<p>Hi, I don't post very much but I really need some help and advice. I have limited my college choices down to U of Minnesota-twin cities, U of Michigan Ann Arbor, and U of Wisconsin and I am completely torn. (FYI: I am going to be a pre-pharm major) I really don't have much of an idea what each campus is like or what makes them different because I am unable to visit any of them due to hard financial situations. Any one who has visitied, or goes to, any of these schools that could give me their input would be greatly appreciate. If you could mention things like dorms, honors programs, food, aesthetics, social life etc. that would be great too. Thanks.</p>
<p>BlueMoonGirl…is there anyway in the world you can catch a cheap greyhound bus to get to Spring welcome day April 17??? U of Mich arranges for you to stay in residence (so it’s free) and provides refreshments etc. It’s really important to beg, borrow or plead a visit because if any of your FA is loans, you’ll be investing your own future cash sight unseen. (Kind of like buying a car on ebay…the pictures only show so much : )
And most kids get a “vibe” feeling about their best fit from just being at the school and soaking up the environment, because it’s not just the buildings or the reputation or the size, but it’s the student body that you are surrounded with that makes your college experience awesome.</p>
<p>That said, from our various tours to NYU, Princeton, IU Bloomington etc., I would describe U of Michigan this way:
- Aesthetics…not hyper urban but not overly pastoral…pretty mix of old buildings and new architecture, spacious feeling yet just right in terms of getting around on foot easily; highly organized and free transportation between north and central campus…
- Dorms…pretty much like most dorms we’ve seen, not especially generous in size but that seems like an irrelevant point because the people living in them seem like awesome, well-put-together, conscious, fun but balanced humans overall.
- Facilities…some awesome facilities, esp. at engineering in north campus, dunderstadt center, etc. No shortage on help/tutoring centers; no shortage of student-focused systems such as campus wide internet access etc. For a public school, U of Mich has really kept up to date on its infrastructure, and seems to run well.
- Spirit - unparalleled, it seemed.
- Instruction – overall sense of accessible and highly competent tenured staff with engaged gsis. No doubt there are plenty of mentors to be found. General course classes can be quite large for lecture, then smaller labs…other more specialized classes and upper year smaller and more intimate (depending on the class) so make sure you’re up for that.
- Food – seemed pretty good to us actually but I think all dorm food gets tired eventually. Fortunately, nice little cafes and restaurants all around town as well. The newest cafeteria up on the hill had lots of fresh, healthy options.
- Social life…seemed to be lots to do in terms of art, culture, music, indie bands, fun, parties etc. Would not characterize as Animal House. Eg., some laid back events at the student union, other typical frat parties but moreso on weekends. Overall, son seemed to like the balance. The town is also vibrant and fun, and the university itself is the “heart” of the town in terms of layout (and everything else.)
- Diversity - S. really loved the eclectic and friendly feel of the student body…comparatively, he found Princeton stylistically a little homogeneous or somehow “less sophisticated” (maybe he meant less urban? Princeton felt too pastoral for him…but he did like the feel of NYU, particularly Tisch.)
- Learning communities – in an attempt to overcome the sheer size of the student body and give freshmen a slightly more intimate setting, the school offers “learning communities” you can join (and even residential versions like RC or Lloyd Hall Scholars for creative arts types) that give a little more “small group” cohesion in first year.</p>
<p>Don’t know if this helps you…Please do consider talking to a relative to see if someone, even an aunt or grandma, can take you there or foot the bill. Youth hostels are very cheap, as is the bus, and it’s good to practice travelling on a shoestring : )</p>
<p>Good luck!
K</p>
<p>I’ve been to several big ten campuses (Northwestern, Illinois, Wisconsin), and I had the best vibe at Michigan. I second all of the above points. Michigan has a very nice campus, and I particularly liked the engineering campus layout. If you can’t visit any of the three, I recommend that you end up going to Michigan; it’s a really great school all-around.</p>