We call it the University of Michigan...

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>I'm a junior currently pursuing an Economics degree at the college of LSA. And yes, we call our academic institution with names like the University of Michigan, Umich, the U of M, or simply Michigan. But I couldn't help but ponder, have I made the right decision by turning down NYU Stern Finance for Umich Economics? </p>

<p>Most people often questioned me why I decided to make such a decision. As of right now, I'm still doing my internship program at one of the multinational conglomerates and through my business contacts, I'll most probably get one of the full-time opportunities at either ConocoPhillips or Flextronics upon graduation next May. </p>

<p>From what I could see from this whole CC forum is that there're simply people who bash our college, rumors about the state forcing Umich to accept more in-state students by automatically accepting HS kids who're in the top 10% of their class, people who got in with what-so-called mediocre stats, and many who're unsure about the Michigan's reputation. </p>

<p>Is our selectivity really our biggest weakness, considering that we are one of the well-rounded universities in the nation and pioneers of higher education? Has Michigan lived up to its reputation in this world of academia by accepting less academically-inclined students than other top universities? Will people's expectation about Michigan dropping yet again in the USNews ranking come to a realization? Will other publics and privates like UW Madison, UNC, USC UVA, NYU, replace us in the list of the top 25 US Universities? Will our school continue to be seen as a safety school? Will Michigan continue to retain its huge freshman class of 5600? </p>

<p>Noone would know the precise answers to those questions, but Alexandre, being one of the faithful, successful, and knowledgeable Wolverines that I highly respect in this forum, or other people can perhaps help enlighten me. I can't seem to understand, why would this university, one of the best in academics, athletics, location, college experience & safety for decades long, be so underrated in the eyes of the public?</p>

<p>Go Blue</p>

2

<p>People who don't appreciate UM just don't know higher education. </p>

<p>That's all there is to it. The only people bashing it are those who are current or prospective students at elite private schools. You don't see it on the adult forum. Ever wonder why? Because they're experienced enough in their career fields to know that there's nothing to bash. Michigan is a great school, any way you turn it.</p>

3

<p>We just returned from freshman orientation and all I can say about U Mich is how impressed I am. During our college search for my two daughters we went to many places and even though it was D2's second choice (WL at top choice), I think she's so happy that things worked out the way they did. </p>

<p>It would be hard to find a better program for her major (psychology) and her interests (creative writing) where she gets to start research as a freshman. She's thrilled with the classes and professors she'll have in the fall. Beyond that, there are more activities than she has time for and the town of Ann Arbor to explore. Go Blue!</p>

<p>*By the way, I like that the "Go Blue" means more than just sports.</p>

4

<p>The only opinions that really matter are those who actually KNOW academia i.e. college professors, researchers, college presidents, etc. And, according to them (Peer assessment score), we are identical in reputation to UPENN, above Northwestern, Brown, Duke, and a bunch of other colleges people perceive as far better then UM. So, there really is no need to worry about what the average lay person thinks, because their opinions don't mean anything.</p>

5

<p>Agreed CCRunner123. Before all of this USNWR nonsense, Michigan was perceived as a top ten school. The PA score indicates that it still is one of the best in the country.</p>

6

<p>The usnews uses a ranking methodology with statistics that weigh heavily against state schools. If you look at the PA score alone (basically a measure of reputation), then Michigan is a top school like CCRunner said. Berkeley should also be a top 7-8 school. But no, it has to be below 20, and it looks like that's as high as even the best state schools will go. But rankings aside, people who know academics know Michigan.</p>

7

<p>ProudWolverine, your concerns are not uncommon, but as you will find out over the next few years and decades of your life, Michigan isn't going anywhere but up. The state is powerless against the University because its endowment has made it virtually independent. Of course, the University still depends on the State, but the dependency isn't one way. The state also relies on the university to educate its best and brightest in an attempt to keep as many of them within state borders. </p>

<p>And Michigan isn't the only major university that is "so underrated in the public eye". Most of the public underrates any university that isn't called Harvard. Do you think schools like Brown, Chicago, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Penn or Rice have national reputations? Once you leave their sphere of influence (300-500 mile radius), those universities tend to be no more reputable (academically speaking of course) than a regional university. But what matters isn't what the "public" thinks. What matters is what the academic and corporate world think. Their opinions are what matter to college students. Those are the people who are going to admit us into graduate school and those are the people who are going to recruit us on and off campus. In the academic and professional world, Michigan is very highly regarded.</p>

8

<p>Alexandre, since you were an econ major, what can you tell me about the strengths & reputation of the Michigan economics department apart from the fact that the Consumer Sentiment Index is published by Michigan? Do you think that i've made the right decision by choosing Economics over Finance at Stern? Do you think that if I were at Stern, I would have gotten far greater career opportunities when it comes to i-banking and consulting, considering that those firms don't recruit LSA students that heavily if compared to Ross?</p>

<p>Again, to be frank, I personally have no regrets whatsoever in choosing to attend such a great school. This is Michigan afterall, the leaders and best..</p>

9

<p>There is no right or wrong answer PW. I chose Michigan because of the overall experience it would provide me and because it is oneof the great universities of the World. I chose it over 4 Ivy League schools and other excellent universities such as Cal, Chicago, Duke and NU. To me, it was a no brainer and I never regretted or doubted my decision. Then again, I am not the type of person who second-guesses. </p>

<p>I also never wished to major in Finance, so I am not sure how I can begin to answer your question. I can tell you that you cannot go wrong with Michigan. It is a unique and special university. Whether or not you make the most of it is another story. But do remember that the purpose of a university education is to learn. Getting a job is a separate issue altogether.</p>

10

<p>Well in this day and age Alexandre, more people are deciding where they want to go based on the job opportunities available at the school. I mean you've seen some of the threads in the forums of CC. I don't necessarily think it's a separate issue. It's all about what an individual values.</p>

<p>I mean, I'm transferring to Michigan because I think it's a fantastic environment. However, getting a job/internships is definitely on my mind, but having read things on this forum, I've heard that while the firms I'm interested in working for recruit, the career center is a little lackluster. That just means that I have to be more proactive, and that's something that's good for me in the long run.</p>

11

<p>Sachmoney, the problem with that is that there are literaly 50+ colleges and universities that open identical doors. I mean it...50+. I have recruited for the top IBanks, Tech companies, Manufacturing companies, Private Equity Firms and now Management Consulting firms. There are over 50 colleges and universities that are equally respected. Michigan is one of them. Yes, Michigan is so large and has alums at some many levels of so many organizations that on-campus recruitment activity will naturally be heavy. But chosing a school based on assumptions that it will somehow help one's career is foolish and ultimately flawed. Yes, Harvard, Princeton and perhaps Wharton will give one the tiniest of advantage. But beyond those two or three schools/programs, one's ability to secure a job has more to do with talent and initiative than anything. So a wise person should think only about knowledge acquisition and having a good time. Jobs will come to any student at any reasonably regarded university. Wasting one's time trying to separate universities that are identical in the eyes of employers is a waste of time.</p>

12

<p>Thank you Alexandre you have answered my questions =)</p>

13

<p>Alexandre-What do you think of the alumni base? Is it as strong as some of the other top school? It seems that sometimes at big schools the alumni base is watered down...How does it compare?</p>

14

<p>The alumni base is excellent. On a pound for pound basis, it is one of the most fiercely loyal and wealthiest alumni base in the nation. Factor in its size, and Michigan's alumni network is second only to Harvard's.</p>

15

<p>So would you say that Michigan grads favor Michigan grads when hiring? Why don't you think they donate as much money (why is the endowment not bigger than it could be)? Why would you say it's second only to Harvard?</p>

16

<p>Yes, Michigan alums favor their own when hiring (which is true of alums of any major university), but within reason. They are not blinded by their loyalty. What makes Michigan's alumni network second only to Harvard's is the combination of loyalty, success and size. Michigan is highly represented everywhere and its alums generally occupy lofty roles. </p>

<p>As for donating money, Michigan (and alums of other public institutions) have never been as heavily pursued for donations as alums of peer private institutions, so naturally, alumni donation rates aren't going to be as high. Furthermore, legacy status favoratism was an historic reality with private universities and that definitely helped with donations. Finally, size of the institution has a lot to do with alumni donation rates. The larger the school, the lesser the rate. That is why 22 of the 25 institutions with the highest alumni donation rates have fewer than 2,000 undergrads. It is much easier to each out to 40,000 alums than it is to reach out to 450,000 alums. </p>

<p>But Michigan is improving. I doubt you will ever see more than 30% alumni donation rates at the likes of Cal or Michigan, but 25% is very realistic.</p>

<p>As for endowment, you really need to look at historic context. In 1988, Michigan's endowment was not among the top 25 in the nation. Now, ti is 6th in the nation. Over time, Michigan should overtake all but 3 (Harvard, Stanford and Yale) university endowments.</p>

17

<p>Theoretically, you'd have to think that if people are passionate about a school, they would be giving to the university. However, I guess I find it interesting that smaller schools have higher giving rates, which suggests that they are more passionate about their school. Yeah, you're right, I'm sure it is a lot easier to reach a smaller number of grads than the number of grads from Michigan. If Michigan grads continue to do as well as grads from HYPS, then there's no reason for Michigan not to overtake those schools if you factor in the size of the school. Well we'll see. I don't think endowment really affects me at all, I was just curious. </p>

<p>I know you're heavily involved as an alumni of the school, Alexandre, but how do you know so much. You're like an encyclopedia.</p>

18

<p>Trust me Sachmoney, most of my observations are based on personal experience. I would like to think my experience is indicative of reality, but like everything in life, reality is impacted by several exogenous variables. In short, I am nothing like an encyclopedia. Encyclopedia presents facts in the absence of passion. I am not quite so removed from my feelings.</p>

19

<p>Seems that other elite institutions have released their admit rate, averaging around 20% i think, including Chicago, UCLA and UC Berkeley. Even NYU's acceptance rate is down to 24%.. Compared to those schools, michigan admitted abt 42% of its total applicants with around 6000 of them already paid their deposits.. Seeing this huge number (6000), why would Michigan still continue to take people off their waitlist? I can't see the reason and logic behind all this.. it appears to me that Michigan is still aiming at a huge incoming freshman class (5500-6000) istead of 4000-4500. If we compare the rates with each other, other top big publics like UCLA & Berkeley seem to understand the importance of a small yet qualified incoming freshman class of 2012, but why can't Michigan understand?</p>

20

<p>Proud Wolverine, Michigan students are as qualified as Cal, NYU, UCLA students. Acceptance rates can be misleading. Besides, Michigan's acceptance rate has been dropping quite fast, from 60% 7 years ago to 40% today. At this rate, Michigan should have an acceptance rate of 37% next year and 33% the year after that.</p>