Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 10:46     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:Pretty similar schools in terms of social, sports, and academics. We have an overfunded 539 even then would hesitate to pay private school tuition for a public school. But, you say not a consideration, so just let kid choose. There is not wrong choice here.


Not sure I would say the schools are similar with regards to sports.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 10:43     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Visit the campus to see if Michigan is a fit. We visited Michigan twice last year. While we had fun, I was surprised to see homeless men hanging around near restaurants a block away from campus, pot shops, etc.


Ann Arbor is a college town, but it is also a real city where people live. If that bothers you then maybe it isn't right for you.

As a male student at U-M I have never been worried for my safety walking around at night on campus and in downtown Ann Arbor, as with anywhere else just be aware of your surroundings.


It is a concern when groups of homeless males hang around a block away from student dorms, the Union, etc. Glad you are a male and feel safe.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 10:14     Subject: Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Anonymous wrote:Visit the campus to see if Michigan is a fit. We visited Michigan twice last year. While we had fun, I was surprised to see homeless men hanging around near restaurants a block away from campus, pot shops, etc.


Ann Arbor is a college town, but it is also a real city where people live. If that bothers you then maybe it isn't right for you.

As a male student at U-M I have never been worried for my safety walking around at night on campus and in downtown Ann Arbor, as with anywhere else just be aware of your surroundings.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:58     Subject: Re:Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
Why wouldn’t you go to UVA?


It's this stated outlook which motivates students to look elsewhere.
Anonymous
Post 02/12/2026 09:58     Subject: Re:Child struggling to decide UVA vs UMich
This thread is really making me miss Ann Arbor. Here’s Joseph Brodsky’s commencement address, given in the Big House. An extraordinary meditation on life from a man who saw a lot of it and also loved Ann Arbor. https://bentley.umich.edu/legacy-support/commence/speeches/1988-Brodsky.pdf
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?