She should definitely explore the learning communities at Michigan. If she finds one that she likes, it is an effective way to make Michigan more manageable.
What is her intended major? Does she have graduate school aspirations?
Thanks Alexandre. She is still undecided on major, thinking about international relations. Any recommendations on a resource to help her figure it out? We heard the MLC pitches yesterday. None really resonated other than honors.
While it is true that Michigan has a bit of a bad rap in the initial admission process and to some extent with counseling, and while it is true that every snowflake is precious, for many kids who struggled to get in, Michigan’s failure to coddle kids may be their first contact with the real world. Kids who want a continuation of a small school and the warm motherly embrace of a caring institution should probably consider a LAC. For kids who want unlimited resources and who have the courage to reach out to get access to those resources, Michigan will be an amazing experience.
Michigan’s yield given its size, and its freshman retention rate, suggest that as an institution it is pretty good at what it does: matching itself and its resources up with students who feel that they “fit” and for whom there is a fit.
Again, while Michigan is somewhat more geared to the graduate experience – my experience there was intellectually challenging but administratively frictionless – the university as a whole is ranked #1 for the teaching of higher education administration and frequently places senior staff into leadership positions at other schools…many of them elite.
So if you want to return to the womb, pick a LAC; if you want to engage an extremely complex environment which will prep you for the “real world”, Michigan is a place you should consider.
If your daughter is interested in IR, there are several things to consider: 1) at the undergraduate level UM has one of the largest international communities in the country; 2) at the graduate level, there is the Ford School (one of the best schools of government in the country); 3) at the undergraduate level, the political science department is one of the top three or so in the country; 4) at the undergraduate and graduate level she may find hooks into both ISR (institute for social research) and the China center (Michigan has a long and distinguished record of engagement with China); 5) at both levels Michigan is noted for teaching statistics, which is germane to that field; 6) the Ross School’s Davidson Institute is heavily endowed and does white papers on emerging democracies; 7) the recently endowed Weiser center also addresses emerging democracies; 8) I don’t remember the name, but there is a collection of endowed interships (Carson scholars?) which helps kids engage with D.C.
If your daughter wants IR, she will struggle to take advantage of all of Michigan’s resources.
blue85’s post above is pretty comprehensive. I would add a couple more items:
- The Ford School also offers an undergraduate degree in Public Affairs/Policy
- Michigan now offers a PPE major (Philosophy, Politics and Economics). Michigan is ranked among the top 5 in the nation on Philosophy and Political Science, and among the top 10-15 in Economics. This program is selective, but it is very interesting.
- Michigan also has a dorm designed for upperclassmen seeking an "international community" (North Quad)
http://fordschool.umich.edu/
https://www.lsa.umich.edu/ppe
http://www.housing.umich.edu/undergrad/north-quadrangle
Finally, even if your daughter has not found any of the MLC interesting, encourage her to explore them some more. The Michigan Research Community guarantees a nice dorm and research in an area of interest.
Of course, with over 1,000 student clubs and organizations, your daughter should have little trouble finding her niche.
Thanks blue and Alexandre.
Sure thing and best wishes to you both.
While I also chose a major, public research flagship for undergrad – and for rather similar reasons – over top LACs, I must say the statement “so if you want to return to the womb, pick a LAC” is laying it on a bit thick, no? I doubt Williams or Carleton grads, to take just two random examples, would feel that way.
That said, I do feel for a mix of political science / philosophy, economics, and international relations possibilities, Michigan – and the above-named programs – simply represents a higher caliber of academic strengths than USC. I would not hesitate to recommend Michigan in this case, and I’d personally not let initial impressions, climate, buildings etc. dissuade me. But it does come down to an individual choice, which I’d respect above all. Both will offer a fine undergraduate experience.
Wanted to update everyone. My D just registered at Michigan. She’s very excited. It came down to fit and feel for her. She loved AA and can see herself being happy at UM. Thanks to everyone for your help.
You’re welcome Sidkane! She will love her years in Ann Arbor. Go Blue!