<p>Hmmm . . . That doesn’t square with information in Michigan’s most recent (2012-13) Common Data set, which reports that last year 1,245 freshmen with no financial need received merit awards (non-need-based grants or scholarships, other than athletic scholarships), with an average award of $6,816. That’s out of 6,211 freshmen, of whom 2,669 were determined to have financial need, leaving 3,542 with no financial need. (Note also that the way the reporting is done on the CDS, any merit awards going to students with financial need are reported as need-based aid and recorded separately, so the total number of awards designated as “merit” awards by the school is probably much greater than the 1,245 merit awards going to freshmen without financial need). If those figures are accurate (and I’m not sure why they’d have reason to lie about it), a little better than 1 in 3 freshmen without financial need received a merit award last year.</p>
<p>Now it could be they’ve drastically changed their policy since last year. It could also be that those merit awards are heavily skewed toward Michigan residents. Or it could be that the person who told you there were only 700 merit awards was pulling a number out of their . . . well, out of the air. Or, it could be that 700 is the number of university-wide merit awards, not counting merit awards from LSA or Engineering or one of the other schools or colleges. But I’m pretty sure in a typical year far more than 700 incoming freshmen get some kind of merit award.</p>
<p>My D2 is an admitted OOS full-pay. I was hoping (and am still hoping) she’d get at least a modest merit award. But even as an OOS full-pay, her total COA at Michigan next year would be $4,000 to $8,000 less (depending on the school) than the private schools she’s applied to, where she would also be a full-pay (and only a couple of them give any merit money at all). Another $3K to $5K from Michigan would sweeten the pot, though to be honest, at the end of the day the decision is going to be hers–all the schools she’s applied to are on our “approved” list–and it probably won’t hinge on net COA. There are lots of things she loves about Michigan, and that makes it a leading contender. But there are also things she loves about the other schools on her list, which means it’s all up in the air until all the admissions decisions are made and all the offers are in.</p>
<p>Goodness, some of you are testy… but thank you to those who truly replied with some lovely responses and feedback. I hope to get to AA again sometime in warmer weather so I can really enjoy the city and all it has to offer even more. My original post was not meant to upset anyone, or imply that UM is not a great school (and I think I said MUCH more good than bad), just some honest observations. And, I’m happy to report, thanks to an observant alum who read my post and is currently involved with volunteering for the admissions department, the famous HOUSING GUY and the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Department are getting a nice pat on the back for a job well done. Go Blue!</p>
<p>Granipc, you are very welcome here (on this forum and in town) any time you wish, whether your child goes to UM or not. My son will be living at home but I sure hope that we get a chance to meet the fantastic housing guy!</p>
<p>I’m glad that no one could read my mind when I was out running errands today. It is BITTER cold and I was mentally cursing like a Naval Architecture sailor.</p>
<p>May I recommend visiting in September? That’s a consistently beautiful month. Maybe you’ll get back for a visit if your son’s school plays football against UM. Even if sports aren’t normally one’s “thing”, a football game at the Big House is an experience not to be missed!</p>
<p>granipc, I apologize. I have enjoyed your posts here and especially the vivid visit description. I overreacted to your #34. Hearing about folks who get in places and then, even politely, state they aren’t going, while still awaiting decisions yourself, can test one’s manners.</p>
<p>And, btw, I’ve heard Austin is as good a college town as it gets.</p>
<p>It does wear on the sensibilities. Getting acceptances (and sometimes even any news) from other places helps a lot. And what am I going to do when all of this is over???</p>
<p>Each prospective student on a campus visit make some very important decisions. The ‘feel good’ factor, in my opinion, is the key to those decisions! My experience is little different from the OP. I chose it to be on the beginning of the Fall term and the campus looked gorgeous with full of life. If I may rate the campus, it is one of the best in terms of look and quality of life! The campus dining options are pretty good, the res halls are well designed and security seemed to me as okay. Yes, the cost of attending Michigan as OOS is prohibitively high and it is true many would hesitate to invest that much of fund for an undergraduate program.</p>
<p>SO true Rintu! We visited Virginia Tech in October, and it looked like a painting. So beautiful, I’m sure AA is the same that time of year. It really does make a huge difference…</p>
<p>“Yes, the cost of attending Michigan as OOS is prohibitively high and it is true many would hesitate to invest that much of fund for an undergraduate program.”</p>
<p>The same can be said of any private university (or elite public university) for students who come from middle income or upper middle income families. Private elites usually cost 15% more than Michigan and they will only offer aid to students who come from lower income and lower middle income families. Students who come from higher middle income families are given little in way of FA and paying $250,000 for a college education is prohibitive. The main difference is that Michigan will not be terribly generous with OOS students from lower and lower middle income. Very wealthy families can easily afford the cost. Those who will fine the cost of attendance prohibitive are middle-upper middle income folks…i.e., the majority of the college-bound population.</p>
<p>As a parent, I am in somewhat the same position as granipc, but being instate, the decision is fairly easy for my daughter. Early on we looked at which schools out there would give a bang for the buck beyond what Michigan would offer to an instater- and there aren’t many. As a parent, I would pony up the money for a school like Princeton (however low the probability even consider my daughter’s stats - 2250 SATs etc.), but other schools like Notre Dame, Georgetown, or Emory (for example), just don’t seem to be worth that added expense even though they too are great schools. And my daughter loves Michigan, so for me there is no downside. I can understand the need to balance the financials with the end product - even when, like granipc, you can “afford” to go to a more expensive school.</p>
<p>Just a note about this comment from another poster:
</p>
<p>I personally thought my son would “not like that North Campus thing either” four years ago, so I’d encouraged him to join the Alice Lloyd Scholars Learning Community, which meant he’d be in residence on the Hill. For his second year, he was in Stockwell (a sophomore living program), also on the hill.</p>
<p>In 3rd and 4th year, I had suggested he consider off campus, etc. Instead, he voluntarily chose North Campus (for Northwood apartments) and this year, chose Huron Towers (right across the road from north campus.) </p>
<p>I asked him each time why. He said he enjoyed the environment of North campus, eg. deer, turkey, closeness to class, and that while it was nice to head down to central to do things or to party, that north suited him just fine. </p>
<p>So, moral of the story is, don’t assume your kid will actually want to LIVE at the “center” of main campus. Especially if they’re in music, or engineering, or both ;)</p>
<p>Even when it’s warm, people won’t smile and say hi if they don’t know you. Don’t misinterpret that as being cold; it’s just the culture in the Midwest / Northeast. People will be nice if they have a reason to engage with you. They’re just polite enough to mind their own business and not intrude on a stranger’s business unnecessarily.</p>
<p>Also, people spend a lot more time in cars in the South so once you start encountering thousands of flesh-and-blood people walking past you, it’s impossible and deemed rude to interrupt them with an unnecessary hello. So one area thinks it’s rude to not say hello and another area thinks it’s rude to say hello.</p>
<p>Another myth is that people are walking around miserable because it’s cold. Bodies adjust to weather and most people in these areas love the four seasons, especially moderate summers, vibrant falls, beautiful springs, and, hopefully, snowy winters.</p>
<p>My kids who have lived all over the world have insight into regional friendliness. In the south every day when you get to school your friends hug you as if they hadn’t seen you the day before. In the mid-west they nod and say hi. On the east-coast they don’t even lock eyes with you as they pass. And the funniest is when you attend an international school in a foreign country and everyone responds differently.</p>
<p>“Another myth is that people are walking around miserable because it’s cold. Bodies adjust to weather…”</p>
<p>I most emphatically disagree with this! While I do enjoy aspects of all four seasons I never, ever get used to the cold. I hate it with a passion that should warm me up, but only makes me grumpy.</p>
<p>What particularly galls me is that winter lasts so dang long here! It’s cold by November and there is no guarantee that April will be warm. That’s six months of cold.</p>
<p>Thankfully there is more to this great state than just the weather!</p>
<p>HA @villagemom, I have a couple of friends who live in Michigan who wholeheartedly agree with you about never adjusting to the cold. Maybe it’s easier the younger you are, but this mom would NEVER get used to it.</p>
<p>22 years in this crap and I vehemently disagree. Nope, nope, nope. Hate the winter. Hate it. I DESPISE the winter and my body hasn’t adjusted to crap.</p>
<p>LOVE Michigan between like May and October though.</p>
<p>Haha - I made sure to say “most” because I knew the minute I said people like winter, the haters would come out of the woodwork. Some people I know - born and raised in Michigan - truly are just biologically unable to handle cold weather. Others are miserable in heat and bask in the cold. Yay diverse bodies!</p>
<p>btw granipc - I don’t know your experiences with the state of Michigan but if you get the chance (or you child does) you all should make sure to go up north - maybe the Traverse / Petoskey area to get a feel for how beautiful the state can be before making your decision. The southern half is kinda blah but up north has gorgeous beaches, sand dunes, quaint vibrant cities, wineries, golf courses galore, etc.</p>
<p>
That’s an odd way to cram a brag about your kids into the conversation. </p>
<p>“Being someone who has eaten exotic cuisine off the stomachs of concubines in the Pacific Islands, I really liked that burger.”</p>