Question for Michigan residents - how do in-state people view the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former UP-er here. I think the responses I'm seeing here don't match my experiences or those of my family/friends still in Michigan, either in the UP or down state. My/our perspective has always been to prefer State over Michigan, and when I'm home I see twice or triple as much green as blue. Granted that one school is larger but not so much larger that the color ratio is 2:1.

I also think you're missing a nuance in your question. For most people in Michigan the comparisons are usually made as a triad - Michigan State v Michigan v Michigan Tech.

UP-er?!?!

UP means someone from the upper peninsula of Michigan, where Michigan Tech is located. I’m from near Michigan State and my high school sent one or two at most to Michigan tech per year. It’s a good school but under the radar for many even in the state.

I know that. I always thought they identified themselves as “Yooper.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former UP-er here. I think the responses I'm seeing here don't match my experiences or those of my family/friends still in Michigan, either in the UP or down state. My/our perspective has always been to prefer State over Michigan, and when I'm home I see twice or triple as much green as blue. Granted that one school is larger but not so much larger that the color ratio is 2:1.

I also think you're missing a nuance in your question. For most people in Michigan the comparisons are usually made as a triad - Michigan State v Michigan v Michigan Tech.

UP-er?!?!

UP means someone from the upper peninsula of Michigan, where Michigan Tech is located. I’m from near Michigan State and my high school sent one or two at most to Michigan tech per year. It’s a good school but under the radar for many even in the state.

Tech is a good school but ugh...the location. Houghton is so cold, snowy, isolated, and 7-8 hour drive from most of the population centers in the state. It’s just not what most kids want, I think.

I grew up in the Green Bay/Appleton/Fox Valley area in WI and there were always a handful of kids who went there. But it’s only 4 hours away. And probably not as big of a culture shock. And a lot of companies in the Fox Valley hire Tech engineers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former UP-er here. I think the responses I'm seeing here don't match my experiences or those of my family/friends still in Michigan, either in the UP or down state. My/our perspective has always been to prefer State over Michigan, and when I'm home I see twice or triple as much green as blue. Granted that one school is larger but not so much larger that the color ratio is 2:1.

I also think you're missing a nuance in your question. For most people in Michigan the comparisons are usually made as a triad - Michigan State v Michigan v Michigan Tech.

UP-er?!?!

Yes, there are a bunch of us who hate the Yooper term. In fact I can't think of anyone I know who uses it except downstate people who think they're being cool and knowledgeable!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Former UP-er here. I think the responses I'm seeing here don't match my experiences or those of my family/friends still in Michigan, either in the UP or down state. My/our perspective has always been to prefer State over Michigan, and when I'm home I see twice or triple as much green as blue. Granted that one school is larger but not so much larger that the color ratio is 2:1.

I also think you're missing a nuance in your question. For most people in Michigan the comparisons are usually made as a triad - Michigan State v Michigan v Michigan Tech.

UP-er?!?!

UP means someone from the upper peninsula of Michigan, where Michigan Tech is located. I’m from near Michigan State and my high school sent one or two at most to Michigan tech per year. It’s a good school but under the radar for many even in the state.

Tech is a good school but ugh...the location. Houghton is so cold, snowy, isolated, and 7-8 hour drive from most of the population centers in the state. It’s just not what most kids want, I think.

I grew up in the Green Bay/Appleton/Fox Valley area in WI and there were always a handful of kids who went there. But it’s only 4 hours away. And probably not as big of a culture shock. And a lot of companies in the Fox Valley hire Tech engineers.

Yeah, Houghton/Hancock is a tough place. You gotta really want to go to Tech! But if you're STEM then it rocks!

[Anonymous]

This school will soon approach 100,000 applicants. It kind of doubles as NY’s de facto prestige state school too. I’m not sure what you’re struggling with, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Overall I’d say UM is a better school and has more name recognition outside of the Midwest, but Michigan State has some nationally ranked programs that are better than the equivalent offered at UM (education and supply chain are two that come to mind).

The college experience is similar at both schools - huge student population, big sports schools.

I’ve known many people who went to both schools who went on to obtain graduate or professional degrees and are doing very well. I’ve also known students from both schools who are also doing fine and supporting their families but don’t have the type of high-powered careers that DCUM seems to prefer.

Don’t delude yourself into thinking Michigan State is significantly better than UM at really anything.

Supply chain is #1 at Michigan State but 5 at UM.

As for education, Michigan is 8 and Michigan State isn’t even in the top 20, so not sure where you’re getting that one from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes UMich is a very big deal in-state and is an aspiration for many (most?) smart, high-achieving in-staters.

+1

Most people from Michigan root for either UM or Mich State, but everyone knows UM is in general the better school. If you’re from SE Michigan, it’s a bit harder to get in because UM wants ‘geographic diversity.’ I grew up 30 minutes from Ann Arbor but only 2 people from my high school were accepted to UM.

The only people who root for Sparty are people who live right near there. Otherwise it's all UM.

Not true, PP. It’s pretty evenly split depending on whether you live on the east side of the state versus the west side. East Lansing is in the middle of the state but pulls Spartan fans from a much larger area.

Lots of MSU grads in the greater Detroit area who (logically) cheer for Sparty.

[Anonymous]

UMich has a pretty upper crust vibe (some may use the word “pretentious”) that I think can be very intimidating for kids from smaller towns. I grew up in one of those, near the Indiana border about equidistant from Ann Arbor and East Lansing, and there were several smart kids from my school who got in (or could’ve gotten in but didn’t apply) to University of Michigan but chose to attend Michigan State because it’s more low key and better cultural fit for kids who don’t come from that UMC, larger metro area (metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, etc. plus lots of out of staters) background.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overall I’d say UM is a better school and has more name recognition outside of the Midwest, but Michigan State has some nationally ranked programs that are better than the equivalent offered at UM (education and supply chain are two that come to mind).

The college experience is similar at both schools - huge student population, big sports schools.

I’ve known many people who went to both schools who went on to obtain graduate or professional degrees and are doing very well. I’ve also known students from both schools who are also doing fine and supporting their families but don’t have the type of high-powered careers that DCUM seems to prefer.

Don’t delude yourself into thinking Michigan State is significantly better than UM at really anything.

Supply chain is #1 at Michigan State but 5 at UM.

As for education, Michigan is 8 and Michigan State isn’t even in the top 20, so not sure where you’re getting that one from.

You seem to be conveniently forgetting that State is the #1 or 2 school in the country for Hospitality Management. Production Management is top 10.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overall I’d say UM is a better school and has more name recognition outside of the Midwest, but Michigan State has some nationally ranked programs that are better than the equivalent offered at UM (education and supply chain are two that come to mind).

The college experience is similar at both schools - huge student population, big sports schools.

I’ve known many people who went to both schools who went on to obtain graduate or professional degrees and are doing very well. I’ve also known students from both schools who are also doing fine and supporting their families but don’t have the type of high-powered careers that DCUM seems to prefer.

Don’t delude yourself into thinking Michigan State is significantly better than UM at really anything.

Supply chain is #1 at Michigan State but 5 at UM.

As for education, Michigan is 8 and Michigan State isn’t even in the top 20, so not sure where you’re getting that one from.

You seem to be conveniently forgetting that State is the #1 or 2 school in the country for Hospitality Management. Production Management is top 10.

University of Michigan does not have a program in hospitality management, nor a production management.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes UMich is a very big deal in-state and is an aspiration for many (most?) smart, high-achieving in-staters.

+1

Most people from Michigan root for either UM or Mich State, but everyone knows UM is in general the better school. If you’re from SE Michigan, it’s a bit harder to get in because UM wants ‘geographic diversity.’ I grew up 30 minutes from Ann Arbor but only 2 people from my high school were accepted to UM.

The only people who root for Sparty are people who live right near there. Otherwise it's all UM.

Not true, PP. It’s pretty evenly split depending on whether you live on the east side of the state versus the west side. East Lansing is in the middle of the state but pulls Spartan fans from a much larger area.

Lots of MSU grads in the greater Detroit area who (logically) cheer for Sparty.

MSU graduates run the state, especially in business professions. It's a giant clique where they look out for each other. UM people go elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overall I’d say UM is a better school and has more name recognition outside of the Midwest, but Michigan State has some nationally ranked programs that are better than the equivalent offered at UM (education and supply chain are two that come to mind).

The college experience is similar at both schools - huge student population, big sports schools.

I’ve known many people who went to both schools who went on to obtain graduate or professional degrees and are doing very well. I’ve also known students from both schools who are also doing fine and supporting their families but don’t have the type of high-powered careers that DCUM seems to prefer.

Don’t delude yourself into thinking Michigan State is significantly better than UM at really anything.

Supply chain is #1 at Michigan State but 5 at UM.

As for education, Michigan is 8 and Michigan State isn’t even in the top 20, so not sure where you’re getting that one from.

You seem to be conveniently forgetting that State is the #1 or 2 school in the country for Hospitality Management. Production Management is top 10.

University of Michigan does not have a program in hospitality management, nor a production management.

Understand. However it doesn't negate the fact that State does have those programs and they are top programs in the country/world. Sigh.

[Anonymous]

UofM grad and, yes, it's a big deal. I have a lot of MSU types in my family (cousins) etc. so there's a healthy rivalry. U of M is the hardest school to get into and considered the best. You're considered "smart" if you go there, so it's funny to see it listed here as a party school. (Frankly, Michigan is a party state, which I've only come to realize since being away.) Many within the state get rejected from U of M.That said, MSU has some great programs and also offers very attractive merit scholarships to try to attract top talent. MSU also has a great sports program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overall I’d say UM is a better school and has more name recognition outside of the Midwest, but Michigan State has some nationally ranked programs that are better than the equivalent offered at UM (education and supply chain are two that come to mind).

The college experience is similar at both schools - huge student population, big sports schools.

I’ve known many people who went to both schools who went on to obtain graduate or professional degrees and are doing very well. I’ve also known students from both schools who are also doing fine and supporting their families but don’t have the type of high-powered careers that DCUM seems to prefer.

Don’t delude yourself into thinking Michigan State is significantly better than UM at really anything.

Supply chain is #1 at Michigan State but 5 at UM.

As for education, Michigan is 8 and Michigan State isn’t even in the top 20, so not sure where you’re getting that one from.

You seem to be conveniently forgetting that State is the #1 or 2 school in the country for Hospitality Management. Production Management is top 10.

University of Michigan does not have a program in hospitality management, nor a production management.

Understand. However it doesn't negate the fact that State does have those programs and they are top programs in the country/world. Sigh.

Oh, sorry. You said that ”Michigan State has some nationally ranked programs that are better than the equivalent offered at UM” so I was unsure of what you meant and how that could be the case if UM doesn’t even have the equivalent program.

Yes, there are some good programs at MSU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Overall I’d say UM is a better school and has more name recognition outside of the Midwest, but Michigan State has some nationally ranked programs that are better than the equivalent offered at UM (education and supply chain are two that come to mind).

The college experience is similar at both schools - huge student population, big sports schools.

I’ve known many people who went to both schools who went on to obtain graduate or professional degrees and are doing very well. I’ve also known students from both schools who are also doing fine and supporting their families but don’t have the type of high-powered careers that DCUM seems to prefer.

Don’t delude yourself into thinking Michigan State is significantly better than UM at really anything.

Supply chain is #1 at Michigan State but 5 at UM.

As for education, Michigan is 8 and Michigan State isn’t even in the top 20, so not sure where you’re getting that one from.

You seem to be conveniently forgetting that State is the #1 or 2 school in the country for Hospitality Management. Production Management is top 10.

University of Michigan does not have a program in hospitality management, nor a production management.

Understand. However it doesn't negate the fact that State does have those programs and they are top programs in the country/world. Sigh.

Oh, sorry. You said that ”Michigan State has some nationally ranked programs that are better than the equivalent offered at UM” so I was unsure of what you meant and how that could be the case if UM doesn’t even have the equivalent program.

Yes, there are some good programs at MSU.

I should have clarified that I was a NP. I didn't say that. I am another poster pointing out programs for which State is tops in the country/world. You are forgiven for your assumption.

Also, with reference to another poster above, we also use UPer and not that silly word with a Y. The UP may be remote and some may consider us backwards but even we recognize that there is no Y in the spelling of the words Upper Peninsula.

- Signed, a former UPer