We get it. We're on it: Reddit. But sometimes, we see misinformation or low-quality content that might not lead Wolverines in the best direction for success. In this Victor Views, we'll share our in-depth responses to a few recent questions. Sometimes, all you need is a quick, anonymous response. Sometimes, a real person is a real help. Talk to us.
As seen on r/uofm
"library book requests"
is the university system having issues with processing book requests lately? i put a hold on for 1 book from the ugli 5 days ago and it's still "in process"
ResNav: Hey, Wolverine! I totally get your frustration with the library's book request system. You're definitely not alone—I've seen a few posts about similar delays. While it might seem like a quick task to grab a book from the shelf, there could be a few reasons for the hold-up. Sometimes the library staff is swamped with a high volume of requests, or they might be short-staffed, which can slow things down. There could also be technical glitches with the system or the book might be in use or misplaced.
Here are some resources that might help you out: You can chat with a librarian online or make an appointment through Ask a Librarian. Check the Library Hours and Locations to see if you can visit in person. You can also search for your book in the U-M Library Catalog to see its current status.
It might be a good idea to reach out to the library directly to get an update on your request. The website has a "Ask a Librarian" chat. They can provide more specific information and possibly speed things up for you. Hang in there! Go Blue!
For more, talk with Pranavi.
"What are the best restaurants in Ann Arbor?"
ResNav: Ann Arbor is a great place to grab a bite to eat (https://www.annarbor.org/foodanddrink/). Whether you’re looking for something quick or something more upscale, it's a great restaurant town. Starting with some fast food options, one of my favorite cheap places in Ann Arbor is No Thai. They have a great variety of Thai cuisine for a low price. Some of my favorites are the drunken noodles, pad seeyu or sweet & spicy chicken. Other notable, cheaper options include Frita Batidos. It is a Cuban place that has interesting burgers with lots of various toppings, along with a Batida Bar serving frozen bevs/cocktails. It's a great place for a messy burger--super delicious. Another great staple of Ann Arbor is Zingerman’s. They have some of the best sandwiches in Ann Arbor and probably the world. They make all their ingredients in-house and it feels like "an experience" every time you go. They also have a shop with great artisanal and local products, along with a nationally famous bakery and online shopping.
If you’re looking for something more upscale, but not too expensive, there are a number of restaurants in Ann Arbor that are really quite good. If you’re looking for Italian food, you can choose between Paleo and Mani, but I would recommend Mani. They have delicious pastas and great appetizers. If you like sushi, many people like Mama Satto or Sadako, but I am a big proponent of Slurping Turtle. I think they have the best fresh fish in Ann Arbor and also some of the best Ramen I’ve ever had. Miss Kim is also a great dining option, if you like Korean food. I love the fried cauliflower and, of course, the Korean fried chicken. If you’re looking for a breakfast place, try Jagged Fork or Jolly Pumpkin. For some of the best breakfast tacos, I recommend Avalon.
Lastly, you may be looking for a higher level, fine dining experience. Ann Arbor has you covered. The most notable has to be The Chop House in downtown Ann Arbor. The beef Wellington is great, the New York strip is also delicious, and they have some amazing appetizers, including their cheesy potatoes and mac & cheese. You will definitely leave there feeling like you dined like a king. I also suggest Taste Kitchen. While I haven’t been to taste kitchen, I've heard that it's top flight.
Lastly, a quintessential Ann Arbor restaurant has to be Sava’s on State Street. This is a staple for every student when their parents come to visit. They have a seasonal menu that rotates often with great choices and a great vibe. I highly recommend you try this place out if you’re living in Ann Arbor or are a student at U-M.
For more, talk with Ronen.
"Hey there! I’ve got a somewhat complicated background with school, as I have transferred quite a bit in the past: community college, to a university near my hometown, to my current college that I moved out of state for (my home state is Ohio--apologies--however, I am a Michigan resident now!)."
I looked a bit around this sub to find that many transfer students lost credit after transferring from their previous school and just wanted to ask about others’ experience in losing credit (i.e. how much did you have to backtrack?) I’ve tried out the tool on the umich transfer website to compare credit and majority of the classes I’ve plugged in say “departmental” and transferable. I guess I’m just confused by its meaning since some come back with specific classes offered at U-M. I also understand it that there are some math requirements needed for transfer (Calculus?) I am unfortunately abysmal at math, so I haven’t even started my math credits at my current school. Is this something I can attempt to transfer without? At my current school I am sophomore (almost Junior) standing with a sprinkle of transfer credits but have not started any major specific credits yet. I’m interested in applying for LSA in the winter 2024/25 semester or next year in Summer 2025. Thank you for any input!! Go blue???! :-)
ResNav: When I was applying for the University of Michigan, I had 60 out of 67 total credits transferred from Schoolcraft College. The University accepts a max of 60 credits (up to 62 if have completed an associate’s that required 62 credits to graduate), which is why not all of mine transferred: as well as there were some of my credits specific to my college, anyway. However, something that aided in boosting my transferable credits was that I was very adamant about following The Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) to ensure my classes would directly transfer into the University’s classes and staying up to date with it, as it does get re-evaluated. It is recommended for any student, regardless of if following the MTA or would be transferring from an out-of-state college, to utilize this transfer credit equivalency engine to confirm the status of specific classes.
Regarding the division of credits, The University chunks transferred ones into three categories. Equivalent Credit means that courses directly transfer into courses offered at the school (yay). Departmental Credit (usually applicable for elective credit) are courses that are not the exact same as courses offered here but can still be accepted. The caveat is credits in this category cannot supplement distribution, major/minor, or satisfy admissions prerequisite requirements. The “loop-hole” is that you may consult with an academic or major advisor at Michigan to possibly get it re-evaluated to be accepted as an Equivalent Credit; this may look like submitting the syllabus and any course-related materials to the advisor to analyze. Interdepartmental Credit (includes an “X” notation next to a course in the Michigan transcript), similar to Departmental, are credits from courses that do not directly assign to a specific department but the University will still accept it. The same caveat and “loop-hole” mentioned for Departmental applies. Courses with “TRGENCR” are Transfer General Credits are courses determined to count towards electives and towards the overall required 120 credits needed to graduate.
Lastly, depending on the pursued degree and school, the distribution requirements are subject to re-evaluation but as an example for The College of Literature, Science, and The Arts (LSA), Quantitative Reasoning 1 be satisfied by various subjects like certain statistics, physics, computer science, and other classes besides just math. However, transfer students may transfer without completing all of the general requirements for LSA so not completing this specific requirement prior is okay.
For more, talk to Kathryn.
"Clubs for Writing/Screenwriting"
I'm not a film major but I want to know if there are any organizations at U-M that let amateurs do something like writing/screenwriting because I've been really getting into that lately.
ResNav: We just found out about a new group called “Late Night,” that’s going to put on a 3-day show every term. Check them out on Maize Pages: https://maizepages.umich.edu/organization/latenight. Also, check out LSA’s Film, Television & Media (FTVM) site > Undergraduate Students > Student Orgs. You might want to make an appointment with one of the professors/instructors and find out what's involved in a minor or if they have any suggestions about pursuing your major AND looking into this work/field. Most are happy to talk with any student who has a genuine interest in their expertise. Lastly, if you're an LSA student, talk with a Newnan advisor and/or FTVM program advisor (Jim Burnstein is the Director of the Screenwriting Program) about taking an intro course, like FTVM Intro to Screenwriting 210. You might be able to count it toward your distribution credits. There is room within your 120 credits to graduate to explore!
For more, talk to Rocco.
"GSI Position"
Grad students who are familiar with getting a GSI/GSRA/GSSA position, how early did you start looking for GSI positions after being admitted? Besides the official job postings, when did you start contacting professors? Also, I was wondering if any first-year master's students have been able to get these positions, or if I should just drop that possibility from my mind.
I'm an undergraduate here right now, so I'm really hoping maybe I would have a slightly better shot. (With that being said, I know it's really difficult to get a position because its reserved for doctoral students, and my grad degree would be from the School of Public Health so it's probably even harder. I'd still [be] curious about anyone's suggestions or experiences, as I'm trying to figure out if I should continue at U-M or go somewhere else.
Res Nav: GSI/GSRA/GSSA are graduate eligible positions at U-M across various academic departments, university spaces, and professional spaces. GSI positions normally become available toward the end of the current semester for the upcoming semester (end of October for the upcoming Winter term, end of April for the upcoming Summer/Fall term). However, positions are posted year round through the MCareers website. While contacting professors is not a necessary part of the process to become as GSI/GSSA, many departments advertise their open positions to students in their department through email. Moreover, while some positions require students to be doctoral candidates or a second-year Master's student, first year students are [often] eligible. Obtaining a GSI/GSSA position can mean engaging in networking with professors, advisors, and other students who have previously held positions. Nevertheless, checking the MCareers site for updated postings, reaching out to professors in respective departments, and writing a strong, competitive cover letter are key to being able to be selected to be a GSI. (Editor's Note: There are many different types of work at U-M that can be career-adjacent and provide networking, without being a GSI. Consider talking to your graduate advisor or program liaison on ways others before you have managed this successfully.)
For more, talk to Nicole.
"Any insight on the architecture program?"
I live too far away to tour campus. Is the workload insane? (Yes, I know architecture in itself is a lot of work. I more so mean will I have time to do other things?) Is the architecture building far away from the rest of campus? Like, do I have to go to the other side of town to get it? Are the people (faculty, students) helpful/kind?
Res Nav: Hey! I’m a senior in the architecture program at Taubman, so I can definitely give you some insight. The workload is intense, as with any architecture program, but it’s manageable if you stay on top of things. Good time management is key, and you’ll still have time for other activities if you plan accordingly.
Taubman College is located on North Campus, about a 10-minute bus ride from Central Campus. Check out the U-M Interactive Campus Map. The buses run frequently, making it easy to get around, but most of your architecture classes and studio time will be spent on North. During your freshman and sophomore years, you’ll need to complete a minimum of six out of the nine pre-architecture modules (e.g., scale, translation, seeing). Some of these courses take place on Central Campus, such as pre-arch studios in the MLB basement, meaning you may need to carry models and portfolio cases between campuses. Have you checked out the virtual tourhttps://tour.umich.edu/?
Once you reach junior year, you’ll start UG1 and get your own desk space in Taubman. Each semester, studios focus on different aspects such as program, site, form, and a mini thesis in your final year. The professor-to-student ratio in studio sections is around 1:12, allowing for more personalized feedback and guidance. Faculty and students are incredibly supportive, and professors are approachable if you take the initiative to ask questions or attend office hours.
In terms of workload, it’s definitely demanding but manageable. Many students, including myself, are involved in extracurriculars like business, real estate, photography, and dance. A lot of architecture majors also pursue minors in fields that align with their interests. Overall, it’s a challenging but rewarding program, and I’m glad to be part of it!
For more, talk with Pearl.