University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Reviews

"The MSW program at the University of Michigan is rated the #1 program in the field. It is a great program that prepares students through rigorous academic work and intensive hands-on training in the field. I do wish the courses focused more on therapeutic techniques and practical approaches rather than putting so much emphasis on social policy. The school website also reveals their pride in awarding 90% of students with some form of aid, however spreading funds so thin leaves students with very little in the way of financial assistance, which makes affording such an expensive program very difficult!"

"The faculty in the program are really supportive of their students in terms of encouraging us to talk to them during office hours about coursework, and about any other academic and professional questions. They also support student projects in any way they can, which stimulates our creativity and dedication to the field. On the other hand, the current and previous students enrolled in this program haven't been very socioeconomically, ethnically, racially, or religiously diverse, which is a setback for a program that tries to teach its students about the necessary skills and knowledge required for working with diverse populations. Furthermore, those underrepresented students the program attracts have limited options in professors, staff, and classmates they can turn to for support or to discuss common struggles, which can be difficult. The department is, however, working to develop a program that attracts more diverse students who can share their experiences with their colleagues and create a stronger and more inclusive program."

"University of Michigan School of Social Work really aspires to develop social workers that are both competent and effective. However, the short amount of time that a student spends there does not allow for much of a community or organizing around curriculum. Furthermore, classes and field together also restricts the amount of time a student has to give to his/her surrounding. Lastly, they need to improve and expand their macro-social work program. Again, while the interpersonal social work classes and field placements are vast, the same cannot be said for social policy and evaluation or community organizating. There are alot of wonderful professors there who truly care about the education of the students there."

"Experience is key to be successful. If you have not yet begun your college career I recommend that you volunteer for an organization in your career field so that you can gain hands on experience. Here you can build upon your experience, skill-sets and build meaningful connections in the professional world. You can explore whether or not the field you have chosen is exactly what you would like to do for a living and in addition you can gain the experience you will need to apply to a position, possibly part-time to help afford tuition and living expenses. I love my volunteer experiences and I highly recommend that everyone finds at least one place to dedicate volunteer work; it just makes you happy and builds that experience."

"My time at the University of Michigan was the most challenging, yet rewarding and fun time of my life. I would gladly recommend this university, along with the Industrial Engineering program to anyone. I have had great success after graduation as well, and I know that my education at the University of Michigan was a huge part of that."

"I obtained a dual major in Political Science and International Studies. My university's counselors were helpful in suggesting courses and approving abroad credits to ensure I finished both majors on time. I took interesting classes that exposed me to worldwide diversity, protecting human rights, and other interesting topics."

"I feel the pros of this program are that U of M is rated the number one school of Social Work for graduate students in the U.S. and the continuing network accessibility and education are amazing. However, the con is the expenses, lack of financial aid assistance, monthly expenses are very high and unaffordable for a college student who does not have outside support or able to work during school."

"The pros- Great opportunities to network from career fairs to jobs fairs, great academic learning, great resources for help and communication with professors The cons- The Office of Financial Aid isn't that helpful or empathetic in finding financial resources that cater to each student's individual needs and can be extremely stressful at times. Thus, the affordability of living is low because on-campus living is expensive. Lastly, the school is majority Caucasian while the minority rating of Blacks, Hispanics, etc is low."

"University of Michigan is full of incredibly intelligent, passionate students, as well as attentive and brilliant faculty, along with caring and supporting staff. The network and connections are top-notch, and although the school could have more economic diversity to widen students' opinions, as well as more cultural opportunities outside of campus, the overall experience has been incredible (albeit, a bit cold in terms of weather. The people are open and welcoming!)"

"The Ross School of Business is a top-10 school with first class faculty and amenities, a supportive, close-knit culture, a highly diverse student body, and one of the best alumni networks in the country."

"Ann Arbor is not only a wonderful place to live but a great city to receive an education. The University of Michigan has numerous resources for all it's students including technology centers and career advice centers. The campus is very large which is great when wanting to get away from home and explore the many things it has to offer, however the lack of parking and the busyness is some times too much for students to handle."

" Great faculty and staff, available resources to students, latest technology, diversity, lecture series. Lack of funding and scholarships."

"There is a reason U of M has been #1 in health policy and management for a decade :-). The campus is beautiful and very student friendly. Highly recommended."

"My graduate program is run jointly by the Rackham Graduate School and the School of Medicine at the University of Michigan. As a result, I have access to faculty with a diverse array of backgrounds, thus helping me succeed more easily. Also, there is a research thesis component of my master's degree; it will grant me more research skills and experience and make me a better candidate for the job market. The downside of my graduate program is that the classes are large, usually ranging from 95 to 300 student per class and accommodating both graduate and medical students. This way, individual attention from the instructors is minimal. Also, the grading system is a little "unfair" because medical students are graded "pass/fail," while graduate students are receiving standard letter grades (e.g. A, A-, etc.)."

"The professors are easily accessible and eager to help in your education and career plans. Campus is fantastic and Ann Arbor is a wonderful town."

"This is the first year the Master of Management program is being offered at the University of Michigan. With an undergraduate degree in Digital Media, I chose to pursue this graduate program because I need to build competency in the business environment to lead the advancement of digital environments. Because the digital industry is somewhat malleable and certainly fast paced, leaders need to be fluent in the business options which best serve all aspects of their endeavor. As I enter this industry, I need a comprehensive, disciplined understanding of business to effectively function and excel in the digital sector. This Master of Management program teaches a solid grounding in business fundamentals and offers the leadership and career developing workshops and events you need to launch your business career."

"My graduate program is good program and very competitive to get into. I love the area of Ann Arbor."

"The education is high value, the surrounding area is a celebrated university town and is beautiful. The networking for architecture students is heavily, though not exclusively, local. In general, it is competitive throughout the national market. The only gripe I have is and the cost of tuition and living. Out-of-state tuition is an unfortunate reflection of the times, however - except where catered for university students (which is prevalent) the cost of living is higher than expected for a mid-west university suburb. The burden is manageable with assistance from the university whose resources are extensive and widely available to students.."

"My graduate program embraces the role and importance of academe. The school is excellent, and its resources are incomparable. The surrounding town is fun to live in and is close to the city. The only downside is the overall cost of attendance. But, like I said, its resources are impressive so most students actually receive financial aid from the university."

"The MSW at the University of Michigan is regularly ranked #1 in US News and World Report. The quality of the academics is very high, but the cost of the program is too high compared to what an average social worker can expect to earn, leaving most students with an unmanageable amount of debt. There is inadequate career support, and the office of field instruction (i.e. internships) was obstructionist when I was trying to get the practical experience I really wanted. I believe it is for these reasons (i.e. to increase employability and earning potential) that many alums (including myself) have gone on to pursue a second graduate degree."