Tips for Leveraging the Michigan Advantage

It was a cloudy day in the month of March 2020. I was staying with my grandparents in my native place - a small town near the tip of South India. It seemed like it was going to be just like any other day during that time, with the gloomy news of Covid-19 cases being on the rise and extensions of lockdowns all over the newspapers. Little did I know that it’d actually turn out to be one of the best days I’d ever have. At 6:30 pm, I got an email from U-M. I opened it with bated breath and the moment I saw the word “Congratulations!”, my heart skipped a beat. Studying at U-M has been a dream of mine ever since I started thinking about higher studies, and it was a surreal feeling to know I’d made it. I was super excited when I got my acceptance letter, and I’m sure you are pumped about being here too. Out of the many things which make studying at U-M special, here are a few reasons which stand out to me personally and some key takeaways for you.

Academic resources

U-M is one of the best ranked universities in the world, and not without good reason. The university boasts one of the highest research expenditures in the United States, with $1.62 billion spent in 2020 alone! The academic infrastructure is simply splendid, and you have some of the most equipped labs and resources at your disposal. Fun fact: The U-M library system ranks as the third largest research library system in the United States with all the campus libraries together being home to more than 15 million volumes! 

→ So, while you’re here, do your best to utilize all the resources you have access to.

Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor is the best college town in America. It looks very beautiful almost all through the year and there's a natural charm and positive vibe to the place. There are TONS of fun activities to take part in, and whether you love shopping, you're a foodie or you’re a fitness enthusiast, you have so many places to go to and many many things to do. In addition to all of this, I think the best asset is the people here. Everybody is just super nice, inclusive and welcoming! Ever since I've stepped on campus, I've only seen friendly faces. It definitely feels like a second home, and this stands true at all levels of the university and Ann Arbor in general. Be it the staff, faculty, research assistants, peers and even shop vendors, everybody is just so nice and willing to go above and beyond to help out. 

→ So, keep exploring and don’t be shy to ask for help.

Holistic development 

While the academic standard here speaks for itself, opportunities to learn and grow don’t just stop with that. There is a huge emphasis on co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, and the 1600+ student-run clubs and organizations on campus stand testament to that. The sports and athletics scene at Michigan is also worth mentioning here. There is so much passion and unity when it comes to supporting U-M’s sports teams, and as is the case for most sports, the craze for American football is unreal. Did you know that the Big House - U-M’s football stadium is the largest in America and one of the largest in the world?! 

Education is best when it's holistic because it makes you not just an expert in your field of study, but also a better, more complete individual. Having the best of both worlds in terms of academics and otherwise here, you should be sure to make the most of it.

→ So, work-hard, but also play-hard, or in other words, maintain a good balance.

Diversity

U-M has one of the most diverse student bodies in the world, with representation from 122 countries which is, needless to say, mind-blowing. Apart from the fact that you get to meet interesting people and get to know other customs and traditions, the impact that this exposure will have on you cannot be overstated. The diversity is not limited just to a geographical standpoint though. Even in terms of disciplines, U-M has 19 schools and colleges, and 275+ degree programs, and is highly regarded in most fields. Not only do you get to mingle with students from all over the world, you will also be working with students from multiple disciplines, which gives you chances of expanding your skills and knowledge. Fun fact: I'm majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering with a focus on Embedded Systems, but am also a working member of the U-M Arts Initiative! 

→ So, learning doesn’t have to be linear. Widen your scope!

Alumni network

U-M arguably has one of the largest and most notable alumni networks in the world. This personally was one of my biggest motivations behind applying to Michigan and now that I’m here, I know the stats aren’t lying. As part of alumni outreach efforts at U-M, I got the opportunity to speak to so many alumni members across different schools and colleges, and irrespective of all their unique backgrounds, every one of them sounded equally passionate about their love for the university and the memories they made here. Many of them also spoke about how having the Michigan degree tag on their resume helped open doors for interviews leading to where they are at the moment, which I think is super exciting! Michigan alums are very willing to help, and can always be reached out to for professional advice and mentorship. In fact, the university has an exclusive networking platform meant to help current students connect with alumni directly in the form of UCAN.

→ So, boldly reach out to alumni members and build strong connections.

Written by Ashwin Soorya Prakash

Summer Orientation Peer Advisor

Graduate Student

India