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I am trying to major in engineering, and know that Ann Arbor is one of the top schools for that. However, my mom says that Michigan is cold and miserable, that there is a lot of racial tension, and that Detroit is depressing. Is that true? Also, is there a large Asian-Indian population at Ann Arbor?

By Becks777 (Becks777) on Sunday, February 22, 2004 - 07:21 pm: Edit

Two of my cousins goto stanford and michigan and apparently the satnford sesm to be ahving more fun than the michigan one. But one studenst expereince cananot be stereotyped for the whole school. Umich: from what i ahev heard is not at all depressing. The weather: i live in the chicago area and u get used to it

By Tosg (Tosg) on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 12:18 am: Edit

Detroit is terrible, but you're a solid hour away in Ann Arbor, which is a rather nice college town. Ann Arbor is also quite diverse, and I'd say that there's not much in the way of racial tension.

Now, the cold and miserable part isn't all too inaccurate - Michigan winters are nasty, but spring/fall/summer is quite nice.

I'd recommend visiting, if you can, and seeing for yourself.

By Skulkarni1 (Skulkarni1) on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 06:13 am: Edit

Ann arbor is great! it's a great college town! the campus itself is really pretty-it's got the old feel to it- the ivy on the walls and such. UFM is not racist- 3 of my cousins attended and absolutely loved the school, they had many friends, and adored their college years. the only problem with UFM is that it is NOT FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT A SMALL LIBERAL ARTS EXPERIENCE! the university is not designed for people who want a small university experience. you will be a number to ur professors. if you went to a small high school and liked it- don't go here. if you went to a small high school and hated it, like me, then go to UFM. i am a junior and live in MI- about an hr away from ann arbor. trust me, ann arbor rocks, as does UFM- but only if u like them BIGGGG. if u want a smaller expereince, u could try the residential college at UFM- that is the only way to get a small school expereince here. the university rocks and, from what i've heard people have loved the diversity at the school, and it is pretty well integrated. as for the weather....yeah , MI weather is cold- so if u don't mind cold weather, it shouldn't be a prob- and you'll get used to it- don't let the weather be a deciding factor for u, take it into account, but don't not come to UFM because of michigan weather. i dunno, i love the campus, you go there and u just feel like its right- the way a college atmosphere should feel like - not intimidating. but then again, i am sick and tired of small schools - i attended small schools my entire life, so maybe thats why i think that. figure out if u would like a BIG atmosphere- if so, do not hesitate coming to michigan. also, UFM is a very liberal school- contrary to the rest of the state of michigan lol. if u are a conservative.....well lets just say i hope u are good at defending urself cuz that'll happen!

By Celerystalksme (Celerystalksme) on Monday, February 23, 2004 - 07:58 am: Edit

i read somewhere (princeton review maybe?) that UM has a reasonably happy student body. i find that to be true. for the most part, i think me and classmates are pretty happy. busy...but having fun!

the weather? well...unless you're one of those rare winter people, the weather does indeed suck! cold...cloudy...snowy. i actually don't mind winter at all...you get used to it. i love the first snowfall every year!

summer, spring and fall are usually quite nice. maybe a little too hot and humid for some...but nice.

racial tension? not that i've experienced. URM's and non-URM's do butt heads from time to time whenever there's a debate on affirmative action...but it's always very very civil! and in fact...the debate on affirmative action doesn't divide us along racial lines as many many many many non-URM's support affirmative action at UM's fiercy liberal campus.

yeah...i have NEVER felt even a HINT of racial tension at UM.

asian-indians? yeah...there's a fair amount. don't know actual numbers...but i don't think i've been in a class without AT LEAST one asian indian.

By Lemmego2college (Lemmego2college) on Tuesday, March 02, 2004 - 11:35 pm: Edit

As far as Detroit being depressing, I'd be a little careful when saying that. If you go deep into the city and around downtown it's a little run-down, kinda scary, all-in-all not too pleasant. But the surrounding areas (Novi, Farmington Hills, Troy, Pontiac, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Livonia, Dearborn, Westland, etc.) are all pretty nice.

I don't live in the area, I actually live in suburban New Orleans. But my uncle lives in Canton Township (just 20 min. from Ann Arbor) and I go up to Detroit a lot. I love it up there, it's like my second home, which is why it's so awesome that I might be going to UMich next year. While I got in, I'm still not sure if I'm going because I'm still waiting to hear from other colleges and also because of the out-of-state fees for UM.