They’ve ordered their Mcards, registered for classes, submitted their student bios, and done a dozen other things to prepare for their studies. But the week before school starts, all new public policy degree candidates come to the Ford School to participate in a wide variety of welcome week events that orient them to the school’s community, academic requirements, and resources.
Master’s and doctoral degree candidates, who attend these activities from Monday, August 18 – Friday, August 29, meet their professors, tour Weill Hall, get to know the student and academic services staff, take their waiver exams, attend math camps, sit in on calculus and microeconomics reviews, pose for photos, take policy writing seminars, learn about President Ford and the history of his namesake school, tour campus, and more.
Bachelor’s degree candidates, all of whom have already spent two years at the University of Michigan, have a lighter slate of events on Friday, August 29th. They’ll meet key staff and administrators, will connect with undergraduate student leaders, and will attend a lunch reception with faculty in the Great Hall.
New this year is a community-building exercise on Monday, August 25 (1:30 – 4:30 p.m.) for graduate students, and Friday, August 29 (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.) for undergraduates. The structured simulation, described as active and thought-provoking, is expected to offer a fun way for students to explore numerous aspects of human nature, including social interaction, diversity, problem solving, and communication approaches.
“I’m really excited to start the school year with this community-building exercise,” says Susan Guindi, director of student and academic services. “I believe it will be a wonderful way for participants to get to know each other, but will also afford them the opportunity to reflect and think about their place in the community,”
For a full lineup of events and activities, download these schedules:
- MPP/MPA Student Welcome Week Schedule
- Joint-PhD Program Orientation Schedules for Public Policy and Economics, Public Policy and Political Science, or Public Policy and Sociology
- BA Student Orientation Schedule