Does University of Michigan live up to the hype?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're loaded and really want the "M" sweatshirt/bumper sticker, then sure Michigan is worth $16K/year more than Wisconsin or IU, $20K/year more than UMN, $23K/year more than Iowa, $25K/year more than Georgia, or $27K/year more than Florida. (Since Michigan gives less "merit" aid than any of those other flagships, I guess there should be an "at least" before each of the preceding dollar figures.) Pretty expensive hoodie, though...

Michigan gets top dollar for the education it provides. They must be doing something right. I’m sure those other schools would love to be able to charge their out of state students the same tuition amounts. Of course, they can’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're loaded and really want the "M" sweatshirt/bumper sticker, then sure Michigan is worth $16K/year more than Wisconsin or IU, $20K/year more than UMN, $23K/year more than Iowa, $25K/year more than Georgia, or $27K/year more than Florida. (Since Michigan gives less "merit" aid than any of those other flagships, I guess there should be an "at least" before each of the preceding dollar figures.) Pretty expensive hoodie, though...

Yeah have heard the same from multiple OOS applicants - Michigan is very stingy with the discounts. Many are charged full price. A good friend's son with stellar HS record received a much better deal from a similarly ranked/regarded private school (20s in US News). That surprised me. I had been hearing for years of students getting the types of discounts you mention above for other public flagships that rank not far behind Michigan. I wonder how long Michigan can continue to charge that much of a premium. It doesn't make sense to me unless there is some specific benefit that Michigan is providing you which won't be the case for large majority of applicants. Several of these schools also have a more fun reputation than Michigan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would they be better off at Colorado?

Lifestyle, maybe. Winter is more fun in Colorado than Michigan, if you're into winter sports.

I thought this was about choosing a college, not a vacation destination

Well, if you have to live in a place for 4 years, it helps not to hate it. Michigan winters can be pretty brutal, so I could see it being an issue for someone coming from San Diego or Hawaii.

I never heard any graduates of Michigan saying that they hated their four years in Ann Arbor. Perhaps your comment was a bit off?

That’s a lie. Most think the state is a boring dump. Kids flee the second graduate, they don’t even stay through the weekend of graduation. It’s increasingly popular to finish in three or three and a half years and skip town months before you graduate.

What's your data point for this? My DC stayed for a week after graduation as did all her roommates (all of whom were OOS). And then they all went back for another week+ in June (since the apartment lease was a 12 month lease).

DC could have graduated early, with a year of AP credits, but didn't want to. And now DC is considering grad school at Michigan.

I loved visiting Ann Arbor. It's a great college town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're loaded and really want the "M" sweatshirt/bumper sticker, then sure Michigan is worth $16K/year more than Wisconsin or IU, $20K/year more than UMN, $23K/year more than Iowa, $25K/year more than Georgia, or $27K/year more than Florida. (Since Michigan gives less "merit" aid than any of those other flagships, I guess there should be an "at least" before each of the preceding dollar figures.) Pretty expensive hoodie, though...

Yeah have heard the same from multiple OOS applicants - Michigan is very stingy with the discounts. Many are charged full price. A good friend's son with stellar HS record received a much better deal from a similarly ranked/regarded private school (20s in US News). That surprised me. I had been hearing for years of students getting the types of discounts you mention above for other public flagships that rank not far behind Michigan. I wonder how long Michigan can continue to charge that much of a premium. It doesn't make sense to me unless there is some specific benefit that Michigan is providing you which won't be the case for large majority of applicants. Several of these schools also have a more fun reputation than Michigan.

Michigan has been this way for decades. Other elite publics like Berkeley, UCLA, and UVA also charge top dollar. They do it because they can. When and if it starts to become a problem filling up a freshman class with elite students, is when Michigan will give more merit aid. Until that time, it isn’t likely going to change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why would they be better off at Colorado?

Lifestyle, maybe. Winter is more fun in Colorado than Michigan, if you're into winter sports.

I thought this was about choosing a college, not a vacation destination

Well, if you have to live in a place for 4 years, it helps not to hate it. Michigan winters can be pretty brutal, so I could see it being an issue for someone coming from San Diego or Hawaii.

I never heard any graduates of Michigan saying that they hated their four years in Ann Arbor. Perhaps your comment was a bit off?

That’s a lie. Most think the state is a boring dump. Kids flee the second graduate, they don’t even stay through the weekend of graduation. It’s increasingly popular to finish in three or three and a half years and skip town months before you graduate.

What's your data point for this? My DC stayed for a week after graduation as did all her roommates (all of whom were OOS). And then they all went back for another week+ in June (since the apartment lease was a 12 month lease).

DC could have graduated early, with a year of AP credits, but didn't want to. And now DC is considering grad school at Michigan.

I loved visiting Ann Arbor. It's a great college town.

There is no data for any of the trolls posts. It’s just wishful thinking that doesn’t line up with reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're loaded and really want the "M" sweatshirt/bumper sticker, then sure Michigan is worth $16K/year more than Wisconsin or IU, $20K/year more than UMN, $23K/year more than Iowa, $25K/year more than Georgia, or $27K/year more than Florida. (Since Michigan gives less "merit" aid than any of those other flagships, I guess there should be an "at least" before each of the preceding dollar figures.) Pretty expensive hoodie, though...

Yeah have heard the same from multiple OOS applicants - Michigan is very stingy with the discounts. Many are charged full price. A good friend's son with stellar HS record received a much better deal from a similarly ranked/regarded private school (20s in US News). That surprised me. I had been hearing for years of students getting the types of discounts you mention above for other public flagships that rank not far behind Michigan. I wonder how long Michigan can continue to charge that much of a premium. It doesn't make sense to me unless there is some specific benefit that Michigan is providing you which won't be the case for large majority of applicants. Several of these schools also have a more fun reputation than Michigan.

Michigan has been this way for decades. Other elite publics like Berkeley, UCLA, and UVA also charge top dollar. They do it because they can. When and if it starts to become a problem filling up a freshman class with elite students, is when Michigan will give more merit aid. Until that time, it isn’t likely going to change.

All true. And all the more impressive at Michigan because it takes so many more OOS students than the other publics that charge anywhere in its vicinity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're loaded and really want the "M" sweatshirt/bumper sticker, then sure Michigan is worth $16K/year more than Wisconsin or IU, $20K/year more than UMN, $23K/year more than Iowa, $25K/year more than Georgia, or $27K/year more than Florida. (Since Michigan gives less "merit" aid than any of those other flagships, I guess there should be an "at least" before each of the preceding dollar figures.) Pretty expensive hoodie, though...

Yeah have heard the same from multiple OOS applicants - Michigan is very stingy with the discounts. Many are charged full price. A good friend's son with stellar HS record received a much better deal from a similarly ranked/regarded private school (20s in US News). That surprised me. I had been hearing for years of students getting the types of discounts you mention above for other public flagships that rank not far behind Michigan. I wonder how long Michigan can continue to charge that much of a premium. It doesn't make sense to me unless there is some specific benefit that Michigan is providing you which won't be the case for large majority of applicants. Several of these schools also have a more fun reputation than Michigan.

Michigan has been this way for decades. Other elite publics like Berkeley, UCLA, and UVA also charge top dollar. They do it because they can. When and if it starts to become a problem filling up a freshman class with elite students, is when Michigan will give more merit aid. Until that time, it isn’t likely going to change.

Fair enough - shows many families will pay up for the highest ranked school that grants admission. Guess with all our exchanges on this forum - that shouldn’t surprise me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're loaded and really want the "M" sweatshirt/bumper sticker, then sure Michigan is worth $16K/year more than Wisconsin or IU, $20K/year more than UMN, $23K/year more than Iowa, $25K/year more than Georgia, or $27K/year more than Florida. (Since Michigan gives less "merit" aid than any of those other flagships, I guess there should be an "at least" before each of the preceding dollar figures.) Pretty expensive hoodie, though...

Yeah have heard the same from multiple OOS applicants - Michigan is very stingy with the discounts. Many are charged full price. A good friend's son with stellar HS record received a much better deal from a similarly ranked/regarded private school (20s in US News). That surprised me. I had been hearing for years of students getting the types of discounts you mention above for other public flagships that rank not far behind Michigan. I wonder how long Michigan can continue to charge that much of a premium. It doesn't make sense to me unless there is some specific benefit that Michigan is providing you which won't be the case for large majority of applicants. Several of these schools also have a more fun reputation than Michigan.

Michigan has been this way for decades. Other elite publics like Berkeley, UCLA, and UVA also charge top dollar. They do it because they can. When and if it starts to become a problem filling up a freshman class with elite students, is when Michigan will give more merit aid. Until that time, it isn’t likely going to change.

All true. And all the more impressive at Michigan because it takes so many more OOS students than the other publics that charge anywhere in its vicinity.

It’s even more impressive when you consider that its located in the part of the country that’s, “flyover, rust-belt, backwater, cold, gloomy, grey, depressing, and boring.” 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're loaded and really want the "M" sweatshirt/bumper sticker, then sure Michigan is worth $16K/year more than Wisconsin or IU, $20K/year more than UMN, $23K/year more than Iowa, $25K/year more than Georgia, or $27K/year more than Florida. (Since Michigan gives less "merit" aid than any of those other flagships, I guess there should be an "at least" before each of the preceding dollar figures.) Pretty expensive hoodie, though...

Yeah have heard the same from multiple OOS applicants - Michigan is very stingy with the discounts. Many are charged full price. A good friend's son with stellar HS record received a much better deal from a similarly ranked/regarded private school (20s in US News). That surprised me. I had been hearing for years of students getting the types of discounts you mention above for other public flagships that rank not far behind Michigan. I wonder how long Michigan can continue to charge that much of a premium. It doesn't make sense to me unless there is some specific benefit that Michigan is providing you which won't be the case for large majority of applicants. Several of these schools also have a more fun reputation than Michigan.

Michigan has been this way for decades. Other elite publics like Berkeley, UCLA, and UVA also charge top dollar. They do it because they can. When and if it starts to become a problem filling up a freshman class with elite students, is when Michigan will give more merit aid. Until that time, it isn’t likely going to change.

Fair enough - shows many families will pay up for the highest ranked school that grants admission. Guess with all our exchanges on this forum - that shouldn’t surprise me.

How can that possibly surprise you? This board lives and dies by the USNWR rankings.

[Anonymous]

“ Several of these schools also have a more fun reputation than Michigan.”

More fun=easier.

[Anonymous]

Its just a local trend. Just like University of Georgia. A few kids go there and like it and then all of a sudden, everyone wants to go there. It is not appreciably better than any other large state school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its just a local trend. Just like University of Georgia. A few kids go there and like it and then all of a sudden, everyone wants to go there. It is not appreciably better than any other large state school.

LOL. How old are you? It's been a "local trend" since the mid-1980s in these parts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're loaded and really want the "M" sweatshirt/bumper sticker, then sure Michigan is worth $16K/year more than Wisconsin or IU, $20K/year more than UMN, $23K/year more than Iowa, $25K/year more than Georgia, or $27K/year more than Florida. (Since Michigan gives less "merit" aid than any of those other flagships, I guess there should be an "at least" before each of the preceding dollar figures.) Pretty expensive hoodie, though...

Yeah have heard the same from multiple OOS applicants - Michigan is very stingy with the discounts. Many are charged full price. A good friend's son with stellar HS record received a much better deal from a similarly ranked/regarded private school (20s in US News). That surprised me. I had been hearing for years of students getting the types of discounts you mention above for other public flagships that rank not far behind Michigan. I wonder how long Michigan can continue to charge that much of a premium. It doesn't make sense to me unless there is some specific benefit that Michigan is providing you which won't be the case for large majority of applicants. Several of these schools also have a more fun reputation than Michigan.

Benefits:

-top rated in just about every department and Major offering
-second to none alumni network
- among the strongest "school spirit" institutions in the world

Is it worth 16k/year more? Ask the 100,000 kids who apply every year who seem to think so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you're loaded and really want the "M" sweatshirt/bumper sticker, then sure Michigan is worth $16K/year more than Wisconsin or IU, $20K/year more than UMN, $23K/year more than Iowa, $25K/year more than Georgia, or $27K/year more than Florida. (Since Michigan gives less "merit" aid than any of those other flagships, I guess there should be an "at least" before each of the preceding dollar figures.) Pretty expensive hoodie, though...

Yeah have heard the same from multiple OOS applicants - Michigan is very stingy with the discounts. Many are charged full price. A good friend's son with stellar HS record received a much better deal from a similarly ranked/regarded private school (20s in US News). That surprised me. I had been hearing for years of students getting the types of discounts you mention above for other public flagships that rank not far behind Michigan. I wonder how long Michigan can continue to charge that much of a premium. It doesn't make sense to me unless there is some specific benefit that Michigan is providing you which won't be the case for large majority of applicants. Several of these schools also have a more fun reputation than Michigan.

Benefits:

-top rated in just about every department and Major offering
-second to none alumni network
- among the strongest "school spirit" institutions in the world

Is it worth 16k/year more? Ask the 100,000 kids who apply every year who seem to think so.

Honestly, compared to Wisconsin (the $16K/year delta you reference), Michigan ties or loses (but it's close) on "school spirit" and ties or wins (but it's close) on alumni network--so call those two a wash--and ekes out a barely-perceptible edge in department rankings (#9 in aggregate compared to #13.1; Berkeley checks in at #2.1, FWIW -- https://publicuniversityhonors.com/rankings-academic-departments-private-elites-vs-publics/ ). Are those four ranking rungs worth it? I guess that's the $64,000 question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually think Michigan is the perfect school for someone who isn’t quite sure what appeals to them yet. You can be sporty, nerdy, Greek, into student government, or all or none of the above; you can change your major a dozen times and you will still find your people and end up in a highly ranked program. It’s a great place to have a ton of options and learn more about what you want and your next step.

You’re describing literally every state flagship. You can get all of that with better weather and more dynamic local economies at coastal and southern flagships.

Disagree because most state flagships are not highly ranked nearly across the board. For example, many go for engineering or pre med, end up in humanities with great reputations and grad school placement. It’s not the same as most other schools that have some strong programs but require you to have fully made up your mind early.