Hi, S was accepted to LSA and we are visiting campus next week for the first time. As we are OOS this will probably be the only visit we make before we deposit somewhere. We are signed up for the standard admissions information session and tour. S is also going to reach out to the department he is interested in to try to set something up there.
Does the standard admissions tour visit a dorm? I’d like to see one.
Is there anything else we should make sure we see while we are visiting, that may not be on the standard admissions tour? TIA.
Hi, When we toured we saw the beautiful, recently renovated common areas but only saw the sample room and sample bathroom. I am hoping that we see an actual dorm room when we go back for the Campus Day visit. That is supposed to include a residence hall and dining hall. The tour did not include a dining hall either nor were we given a voucher to eat in the dining hall as with other schools. The groups are probably too large for that so we ate in the Union in an effort to get a feel for student life.
Just ask to see a dorm and most likely a student rep can accommodate. This would have to be outside of the tour. Also email a professor or department, they have been very accommodating especially since you were accepted. They all love to talk about what they do and your interests.
They have switched to model dorm room last year instead of a real dorm room. I remember we toured a real dorm room a few years ago while a girl came our from the bathroom wrapped in towel. She was embarrassed while walking thru a couple dozen visitors in the hallway. It will need a special arrangement if you want to see a real dorm room now if it is possible.
I can live with a model dorm room, but my S knows someone from HS who is there now so maybe we can figure out a way to see a real one, dirty laundry and all.
He is able to go up and visit his friend. That should not be an issue at all. Buyer beware… My son is in west quad and got a corner room that is usually a triplet but only him and his roommate. The dorm is like a nice hotel and the room is so large he bought a full couch futon to put in there. Most of the dorms are not that nice but typical college dorms.
The model room is pretty representative except for the extra door for tour purpose, while the model bathroom is totally misleading.
Thanks. I just realized his friend is currently a junior. Do most upperclassmen live off campus?
@billcsho misleading in what way? (Besides cleaner, of course!). Is it bigger than most? Newer?
The model bath room looks like a private bathroom instead of a community bathroom.
There is a lot of variation in the dorms too. The model room used to be in South Quad, which has been renovated in the public spaces and food service (pretty good, actually) but is close to original (1960’s) in the rooms. West Quad was recently completely renovated and is really nice. Most of the hill dorms have been renovated too. Bursley on north campus is pretty old. Unfortunately you don’t have much say in your dorm unless you select a learning community.
I suggest spending some time on some of the cultural attractions around Ann Arbor, eating in some of the local restaurants, and attend a game or two or concert (see the University Record for a schedule of events), and mgoblue.com for games/meets. I’d stay near campus if possible and walk everywhere. Downtown hotels include the Residence Inn and the Graduate, on campus Michigan League or Bell Tower.