<p>What exactly is the Residential College? Is it the main dorm building, or a program (honors, literature, etc)?</p>
<p>I'm planning on having a focus on science, so i'm not sure if this is the place i would want to be..are there similar or better programs that would better suit my needs as a science major?</p>
<p>The RC is a residential interdisiplinary Michigan Learning Community with a focus on the arts, humanities, and intensive language study. I personally believe that it is good for anyone....but if you really wanna stick to the science, you may not like it. Check out Michigan Research Community or Women in Science and Engineering.</p>
<p>I will be in LSA focusing on history, poli sci and philosophy. I enjoy partiipating in music ensembeles and relateda activities.
Any prod and cons of RC?</p>
<p>Is RC somewhat of an isolated environment or is it well integrated in to the entire ungerd student body?</p>
<p>Smaller classes? Intro courses? More focused on undergrad education? If yes, at what cost?</p>
<p>Please advise based upon your experiences or opinions. Thanks.</p>
<p>You sound like a pretty good match for the RC based on your interests, hannibal. KB would be far more knowledgable than I for answering the latter questions, but the RC does have courses that are intended just for RC students, but many take courses in regular LSA or music as well. The classes are probably smaller since the RC isn't very big to begin with. The students are fairly integrated into the school at large, but they have a smaller sense of community, just like Honors, UIR, or any other program like it.</p>
<p>The RC is semipermeable...there is a small contained sense, but its not like you can't go out and be involved on campus. Life at college is about what you want it to be...if you want to be a totally isolated RC student (and some exist), then do it. If you wanna be a totally integrated RC student, you can do that too.</p>
<p>Classes are smaller. Most RC professors are actually upper-level lecturers...so while your LSA profs are spending all thier time in the mad "publish or perish" bit, RC profs are spending time with students and focusing thier undergraduates. Which brings me to my next focus. You askes about undergraduate focus...where else would the profs focus. There are no grad students in the RC. RC professors don't teach grad students. So there's that for you. :-)</p>
<p>Before I talk about requirements, let me say this...use MLC's and programs at the "U" for what you want out of them. If a program no longer suits your needs...don't stay. Nobody's feelings will be hurt. I joined the RC b/c I was interested in intensive language study (which I should be doing now), a small connected underclassman community, and more interesting 1st year writing topics. After Fall '06, I won't really have a need for the RC anymore. Some RC students do it for all 4 years...many don't.</p>
<p>You take a RC 1st year writing seminar...which hands down is much cooler than any Eng. 124/5 course. You are required to achieve RC proficiency in a language (DIFFERENT FROM LSA PROFICIENCY!!!!). At orientation, you take the LSA placement test, and you go from there. If you are starting from a basic level (and the RC's def. of basic is broad), you'll take 2 8-credit language courses designed to bring you to proficiency in 2 terms (classes are pass/fail, so worry not GPA freaks). 8-CREDITS....be aware. Language study will be half your coursework for a year. So if you aren't interested in learning another language...LSA is the place for you.</p>
<p>The RC advisors like you to take at least 1-2 RC classes per term. Now, this only comes into play after proficiency (8 credit language course = 2 RC classes). But at that point, you can evaluate whether or not you wish to continue in the RC.</p>
<p>KB</p>
<p>Almost forgot to say.</p>
<p>THE RC IS AWESOME. The professors and administrators here are EXACTLY what I think you'd want in a small personalized undergraduate experience. With the RC, you get undergraduate attention within a large diverse university. I cannot stress to you enough how much the profs and advisors care about your growth as a student (enough to give every RC student written evaluations at the end of terms). Just make sure you're hip to the requirements.</p>
<p>And to you Nat-Sci People. The RC is focused around the humanities....but there is a strong interdisiciplinary sense in the RC, and there are many opportunities for Natsci people to pursue thier interests...including the Science and Technology RC minor.</p>
<p>KB</p>
<p>You know, we've answered these questions a billion times before. Can we get some sort of RC sticky to the main message board, Alexandre? Otherwise, we repeat ourselves pointlessly.</p>
<p>hehe....'tis true....my fingers hurt!</p>
<p>Hmm, and let's see. How many threads have we all answered on merit scholarships, the honors program, and HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET DECISIONS. Nobody here cares to read before they post. Let's all complain, lol. I'm glad you're back becksta. Hopefully it had somethin to do with the visit. These empty vessels still need feeling.</p>
<p>Now hold on a minute. We (current students) don't MIND answering questions about UM...in fact we encourage it. HOWEVER, we also encourage you inquiring minds to explore previous threads, esp. on big topics like Honors and scholarships etc. because there has usually been extensive coverage of these questions.</p>