which 90% of the classes were held on North Campus. He will be moving to an off campus housing location for next year now that he has his circle of friends and will appreciate the quiet time to study and to cook some of his own meals.</p>
<p>For those CA kids…just be sure that you are prepared for the cold winter. The flip flops and tank tops will only last for about a month after school starts. A good winter coat, hats, gloves, scarves and a good pair of waterproof boots are pretty much a must. </p>
<p>For all parents visiting Ann Arbor, be sure and check out Angelo’s Restaurant for the best pumpkin pancakes and corned beef hash in the country :)</p>
<p>I too am happy to answer any questions that any of you have. I am still learning myself but have at least experienced the Freshman year.</p>
<p>Good luck to all…Go Blue!!</p>
<p>Do you think that living on North Campus is so uninviting to some kids just because they “think” it will be too far away, no social life, not all freshman etc. etc. From what we have read on this site from those that have actually lived there…it all turned out to be fine and many returned there for a 2nd year. Living on North Campus seems like having the best of both worlds…kind of a retreat when you need one. Will your s need a car with his off campus location?</p>
<p>Oh forgot…has anyone received notice of their tuition bill yet? Not that we are in a big hurry…just curious.</p>
<p>Add me to the list of freshman parents!! Our son is OOS, coming from Peennsylvania! We couldn’t be more excited to go to Ann Arbor with him at the end of this month for orientation! I love the idea of having a parents list and would love to start a Facebook group!</p>
<p>Hello all, we live in AA, my spouse is an alum (I’m not) and I’ve done my share of consulting projects for UM, so feel free to ask any questions.</p>
<p>First off, North Campus is a 5 to 10 minute shuttle bus ride to main campus; on a nice day the less sleepy, more athletic types could easily walk it (but won’t). Back in my wife’s time (circa French-Indian Wars), NC was considered “back of beyond”, today, the expansions of the school of engineering, school of music and workout facilities have turned it into a mini-Xanadu. Additionally there are some frankly spectacular new student apartments going up on the edge of NC that are a sight to behold.</p>
<p>Under no circumstances can I recommend bringing a car to AA. Like most college towns, spaces are scarce and expensive; also, parking tickets seem to be a major source of revenue for the city and university.</p>
<p>As far as clothes for the warm-weather out-of-towners, I think that a month of flip-flops and t-shirts is a bit pessimistic, I think it’s more like five weeks.</p>
<p>I’ll endorse the Angelo’s recommendation for breakfast; I’m not a fan of the pumpkin pancakes but love the deep fried French Toast - a nice touch is that after the fried french toast you can just roll down the hill right into UM Hospital’s Cardiac Care Unit. ;)</p>
<p>I think the tuition bills come out in the middle of August. I read somewhere that the students will receive an e-mail when it is available. I did, however, find the 2010-2011 Estimated Cost of Attendance in a PDF file on the Office of Financial Aid website.</p>
<p>You know what is so great about our newly formed U of MI parent thread…everyone including newbies, alums, experienced attendees are all so positive, proud and excited about this experience for our kids!! Michigan parents rock!!</p>
<p>Hi There: I am a UM alum (my DH is as well). </p>
<p>Our DD (oldest) if off to UM in the fall for Nursing school. </p>
<p>She has been assigned to Oxford Housing (neither of us had heard of it from our days there - Class of '84). I had hoped for a more traditional type housing for her and something a bit closer to the school of nursing. Oh well, hopefully this will be a bit more quiet (she’s on the more studious side) and she will get to know the other students there really well due to the size. </p>
<p>Does anyone out there have experience with Oxford housing? Other Nursing school parents out there? Any questions that I might be able to answer?</p>
<p>Looking forward to the conversations</p>
<p>Okay everyone I tried my hand at forming our very own facebook page.</p>
<p>You can look up University of Michigan Parents and request to join. I kept this semiprivate so that everyone has to put in an invitation request and then only members are able to read our discussions. I just wanted to maintain our parents only privacy. So come join and let’s see how it works. I will then need help putting in a photo.</p>
<p>I’m interested in accessing the new page and it doesn’t come up. Can you post the actual search? I also can’t find the private thread. I, like many of you are going to be very tech challenged once my son leaves.</p>