What is it like to participate in the Michigan Research Community or UROP?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

I know that there is already a thread but it’s about 4 years old.

2

When I was working there, I had several UROP students. MRC is basically the residential program with UROP. There are certain commitments for UROP and the involvement can be more than the minimal requirement. It is not a way to earn easy credit but to gain some research experience. More important, you will have a relationship with a professor that he/she may be your reference for your future career. You can do it as work study with if that is part of your financial aid package. Also, there is a summer UROP program that you may earn some money too. You need to participate in the seminar and give a presentation at the end. Depending on the arrangement with your mentor, you may need to dedicate a few hours several times a week on a project. Among the UROP students I have mentored, there were some really interested in research while most just wanted to find out what research is about. I also had students in a similar program at a different institute previously. Out of the 15-20 students, I did have a few outstanding students who ended up going to graduate schools later on. You should consider UROP if you:

  • are interested in doing research
  • want to find out what is it like doing research
  • want to get some bench experience to prepare yourself for a future internship opportunity
  • want to have a professor as your reference down the road
  • are looking for work study opportunity

If you choose the MRC and are accepted, you will be assigned to MoJo, a dorm in the hill area. It is pretty good and the Hill area dining hall is inside MoJo. It is great for weather like now.

3

Alot of my friends are doing UROP right now. Most of them say the seminars are a pain in the ass

4

@YellowWolverine‌ What’s so bad about the seminars?

5

Is there any advantage to being part of MRC instead of just doing UROP? (other than housing)

6

If you want to do UROP and live in dorm, you should try MRC. Otherwise you would be likely assigned to North Campus.

7

@hpflstdnt‌ It’s just unnecessarily time consuming. I wouldn’t sweat it much about urop. There are plenty of research opps here (the opportunities are alot alittle overwhelming tbh).