University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

It's difficult to complete the university required classes, pre-med/mcat required classes, my major requirements and my minor requirements all in 4 years.

Off campus housing in Ann Arbor can be very expensive.

A frustrating part about school here is when you end up with a professor who is not interested in teaching his undergrad class, but is required to do so anyway so he can stay here to do research. These classes are frustrating because the proffessor does not do a good job of teaching because he is not interested, meaning it is difficult to do well in the class, and also I do not learn all of the things I should from it, making future courses difficult as well.

It's very hard to meet people because most people join Greek life, hang out with their high school friends, or hang out with people they know through family connections (for example, a lot of the Jewish students only hang out with other Jewish students). It's also difficult to get a research job in the sciences because everyone wants one.

One of the most frustrating things about the University of Michigan is the way certain classes are graded. To account for the many students attending the university, there are Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) that teach some classes that are in high demand. Often, different GSIs have different ways of teaching and grading their students. Although the faculty tries to equalize this, sometimes it feels as if your performance in the class is wholly dependent on how the GSI thinks you understood the material.

The school is so big and research focused many professors don't put a lot of time into their intro classes. The advising was good but I wish someone had helped me plan out all my required courses for my major my first year (I knew my major going into college). I ended up taking a bunch of hard classes early on and having no requirements senior year. I also wish they kept a list of class recommendations handy for freshman orientation with reviews of more unique classes.

The most frustrating thing about Michigan is that I live on North Campus and have to take the bus to class every day. However, even though the bus serves as an inconvenience to me in the morning, North Campus is great. A large majority of the people living on North are freshmen, so it is not intimidating at all to meet new friends. I was told by many people that North Campus is the worst place to live, but, if I could start over, I think I would choose to live on North Campus.

The most frustrating thing about U of M is that there is no near by movie theater where students can relax and watch a film. Some nights I would love to enjoy a good movie with my friends instead of staying in or going to a party.

The most frustrating thing about the University of Michigan in trying to fit everything you want into your schedule. There are so many options in classes and majors it is hard to decide on which one will benefit you most in the long-run.

The school is very large, so it's difficult to find the people you need when you need help.

The most frustrating thing about the University of Michigan is that it prides itself on diversity but it tries to rid itself of everything that may be considered "American". Christianity for one is almost thought of as being horrible. We weren't allowed to decorate our doors for Christmas. I myself am very liberal and love the idea of diversity. But all religions and nationalities should be recognized.

There is a lot of work, which can be time consuming.

I live on North campus which is about a 45 minute walk from campus. Our bus system is not wonderful so it is frustrating trying to get to class. It also takes an extra 15 minutes at least each day to reach central campus. My school is in Michigan so it can get pretty cold at the bus stop. I wish there was either a more central living option for freshmen or a better bus system (actual times the buses are arriving, bus station areas, etc.)

There is very little support from the academic staff. It is very much a sink or swim type of place that many people do not do well in. It's also a huge place that is terrifying and nobody catches your mistakes for you!

Not having enough money to pay for everything that you need/want to do.

As many people say at our school, a student is not really considered a student at our school. We do not get recognized by our names but by our number, also known as UMID number. This is really frustrating for me mainly because since the school is so big, the attention is really minimized. And getting to know your professors and classmates can sometimes be incredibly difficult.

The most frustrating thing about my school was quite simply the cost. Although I feel I recieved a superior education it was difficult for me to make ends meet even while working numerous part time jobs.

As an English major also majoring in Screen Arts & Cultures (film), I'm frustrated that my deparment does not have a more well-developed media production program. The studies courses are typically fantastic, and I'm gaining an excellent liberal arts education through my history, theory, and topics courses. I think the department could give students better career preparation for working in Hollywood or independently. Classes on visual effects and video game design would also improve students' media literacy. These changes would be easier to make if my department were its own school, like USC's.

I really feel like the general advising for the College of Literatur and Arts is not as strong as it should be. I had a lot of trouble figuring out what I wanted to do. Make sure you find an advisor that you like, and visit them often if you are not sure about exactly what you want to do when you get here. I went through too many bad advisors and took too long to do that for myself.

I'm not too pleased about the split campuses. There's Central, North and the Hill. All of my friends live on either North or Central so I feel like it interferes with socializing. Also, having to take a bus every time to get to Northa campus is just a hassel. It's a 10 minute bus ride that is often packed and it puts a damper on my day.

The fact that this is such a challenging school. Students get way lower grades than they did in high school and they accept it because that is the "Michigan Difference". It is frustrating that an A seems out of reach. So we get excited when we get a B.

nothing really frustrates me about Michigan

The students who are competitive and turn everything into a competition. Even though there are not that many of them, the few of them can ruin the "fun/stress" level of a class.

Cost.

Always work hard and you'll get where you want to be.

The rigourous academic standards and impossible exams.

The most frustrating thing about my school are the quality of room and board for the price that we must pay for them. I increasingly feel that we are not receiving the right services and items for the ridiculous amount of money we owe the school.

The workload is heavy and it can be a bit of a shock at first. Also its very easy to get swallowed by the social scene and then find yourself struggling to balance work and fun.

One of the most frustrating things about my school is that sometimes it feels like your best is never good enough.

If you want to not drink alcohol on campus, sometimes peer pressure from others can be intense and frustrating depending on the groups you're involved with. But, there are plenty of ways to have fun and not drink...eg...UMix, plays, ice-skating, athletic events, concerts, ice cream, festivities, etc.

I find that the most frustrating thing about Michigan is the difficulty for middle class students to get scholarships. The school focuses much on diversity and offers many scholarships (even full-rides) to minorities due to the fact that they are minorities. I do not have a problem with need-based financial aid, but I do have a problem with it when it is disguised as "merit-based". I could have the same grades as a minority student , but when applying for scholarship this student would have much better odds than I at getting scholarship.

The most frustrating thing about this school is that in order to complete most degrees in 4 years a student must begin taking courses for that degree Freshmen year. There is no time to figure out what you want to do.

Professors often seem more in touch with their research than their students.

For me, its definitely the weather. Coming from Missouri I'm not quite used to the long winters in Michigan.

The professors don't give as many practice problems and solutions for students to practice as I'd like.

GPA Necessity.

The most frustrating thing about Michigan is that the class can be so large that you never get to know the professor and vice versa. I know some of my GSI's really well but graduate schools want professor recommendations.

The money problems im facing trying to afford school, gas, food, rent, bills, all at the same time. its gets a little stressful.

Living on North Campus as a freshman is awful because the buses are inconvenient.

There aren't enough social activities that don't involve alcohol.

Sometimes size gets in the way of learning

Financial aid is picky and stubborn. Also, the University Health Service isn't the most reliable health resource.

parking

Try not to get lost in crowds of 300+ students in lectures halls. You are at UM to get an education for yourslef so get out there and learn - talk to your classmates and your professors. Get all of the information needed to do well.

It can be very liberal.

The cold weather!

Some classes are quite large, and it can get really cold in the winter.

it is realy hard to get into some classes because they fill up very fast and the upper classmen always get first pick. im a junior and i still did not get the all of the classes i want.

I am a music student (voice performance) and there are not enough practice spaces for either indivudual or group practice.

I am very conservative in both my religious and moral convictions and sometimes I get frustrated with how liberal Michigan is. With 2008 being a presidential election year, this has proven to be even more of a stuggle. Liberal campaigners are all over campus pushing issues that I do not support. Professors are using their class rooms to support the liberal candidate and students are constantly talking about the issues. Sometimes, I feel like I am the only conservative on campus and i feel alone in my convictions.