I’ve been admitted to both University of Michigan and University of Illinois- Urbana. The two are tied for me in pros and cons, and I really just need foresight on how each university REALLY is. Not the perfected version I’m constantly shown.
I’m going into Mathematics Education. Id like intimate classes (eventually down the line hopefully), a fun social life ON and OFF campus. Good professors/caring staff. And lastly, I’m a minority so I’m looking for inclusive communities.
If you’ve gone to either university and can speak on any of the topics I listed above please just share with me your experience, satisfactions, disappointments, and potential advice on which university you feel is better.
Financially both colleges cost about the same for me, so that’s not a factor. I’m honestly worried that Urbana will be too familiar (everyone from my school goes there). Whereas my top concern with umich is that the off campus sucks and that the students will be stuck up (about being smart and having high ranking)
"Whereas my top concern with umich is that the off campus sucks and that the students will be stuck up (about being smart and having high ranking)Whereas my top concern with umich is that the off campus sucks and that the students will be stuck up (about being smart and having high ranking)
You are concerned that off campus will suck in Ann Arbor? Have you actually ever been there? Have you actually ever been to UC?
First, congratulations on two great choices. I graduated from UIUC roughly 30 years ago. I don’t know what has changed when it comes to the program, but I want to give you a couple of things to think about.
First, where do you want to teach in the future? When I was in school (it may have changed) there were different requirements for certification, depending on the state in which you wanted to teach. So, for instance, I got certified in Illinois. When I moved to Texas, I had to complete some extra steps (one was Texas history!) in order to teach there.
Also, say you’re like me…back then I wanted to teach in the Chicago area. Doing my student teaching in secondary education in the Fall of my senior year in District 214 (around Arlington Heights) was a plus. I believe it helped me find a job in a different Chicago suburb post graduation. *Find out where you will be likely to student teach./i
Second, I think a lot of Chicago area students who go to U of I think that it might feel like an extension of high school. There are 35,000 students with perhaps 7,000 or so incoming freshman. Keep that in mind. My suggestion is to seek out new friends through an RSO (a registered student organization) or two, your first semester on campus, regardless of which school you choose.
Lastly, I am assuming you’re from the Chicago area since you say " everyone from my school goes there". If that is true, a 2.5 hour drive by car…with acquaintances going back and forth…may be a good thing when you want to go home on occasion.
Sorry I can’t be of more help concerning current classes and how the education department is structured, Good luck!
I'm honestly worried that Urbana will be too familiar (everyone from my school goes there).
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I highly doubt that unless you live close enough to commute or you go to a very affluent school. UIUC is a pricey instate and many of the applicants either get denied or can’t afford to attend. I doubt that most of your class can afford the $30k per year to go to instate UIUC. HS students often make such “everybody goes” claims, but the reality is probably closer to 10% or less go to their state flagship.
Did UMich give you lots of financial aid? What is the net cost for both? Are your parents fine with paying the net costs at either school?
Out of pocket cost for both schools are very similar and manageable. I’m fine on the financial end.
Since the academics line up too, it really comes down to which has a better social life and sense of community. I’ve visited both campuses and honestly I just don’t see one as better than the other. But I feel like I’m missing something, that’s why I ask for additional perspectives.
Also I’d like to know where might my work pay off more in the end honestly. I.e. with internships, connections, etc. Is college brand important in the real world? For instance, would my degree look better coming from Umich vs UIUC?
Yes. Yes. Touring campus for a day wasnt enough to determine though. I hear rumors of dynamics and snobbishy attitudes existing more commonly at umich than uiuc, do you have any background with either school and can provide perspective? @rjkofnovi
If I were you, and costs were not a concern, then I would attend Michigan. With family living currently in Illinois right now, I am hearing the state finances are a mess. I have a niece who was accepted to UIUC, but has decided to go OOS to another public school (not the caliber of Michigan btw). Ann Arbor is considered one of the best college towns to live in. It is also fairly easy and convenient to get back to the Chicago area.
I live 45 minutes from ann arbor and a lot of my friends go there, U of M definitely has a great social life and sense of community Ann Arbor shuts down for football games. Some of my friends who go there are involved in greek life and always party while some in engineering stay in studying every weekend. I have heard though that it is very cutthroat there and some kids are a little stuck up but theres like 40,000 kids there so im sure you will find good people. Ann arbor though is an awesome city theres a ton to do with tons of great restaurants (zingermans is amazing).