FOUR MIDWESTERN COLLEGES

I wanted to share a recap from my recent visits to a few Midwestern universities. It was such a great trip, and I’m excited to pass along some highlights to help you as you continue building and refining your college lists. At the University of Michigan, students seemed focused on their studies, taking them very seriously. It was the week before finals, which may have been partly responsible. I was surprised that the basketball championship was only mentioned a few times on our tour! Michigan State felt much more relaxed and is a good option for students wanting a balanced college experience. Purdue and UIUC attract similar students, although Purdue has more out-of-state students. Every student I talked to at each college said they loved it and that their school was the best possible place to study.
At the University of Michigan, the undergraduate population is around 32,000 students. It is a large university, but it does an excellent job of creating smaller communities within that size. Two things that really stood out to me were the incredible academic flexibility—students can move across disciplines more easily than at many large schools—and the energy of Ann Arbor, which truly feels like a vibrant, walkable college town filled with school spirit. From an admissions perspective, Michigan is looking for students who demonstrate leadership and sustained commitment in their activities. I also spent time on North Campus, which houses programs like STAMPS (art and design) as well as many of the medical and research facilities—an important distinction for students considering those fields.



At Michigan State University, there are approximately 39,000 undergraduate students. Despite its size, the campus felt very welcoming and grounded. What impressed me most was the strong sense of community—students consistently mentioned how easy it is to get involved—and the beautiful, traditional campus with expansive green spaces that create a classic college experience. One added bonus is the great area right off campus for dining or grabbing a quick bite, which really enhances day-to-day life. From an admissions standpoint, MSU prefers Early Action applications, and their business school offers a direct admit option for qualified students.


 
 
At Purdue University, the undergraduate population is about 38,000 students. Purdue has a very clear academic identity, especially in engineering and STEM fields. Two highlights for me were the strong career focus—there is a real emphasis on internships, co-ops, and job placement—and the overall culture, which felt hardworking, practical, and collaborative. The surrounding town has a charming, historic feel that adds to the experience. Purdue also offers an Exploratory Studies program for students who are still deciding on a major. In the admissions process, grades in coursework related to your intended major are especially important, and letters of recommendation are strongly encouraged.
 


At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, there are roughly 35,000 undergraduate students. This is another large university with exceptional strength in engineering, business, and computer science. What stood out most was the level of resources available to students—from labs to research opportunities—and the collaborative, active campus environment. UIUC is a very diverse campus, and they also offer an Exploratory Studies major. From an admissions standpoint, it is important to apply Early Action for the best opportunity for admission and merit aid. One particularly helpful tool is their admissions website, where you can see GPA and test score ranges by specific major, which gives great insight into selectivity.


Overall, all four schools offer outstanding opportunities, but they do require students to be comfortable navigating a larger environment and taking initiative to take full advantage of what’s available.