I was surprised as well. At least a meal and parking are included. Also it’s $15 if it’s just the student and $35 if they are bringing guests.
Yes i felt better when i heard it includes lunch, snack and parking. Much more understandable that they charge cost of those items.
Welcome to University of Michigan. 
… The food is actually decent though… Call them and if you can’t afford it talk to them about it. You might be able to get a wavier. Never hurts to ask.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it also included some modest swag for the student (bumpersticker and a pen? t-shirt?)
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havent been to campus day yet but i attended an application workshop at umich in september and they definitely were not stingy with student merch! i got a landyard, pens, a cup, folder, etc.!! also the food there was actually good + vegan friendly
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The thesis requirement is graduating with honors, which is a different altogether and done the final two years before graduation. This is more about advising, having a dedicated honors class and living in a central campus honors dorm (though it’s open to others too). Some people apply just for the chance to get into South Quad. Some don’t have an interest and it won’t have much impact on their academic path. Important to note I have no first hand knowledge, but it’s what I’ve been able to piece together from looking into it…
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Back in the day 2017, you got a sweatshirt and other goodies. MDen state street upstairs in the clearance second usually has t-shirts discounted also. FYI.
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I would guess it’s a way to help prevent no-shows. If you pay, you’re more likely to show or cancel. If you don’t pay, people are more likely to not show and probably not cancel which is problematic if there’s a waitlist and then open spots day of. I highly doubt $35 even covers the cost. They’re going to get the money one way or another whether it’s increased tuition, application fee, etc.
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I need some advice. I applied ED2 to Johns Hopkins but I have been falling in love with U of Michigan since getting accepted. Do you think I should try to switch that app to RD or see how things play out? I would probably do better in a smaller school environment, but I would like U of M, especially in the smaller Honors community. I liked Hopkins because of the research opportunities but I think U of M Honors would offer similar opportunities. I am planning to double major in LSA (CS and Spanish) if anyone has any advice. Ann Arbor seems so fun but I’m not a party person!
Are you accepted at Hobkins at this point?
not yet! decisions would come out in 2 weeks so im wondering if i should try to switch to RD or withdraw it? just curious to see what the general consensus is
No, but if this individual is accepted E2 to Johns Hopkins, they are committed to John Hopkins.
Is Michigan affordable? If so, I would change your application to regular decision, in the situation you describe. It could impact a decision, but Johns Hopkins acceptance rate is so low anyway. You will never know if it had an impact, but you also don’t want to potentially be bound to a school that isn’t your first choice.
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One of my droids says this will sway them mightily.
Did you apply for Advance selection to CS? Assuming you did, I’d wait for that result - should be Friday or Monday - before changing anything with your JHU application. If you do not get Advance selection to CS you cannot major in CS.
either schools would be affordable! i was lucky enough to receive a full ride scholarship from a third party so i can go to any school for free 
so im trying to figure out what the best option is for me. UM honors sounds great to me but im trying to determine which would have better job prospects / undergrad experience
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got it! i would also be happy doing data science too so major wouldn’t be a deciding factor for me either
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I think the question to ask yourself is: if you’d had the acceptance to Michigan prior to the ED2 deadline, would you have ED2’d?
Only you can answer.
Are you 100% dedicated/desiring to be at JHU?
If not, you shouldn’t have applied ED.
This isn’t a game.
If Michigan is your top choice and you can afford it, then you shouldn’t be binding yourself to another school.
You don’t really need guidance.
This is life - don’t treat it as a game.
So Ed is a binding contract. You, your parents and the school should of signed it. You are breaking that contract and you can afford both. Not being able to afford a school is a reason to break it. Saying this, no one has been taken to court when people do so. If you break the contract your school could ve shut out next year for someone else to get it. Also, if Michigan finds out they could repeal their decision.
So. Check the contract you signed and talk with your home school before doing anything. If doing RD 2 gives you an out then great.
Both schools have world class research and you will go where you want to in life at both schools. One is not better then the other in that regards.
Congrats to your acceptance. You can also talk to a Michigan admissions person to clarify without giving your name.
Keep us informed.
Michigan is not a small school environment, but they’re ranked #4 in total R&D expenditures. #3 if you exclude UCSF, which is a graduate institution. JHU is #1.
https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/profiles/site?method=rankingBySource&ds=herd
There are plenty of research opportunities at Michigan. But Ann Arbor is a college town. One of the best. Baltimore is not.
I agree in the abstract, except that certain schools, and really the entire process for highly selective schools especially, does invite a sort of game theory approach. Plenty of kids ED or ED2 to schools that aren’t their #1 or #2 because they believe that they’ll have a better shot. And at some schools that’s actually true. The entire process is set up for the benefit of the schools. I do not begrudge anyone for putting themselves at the fore at this point in the process.
An ED acceptance is binding (save for finances as you note). An ED application is not. I do not know of any school which offers ED or ED2 that does not let you withdraw your application outright (or switch to RD). If someone can point out an ED which explicitly disallows you from withdrawing (or changing status to RD) I shall sit corrected.
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