University of Michigan, Ann Arbor undergraduates enjoy the
benefits of attending one of the country’s most well-rounded schools. Rigorous
academics, a dynamic social scene for both Greeks and independents, a legendary
college town, and world-class athletics are all components of the Michigan
experience. As one sophomore explains, “[t]he best thing about Michigan is its size. It is large enough for you to find virtually everything here." And with 26,000 undergraduates, about 1,100 student organizations, and over 125
majors, this is no clichéd overstatement. While at times the institution’s vastness
may have its drawbacks (administrative bureaucracy and impersonal classes seem
to be a source of frustration for many students), savvier undergrads quickly
learn how to navigate the school’s diverse offerings. “Sometimes it feels too large, but sometimes anonymity is nice, and there are always ways to make the largeness feel smaller - by talking to your professors outside of class, forming really close-knit groups with the people you live with, joining clubs or starting them, or any other number of things.”
University of Michigan students seem to have a reputation for
being “snobs” or “elitists.” “It is difficult telling people that I go to Michigan at times because I want so badly not to sound elitist in any way," explains one self-conscious junior. Maybe it’s the high admissions standards or
the renowned academic programs, but as one alum explains, the attitude of the
student body is not entirely homogeneous. “The ‘snobby’ Michigan man or woman is not a myth - but these people exist everywhere you go. This is an expensive school to attend, even though it is public, so naturally a lot of the people here are wealthy. This does not mean they're all snobs, nor even the majority.”
Regardless of the snob/elitist tag, University Michigan students are very proud
of their school, especially its football team. The Wolverines are a powerhouse
in the Big Ten and have claimed 11 national titles, so it’s no wonder that
football is treated like religion on campus. “The fall in Michigan is amazing!”
explains a sophomore. “You'll never forget your first football Saturday...Even if you're not a huge football fan the spirit is unreal! Everyone is decked out in maize and blue - I would definitely say there is a lot of school pride.”
At the University of Michigan, the question of diversity is
complicated and multi-faceted, especially since the US Supreme Court got
involved with the school’s affirmative action policy in 2003. Depending on who you
ask, the student body is diverse, and issues of race and class are discussed
openly. “Affirmative action is a highly contested issue given Michigan's history," explains a sophomore. “Students are highly opinionated about issues and not afraid to discuss them.”
Even though the University of Michigan is a state school, 32% of the students
come from outside the Wolverine State. “There [is] obviously a large population of students from Michigan, but there are also many students from New York, California, the Chicago area, DC, and Florida,” writes a sophomore. “The simple fact that people are from geographically different places allows students to learn a lot from each other because everyone grew up in different environments.”
While the academics at Michigan are highly respected, students
report that those who take initiative in their studies will be rewarded. As at
many large public universities, students will run into professors more
concerned with their research than their students, as well as some large,
impersonal classes during their first two years.“Freshman and sophomore years you take a lot of large classes where most likely your professor will not know your name,” remarks one junior majoring in communications. Still, those taking
a proactive approach to their education can reap the benefits of working with
the brilliant professors who walk the halls of the university. “If you come to a professor's office hours and make the effort to get to know them, class becomes that much better,”explains one senior studying economics. More specifically, students involved
with the Residential College system (a subset of the College of Literature,
Science, and Arts) rave about their academic opportunities. “It is smaller, more personal, and there is a greater focus on languages and the humanities. We have language lunch/coffee hours, the classes have only about 14 people, the teachers know me by my nickname (and we know them by their first names) and make themselves very available to talk to,” explains a senior sociology major.
With its eclectic eateries, bars, and shops, the town of Ann
Arbor is beloved by most undergraduates. "Ann Arbor is the shit, there's no better college town in America,”
remarks one proud sophomore. As students’ enthusiastic embrace of the town illustrates,
the University of Michigan experience is more than just football games and top-notch
academics. While Michigan students may get stuck with the “elitist” tag, as
they see it, their undergraduate experience is truly exceptional. As one junior
explains, Michigan “is WORTH EVERY PENNY. I've had more experiences than I can
describe. To try to put them down in words doesn't do them justice. There
really is only one way to go when it comes to college…GO BLUE!”
