The Student Experience
The University of Michigan offers a wide range of opportunities.
Students can choose from 226 undergraduate degree programs and over 1,000 extracurricular student organizations. The campus is filled with an ever-changing variety of speakers, symposia, films, concerts, plays, and celebrations. Sports are also very popular at Michigan for both spectators and participants, and everything from tennis to soccer is available at both intercollegiate and recreational levels.
In class, students gain a firm academic foundation for success in their careers or graduate school. Most students take four classes per term for a total of 14 to 16 credit hours. Large classes usually have over 200 students and small classes often have fewer than 25 students.
Usually, U.S. students expect to study two hours outside of class for each hour in class. Non-native speakers of English may need more study time. Students usually attend classes during fall and winter terms and take four years to earn their undergraduate degrees. By taking additional classes during the spring and summer terms, students can complete the total required 120-130 credit hours in fewer years.
The academic year is divided into two terms plus two half-terms. Students are encouraged to apply to any term (unless the specific school or college offers admission only in the fall). Fall term starts at the beginning of September and finishes at the end of December. Winter term starts at the beginning of January and finishes at the end of April. Spring half-term starts at the beginning of May and finishes at the end of June. Summer half-term starts at the end of June and finishes toward the end of August.
The University’s International Center is a resource for the special concerns of the international community at U-M. The staff can provide advice, information, and referrals on important matters such as cultural issues, health insurance, temporary housing, and student visa status. Contact them at: 603 East Madison, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1370; phone: 734.764.9310, fax: 734.647.2181; web: internationalcenter.umich.edu; email: icenter@umich.edu.