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Exploring The University Of Michigan

By Eric Eng

By Eric Eng

The University of Michigan signage

Exploring The University Of Michigan

The University of Michigan—Ann Arbor, also known as UMichigan, is a public institution established in 1817. It is located in a city and covers an area of 3,207 acres, with a total enrollment of 32,282 undergraduates in fall 2021. The university follows a trimester-based academic calendar and has been ranked #25 among national universities in the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges. In-state students have to pay $17,786 for tuition and fees, while out-of-state students need to pay $57,273. The students of this institution are popularly referred to as “Wolverines.”

Why is UMichigan Popular?

Let’s talk about what UMichigan is known for. The University of Michigan is a historic, prestigious, and large institution; as a result, it has earned a reputation for a variety of things, including academics, athletics, extracurricular activities, and more.

Academics

The University of Michigan is distinguished by its excellence as a public institution. It is ranked third on U.S. News’s list of the best public universities, ahead of prestigious institutions such as the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Texas at Austin. The University of Michigan is one of the 15 institutions referred to as “Public Ivies.”

Front view of the University of Michigan with an empty yard filled with different varieties of trees

What major does the University of Michigan specialize in?

The University of Michigan offers more than 280 degree programs across 14 schools and colleges, ranging from actuarial mathematics to women’s and gender studies. All degree programs at the University of Michigan share a solid reputation for excellence.

The Ross Bachelor of Business Administration is one of the university’s most prestigious undergraduate programs (BBA). The Ross School of Business is the nation’s tenth-best undergraduate business school, according to CollegeVine. In 2020, 94% of Ross graduates will receive a job offer upon graduation, and the median starting salary for graduates will be $85,000, which is significantly higher than the average starting salary for business majors, which is $57,667.

Acceptance into the Ross BBA program is difficult, as only 12.2% of incoming freshmen are admitted. About 80% of the BBA class is comprised of high school seniors admitted through Preferred Admission, while 15% of the class is comprised of transfer students.

Extracurriculars

The University of Michigan’s academic and athletic achievements are both notable, with the Michigan Wolverines football team being one of the most recognized in the country. Their maize and blue uniforms are iconic, and their home stadium, the “Big House,” can accommodate over 100,000 fans. One of the most breathtaking moments in sports is when the fans chant “Hail to the Victors.”

Students and alumni of the University of Michigan share a mutual disdain for the Ohio State Buckeyes and their athletic teams. Many consider the University of Michigan vs. Ohio State to be the best rivalry in college football; they first met in 1897. During the game week, you should avoid wearing Ohio State’s scarlet and gray colors on campus.

UMichigan has had tremendous success outside of the Big House, despite the fact that football steals the show. The men’s hockey team has won seven national championships, the 2005 women’s softball team became the first team east of the Mississippi to win a national championship, and the 1990s “Fab Five” basketball team remains one of the most memorable collegiate basketball teams in history.

Outside of the classroom and athletics, undergraduates at the University of Michigan participate in an abundance of activities. There are over 1,600 student-run clubs and organizations on campus, catering to students of all identities and interests.

Traditions

Over the years, numerous traditions have become a part of the lives of UMichigan undergraduates; one of the most well-known is a “walk in the fountain.” During orientation, students pass through the Cooley Fountain in Ingalls Mall on their way to the Diag in order to become “official” Wolverines. Graduates traverse the fountain in the opposite direction, toward Rackham and off campus.

aerial view of Ann Arbor Michigan

Want to pass through the Cooley Fountain in both directions? Then, avoid stepping on the letter “M” in the middle of the Diag. According to tradition, if you step on the M, you will fail your first BlueBook examination. Even students who have previously taken their first BlueBook examination avoid the M out of caution.

The University of Michigan has a colorful tradition of painting the rock at the intersection of Washtenaw and Hill Streets. The rock was placed in the park to commemorate George Washington’s 200th birthday, but it has been vandalized with thousands of gallons of paint since the 1950s by Ohio State and Michigan State fans or the University of Michigan students.

Dorms

At UMichigan, students are not required to live on campus, but 97% of first-year students choose to do so. In addition to standard dormitory and residence hall housing, the University of Michigan offers learning community and theme community options.

Students and faculty are brought together in learning communities by shared goals and interests. These consist of:

  • Women in Science and Engineering Residence Program  (WISE RP)
  • Health Sciences Scholars Program (HSSP)
  • Living ArtsEngine
  • Lloyd Scholars for Writing and the Arts (LSWA)
  • Michigan Community Scholars Program (MCSP)
  • Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars (MRADS)

These communities are small residential student groups centered on a specific subject. These consist of:

  • SubFree: no alcohol or drugs
  • 1st Gen: for students who are the first in their family to attend college
  • Gender Inclusive Living Experience (GILE): a safe and inclusive space for residents of all gender identities and gender expressions
  • Innovation: for students with an interest in innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity
  • LiveWell: for students interested in living a holistically well life
  • Multicultural Housing Community (MHC): for students with an interest in facilitating communication and understanding between students from different backgrounds

 Financial Aid

The UMichigan practices need-blind admissions for only in-state students and will meet 100 percent of their financial needs. However, finances are a factor in the admissions process for out-of-state students. Due to financial aid, one in four in-state undergraduates pays no tuition to the university. There are also numerous merit-based awards available to both domestic and international students.

Female student smiling with her classmates.

The University of Michigan is regarded as one of the most cost-effective schools in the country. It was ranked 60th on Forbes’ 2019 list of America’s Best Value Colleges. In terms of value, PayScale ranks the University of Michigan 81st out of 2,004 institutions.

Resources

The purpose of the Law Library at the University of Michigan is to support law school students and faculty, but anyone is welcome to study there. It is easy to believe that you have escaped the University of Michigan and enrolled at Hogwarts due to the English Gothic design.

The Arb, also known as the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, provides the University of Michigan students with easy access to nature. The property is owned jointly by the University and the City of Ann Arbor, and it is used for everything from research and instruction to a simple getaway from campus.

Location

Ann Arbor is one of the best places to live in the United States and frequently appears on lists of the best college towns and places to live there. The city is ideal for cultural exploration, be it of theater, music, or cuisine. Obama himself ordered a #2 (a Rueben) from Zingermans during his visit to the city. Ann Arbor is also regarded as one of the nation’s most bike-friendly cities, with 79 miles of bike lanes and more than 900 bike parking spots.

Looking for an argument against loving Ann Arbor? Winter! Ann Arbor winters are frigid, severe, and seemingly endless. Students from warmer climates find it particularly difficult.

Where is UMichigan Located?

To get an overview of where UMichigan is, imagine yourself in the serene city of Ann Arbor. The exact address of the institution is 500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.

Ann Arbor, only 45 minutes from Detroit, is touted by the university as one of the best college towns in the United States. Housing is guaranteed for freshmen, but they are not required to live on campus. Students can join one of the more than 1,500 student organizations or 62 Greek chapters at the institution. The importance of athletics at Michigan is exemplified by the football team’s fierce rivalry with Ohio State.

UMichigan also offers highly regarded graduate programs, including the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, College of Engineering, Law School, and the Medical School, as well as the School of Dentistry and the Taubman College for Architecture and Urban Planning. The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers is regarded as one of the nation’s best hospitals.

Why Should I Choose UMichigan?

The University of Michigan is known for its acclaimed athletic program, but it also has a strong commitment to education that rivals elite private schools.

One of the best academic majors at the University of Michigan is unsurprisingly related to its athletic programs.

The university’s athletic training program is regarded as one of the best in the country because it provides students with access to cutting-edge equipment and a roster of world-class athletes to treat.

Three students walking in front of a school building.

Like everything else at the University of Michigan, the athletic training program is driven by research initiatives, with laboratories that advance our understanding of the body’s functions.

Equally impressive are the majors offered by the university’s Department of Music Education, which are designed to prepare music teachers for all instructional levels. The music education program prepares its students to inspire and equip the next generation with a curriculum that combines instrument mastery with a foundation in pedagogy.

It is easy to see how the Department of Music Education improves the world by sending its award-winning graduates to positions in New York, Chicago, and other cities, given the program’s 100 percent placement rate.

Due to its affiliation with a nationally renowned teaching hospital, the University of Michigan’s medical school is among the best in the country. However, some may be surprised to learn that the university’s School of Dentistry is frequently ranked among the world’s top five.

This acclaim is attributable in part to the exceptional graduates who have gone on to become leaders in the field of dentistry. But it all begins with the school’s resources, such as research labs that enhance students’ understanding of the human body.

Focusing on everything from taste receptor cells to the development of the craniofacial skeleton, these labs produce some of the most knowledgeable dentists in the country.

Tips For Applying To UMichigan

In recent years, UMichigan has welcomed more international and out-of-state students than ever before in the institution’s history. A decade ago, 64% of the undergraduate student population was composed of Michigan natives, compared to the current proportion of approximately 50%. The more than 32,000 current Wolverine undergraduates are more academically accomplished than ever before, averaging near-perfect high school GPAs and SAT/ACT scores in the 85th percentile or higher. As we enter the 2022-23 academic year, the acceptance rate at the University of Michigan is now below 20%.

If you intend to join the more than 84,000 Wolverine applicants in the next admissions cycle, you should be aware of the following.

  • First, the school will again be test-optional for the 2023 and 2024 admissions cycles. However, students who do not submit ACT or SAT scores are encouraged to submit AP scores or other relevant test scores.
  • In addition, UMichigan offers optional alumni interviews as part of the engineering admissions process. However, so-called HAIL interviews do not play a significant role in the admissions process.
  • Next, UMichigan does consider “demonstrated interest,” so it is essential to contact the admissions office, connect via social media, and visit campus or meet Michigan representatives at college fairs in your area.
  • Ensure that you devote sufficient time and effort to the Michigan-required supplemental essays. In addition to the 650-word essay, there are two additional required prompts.
    • Everyone belongs to many different communities and/or groups defined by (among other things) shared geography, religion, ethnicity, income, cuisine, interest, race, ideology, or intellectual heritage. Choose one of the communities to which you belong, and describe that community and your place within it. (Required for all applicants; 300-word limit)
    • Describe the unique qualities that attract you to the specific undergraduate College or School (including preferred admission and dual degree programs) to which you are applying at the University of Michigan. How would that curriculum support your interests? (Required for all applicants; 550-word limit)

We recommend consulting admissions counseling services such as “AdmissionSight.”

AdmissionSight can help you make the strongest application possible. And we know from over a decade of experience, that standing out with a great essay and writing supplement can make the difference that gets you into any college of your choice. With a high success rate of 75%, we have extensive experience helping students succeed. Set up a free consultation today to learn more about what the admissions professionals can do for you.

 

 

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