Washu vs. Umich Honors

College Search & Selection
1

Hello all!

I have been accepted into WashU and the honors program at University of Michigan, and I am having a difficult time choosing between the two schools. I plan to major in psychology or political science and follow a pre-law track.

I am drawn to the small class sizes and close advising that WashU offers (as well as the opportunity to form close relationships with teachers) and overall prefer the campus. I also love the community feel that WashU offers. However, I am a very social person and have heard that WashU is overall “not very social”. Additionally, I’m very into school spirit and love attending sports events, and I have heard that few students pay attention to the sports at WashU, which is a large concern for me. I also really like ‘the loop’ and its vintage vibe, but I am worried it may start to get old over the course of 4 years. I don’t know much about events/entertainment that the city itself offers, though. I also do prefer the less extreme climate St. Louis offers. However, I am concerned that I won’t get the real “college experience” at WashU without a big sports culture or social scene.

I am drawn to Umich because I feel that the school offers more opportunities across the board (from majors/minors to study abroad options to student life). I am also largely drawn to Umich because of the sports culture and great social scene the school offers. However, I am concerned about the large size of Michigan, even being in the honors program. I hate being in large classes and not being able to seek out my teachers when I need help, and am concerned that I will experience a lot of that at Umich. I feel that I will be able to achieve more of a small school feel through living in the honors dorm, but I’m not sure by how much. Additionally, I love Ann Arbor and think its incredibly cool. Umich is also slightly more accessible from my hometown, but both schools are still a plane ride away. Cost doesn’t factor in much as I am OOS for Umich, so they are close to equal.

I know that WashU is known for its pre-med programs whereas Umich’s psychology and political science majors are more highly ranked. While I know LSAT scores, college GPA, and extracurriculars play a huge role in law school acceptances, this does concern me as I would like to go to the best law school that I can get into.

I would greatly appreciate any insight!

2

Congratulations on 2 great schools. My son goes to Michigan for engineering. After first year and actually during he has classes with 20-40 students in it. It also is a large school with a small school feel. Most of your classes will be on Central campus walking a few minutes between classes. Central is not that large. As far as knowing your professors. Just go to their office hours. Email or call them. My daughter goes to a small college of 1300 and he’s at Michigan. They both have professors as mentors and have several that they are close to. It’s really all about you and not the school so much. If you want close contact then do that. People assume the wrong things about larger universities. You can make a large school feel very small by joining groups, clubs and just being active on campus. But you control all of that not the school itself.

Besides the great academics, sports is key for my son. There is just nothing like going to a football game with 113,000. Students tickets are cheap. My son also played intermural sports like Flagg football and softball.

Again, it’s all up to you to decide what type of 4 years you want.

Academically you have 2 really good choices.

3

Honors students at UMich live on one floor in South Quad, where many of the athletes live, unless something changed or changes. Some your classes will only be or mostly be honors students. You’ll have your own advisor and lounge.

However, you’ll have to take some large classes too. And seeing your professors is relatively easy at UMich. They’re very accommodating.

In terms of sections:

100+ students
WashU 3.7%
UMich 7.3%

50-99 students
WashU 8%
UMich 10.7%

Not a huge difference IMO.

FWIW, my kid chose UMich because of the “sporty” culture, small campus feel, Ann Arbor and the academics. There’s really not much like walking to the Big House with 110,000+ football fans. Notre Dame has a similar “religious” experience.

And then during the Polar Vortex last year (January 2019), when it was - 11 degrees out, or whatever it was, Crisler Center was sold out for a b-ball game.

You’ve got a pretty good bead on the pros and cons of both schools. Both are excellent schools. I don’t know much about WashU. You’ve got a difficult choice. Best of luck.