Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:57     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Large vs small
Cold vs warm
Sports vs Greek
% of international students much higher at UVA
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:53     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
I would actually try to visit now. The majority of spring semester is very cold and snowy in AA. You can get snowstorms in April and on the MI calendar school ends before May. Fall semester is usually fine but half of every year is a weather slog. This may not matter to some, but worth considering. In college you are out walking in it more vs. driving and parking.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:51     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:I come from a family that's Michigan back generations (my great grandad, grandad, my parents), but you're taking a difference of about $150-200k over 4 years. That's just huge. Even if you have that saved, think about what that could do applied to secondary school or as a future down-payment. I personally was OOS for Michigan when I got in and went elsewhere due to money.

Unless you're really really well off and that's really pocket change, I just don't see it.


Agree. Unless a net worth $7 million+, this amount should be considered.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:47     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
No one is struggling. It's not April, not decision time yet. One school vs the other is not as important as the process. Once the student reaches a decision, owns the decision they will work hard in college to prove to themselves and others that they made, for them, the right decision.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:45     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
I come from a family that's Michigan back generations (my great grandad, grandad, my parents), but you're taking a difference of about $150-200k over 4 years. That's just huge. Even if you have that saved, think about what that could do applied to secondary school or as a future down-payment. I personally was OOS for Michigan when I got in and went elsewhere due to money.

Unless you're really really well off and that's really pocket change, I just don't see it.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:40     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
11th Hour decision based on gut
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:35     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
The two schools have somewhat different cultures, UVA is slightly more southern feel with "fancier" dress and UMich is big/diverse/midwesteern. Both are excellent options!
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:31     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:Why wouldn’t you go to UVA? Especially if you have in-state tuition and are interested in politics. Sounds like a no brainer to me! Congratulations and best wishes!

This
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:28     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
I know people rave about Ann Arbor, but we personally preferred Charlottesville as a college town. But PP who said they saw homeless in Ann Arbor - that's the case in Charlottesville as well, so I wouldn't decide based on that.

Look into the 4 year grad at both schools as well. I don't know about Michigan, but UVA wants people out at the end of 4 years.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:25     Subject: Re:Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:Michigan.

If you go to Michigan, you can have a shot at working in Europe (maybe UK) with future residency or citizenship. You can have that option open to you if you attend certain unis.


What does this mean? Is there some program for Michigan grads, or what are you referencing?
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:20     Subject: Re:Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
I’d think visits would clear it up easily, can’t imagine they wouldn’t have a reaction to this feels like comfortable like home or I’m energized by this new environment.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:16     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My child had this choice last year and chose UVA over Michigan. UVA is half the size and that appealed to her (large but not huge). Also, Michigan is a real PITA to get to from DC as there are very few flights to Detroit and they can be really expensive if you're not buying well in advance or if you're buying on a popular weekend. My child got off the waitlist for Michigan last year in May and we literally could not visit to tour that week (before the decision was due) for under $800/person. We looked at flights from all 3 DMV airports and even considered driving to Philly or Richmond or Newark to save money but there was nothing. In contrast, UVA is a $18 Amtrak ride away (and yet feels like a different world to my DC kid).



There are a ton of DC-Detroit flights. I just looked at last minute flights and found several for under $200/ticket.


I make the drive to see family in Detroit multiple times a year and it's not bad. Like 8 hours.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 08:57     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:If from Virginia and debating then likely have preference for UMich.


+1
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 08:51     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:DC at UMich and had same choice but for the Engineering schools. Chose UMich, didn’t want FCPS 2.0 experience. Wanted to get away from VA schools.

He loves UMich and says everyone so much friendlier and less pretentious.


yes, my kid in same pot, doesnt want va schools, deciding between gtech and Michigan for engineering, also in the running for free UMD tuition so another thing to consider
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 08:49     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:UMich for STEM, UVA for humanities and especially anything that benefits from the DC proximity.


As an outsider with no tie to either, this is where my head went. I do think getting out of bubble is good for growth, but a political science major would change that.


Michigan has one of the very best poly sci programs in the country, better than UVA and if returning to DC, the student will be able to differentiate from the hordes of new grads by having that experience PLUS local connections. That said I think this is a close call, no wrong outcomes, but it’s just not the case that UM’s program is weaker.


When I went there, this was certainly true. I don't think that is true anymore - the decline of UM in foreign-policy-related matters is especially notable (they did not replace a number of luminaries who worked with or in the government and there is no replacement for Ron Inglehart). I went to both schools at different stages of my academic life. But I agree with the commenter (and others) who suggest diving deeply into the departments in which your kid is likely to take classes.