UVA vs Michigan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another vote for UMich. There is a tribe for everyone, not Greek heavily, thought of more highly from a global perspective, and tops in many subject areas - Ross> Darden, UMich engineering > UVA Engineering.

But can you get into Ross or engineering if you don't arrive as a freshman in these majors?
I don't think so (?)

Can someone clarify?

There is only a small chance of transferring into Ross. There is a formal transfer application process. There are only a few seats per class. Don't bet on it.

Engineering has the highest concentration of high stats students. But you can transfer in to at least some varieties of engineering. I have a colleague at work whose daughter is transferring from a science major into materials science engineering. Computer Science has special requirements due to excess demand.

https://admissions.umich.edu/apply/other-applicants/change-school-or-college

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ann Arbor>Charlottesville

This is subjective and some kids would be overwhelmed. But, if you want the best college town in America, look to A2.

Puhleeze, A2 isn’t even the best college town in the B1G.

[Anonymous]

How does your kid feel about going outside the region? UVA is an easy car ride home on weekends. UM is a flight, unlikely to be spontaneous weekends home. Can you as the parents afford multiple family flights to and from Detroit plus a rental car and hotels for each visit?

Where might your kid like to end up afterward? If dead set on coming back to DC, perhaps UVA has easier pipeline.

Any friends or older acquaintances (mentors) at either school to ease the transition?

Full disclosure, I went to UM as did my spouse and our families all OOS and we are die hard true blue but just trying to be objective in my questioning, on topics which I don't think have been sussed out yet in this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: OOS for both, not engineering

Half of these comments: Would choose UVA if in-state, Michigan better for engineering though!

OP here. yes, it's funny.

Again, We are OOS (Maryland).

Kid is male, preppy, wants Greek life.
Protestant and is interested in Christian community groups on campus too but is politically liberal and currently has close friends of all faiths and none.

Hi. I'm a Michigan MBA and Michigan parent. I moved from the DMV to go to grad school, found a job in the Detroit metro, and never left. I feel that the University of Michigan's vibe is more aligned with Pennsylvania and Maryland people. The East Coast OOS kids make it that way. There are indeed a lot of LA, Chicago, and NYC OOS kids. DMVers blend in because there are fewer.

Regarding Greek life, I feel there's a bit of a hard partying vibe among the mainstream Greeks at Michigan. I'm a kid of a frat president and a sorority sister and married to one (all non-Michigan). So I'm not totally anti. But intense partying and regular drinking is not my scene.

So...I wanted to mention that there are a couple of Christian fraternities at Michigan. My friend who is pretty religious but also reasonably liberal mentioned them to me. Here is a link to one.

https://phialphakappa.com/

Here's another.
https://alphakappa.byx.org/

I don't have personal experience but thought you might like to check out the student bios on the first link.

I believe in making smart choices about the cost of education, so I agree that in-staters should go to UVA. And if a MoCo kid wants to work in DC, it might arguably be easier to find some DC internships through UVA. However I do agree that Michigan has a bigger global reputation and has a number of programs that are higher-rated than UVA.

But what really matters is what your kid likes and where they want to live after graduation. I'd say UVA would probably be a good choice for a career in parts of the South. There are Michigan alums everywhere but Atlanta would probably be the biggest draw. If your kid does want to stay home, a local school is often the best bet.

My freshman son, in LSA, had a great year. He had a good roommate, joined a couple club-like programs, made some connections with profs, and has a paid internship and a volunteer job this summer. Our family knows how to navigate large flagship schools, including having a mix of small and big classes and trying lots of the random fun things that happen on a large campus. So he has been very satisfied with his choice.

If there are any questions I can answer, let me know. I'll watch for the thread.

PS, the weather's not really that different. I will grant it's different from California by a lot. But DMV is even more humid in summer, also has grey winters, and gets snow too. You only need a ski parka or warm puffer and one pair of waterproof boots. We get a lot of blue sky cold temp "sweater weather" here. That's my favorite kind of weather (cool, sunny fall and spring days). I also would pick Michigan weather over VA weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The main difference may be weather. Which one did your student prefer when they visited? Choose that one.

No one prefers Michigan weather over Virginia weather.

Waves hand. I prefer Michigan weather over Virginia. Summers in the DMV are repulsive.

College students aren't there in the summer, or even the late spring. That's the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: OOS for both, not engineering

Half of these comments: Would choose UVA if in-state, Michigan better for engineering though!

OP here. yes, it's funny.

Again, We are OOS (Maryland).

Kid is male, preppy, wants Greek life.
Protestant and is interested in Christian community groups on campus too but is politically liberal and currently has close friends of all faiths and none.

PS, the weather's not really that different. I will grant it's different from California by a lot. But DMV is even more humid in summer, also has grey winters, and gets snow too. You only need a ski parka or warm puffer and one pair of waterproof boots. We get a lot of blue sky cold temp "sweater weather" here. That's my favorite kind of weather (cool, sunny fall and spring days). I also would pick Michigan weather over VA weather.

Michigan winters are massively different than VA winters. Many years we get barely any snow at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The main difference may be weather. Which one did your student prefer when they visited? Choose that one.

No one prefers Michigan weather over Virginia weather.

Waves hand. I prefer Michigan weather over Virginia. Summers in the DMV are repulsive.

College students aren't there in the summer, or even the late spring. That's the point.

Fall in Michigan and some parts of spring are very lovely. I've been reading this site a lot so now every time the sun breaks through in winter for an icy blue puffy cloud day or a grey pink sunset, I think of DCUM and all the whining.

We also have freakish warm spells in March and April now. That's bad for the fruit trees setting buds but great if you like mild temperatures.

I guess I don't get seasonal affective disorder or something. I like the coziness of rainy days as long as I don't get more than slightly damp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The main difference may be weather. Which one did your student prefer when they visited? Choose that one.

No one prefers Michigan weather over Virginia weather.

Waves hand. I prefer Michigan weather over Virginia. Summers in the DMV are repulsive.

Most people don’t go to college in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP: OOS for both, not engineering

Half of these comments: Would choose UVA if in-state, Michigan better for engineering though!

OP here. yes, it's funny.

Again, We are OOS (Maryland).

Kid is male, preppy, wants Greek life.
Protestant and is interested in Christian community groups on campus too but is politically liberal and currently has close friends of all faiths and none.

PS, the weather's not really that different. I will grant it's different from California by a lot. But DMV is even more humid in summer, also has grey winters, and gets snow too. You only need a ski parka or warm puffer and one pair of waterproof boots. We get a lot of blue sky cold temp "sweater weather" here. That's my favorite kind of weather (cool, sunny fall and spring days). I also would pick Michigan weather over VA weather.

Michigan winters are massively different than VA winters. Many years we get barely any snow at all.

I think OP is in MoCo. I have 9 years of experience living in MoCo.

The insulated coat I bought for a trip to Russia in the winter is the same one I used for the coldest weather in MoCo, and I also used it at Michigan and for skiing in the NorthEast. It was generally suitable for any winter weather in the 30s or below.

Southeast Michigan is very similar to other parts of the Mid-Atlantic and New York. Would you buy a different coat to go to New York for a rainy weekend? There's no need for so much weather-related angst. Millions of people live in areas with this kind of weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I visited Ann Arbor in December it was flat and cold. I like UVA much better for weather and nearby mountains.

😂 it gets very hilly in spring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ann Arbor>Charlottesville

This is subjective and some kids would be overwhelmed. But, if you want the best college town in America, look to A2.

No dog in this race, but not even close. Charlottesville over Ann Arbor any day of the week

[Anonymous]

Michigan is just not that great. Weather an town are the worst.

[Anonymous]

Michigan fake prestige.

UVA's is real. Smaller, tighter. The best of a public university with a large dose of SLAC feel.

Michigan is really no different than Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Michigan fake prestige.

UVA's is real. Smaller, tighter. The best of a public university with a large dose of SLAC feel.

Michigan is really no different than Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State.

I don't need a school to be small and tight. The world is vast. What you call SLAC feel can be achieved by sitting up front in class, talking to your professors regardless of class size (at beginning and end of class, going to office hours, etc.), registering for small classes, and going to lots of on-campus events. See events.umich.edu. Michigan also has an Honors College, the Residential College, and Living & Learning Community options for a smaller social/living/studying arrangement if needed.

[Anonymous]

Saying UVA has any semblance of an "SLAC feel" is literally insane.