Several hours to go to submit my UMich application!!! Still have no idea whether I should choose RC(LSA) OR LSA only!
RC emphasizes dynamic interaction and foreign language (like LAC) in this regard, it’s my perfect match.
But!!! its requirement on arts kills me!!! I’m an idiot on arts (don’t sing don’t paint and don’t design) I don’t think I could survive this if it’s the strict requirement to graduation!
Therefore, should I still choose RC ( is the art requirement flexible?) or simply join LSA although I don’t enjoy the community of large university?
Go for RC. Fantastic language program and like being in a small college within a big one. You can take RC and LSA courses, and have an LSA major. But by being in the RC, you benefit from its advisers and much more personal touch. Only caveat is that the RC has a severe language requirement–you must pass a proficiency examination–so don’t join the RC if you don’t like languages.
Joining the RC also requires that you live in East Quad, but that’s a great place to live. And if for some reason you don’t like it, you can easily transfer to LSA.
Go for RC if you are truly feeling it. It is probably the most intense of the living-learning communities and has the biggest time commitment from what I have heard. I would also check out other Living Learning Communisities. I would also check out Lloyd Hall Scholars for the “LAC” feel or Michigan Research Community for the academic exploration vibe.
Residential College would give you a small college feel in a huge campus. If that is critical to you, then it is a good choice. If foreign language interaction is what you are looking for, there are likely other opportunities for that too.
The Residential College is the only unit within the University of Michigan to offer intensive instruction in foreign languages and to have a proficiency requirement for graduation.