Might it be wise to do this?

Colleges & Universities University of Michigan
1

<p>First, some background: I’m about to transfer from my community college to U of M Flint because of it’s small campus, high student-faculty ratio, and the fact that my parents want me out of the house. But I’m jealous of U of M Ann Arbor’s more developed UROP. Flint has it, and it’s actually more free-form, but the whole reason for doing it in the first place is to bolster my chances of getting into the Rackham grad school.</p>

<p>In order to make use of Ann Arbor’s UROP, and Flint campus’ much more intimate setting, should I take as many undergrad courses at Flint as I can, then transfer to Ann arbor to finish up while getting in on their undergrad research opportunity program? The other option is to just stay at Flint, and count on the public perception that Flint campus would be ‘easier’ to maintain a high GPA at so that once I graduate, I’d be in better standing to make it into Rackham. I see no legitimate reason why Flint’s quality of undergrad education would be any less than Ann Arbor’s, but I’ll entertain the internet’s enthusiastic hatred of the satellites for now.</p>

<p>My MET scholarship will surely run out before my degree is finished, no matter where I go, so money isn’t a huge issue, but it could be depending on when I transfer, since Ann Arbor costs some 3x per year (my parents have already said that when I do run out, they’ll pay for the rest somehow, but I’d like it to be a moderate cost).</p>

<p>I’m also worried about who Rackham plays favorites with. I’d imagine that they’d look in their own backyard first and give them preference, which would put make the score 1-0 for Ann Arbor. But they might extend that to the satellite campuses as well, making it effectively 1-1. I do expect them to look at Ann Arbor before Central and Michigan Tech, but can’t be sure of that either. If my GPA were high enough at Flint, I don’t see any reason why they’d over-look me. However, if the campus politics are pervasive enough, I’ll go to Ann Arbor to counteract that.</p>

<p>As you can see, everything revolves around positioning myself for a possible run at grad school in Ann Arbor. Yes, there is the distinct possibility of just getting a job somewhere after undergrad like everybody else, but I’m growing more and more attracted to graduate research.</p>

<p>I’m a computer science student who wants the best they can show for my work coming out of school, wherever that happens. Should I try to get the most out of Flint’s small campus then transfer, or just stay there and try to make their UROP program work for me?</p>

2

<p>you seem to emphasize the importance of UROP in your school of choice, but I can tell you that michigan has MUCH more to offer than just UROP. You want to go grad school, so getting a high GPA is a lot more likely at flint than at A2, but you probably will get much more out of michigan if u come here. Choose wisely~</p>

3

<p>if you want get a PhD, come to Ann Arbor. The quality of research you can get involved with as an undergraduate student is dramatically different compared to Flint, and research experiences matters for graduate school.</p>

4

<p>

But does it apply to me? What else is there that I’m missing? The other emphasis equally important as UROP is the small campus with no distractions.</p>

<p>

Didn’t I already say that in different terms?</p>

<p>Also, does anyone have any personal experience at both campuses? I’d be reluctant to believe someone who’s only looked at a USNWR book.</p>

5

<p>btw, I’m pretty sure juniors and seniors can’t do UROP, but it’s not difficult to get involved in research.</p>

<p>I said that because while Rackham may not play favorites with Ann Arbor v. Flint, by going to Ann Arbor, you could be involved in higher quality research and by that merit alone, be favored over Flint students…</p>

6

<p>

[This</a> says otherwise.](<a href=“http://www.lsa.umich.edu/urop/prospective/programs/jrsr]This”>http://www.lsa.umich.edu/urop/prospective/programs/jrsr)

On that note, how difficult would it be to maintain a 3.5 if I transferred as a junior?</p>

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<p>UROP is not impressive and its designed for mostly fresh, some sophs do it. It’s useless for juniors and seniors, IMO, and the program doesn’t really want juniors/seniors cuz they’re already exposed to diff kinds of research.</p>

<p>

Hard to tell. Are you one of those who works hard and learns materials well?</p>

8

<p>

How do you know this?

Both of those are impossible to quantify. I sure worked hard to get through Calculus I-III, (same goes for my current Linear Algebra class) and have routinely been told by instructors that I know the material better than the majority of my classmates. I have attention deficit disorder, so “learning material well” is more challenging for me than for others.</p>

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<p>UROP, while better than having no research/EC at all, is a program that accepts practically anyone on a first come first serve basis. So it’s not as impressive as its name suggests.</p>

<p>

Then I’m sure you’ll do fine. I don’t know if there’s a huge difference in student quality between flint and michigan, but don’t get shocked when the workloads heavier if u decide to transfer here.</p>

10

<p>

Everyone should keep in mind that I wouldn’t be doing this just for resum</p>

11

<p>UROP is designed primarily for freshman and sophomore students to get involved with research. It is first-come, first-served and open to almost everyone who apply. As you are coming in as a junior, it is probably better to look for interesting research projects and approach the professors directly.</p>

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<p>Someone’s already said that. But why would a professor just allow some random undergrad to have a position in their lab simply because they ask?</p>

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<p>Same reason they’d take someone doing UROP.</p>

14

<p>However, UROP is an actual program. One that could count for actual credit the last time I read about it. Have any of you actually participated in undergrad research?</p>

15

<p>The fact that UROP is an actual program, and counts for credit, means nothing to the professor.</p>

16

<p>You all make this program sound academically worthless. Here I thought U of M gave a damn about research…</p>

17

<p>what we’re trying to say is, UROP is not THE ■■■, expand your horizon. Know what i mean?</p>

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<p>UROP does not equal research. UROP is a mechanism for freshmen and sophomores to find research opportunities. Research exists beyond UROP.</p>

19

<p>

I’m well aware of this, but I can’t see 4+ years in the future at a university i’ve never been to.</p>

20

<p>UROP gives the PI some small amount of money for taking UROP students too, I think.</p>

<p>Yes, professors will let random undergrads who are interested work in their labs. As a junior/senior, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get such a position. You can get credit for doing research by using your research as an independent study course, not just UROP. </p>

<p>The main value of UROP is the getting that nice list of professors who do want students and their projects, so you aren’t forced to mass email PIs until you get a position. But again, as a junior/senior, finding a lab to work at shouldn’t be difficult.</p>