<p>Debating whether Michigan has more international prestige or a stronger global alumni network than UCLA or vice versa is pointless. There is no way of accurately measuring prestige or alumni networks. Both universities enjoy strong international reputations to be sure. Every single international ranking I have see (Times, ARWU, USNWR, Newsweek and QS) ranks Michigan and UCLA among the top 15 US univesities.</p>
<p>Instead of trying to determine which school is more globably recognized, I think the OP would be better served considering more tangible ciretia. There are tangible factors to consider, such as student demographics. UCLA students tend to be far more racially and socioeconomically diverse while at the same time far less geographically diverse than Michigan students. For instance, 30% of UCLA students are white, while 40% are Asian and 20% are Hispanic. At Michigan, 70% are while while only 15% are Asian and 5% Hispanic At UCLA, over 30% come from low income families while very few come from high income families. At Michigan, onl 10% of students come from low income families whole ~50% come from high income families. At UCLA, 90% of undergrads are residents of CA, while at the University of Michigan, 60% are Michigan residents. Those are all tangible factors to consider. </p>
<p>Another factor to consider is institutional resources. Michigan’s endowment is significantly larger than UCLA’s (three times larger I believe) and generates significantly more revenue from tuition (thanks to its far larger OOS student population) than UCLA.</p>
<p>Finally, visiting the campuses to get a feel for the enviornment (on and off campus) is also important. UCLA and Michigan have significantly difference campus atmospheres and surounding areas. Again, some will claim that Michigan is better while others will say UCLA is better in this regard. Just as prestige and alumni networks, the concept of environment and surounding area is subject to perception and preference.</p>
Just answering your question… in your own style 8^).</p>
<p>
You missed the point… it’s not about the website. I was surprised that the UCLA China Club was only established in April of 2000 and has only 40 or so active members. If you browse through the photo album, you will see that alum participation was quite limited at most events, even during visits from university officials. In contrast, Michigan has a much longer history in China (dating back to the 19th century) and a much stronger alumni base.</p>
<p>“Coleman’s return this year to audiences of more than 350 in Shanghai … and nearly 400 in Beijing … An audience of 250 gathered in Hong Kong …”</p>
<p>@beyphy
Your girlfriend from China might not have heard of Michigan (I presume she is a student?)… but Michigan is well known within Chinese academia. Case in point:</p>
<p>"Michigan-China University Leadership Forum</p>
<p>During President Mary Sue Coleman’s 2005 trip to China she met with officials from the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE), who requested that U-M host a two-week forum for Chinese higher education leaders on the management of world-class research universities. The inaugural forum, took place in May 2006 with 25 Chinese university presidents and higher education leaders participating. </p>
<p>U-M hosted a second leadership forum in 2008 and a third forum in 2010."</p>
<p>Michigan has joint institute/program agreements with the following Chinese universities:
Peking University
Shanghai Jial Tong University
Beijing Normal University
Fudan University
Tsinghua University
Tianjin University
Chinese Academy of Sciences, etc.</p>
<p>Michigan has a long history in China, dating back to the 19th century … probably second only to Yale. Prominent Chinese alum include:</p>
<ul>
<li>WU Yi-Fang’28, first female university president in China;</li>
<li>WU Ta-You’33, commonly known as “Father of Physics” of China);</li>
<li>ZHU Guangya’50 – nuclear physicist; in 1999, Zhu received an achievement medal in recognition of his contribution to China’s “Two Bombs, One Satellite” projects.</li>
</ul>
<p>Perhaps your girlfriend have heard of them?</p>
<p>It also isn’t hard to infer why Michigan has more foreign alumni than UCLA. UCLA just started accepting 30% of OOS/international students. Michigan had to have been doing this for decades. Same with Berkeley. Also, how much do alumni groups really mean anyway? when i graduate, i doubt i’ll actively participate in one…</p>
<p>We didn’t miss your point. Your ‘point’ was just a non-sequitur.</p>
<p>UCLA is a relatively ‘young’ compare to Cal and Michigan. It takes time to catch up with more than a century of relationship in China.</p>
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That may be… but we are talking about international reputation here, or more specifically, reputation in Asia. It follows that longer the history, the more alumni you have in influential positions in academia, in business and in the government, the higher your reputation is in that country.</p>
Well, no. We’re talking about the differences between the three universities. </p>
<p>Asia was brought up as a casual comment, but since certain posters must promote or defend their alma maters at all costs, about one-third of the thread got sidetracked into a rather boring debate about prestige in China – although the OP has not shown the slightest bit of interest in working abroad, let alone in Asia.</p>
<p>The strength of your alumni network is not limited to undergrad alum. Graduate alum are just as important if not more in countries like China. This is where schools like Cal and Michigan excel.</p>
<p>Sure, but rankings no doubt influence the perception of reputation. It surely hasn’t gone unnoticed that in the several rankings available (or mainly USNWR since that’s the de facto lay ranking) that UCLA is ranked higher than Michigan. Age is important, but it isn’t everything. </p>
<p>Michigan’s older than Stanford too; i doubt anyone would say it’s reputation is better than Stanford’s due to age or anything else…</p>
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<p>last statement was vague. I meant berkeley recently started accepted 30% OOS/international just like UCLA.</p>
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<p>Who knows? Our debate about these universities prestige in Asia might be relevant to helping him “succeed in life” :p</p>