<p>I don't know if I totally agree with you Alexandre about Michigan not being known for "the sciences". I'd say top 15 is still pretty impressive for the natural sciences and still higher than other schools that are thought to be more prestigious than Michigan.</p>
<p>I think I should clarify my comment. I did not mean to say Michigan's science programs aren't reputable. I clearly stated above that Michigan's academic programs and facilities in the sciences are among the top 10 in the nation, particularly in Engineering and Medicine, but also in Geology and Mathematics. Even its "weak" Science programs are all ranked among the top 15 in the nation. </p>
<p>I simply meant to say that Michigan is not a science school. To me, schools that are known for their science programs are Caltech, Georgia Tech, MIT and to a lesser extent, Cal, Cornell and UIUC. At those universities, it is the Science programs that stand out as their institutions main strengths. At Michigan, the Sciences aren't necessarily stronger than other departments.</p>
<p>Michigan is also famous for sucking at football.</p>
<p>(although, as a Notre Dame student, I shouldn't be talking)</p>
<p>Thanks for the comment about music--Michigan does have some great programs that are smaller so they don't spring immediately to mind, but they add to the character of the place and make its alums that much prouder. They also mean that the variety of offerings for people on campus (academic, cultural, extracurricular) are stellar. The musical theatre program is extraordinary, for another example.</p>
<p>Michigan has "sucked" in football exactly one season. Notre Dame on the other hand.................</p>
<p>A Rust Belt Oasis, the University of Michigan Is Spending Billions to Grow </p>
<p>Good to see this happening - very reassuring given the condition of Michigan as a state!</p>
<p>"In-state kids will always under-rate their school. It's invevitable, because the difficulty of getting into UM is much less for in state kids than out of state kids, which is why they think that UM is so easy to get into.""</p>
<p>HAHA, not in Florida- we know that UF rocks and is underrated by AT LEAST 10-15 slots.</p>
<p>Michigan has won more college football games than any other school. Also, if I'm not mistaken, it has won more college hockey games and/or won more national championships in hockey than any other school. Also, biggest football stadium, biggest alumni association. Unfortunately, also most-wimpy bow-to-bleeding-heart-liberals administration. Also, most embarrassing drunken escapades by major sport coaches: legendary player/coach got caught writing his name on a wall outside a bar with something other than chalk; football coach got caught doing the lampshade-on-head routine at an upscale restaurant.</p>
<p>Tourguide, Michigan Football not only has won more games than any other program (872...Notre Dame is second with 831), it has also compiled the best overall record (0.743...Notre Dame is second with 0.738) in the history of college football. Michigan also has winning records over most other Football powerhouses, such as Alabama (2-1), Florida (2-0), Nebraska (3-2-1), Notre Dame (20-15-1), Ohio State (57-42-6) and Penn State (10-4). The only five major programs to have either matched Michigan or managed a slight winning record over Michigan are Florida State (1-1), Miami (1-1), Oklahoma (0-1), Texas (0-1) and USC (4-6).</p>
<p>As for Michigan's administration, I only partially agree. It is indeed wimpy, bowing to the State at every turn. But it is not necessarily any more liberal than most other administration at top ranked universities.</p>
<p>It is a shame that Michigan has winning records over Alabama and Florida, but not Appalachian State. </p>
<p>Seriously though, Michigan is a great school. One of the original public ivies, with great school spirit to boot (although UMich fans haven't had too much to cheer about lately).</p>
<p>"...(although UMich fans haven't had too much to cheer about lately)."</p>
<p>I don't know Cuse. Michigan Basketball beat top 5 Duke and top 5 UCLA and Michigan Hockey is its usual self, beating top 10 teams on a regular basis. I'd say Michigan fans have had some things to cheer about lately. </p>
<p>As for Football, we had a couple of solid seasons in the last 4 years. Only last season (2007), we ended our season with a 9-4 record, beating Florida in a New Year's Bowl game and ending the season ranked in the top 20. In 2005, when we finished the season with an 11-2 record and a top 10 ranking. But I agree that our football team has been inconsistant and not its usual dominant self. I expect a better 2009 season (not saying much considering our 2008 season) and we should be back to our usual standards by 2010.</p>
<p>^ But Michigan basketball is making comeback after knocking off Duke and UCLA earlier this year.</p>
<p>UMich: great sports, great academics, but it's in Michigan.</p>
<p>And what's wrong with being in Michigan? Our economy might be in the tank right now, but the rest of the country isn't doing so well either. Every state has its good and bad areas, but overall Michigan is a beautiful state. Perhaps you should visit here?</p>
<p>All true Alexandre, but no one can deny that for a football program the caliber of Michigan, the last two years have been pretty disappointing, even with that bowl win last year.</p>
<p>I've never been to Ann Arbor, but have always liked Michigan football. Hopefully they can get things turned around sooner rather than later; apparently when Michigan is having a good season that gameday atmosphere is hard to beat.</p>
<p>
[quote]
It is indeed wimpy, bowing to the State at every turn
[/quote]
I hope one day you meet our VP of Government relations. Smart as a whip, tough as nails. I'll bet U-M has a little more backbone up in Lansing than might be apparent at first glance.</p>
<p>I'd also point out that Michigan has taken tons of heat for being arrogant and even (as perceived by some voters) defiant, so I don't think the wimpy slur is widely held.</p>
<p>
[quote]
bowing to the State at every turn
[/quote]
Heh...well, Jennifer Granholm is a Berkeley grad... :p</p>
<p>.....and she is from Canada too. I knew there was some kind of left wing conspiracy going on! ;-)</p>
<p>"I hope one day you meet our VP of Government relations. Smart as a whip, tough as nails. I'll bet U-M has a little more backbone up in Lansing than might be apparent at first glance."</p>
<p>Late at night when I can't sleep, I think of Alexandre and Hoedown mud-wrestling at the 50-yard line in the Big House before 110,000 screaming fans.</p>
<p>Hehe! Hoedown would probably kick my behind. She is much more passionate about her point than I am about mine. Besides, she is a Cornhusker. Those guys are just plain mean!</p>