University of Michigan

<h4 id="section---Pros"> Pros</h4> <ul><li>Ranked in the top 50 by <i>U.S. News and World Report</i> </li><li>Graduation rate is 50 percentage points higher than the national average </li><li>Student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1, which is less than the national average </li><li>High number of academic programs </li><li>Accepts AP and dual credits </li><li>Diverse student body </li></ul><h4 id="section---Cons"> Cons</h4> <ul><li>Total cost is $8,068 higher for in-state and $20,649 higher for out-of-state residents than the national average </li><li>Acceptance rate is 24.5 percentage points lower than the national average </li><li>Student debt following graduation is $984 higher than the national average </li><li>High number of TAs teaching classes </li></ul><h3 id="section---RankingsAndSchoolAnalysis"> Rankings and School Analysis</h3> <p>UM is located in Ann Arbor, roughly 44 miles from Detroit. The NCES reports that 42,716 students enrolled in the university in 2011. In addition to the main campus in Ann Arbor, UM has regional campuses in Flint and Dearborn. </p> <p>UM academics are highly ranked; as of 2013, seven of the university's 20 schools were ranked in the top 30 of their respective categories by <i>U.S. News and World Report</i>. UM has more than 250 undergraduate areas of study, as well as study abroad programs, 13 learning community centers, and research opportunities. All colleges at the university offer the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, which allows first- and second-year students to partner with faculty members on research projects. </p> <p>UM's prestigious faculty members have received a variety of accolades, including the Nobel Prize in physics and the Pulitzer Prize. However, UM is a high research university, and 34% of classes are taught by TAs, as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). First-year retention rates are strong - 96% of full-time and 90% of part-time students return to UM after their freshman year. </p> <h2 id="section---GettingInFinancialAidAtTheUniversityOfMichigan"> Getting In &amp; Financial Aid at the University of Michigan</h2> <p>To apply, you need to submit the common application and a University of Michigan supplemental application. You must also submit high school transcripts, a school report, one teacher evaluation, and ACT or SAT test scores. The NCES reported that 80% of applicants submitted ACT test scores in 2011. Furthermore, approximately 41% of applicants were admitted that same year. UM has an admissions preparation guide for 8th-11th graders online. </p> <p>If you are concerned about the cost of attending the university, you may take note that 80% of undergraduate and graduate students receive a grant, loan, or scholarship, as reported by UM in 2013. Additionally, <i>U.S. News and World Report</i> stated that the average indebtedness of a student graduating from UM in 2011 was just above the national average of $26,660 for graduates of 4-year public universities. Applications for admission to UM also serve as applications for most merit-based scholarships offered by the university. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Application and Tuition Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Regular Application Deadline (2013-2014)</i> </td><td> February 1*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Financial Aid Application Deadline (2013-2014)</i> </td><td> May 31**</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Application Fee (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> $65***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Acceptance Rate (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> 41%***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>All Tuition &amp; Living Expenses (2011-2012)</i> </td><td> $25,204 for residents, $50,352 for non-residents***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Need-Based Scholarship or Grant (2012-2013)</i> </td><td> $12,188****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Percent of Students with Need Met (2012-2013)</i> </td><td> 90%****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Average Student Debt at Graduation (2011)</i> </td><td> $27,644****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Loan Default Rate (2009)</i> </td><td> 1.6%***</td></tr> </table><h2 id="section---LivingAtTheUniversityOfMichigan"> Living at the University of Michigan</h2> <p>As a freshman at UM, you are guaranteed student housing, although you aren't required to live on campus your freshman year. Of the 42,716 students attending UM in 2011, 37% lived on campus. As part of the UM student body, you can participate in more than 900 student clubs and organizations. Additionally, you may cheer on the Wolverine's 29 varsity athletic teams who compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. </p> <p>The UM student body is fairly diverse; according to the NCES, 66% of students were Caucasian, 12% were Asian, and 34% were out-of-state residents as of 2011. Greek life on campus is vibrant - 15% of men join a fraternity and 19% of women join a sorority. UM operates on a trimester-based academic calendar. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Student Life Info </th><th /></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Setting</i> </td><td> Midsized city***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Student Population (2011)</i> </td><td> 27,407 undergraduates, 15,309 graduate students***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Male-to-Female Student Ratio (2011)</i> </td><td> 51% to 49%***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Full-Time Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 97%***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of In-State Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 61%***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of International Students (2011)</i> </td><td> 5%***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Retention Rate (2011)</i> </td><td> 96% for full-time and 90% for part-time students***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Campus Housing Available</i> </td><td> Yes***</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>% of Students Living on Campus</i> </td><td> 37%****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Number of Libraries</i> </td><td> 6*</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Extracurricular Activities</i> </td><td> More than 900****</td></tr> <tr><td> <i>Noteworthy</i> </td><td> Museum of Natural History and Detroit Observatory are housed on-campus*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Article Sources: *University of Michigan, **College Board, ***NCES College Navigator, ****U.S. News and World Report.</i> </p> <h3 id="section---SchoolContactInformation"> School Contact Information</h3> <ul><li><i>Address:</i> Office of Admissions, University of Michigan, 515 East Jefferson Street, 1220 Student Activities Building, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 </li><li><i>Phone:</i> (734) 764-7433</li></ul>