The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

First, the academics. The courses here are very rigorous. It takes tremendous drive and stamina to keep up and do well in your classes. U of M isn't in the business of "nurturing" you or helping you along. It gives you the tools(Faculty, labs, resources) and expects that YOU seek out the necessary components in order to be successful. You must be proactive in this regard. It's really up to you the student to make the most of what you're given.

Yes, SOME classes are large. My chemistry class has well over 400+ people in it. But in contrast, my two other classes have 20 and 30 people in it.

I feel that Ann Arbor is a great city. It has a lot to offer. But once again, it's up to YOU to discover what it has to offer.

The campus itself is a very good looking one. The architecture at times is awe-inspiring. Especially with buildings such as the law quad, michigan union, angell hall and the media union. However, a few landmarks leave much to be desired, such as the grotesquely ugly LSA building.

The city surrounding the school is unique. It has a lot to offer. A lot of bars, restaurants and shops you won't find in a lot of places. The residential neighborhoods range from appropriately ghetto-esque to regal and lavish.

The atmosphere of the city and school in my opinion is excellent and very much contributes to positive feelings during your stay here.

There are a lot of snots out here. You'll be surprised about how clueless, arogant and overly prideful and egotistic some of the students are. Blame in on their upbringing I suppose, but these students can get on your nerves and be particularly difficult to deal with at times. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest drawbacks of the school. My best advice is not to let these people get to you.

However, scattered between the masses are some great people. People with a more "rounded " view on life and really treasure the opportunity they have before them: Education at one of the elite universities in the world.

In my experience, minorities tend to be fairly isolated and keep to themselves. I really don't see as much interaction between white/black as the school probably advertises. I think that the majority of the student body(whites) and minorities(blacks) have just too many differences in their upbringing before coming here to interact on a regular basis. That being said, I've found that minorities are extremely more approachable and friendly.

Some of the athletes are approachable as well. But others are so caught up in themselves that being friends with a atheltic "celebrity" just isn't possible.

Above all else, Michigan teaches you things that they don't tell you in orientation or in the admission packet. Michigan teaches you how to survive and compete for resources. Michigan teaches you that being successful in their climate is largely dependant upon YOU. That being said, it isn't for everyone.

But the people who DO survive and learn how to acclimate themselves here have a distinct advantage over graduates from other colleges and universities. Not only in terms of gaining admission to prestigious graduate programs, but in terms of beating everyone else for that coveted spot. Michigan teaches you how to play life in one of the most rigorous academic atmospheres in the world. That is why I recommend it. Expose yourself to reality. Choose Michigan.