<p>I just got my admission packet from Umich and it says I was also accepted to the "Comprehensive Studies Program." It doesn't say much about what it is, it's all kind of sketchy. (It almost sounds like it could be something insulting, like "you need extra help," but I don't think/hope they don't mean that, lol). What is it?! How many people are accepted? On what basis are you accepted?</p>
<p>Um, ouch. Looking around on the internet there's a lot of people saying CSP is where they "send the ethnic people."</p>
<p>I'm Native American.
Kind of insulted.
Like I need my hand held because you don't think I "recieved the same level of education as whites"?!</p>
<p>Excuse me, I'm from one of the top three richest counties in the US. I did not grow up on a reservation, or in an area where I wouldn't get adequate instruction. Not to be arrogant, but I don't think being Native American got me in, I have high test scores, GPA, etc. My essays were great. </p>
<p>Please tell me these people are full of crap.
Because otherwise I'm staring to lean toward my other first-choice school.</p>
<p>You might be thinking of the summer bridge program, which is aimed to help students transition into college. You weren't invited to be in Summer bridge (you'd know, because it requires earlier admission). CSP may have started with a similar purpose (not sure), but I think its aims are a lot broader now. It's a Michigan Leaning Community and it's open to anyone, although if not invited they have to apply.</p>
<p>If you're getting the "you need extra help" vibe but have a good GPA, I'd ask if you've taken a full slate of math and science? Is there anything else in your transcript that may suggest you'd benefit? You don't have to answer here--I just throw that at there as a possible reason a college might send you something that made you wonder about a problem.</p>
<p>You should definitely call and ask more about it and find out more. I'd be leery of making a decision about kicking U-M off your list based on sketchy info on a message board (including that which I'm posting, because I really don't know much about CSP!)</p>
<p>Hm, I mean, I've taken the hardest stuff at my school (including 5 years of science, with 5s on the APs, so I doubt that's the problem), as well as college courses and courses at other schools. But saying I took hard courses at my school isn't saying much, hah. Could it be because I go to a public school with a lot of hispanics? I mean, it's not a TERRIBLE school, but I guess maybe that could be it...I just saw on Umich's diversity website that "the Comprehensive Studies Program supports those who attended high schools in rural or urban communities that may not have offered a full range of college-prep courses."</p>
<p>Haha, sorry, I had an angry outburst :p The more I look, the more it seems like my school might be involved. It's not failing state standards or anything, but it's a pretty disorganized mess.</p>
<p>I don't know from UMich, so filter my input pretty heavily...</p>
<p>What major did you request? Is it possible that you trying to major in a highly competitive field and CSP is where the park all the Engineering (or whatever) candidates for the first two years while they complete prereqs in math and physics (or whatever)? I know UW does just about this, but it is not called CSP. Since I have no idea what the right answer is, I am free to speculate wildly...</p>
<p>Nope, I applied as a German major, which is probably quite the opposite of what you're describing. Especially since I'm strongest verbally.</p>
<p>Thanks for trying to help guys, I'll definitely be calling and asking what's up though like hoedown recommended.</p>
<p>I was forced into CSP and when I found out what it was, I was definately having the same reaction you are (although when I called and asked, the admissions office very rudely informed me, "If you don't do CSP, you're not welcome at Michigan")... however, I have now come to realize that CSP is not anything bad, it's just absolutely pointless. CSP offers tutoring, "more intensive" classes (meaning they meet more so that you can cover the material more in depth), amongst other things of which I am not aware. CSP is also open to everyone. I think this alone is ridiculous, why not just give everyone the option of tutoring, instead of indirectly giving it to them? Anyway, I digress. </p>
<p>The only thing CSP forces you to do any different from the rest of the LSA students is that you get a special CSP advisor. These advisors are supposedly better than the other advisors, although after I tried to talk to my advisor about majoring in Psychology, and she told me "Well, first we'll see if you get a C or better" which I found really insulting even though I know it's like the prereq for the major, I mean, come on. She's pretty much saying I'll fail. Anyway, in short: Only thing different about CSP is the advisor. They won't force you to take any CSP sections or anything; I barely even remember I'm in CSP except when I have to see my advisor. Despite the rather ridiculous CSP program thingie, Michigan is amazing. Don't let the CSP thing bother you too much, if you don't take any CSP sections, you're not even going to remember you're in CSP, and it really doesn't make a difference that you're in it. Michigan's a great school, and sorry for being so long winded... if you have any other questions feel free to ask.</p>
<p>I was wondering about this because I was getting upset....I got the package today and was about to take it as an insult......like we think you'll drop out. Based on what sydney said I won't let it bother me though.</p>
<p>I'm guessing there was just some trigger like your high school that got you invited. It sounds like the program is all about having additional advising/faculty support, so I'm guessing they're probably targeting people who come from places/schools that might not have had real strong guidance. If you're confident and capable in your abilities, you should have no problem figuring out your own way and doing whatever you want to do.</p>
<p>Yeah, when I got my admittance packet in the mail, I got an invitation to join CSP. I really don't know what it is, but now that you guys said it's from high schools of rural areas, it makes sense. My high school has no APs, honors, or anything, and our GC isn't very good at all. I don't know if I'm going to join yet... </p>
<p>Oh yeah, and I'm in LSA, undecided major, and I'm not a minority or anything. I'm guessing it's the high school thing said in post #9.</p>
<p>I'll take the special advising I guess and I'm not a math person so maybe I could use the help there, but other than that..doubt I'll use it much. My school district is weak, but not my school in particular which is the number 1 public school in the state...even though we're in the inner city.</p>
<p>so i have recently got admitted to the summer bridge program my admissions letter says for the summer of 2011 - curious is this also for the fall ???</p>
<p>If you are admitted into summer bridge program you are admitted but you are required to enroll for the summer half-term and a take a class on campus before starting regular classes in September.</p>