University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Top Questions

I literally roll out of bed in a thermal and sweats and slide on my uggs and i'm ready for class. Obviously, some students choose to look decent, but then again, they probably care about their appearance. I don't. I'd rather be comfy in my lecture hall than worrying about putting on eye makeup or straightening my hair.

There are many groups on campus No student would feel out of place at Michigan Students wear everything from jeans to leggings to t-shirts and sweaters Tables are very diverse in the dining halls, it's impossible to describe four

These groups are everywhere. If you're different, don't worry, there is a group for you. This is an extremely liberal place. Conservatives often feel out of place. Most guys wear hoodies or jackets with long pants to class, generally pretty sloppy. Most girls wear jeans or dance pants with uggs or something like that to class, a bit more done up than guys but still nothing too dressy. Most different students keep to themselves. Despite the U's attempt at integration, minorities and others tend to stay within their own social circles. Most students are from Michigan (about 50{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}), and the rest are from out of state. We get lots of out-of-staters from New York and Chicago, as well as Florida and California. Most students are fairly wealthy. Many are from out of state, which carries a huge tuition increase, and many others are from the wealthy suburbs of metro Detroit. Many students are politically active, and they want to let you know about it. During election years, the campus ignites, and voting is a huge issue. Most people are left to far left on this campus. Students in the business school most definitely talk about how much they will earn.

Michigan's campus is very diverse. Students come from all over the country as well as from different races, sexual preferences, and financial levels. There are obviously a large population of students from Michigan, but there are also many students from New York, California, the Chicago area, D.C. and Florida. The simple fact that people are from geographically different places allows students to learn a lot from each other because everyone grew up in different environments. The campus has a good mix of different races. There are several groups on campus that are racially based, however students are not pushed into these groups, and students of different races frequently interact. Students at Michigan are very politically aware. There is frequent discussion of both political and social issues. Affirmative Action is a highly contested issue given Michigan's history with the issue. Students are highly opinionated about issues and not afraid to discuss them.

Earlier I mentioned the gay scene. LGBT people and their allies have been VERY active the past four years from what I've seen. I honestly think their efforts have been helping to noticeably change the state of mind of many around the city. Yet not everyone here is going to welcome LGBTs with open arms. As somebody with many gay friends, and as somebody who identifies closer to the middle of straight/gay scale, I'm acutely aware that prejudice creeps into every city even if its as wonderfully open-minded as Ann Arbor. At least once a year I've experienced a verbal assault from drunk passersby, ostensibly just for being around blatantly gay people. Twice I was involved in physical brush-ups where the only way to escaped safely was to apologize, slowly back away, and not retaliate verbally. Neither of these incidents were provoked. Its not the actual physical damage that hurt either, its the mental message. These encounters only happen at night time, and the other party is invariably drunk. But it lets you know that the "liberal bubble" occasionally bursts on the LGBT issue. There ARE a lot of neat events planned monthly to get to know fellow LGBTs: ice skating, dances, and charity dinners are all fun things I've attended. Even with the assaults I mentioned, its pretty easy to feel welcome in the community. Other LGBTs are largely nonjudgmental of appearances, and are eager to make friends. Most Michigan students I've met in the four years I've been here are either from Michigan, Ohio, suburban Illinois, New Jersey, or California. Not very many international students major in English, I've noticed. But the people from places I didn't mention never seem to have a hard time fitting in because of their background- they're just less common. It's MUCH more expensive to attend this University if you're from out of state, so generally those students are from upper class families or they receive financial aid. Sometimes I do feel slightly alienated from these more "privileged" students. They seem to congregate particularly at football games, frat/sororities, and in certain bars. It can be hard not to be jealous of their new coach purses, but then I look at their Ugg boots and laugh a little. Ultimately, your family's income doesn't decide where you belong- YOU do.

For me, Michigan has all the right stuff - one just has to go out and get it. It is a place where I have opened my eyes to absolutely everything under the sun - racial, religious, LGBT, socio-economic diversity and it is this that I will always carry with me as the Michigan experience. Different types of students definitely interact, especially through organization involvement - I have made friends that I never thought I would make. Students wear anything to class - but the most common is comfortable clothing - sweatpants and maize & blue sweatshirts! The amazing thing about Michigan is that there really aren't four tables in a dinihg hall and I hope it stays this way. Michigan students come predominant from the Midwest and then from the 2 coasts - east and west. Most kids are well off enough to be here because Ann Arbor (and college) is expensive but this is not the case for everyone at all. There are certainly many people that I know who pay their own way and I have learned a tremendous amount from everyone. Students are incredibly politically active - most are liberal, but pretty much everyone bleeds maize & blue. There is very little talk, at least among my friends, about how much they'll earn one day - many actually want to go into professions in the non-profit sector, especially politics and political activism.

Overall, Michigan is definitely a fairly liberal campus. This doesn't mean that conservatives will hate it here, but it is something to be aware of. If the idea of two guys walking down the street holding hands is something that disgusts you, then maybe Michigan isn't the place for you. It's not like every other student is gay, but there is definitely a visible gay culture. Prepare to have your mind opened if it isn't already.

One of the best things about Michigan is that the diversity here leaves very few people feeling "out of place". There is always an organization or club for a student to join and become a part of. Student's here seem to be extremely friendly and outgoing.

A lot of Michigan kids are rich, most of my friends are but that is because I was placed into a primarily East Coast dorm my freshman year. It is an expensive school if you are out of state and so therefore, those kids tend to have more money. Additionally, a lot of the international kids are really rich in random ways, like jeans factory heirs... Besides the clique-y sorority girls, there is a lot of intermixing. Most people are interested in the cultures of others and make a point to become involved in multicultural activities.

- Very involved in the Jewish community; there are many options according to what each student is looking for. There are social events, Shabbat dinners, services, and trips. - Open to all kinds of students-- very diverse. - Students will dress in different outfits varying from sweatpants to high heels and a skirt. - Sadly, from my observations, most students mostly interact with people from similar backgrounds as them even though it is a very diverse campus. - Definately a lot of students are from Michigan. Also a lot of international students, mostly from Asian countries. Also a lot from the East Coast and California area. - Politically aware. Many students are apathetic towards the following election, which, as a political science students, truly upsets me. Most students are pretty liberal.