Academics

What’s the Value of a College Degree?

jpow — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 19:34:36 +0000

What’s the Value of a College Degree? jpow Thu, 09/01/2022 - 15:34

Here are great examples why earning a college degree does make a difference.

Unemployment & Pay by Educational Attainment, 2021, Bureau of Labor Statistics, bls.gov

Pursue a career

Whether it's business, education, engineering, or science, a college education provides the foundation for you to pursue your passion in life. Education allows you to focus on a career pathway, not just getting the next job.

Stand out

Only 31.7% of Michigan's workforce has attained a bachelor's degree and only 12.5% a master's degree. (2021 American Fact Finder, U.S.Census, factfinder.census.gov)

Earn more money

College graduates earn more money and have more financial stability on average than high school graduates. (Education Pays, The College Board, 2019, collegeboard.com)

Education for life

Knowledge is freedom, which lights the path to a bright future.

Preparation for leadership roles

Success in college requires preparation: learn to express your views, listen to others, and develop your communication skills.

Make a difference

The knowledge, understanding, experience, and friendships gained at college will prepare you to make the difference in the world: michigandifferencemakers.com.

Live healthier and longer

The more education one has, the healthier the lifestyle and longer the life span (Education Pays, The College Board, 2019, collegeboard.org).

Academics

High School Students

Thu, 09/01/2022 - 19:34

Gaining a college education is the best investment you can make for a successful future.

UM-Dearborn Admissions Blog

How to Earn College Credit in High School

jpow — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 19:31:29 +0000

How to Earn College Credit in High School jpow Thu, 09/01/2022 - 15:31

There are a number of reasons to begin earning college credit while on the path to earning your high school diploma. First, taking on challenging classes shows admissions officers that you’re a high-achieving student capable of keeping up with collegiate-level coursework. It also allows you to apply credits toward your degree. Students interested in earning their bachelor’s degree in less than four years may consider getting a head start by beginning to rack up credits their junior or senior year in high school (which can even save you money toward tuition!). Taking on a few credits in high school can also allow you to lighten your course load once you’re on campus for anyone who may be juggling work or extracurricular commitments. If you’re considering ways to earn credits during your high school career, there are two ways to do it.

Advanced Placement

Though these courses tend to be more rigorous than traditional high school-level courses, the benefits of successfully completing AP courses in high school far outweigh the challenges. Having AP courses on your transcript will give you an edge when the time comes to apply to colleges and universities, plus, the credits you earn may afford you an opportunity to bypass some general education classes in college, allowing you to hone in on courses specific to your major and minor. Consult your guidance counselor to learn more about AP courses that you may qualify for. You can also visit ÿ�մ��’s Advanced Placement site for an overview of the process.

High School Dual Enrollment

If you’re a high school or homeschooled student who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance and already have your eye on a top school of choice, it may be a wise choice to consider a high school dual enrollment program. At most universities, you’ll have free reign of campus facilities and advantages as a dual enrollment student, which will offer great insight to student life. Plus, you’ll also earn admissions privileges traditional applicants wouldn’t otherwise have. As a dual-enrollee at UM-Dearborn for example, once you graduate high school, you will be granted admission (provided you meet the minimum admission criteria), and the credits you earned during dual enrollment will already be on your transcript, saving you time and money!

Academics

High School Students

Understanding College Admissions

Thu, 09/01/2022 - 19:31

Learn whether AP courses and/or Dual Enrollment are right for you

UM-Dearborn Admissions Blog

3 ways to get a head start on your college experience

jpow — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 14:02:37 +0000

3 ways to get a head start on your college experience jpow Thu, 07/14/2022 - 10:02

Blog post written by Roman Bruno

When I started my freshman year at the ÿ�մ�� back in 2019, I initially knew very few people. Despite being born and raised in Dearborn, college felt like unfamiliar territory.

That was until I went on the Wolverine Orientation Welcome (W.O.W.) outdoor trip a week before the semester. This event took place at a YMCA Storer Camp in Jackson, MI. There were around 50 freshmen along with five or six sophomore/upperclassmen counselors. Long story short, this experience changed my life forever and gave me a huge head start going into my first semester of college.

Not only did I learn a lot about the resources and programs UM-Dearborn offers, but I also grew a social network and a new family of friends I could rely on. Our strong bond during the trip carried into the semester, and every day a large group of us would meet at the University Center couches for lunch.

I had a ton of fun hanging out with those friends during my freshman year, and I still talk to many of them as I head into my senior year. I believe I would not have been nearly as successful in college without them and that experience.

Unfortunately, this trip has not been offered the last couple of summers due to COVID. However, there are many different ways to get a head start on your college experience, and there is no right or wrong way.

Here are three things you can do to maximize your first semester:

1. Be Engaged During Orientation

This is one of the biggest things you can do before your first day at UM-Dearborn. As a former Orientation Leader/Orientation Program Assistant, we love answering your questions. The orientation leaders and advisors are there to help you. The last thing we want is for students to come to orientation unengaged. Especially as orientations are starting to return to in-person tours, asking questions and being active benefits you.

One of the biggest resources we produced during my two years as an OL is the Mastering Maize & Blue podcast series. This is an OL-lead podcast (along with special guests) designed to talk about various programs and resources on campus. I highly recommend watching it so you can learn more during the summer.

2. Join Freshmen/Incoming Student Programs

Speaking from experience, there are many programs to assist freshman and incoming students during the semester. Two programs that I have been a part of and recommend would be the CRUISE to Success Program and the Wolverine Mentor Collective.

Connecting to Resources, University Involvement, and Successful Experiences (CRUISE) reinforces what you learn at orientation, helping you grow personally, academically, and professionally. This program typically takes place during your first semester, assisting you throughout your journey and connecting you to new students. Goal setting is a big part of this program as well.

The Wolverine Mentor Collective pairs first-year, second-year undergraduate and transfer students with a mentor, giving you a one-on-one dynamic throughout the year. Mentors are there to help you achieve your goals, introduce you to programs, resources, and student organizations as well as answer any questions. This program is catered to the student, giving you the option to interact with your mentor in whatever way you need.

Both programs are worth your while and can help you succeed as you navigate UM-Dearborn.

3. Explore Student Orgs/Go to Events

My high school used to preach a piece of advice that I still keep in mind today: “Do not be a 2:45 guy.” This means not leaving school and going home after class, but rather staying for extracurricular activities and events. There are so many student orgs that cover a diverse array of interests and topics. There is something for everyone.

UM-Dearborn has student org fairs, which I would recommend attending. Even if you are not 100% sure you would join, at least reach out so you can stay in the loop. Sometimes you might have to get out of your comfort zone, which is a separate piece of advice altogether. Regardless, student orgs provide a much-needed balance to your academics.

Students also have the opportunity to start their own student organizations. There is so much potential for students to grow through student orgs. Remember that it is not about the number of student orgs you join, but rather the quality of the experience. Try to not flood yourself with so many orgs that you cannot give them all equal attention. Especially during your first semester, join one or two to dip your toe in the water.

Academics

Campus Life

UM-Dearborn Experience

Thu, 07/14/2022 - 14:02

There are many unknowns when embarking on a new journey, and starting college is no exception. So to help readers feel more acquainted with a new school, blogger Roman shares the best programs and activities to get involved with during your first year!

UM-Dearborn Admissions Blog

Cool for the summer… or school for the summer?

jpow — Thu, 12 May 2022 14:19:02 +0000

Cool for the summer… or school for the summer? jpow Thu, 05/12/2022 - 10:19

Blog written by April Marvin

The fate of my summer plans was decided a few months ago when I was forced to answer the question, “Do I take summer classes, or not?” Summer registration typically takes place in February, and every year it becomes a time of real decision-making for me as a student at ÿ�մ��. However, back then, it was hard to think ahead to anything summer-related while being buried in 2 feet of snow. Sure, there was the daily daydream of floating in a pool or driving toward the great lakes’ coastline with the windows down, but then, as all dreams must end, I was snapped back to reality. I remembered the inescapable 8-10 weeks of winter that was to come, followed by a teaser of warm weather, and then back to a cold 40 degrees in early May (regardless of what that groundhog says).

Do I share some of the summer breezes and long star-filled nights with school, homework, and exams, or should I just rest and relax until Fall semester?

For the past two years, my answer has been yes to “school for the summer.” But that yes doesn’t mean my “cool summer” is completely gone. Or at least, I like to think it doesn’t. Summer classes have helped me on my way to my degree and have proven a good way to get a bit ahead before the fall and winter semesters. They also offer different classes and are less crowded, which is nice from a learning perspective.

Last summer, I took two classes and had an internship. On top of school — and an exciting internship — I worked part-time as an office manager and ran my calligraphy business making and addressing wedding invitations. That’s the reality for a lot of us here. We become multitasking masters, having to make all the various facets of our lives fit into our student life. It isn’t always easy, but it is helpful and rewarding for our futures and our personal growth. And taking summer classes has taught me so much more about my own disciplines and time management, which is something I will take with me forever.

Now, back to the not-so-easy part. If you just say the words “summer school,” there tends to be a negative association (even an audible groan or two, maybe a melodramatic sigh thrown in for good measure). We think of detention-clad rooms, strict instructors with no regard for anything beyond the endless 500-page textbooks, and stuffy classrooms overlooking serene scenes of summer as a reminder that you’re not outside enjoying it all. (I’m picturing a nice pond with butterflies fluttering and the breezes flowing through vibrant wildflowers as I write this).

But, for me, UM-Dearborn offers a different “summer school” picture. With many options of hybrid, asynchronous, and in-person classes, you can essentially choose what experience you want. And campus? Well, it’s quite beautiful, and thankfully, the classrooms don’t feel like jail cells keeping you locked away. Being in a classroom isn’t a reminder of what you’re missing out on, but rather an addition to your summer experience. That is how I have approached it these past two years. I look forward to summer classes as a natural reset for me in my college career. In the grand scheme of things, summer classes can offer a non-traditional student the opportunity to get ahead, gain some momentum, or simply take the time when there are fewer people around to comprehend the course work.

I think we (and I mean, me, myself and I) are so stuck on the thought that we can have one thing but not the other. I can have my amazing summer full of traveling, trips to the beach, exploring Michigan, concerts, late nights with friends, and bonfires, or I can take classes and get ahead on my coursework. When in reality, we can have both. It’s all about managing our time. I may have to study for an exam on the way to Lake Michigan, but at least I’ll have a great backdrop once I get there.

The Takeaway

So, no matter what you choose, take the time to enjoy your summer. Remember, you can still do that even with classes, work, and internships. And, if you’re on campus, think about this, classes for a few months pale in comparison to the rest of your life. You don’t have to choose between “school for the summer” or “cool for the summer” — you can have both! So here’s to bright sunshine, summers, and futures!

Cheers UM-Dearborn!

What’s Going on in Metro Detroit this Summer?

If you’re looking for summer fun around the Metro Detroit area, check out these events (and so many more):

Movement: Electronic Music Festival – May 28-30
Taste of Ann Arbor – June 5
Motor City Pride – June 11-12
Juneteenth Celebration – Madison Heights, June 18
Burger Battle Detroit -Eastern Market Shed 5, June 26
Art in the Park – Plymouth, July 8-10
The Detroit Kite Festival – James Scott Memorial Fountain, July 10
Arab and Chaldean Festival – Detroit, July 23-24
Blues, Brews, & BBQ – Westland, August 5-6

Or some great concerts and live performances: Flume, Justin Bieber, Pusha T, Bastille, MGK, Elton John, The Weekend, Doja Cat, The Kid Laroi, Lord Huron, Chris Rock, Twenty-One Pilots, Blondie, Deadmau5, Lil Nas X, & so many more!

Academics

Thu, 05/12/2022 - 14:19

To take summer classes, or to binge Netflix, that is the question.

UM-Dearborn Admissions Blog