[Ann Arbor, MI]

2 hours ago, ghanada said:

Yeah, that's understandable, and pretty much the goal of every student at UM. The Hill St area is definitely the most affordable walking distance, but the closer you are to South Campus the more party-ish it gets. The other factor you run into is that around the intersection of Hill and Church, that neighborhood is all sorority houses, so that area can get busy and loud as well. If you want to be walking distance and quiet where most the grad students are, you have to go more north toward the houses near State and Ann. There are other quieter pockets of neighborhoods a little more to the west of downtown and the east. If you want really a really nice and peaceful area, Kerrytown is the way to go. That's where I am at now. But any way you look at it, if you are walking distance the prices go way up so that is something to consider. 

Also, I'm not sure what type of climate you are used to, but another consideration with walking is the snow and cold. Right now I live about a 30 min walk to campus, which is wonderful in the summer/fall. But throughout the winter (which last for about 5-6 months of the year), 30 min walking in the snow and single digit temperatures (in F, not C) can be a bit daunting. My roommates and I usually switch to taking the bus at that point. But I am also from California so I tend to hate the cold weather more than most. Anyways, I thought I would throw that out there. Even if you find a place that is walking distance, I still think it is worth knowing how close the nearest buses are as well. 

I come from tropical areas and I literally have no idea how cold it could be in Ann Arbor... The apartment we are looking at is about a block away from the law school at Hill and there are bus stops nearby, so it's not a problem to go to the lab in winter. The other apt that we are interested in is loacted on Plymouth Rd, north of Island Drive apts, with bus stops outside the apt as well. How about the security in these two neighborhoods? And how convenient is it living there?    

[Ann Arbor, MI]

11 hours ago, ghanada said:

You are correct, the area between South and Central Campus is mostly where undergrads live and the more buys and louder parts of town. Now, I wouldn't say Ann Arbor is particularly a crazy party town, so those neighborhoods you mentioned might be ok depending what you can tolerate. They will mostly be loud on Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights. During the day and most evenings, it shouldn't be bad. However, those neighborhoods are in the heart of Michigan Stadium street parking. So any home football games there will be tens of thousands of people parking in those neighborhoods. That is also where the streets pretty much shut down so you will never be able to drive in or out of that area pretty much all day Saturday on home games.

But that area is cheap, and if you can find some of the more secluded neighborhoods than it might be worth it. But if you are truly looking for more quiet, peaceful neighborhoods, you need to go more south (past Stadium Blvd) and more east (closer or beyond Packard St).

I was looking for housing at Hill street but couldn't get more info about the vicinity. I am a new international phd student, so this helps a lot! Thanks! Me and my roomie would like to live in a quiet neighborhood as well, but a walking distance to the Diag (where our labs are located) seems more appealing to us. 

[2016 Ecology/Evolution/Organismal/Marine Biology Applicants]

got my offer from Umich on Feb. 24th, and have accepted it. Yay! Have you guys made final decision yet?

[2016 Ecology/Evolution/Organismal/Marine Biology Applicants]

On 2016/1/21 at 6:19 AM, Haiqing said:

I am an international student. But I am in US. So I will attend the on campus interview.

That's cool! Good luck!

I wish I could afford the international flight ticket to Ann Arbor. I would be glad if you could share with your experience during the recruitment weekend  if my skype/phone interview is after that. I haven't heard from the graduate coordinator about my arrangement for the interview, though.

[2016 Ecology/Evolution/Organismal/Marine Biology Applicants]

On 2016/1/13 at 0:31 AM, Haiqing said:

Hi, I just heard back from umich EEB. I am super excited. In their letter, they says dress is casual. But I was told so many times I need to dress formally. I am a little bit confused.  

Congrats! Are you domestic or international? I haven't received any email from the umich EEB but my POI told me today that they are making final decisions on inviting to interviews so he wanted to skype with me as soon as possible. btw I'm an international student.