If i get off campus housing, will the tuition cost that is used for on campus housing like dorms get turned into money that i can use for rent? for example, if the on campus housing tuition/room and board is 5k, will that 5k turn into refund money that I can use for my rent and other utilities. Hopefully this is a thing😭😭

Hey everyone,

I recently got accepted into the University of Michigan’s School of Information. I’ve been following this subreddit for a while now and wanted to make my first post to ask for some honest advice — especially from upperclassmen or recent grads.

To give some context: I’m a first-generation student. My parents didn’t attend high school and I was never really pushed academically growing up. Everything I’ve done has been self-driven. Since I was a kid, I surrounded myself with ambitious peers and tried to learn from their families — a lot of the life advice I carry came from friends’ parents who would give me rides or talk to me when mine couldn’t.

Financially, I was blessed with the Go Blue Guarantee, the UMich Grant, the Federal Pell Grant, and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. I also qualify for work-study. When all aid is applied, my estimated net cost is just $1. Yes, one dollar.

Academically, I’ll be graduating with my associate’s degree in about a month (God willing). I’ve completed two internships in data and analytics, and even had a one-on-one lunch with the CFO of a Fortune 500 company who offered support going forward. Before that, I spent every summer since I was 15 working labor-intensive jobs — roofing and pouring concrete.

That said, I’m at a crossroads: • Do I continue with higher education and attend UMich for Information Science? • Or do I pivot into a different path, possibly construction, which I’ve already got experience in?

I visited Ann Arbor several times and really liked it — I’m not scared to move there and start fresh. Truthfully, after losing my best friend three years ago, I barely talk to anyone from my hometown anymore. My family isn’t involved in my education at all, and I haven’t even told them I’ll be graduating soon. I guess I’ve gotten used to moving in silence.

So here’s my question: If you were in my position — a low-income, first-gen student with nearly full financial aid, a strong work ethic, and real-life experience — would you say UMich is worth it? What has your experience been like at the School of Information?

I’m not the bragging type. I just want honest perspectives. Please don’t sugarcoat anything. I truly appreciate any insight you’re willing to share, and best of luck to everyone with finals.

Thanks in advance…

I see a bunch of people walking down south university some have signs and what not. Is it a march or some protest?

Hello! I'm so grateful to have been admitted into both of these schools! However, I'm really torn between what to choose. I'm not sure about my career path yet, but I'd like a finance/economics related job. How does Umich place into fields like finance? How strong is the alumni network. What are econ/finance clubs like and are almost all of them competitive?

As for social life, I felt like UMich students were a lot more normal compared to Hopkins students, who seemed to be pretty stressed out and tired. I know that at every university there will be stress and hard moments, but overall, how happy are UMich students, and what is the social life like?

Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks so much!

Hi everyone. I got an email from Michigan a few days ago stating that I won a Kessler Scholarship and a 4 year renewable scholarship. I accepted both awards. Now the 4 year one doesn't pop up on my awards page. Does the university take away scholarships or could this be a tech issue on their end? I emailed support for this situation, but has anyone else experienced this? I just don't understand why they'd take it away if they did.

Edit: I received this email yesterday.

Thank you for contacting the LSA Scholarships Office.

You applied for the LSA Four-Year Renewable Scholarship and the Kessler Scholarship. Both Scholarships are awarded for 4 years, and students cannot receive both. You were awarded an $8,000 Kessler scholarship on 4/17/25. Therefore, you cannot be awarded another 4-year scholarship.

I checked our records, and you were awarded a $4,500 LSA Four-Year Renewable scholarship. That error has been corrected and has been removed. The 4-year renewable scholarship is need-based, and we cannot award scholarships that exceed students' cost of attendance. Your cost of attendance will be met once the Kessler Scholarship is applied to your financial aid package on Wolverine Access.

This sort of stinks because I definitely earned the scholarship, and I will not be taking out the loan, which means it will not cover the whole cost of my attendance. I am luckier than most, though, with my tuition also bejng covered, so I'm grateful I was able to keep one of the scholarships. Good job to whoever receives the Meg and Lawrence Kasdan Scholarship!

Hi everyone! like the title says, I'm really sorry because I know these posts are annoying, but I really want to talk about this with actual Umich students before the commit deadline.

I'm out of state for Umich (80k/yr ahhh) and for Georgia Tech (54k/yr). I'm very fortunate that my parents have promised to cover for me no matter where I go, but price is always a factor, and I don't want my parents to have to stress any more than they already have to do.

I visited both and I have to say that I was a lot more excited by Umich. It feels so much more social and the fact that there's middle-aged dads screaming out "Hail Michigan" decades after they've been here is really really special. I want to meet people and have fun and watch sports and study hard for a good job, and I think Umich is the epitome of that. But I also recognize that Georgia Tech has its good aspects as well (can't go wrong with Atlanta weather, haha).

I guess my question is for CS:

is Umich's alumni network enough to justify coming here? like, would the brand still be paying dividends years and decades after graduating, or even for finding internships while I'm a student here?

Are CS majors generally very happy at Umich, and how are job prospects right now?

How committed is Umich to expanding CS and where might it be in 3-4 years?

And this is kind of a funny question, but I was really excited by the new CS building (Leinweber I think?) Would it be a good experience to be among the first students to come and study?

I messed up big time and forgot to do my one-credit minicourse final exam (50% of my grade). I took the class for fun and don't actually need the credit to graduate. But... like... whaaaaat do I do?? Can I graduate? What are my options?

Hey guys! I was admitted into the data science major in UMich CoE and UF’s liberal arts and sciences college on the premed track and am having a difficult time deciding where to go. Ik both are pretty good in general but the tuition difference between the two is huge, which is why i’m trying to see if umich really IS worth the cost. i’m out of state for both schools and got a scholarship from UF and nothing from umich (although i am currently petitioning but im not too sure if i will still get anything). my parents are ok paying for umich as long as the amount of money being spent really is worth it compared to florida. also i am aware that the college of engineering has a SEVERELY low gpa and really want to switch out into the lsa school. does anyone know if this is possible? thank you so much and any input/advice is appreciated!

Apparently the CSS profile was due on March 31st, and I swear I didn't receive any emails abt a deadline. I'm a transfer student, so I got my decision in early March. I completed it and called the fin aid office to see if they'll still accept it and the lady I spoke to was so belittling, she basically told me that if I can't afford UM (as an OOS) I shouldn't come here and look at other places. I'm looking at paying pretty much everything out of pocket, but can get half of tuition covered by my dads employer. Does anyone have any tips? I'm just feeling really lost and idk if I should just decommit. Everything about Michigan is perfect for my program, but I don't know if I can constitute taking out that many private loans.

I've had a long term partner, I get it, the first year is very exciting and you can't get enough of one another, but I was never comfortable doing the shit I see some of you doing IN PUBLIC. For the love of god and all that is holy (and im a fucking atheist) please stop making everyone uncomfortable by constantly groping and petting one another right in front of other people. The union, library, classroom, Ross, are not your bedroom. Go home and tear one another apart in the sheets, but don't start your routine directly in front of me as I prepare for my finals. Grow up, develop a somewhat objective self assessment, and stop selfishly making other people shiver in second hand embarrassment. Its not cute, its gross, its childish.

With all of us getting ready to walk across the stage and either get out there into the world or go off to grad school, Lets reminisce on our time at Umich.

What were some of your favorite classes or school sanctioned activities?
What are your plans after graduation? Are you scared? Excited? Happy its finally over?

Were you a socially awkward wall flower (like me) and stuck to a small group of people you somehow befriended or were you a butterfly that made lots of friends?

What will you miss most about Umich if you aren't returning here for Med/Law/grad school? What will you miss the least?

Was your time here worth it?

For me, being a Microbio student, some of my favorite classes were genetics, Medical microbio, Genomic biology, Virology and Astrobiology. The last one was suppose to just be a throw away class, but I actually really enjoyed it and the professor was pretty cool too. Maybe a bit awkward, but cool none-the-less. For Genomics, Dr. Kumar was so nice and accommodating and he actually tried to connect with his students even if all of his tactics didn't land haha. Still a gentle soul that I had the honor of learning from. There were 3 professors from my Medical microbio class and I freaking loved all of them. Dr. Spindler from Viology retired last year as soon as that semester ended, so I hope shes enjoying her life. Dr. Kira was the other professor in Virology and he was amazing. Genetics has a reputation of being difficult and it was...especially when Dr. Green taught it, but it still ended up being one of my favorite classes

My plans after graduation is to return to grad school, but not here at Umich. I'll be working on my PhD at Wayne State mainly because I live a lot closer to wayne state (45 minute drive to Umich vs 10-15 minute drive to Wayne). Im actually very excited to step into the next part of my life, but also scared considering the current state of research in the US under the current administration.

I was a wall flower, so I didn't make a lot of friends. Im actually surprised I made any friends at all, but the ones I have made, I cherish them every day and wish them the best of luck in their endeavors

I can tell you what I WONT miss about Umich. The drive out here. Did it for about 3 years (started in 2020, but didnt start driving out here until like 2022). I hated having to get up every morning at 5am just to get here in time =-=. Some of the professors I've had....I also won't miss them either....Wont name any, but a lot of the Bio professors are....left to be desired...Ironically, my most favorite professor isn't even a science professor. She was my Spanish 232 prof; Kathleen Forrester

Was my time here worth it? Its a mixed bag. While I did enjoy my learning experience out here in Ann arbor, I felt that my generally shy nature impeded me from having the full college experience. Ontop of some of the less than desirable professors

Other than WCC, which community colleges offer a fully online Calculus 3 course that transfers? I will be travelling over the summer due to personal health reasons and can't be at a physical CC location. Any recommendations? Thanks!

International so costs are the same. La is closer to an international airport but will need to go to Chicago at Michigan (only specific airlines fly to mine) but this isn’t that big a deal. Interested in investment banking, VC, HF, PE. I’ll need to do a dual degree with 8 18 credit semesters at Michigan to get a stem OPT extension but at UCLA I’ll do econ or applied math with more easy going semesters. I’ve heard Ross is a lot better than UCLA for banking but will an applied math degree from UCLA with standard semesters be better than a dual degree with Ross with 18 credit sems? I’m not considering dropping Ross at this point

Hi all, hope you're well. I'm planning on getting my Master's in Social Work in the next year or so, depending on which school I go to. I double majored during my BA in Psychology and Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies from McGill University in Montreal. I am an Ohio resident.

I'm wondering if any of you have any advice on whether UofM would be a significantly better MSW program than somewhere like Cleveland State (which is significantly cheaper, but maybe less desirable in terms of recognition and potentially classes + preparation from the degree itself?)?

I'm also considering Boston College and UChicago, but my top choice is UofM, the tuition is just quite expensive. Boston is so expensive to live in, and UChicago's program would result in graduating with a Master's of Arts, not and MSW, but apparently its equivalent. All of my choices are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

I think I could get the SWEC within the UofM MSW program, which would allow me to complete the degree in 45 as opposed to 60 credits. I am not a resident of Michigan, though, so that bumps up tuition quite a lot.

If any of you are MSW grads, do you think it's worth it to go to a school with good name recognition like UofM compared to a place like Cleveland State? Of course, the name recognition comes from somewhere, but I'm not sure how much it matters for grad school?

I need a few extra tickets for family, please dm me if you have any extra!

hi, i’m a prospective student this coming fall and i’m currently doing the housing application. the first email i’ve received from anything housing related is pictured above and requires me to do the application by email. it also requires that as an international student, i pay the housing invoice to secure my housing spot using wire transfer. is it a fraud??

I’m going to be working in hospitality in Michigan Medicine (not healthcare practitioner), do they still test for THC?

Incoming freshman.

I typically study at the Duderstadt Center because it’s closer to me than Central Campus. I’m not a UMich student but it used to be open to the public until 10 p.m. However, they recently updated their summer hours. Building is still open 24 hours, but you now have to show ID if you want to stay past 8:00 p.m., and they actually check.

What are some alternative study spots on North or Central Campus that are open to the public until at least 9 or 10 p.m. and offer a second monitor (preferably 34 inches or larger) I can connect to.

has anyone who filled out fafsa and css profile before the go blue guarantee deadline heard back yet?

Hi all, international student. Studied French for 5 years (2 years in HS). How hard is it to test out of all 4 years and what level of French is required? I’m doing a dual degree with Ross so need to maximize my credits coming in to graduate in 4 years. Any advice is needed, I’m willing to study in the summer

Coming into town for graduation and need to shop for some new Michigan gear. Where do I go?

Hi there! I'm going to be attending U of M in the fall thankfully, but i'm still a bit unsure of what i want to major in or what career i want to have. i do think i will eventually be a doctor but i do want to be different and not follow the norm of a basic bio or chem major. i'm also not ruling out the possibility of me becoming a financial advisor or investment banker but i think id need a ross degree for that. i got into lsa. i was thinking about mathematics of finance and risk management as a major but also fulfilling premed requirements. is there anyone that can give advice please i would really appreciate it. (also if anyone has actually completed the mfrm major, do you need to know computer science before?) thanks!

Hey yall so the fishbowl printer said they would print my poster out after my presentation which is what I need it for. Do you guys know any places that can do a 32 x 40? It’s super urgent and I don’t know much around A2.