Position Paper #3 Higher Education

     Choosing colleges to pursue a higher education can be tough, but what makes the choice is easier is which college better suits you. Colleges around the world try to grasp enrollment by creating attention and buzz around their college. Whether it is colleges infiltrating new degree programs, new places on campus or publicity from controversy whether intentional or not. Colleges and universities use special tactics to allure students to attend these prestigious schools. A lot of things into the play when a student finalizes their choice in colleges and universities. One of the most known reasons that students selected their college of choice largely has to do with academics. Most students but not all look at how a college or university would utilize their academics to take their education to the next level. If a student sees that a college or university has a great degree program for the major they are seeking, these colleges or universities become the student's top priority. Colleges or universities are great marketing, advertising, and public relation tactics to draw students to their campuses. 

    Colleges or universities see a popular investment to something that will appeal to fast and efficient enrollment, they will do anything if it brings their campuses more revenue and status. Various things like a successful sport team or career job opportunities that will impact their future tremendously. At the end of the day, colleges and universities know their target audience and notice what students most enjoy or encourage at their campuses. A lot of colleges and universities have a forefront to what their campuses most represent and how this benefit the schools. Another thing students pick up on choosing their college of their choice is the size of the college or university. Some students gravitate to an college or university that is small because it projects a homey feel and caters to more hands- on experience between the student and teacher. Others like bigger campuses because it creates atmosphere of diversity and advantages of education opportunities that colleges offer. Size, however, probably has the largest impact on a student's college experience. The most common differences between large and small schools are the campus sizes and the student-to-faculty ratios. 

    Big colleges offer benefits such as greater name recognition, the chance for a larger social circle, and a larger selection of programs. Because of name recognition, larger schools are sometimes able to attract more distinguished faculty members. A larger volume of students also helps keep tuition rates low. However, these schools must offer larger classes. Lower-level courses are usually taught by graduate assistants to keep up with class demand, and students have more competition when it comes to accessing faculty. Also, the high student population creates more competition for leadership opportunities in campus clubs, class governing bodies, and other student organizations. This can sometimes result in students feeling like small fish in a big ocean. 

    Small colleges are able to offer benefits that larger institutions cannot. For example, classes sizes are usually much smaller, allowing students to develop very personal relationships with faculty. This can also allow for a more hands-on learning experience inside the classroom and a strong sense of community on the campus overall. However, smaller institutions cannot offer as many majors as larger ones. They also offer fewer and smaller physical resources, such as libraries, science labs, and athletic facilities. Lastly, because of the low volume of students, there may be fewer opportunities for people to socialize with like-minded peers (https://www.onlineschools.org/visual-academy/small-vs-big-colleges/). Regarding students preferring large universities, you can't help but look at universities that are set in a metropolitan area that carry that capacity. An university that fits the bill is the University of Michigan. Other universities besides University of Michigan also contribute to large universities but University of Michigan holds a big status in the world's most leading public schools. University of Michigan is nothing shy of a big campus. The university is no stranger to providing students with the utmost luxury in their first year of college. its setting is city, and the campus size is 3,207 acres. The university boasts of Ann Arbor, only 45 minutes from Detroit, as one of the best college towns in the U.S. Freshmen are guaranteed housing but not required to live on campus. Students can join one of the school’s more than 1,500 student organizations or 62 Greek chapters (https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-michigan-ann-arbor-9092). This one of many things that the University of Michigan has that attracts students to their university. As I stated before most students join colleges or universities because of their athletics and what they provide for their future. 

    University of Michigan does that very well with excellent football program. he Michigan Wolverines are one of the most recognizable college football teams in the nation and their maize-and-blue uniforms are best described as iconic. The Wolverines’ home stadium, the “Big House,” holds more than 100,000 fans, and when they collectively chant Hail to the Victors, it’s one of the most breathtaking moments in sports. University of Michigan is home to remarkable talent in sports alumni. UMich sports alumni include top names in their respective sports such as Tom Brady, Michael Phelps, Charles Woodson, Derek Jeter, Chris Webber, and Jalen Rose. UMich has not only prove that they highlight notable alumni from football but produce stellar athletes in other sports as well. Another key thing that University of Michigan has is their reputation for academics and providing some great degree programs.  The University of Michigan is among the 15 schools sometimes called the “Public Ivies.” What major is the University of Michigan known for? The question is better phrased: what major is the University of Michigan not known for? Across 14 schools and colleges, the University of Michigan offers more than 280 degree programs—from Actuarial Mathematics to Women’s and Gender Studies. 

    The one thing all University of Michigan degree programs have in common is their high-quality reputation. One of the most prestigious undergraduate programs at UMich is the Ross Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). We at CollegeVine rank the Ross School of Business as the tenth-best undergraduate business school in the nation (CollegeVine). This university is great opportunities for students who want to pursue a career in business and may find great success in the future. University of Michigan also does a great job of fostering its campus and resources by its social media. UMich website follows an distinguished look and design that keeps its students engage at what's next to come at University of Michigan. UMich official website carries a format of three in one layout. The scheme of website reminds of a newspaper column, blog and magazine all simultaneously. UMich website also provides information about their university by including subgenres for prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty and staff and even parents to learn various things about University of Michigan. Speaking of social media, University of Michigan markets themselves by dedicating a whole entire website to their social media. Better known as UM Social, the website entails all the links to University of Michigan social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and much more. Upon visiting the site, you are met with featured videos of UMich students telling about different topics and further is what is trending on University of Michigan Twitter. Also resources that showcase directory, social media strategy, downloads, and learning about social integrity. 

    Last but no least what is also part of UMich communications department is their news. UMich news website has various subgenres to click to learn about University of Michigan news and how they cover and handle it. A variety of subgenres included on the news website are podcasts, stories, journalists and more topics to choose. The main focus of news is University of Michigan news that covers their directory and shows each social media platform. UMich news also have their very own social media accounts as well.  University of Michigan has a stellar communications department that knows really well how to market and advertise the University of Michigan. Overall, University of Michigan gets a 10/10 on their public relations strategy to engaging students to further their education at this institution. Whether its for sports or academics, University of Michigan has it all to make your college experience all the more enjoyable. If you're looking for a college or university that provides exceptional athletics and academics and fosters the big city life then University of Michigan is the school for you.