Hello all, I was recently accepted to the University of Michigan’s school of LSA as a transfer student, and am expecting a reply from USC in a couple of months. I’m having a tough time choosing where to go if I am accepted into both schools.
After spending a year at TCU, I have a good idea of what I want in my college experience. After some bad experiences with fraternities, and frankly a disdain with the whole idea of greek-life in general, I am now vehemently against joining one–so I need there to be plenty of creative outlets outside of greek-life, as well as some diversity among the students in terms of their interests and backgrounds. I realize greek-life is at every college, but I’m only asking for other extracurricular opportunities that people are actually involved in.
I’m also a political science major. I realize that Michigan seems to be the obvious choice in that aspect, but from what I understand where you get your undergrad doesn’t matter as much as your GPA/LSAT does when applying to law schools, which is my current plan.
The cost of each school isn’t really a factor either. I realize that has a large impact on most students, but I am fortunate enough to have a wealthy relative who pays for my schooling. To summarize, I love cali weather and culture, but I don’t want to end up in “frat/srat-dominated” environment like my current school, and to pass on a great school like Michigan in the process. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.
PS sorry for the long post, but I wanted to list out every factor in my decision making process.
Ok, did you research the social scenes at these schools before applying? Because UMich and USC are KNOWN for their greek life. If you are “vehemently against” joining greek life and have a general disdain for them, you will not find very much to do. About a third of the student bodies at both schools are in a sorority or fraternity, which may not seem like a lot, but around football season this will hit you hard. One out of three of all your friends will be in a greek organization. UMich and USC are extremely competitive and offer top notch educations, but they are very well known for their greek life and the social scene definitely reflects this.
Greek participation is closer to 25% at USC so 3 out of 4 are not Greek. There is so much going on at USC, and I would assume the same at Michigan, that Greek life is just one of a thousand things to do. Having two there, I can tell you that Greek life in no way dominates the social scene at USC. There if you want it and easy to ignore if not.
Don’t know much about Michigan but agree USC is so diverse and with Los Angeles there are many opportunities for social life outside of the Greek life. Also the houses themselves are on a side part just off campus and really not that noticeable. I would not have any concerns about USC.
At Michigan, only 17 percent of the school goes Greek. Ann Arbor is a great place to be, with lots to do and a huge grad student influence. Intellectualism is as big there as rah-rah-ism.
Grew up in Ann Arbor and am currently also deciding between the two schools. Personally I would go with Ann Arbor. Everything about it is perfect: cute town, great people, great athletics, good social life. Not to assume your religion, but taking a ponder since you went to TCU. There is a great Christian community at U of M. I know through my church (Grace Bible Church) there is a big crew or undergrads and grads and they are always having events. Both of the schools aren’t terribly diverse and have a long way to go on that aspect. Either way both are great choices.
Greek life at Michigan is fairly self contained. Beyond Freshman year, you will not really notice it. As ThankYouforHelp points out, roughly 15%-20% of Michigan undergraduate students go Greek. There are so many student venues around town, and many house parties, so it really isn’t necessary to join Greek life.