I just got into umich but I’m trying to decide with MLC’s I’m most interested in. I’m planning on studying data science. I find the foreign language and small class options in RC, but think WISE may be a better fit. Any advice? (This also wouldn’t let me post under University of Michigan, so if anyone knows why please lmk)
@yikesyikesyikes… Can you help and put this under University of Michigan thread? Thx ?
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Done.
^Thanks.
This is a great group and they seem close knit. The ones I have met are so kind. I would find a Facebook group or the like for each and maybe reach out if you want to.
Go with your gut. You can also do another club activity for your other interests. You are not really limited at Michigan.
I know LOTS of WISE RP alumni. It is a much less intensive commitment than the RC. I would not go for the RC unless your are very interested in the humanities/language requirements they have - which are intensive.
Both MoJo and East Quad are great dorms with their own benefits. The RC has a bit of a alternative-culture reputation. East Quad has newer upgrades, and much better bathrooms.
@yikesyikesyikes since WISE RP is less intensive, do you think the relationships between members weaker? I’m really mostly interest in these because I want a close knit group of friends.
I have seen strong friendships come out of WISE RP. The program staff prioritize the community building, for sure. WISE RP is also in the same building as MRADS, so lots of friendships between MRADS and WISE RP happen as well. In fact, the two communities oftentimes do events/programming together.
One last question: I put RC on my common app, but now it feels like WISE would be a better fit. On the housing application, can I prioritize WISE or am I stuck with RC?
Were you admitted to the RC? If so, I understand you can withdraw from it.
@yikesyikesyikes I haven’t been admitted yet, but they system is confusing. The MLC site makes it seem like I can apply to two, but I’m not sure if they let you prioritize them. This is important because I would still like to have the RC to fall back on if I don’t make it into WISE. I just don’t want to apply to both, get into both, then be placed into RC just bc they accepted me first… I wish their site was more clear.
It is my understanding, unless they changed something, that you apply to the RC when you apply to Michigan (or choose to “transfer” in). They are almost like their own sub-college within LSA. WISE RP is just a living learning community. Also, why would RC be your back-up to WISE RP? They seem like very different communities?
If you are just looking for a nice dorm, that’s fine, but there are plenty of other living learning communities with nice dorms (including MRADS, which is also in MoJo withe WISE RP).
Current RC freshman here, so I think I can help out a bit re the RC culture/reputation/commitment. While the RC does have extensive foreign language requirements, the LSA has its own requirement anyways, and from what I have seen so far learning a foreign language requirement the RC way will make you far more familiar with it. You also will find a lot of close friends through your language classes (bonding through the rigor and pain, etc). You can also simply choose to do a non RC language (anything other than Spanish, French, German, Russian, and Japanese) in which case you will simply do the LSA language sequence, and you can also place out of the requirement if you’re already proficient in a language other than English.
The other requirements really aren’t that intensive. For example I took only one RC class last semester and am taking none this semester. (keep in mind that I’m not doing an RC language).
As far as reputation goes, we do have a bit of a hippie/alt reputation, I definitely have seen a raised eyebrow or two when I mention I’m in the RC, but nothing overwhelming enough to color my experience at Michigan one way or the other.
My closest friends are all non RC. I don’t know how that happened, maybe it was because I’m not in an RC language class, or maybe because I’m not really the perfect fit for the RC. However, I know a lot of RCers on a ‘smile in the hallways’ or ‘oh I see you’re also sitting alone on the dining hall so I’m gonna join you’ basis, and they are all really nice, fun, smart people. I also know that the majority of RC students have close-knit RC friend groups and I know a few people who literally never leave East Quad. So there really are both sides of the coin, and you can choose which side you want to be on. If you want a close knit community of fun, engaged, people: this is your place. If you come here and find out it’s not a great fit, you still have EQ housing (which I love love love and has really made my first semester experience, in a way) and can always transfer out!
DM me if you have any more specific questions.
PS: EQ rooms are bigger, its closer to campus, and the bathrooms are way nicer (actual shower stalls with doors that lock as opposed to a curtain) than Mojo. If that’s any consideration, go with the RC. That being said, I know a few people from WISE and they’re also engaged, smart people!