FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

The Residential College is a small, liberal arts, degree-granting college within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. Students live in East Quad Residence Hall where the college is located, take many of their classes in the RC where the approach is interdisciplinary. Students can choose from six concentrations or majors in the RC, but can choose any concentration in LSA as well. The RC provides a unique educational opportunity because students have all the options available at a major research university as well as the advantages which only a small, interdisciplinary college can offer.
 

The RC is a smaller college that offers classes taught with an interdisciplinary approach and that are somewhat smaller than average classes in LSA. Students have much contact with faculty in the RC through the First-Year Seminar course, foreign languages classes and lunch tables, and participating in programs of mentorship, community outreach or artistic endeavors. With a broad curriculum offered, RC students can choose courses in humanities, creative writing, comparative literature, science, social science, drama, music, and foreign language. When students choose one of the four foreign languages taught in the RC (french, Spanish, German, Russian), they have the opportunity to learn a language well including speaking and take a course such as literature study in the language. The best part of being in the RC is that students live together, learn together, and become members of this social and intellectual community.
 

RC classes are smaller with the average being 12-15 students per class. With smaller classes students become actively engaged in the subjects being discussed. Many RC courses are considered intensive and some are individualized like writing tutorials.
 

RC students become proficient in reading, writing, and speaking a foreign language in order to fully appreciate all aspects of learning that language. In order to gain proficiency students take RC language classes two periods a day; a 50-minute lecture followed by a discussion later in the day. Students attend language lunch tables and a weekly coffee hour where they can practice speaking casual conversation. This exposure allows the student to become skilled in a way not possible in most foreign language courses. When students complete the second year course (which is taken in one semester), they take a test to measure their level of proficiency. Most students pass the RC proficiency test and then take a non-intensive language "readings" course. This completes the RC language requirement.
 

Living in East Quad and being in the RC allows students to participate in a community with a strong social and intellectual atmosphere. Students get to know students on their hallway and in the residence hall who are in their RC classes. Without leaving the building students can visit an RC faculty member who has an office in East Quad - thereby making it both easy and convenient. The Half-Way Inn (snack bar in East Quad) is a good place to have made-to-order meals/snacks and get together with friends in a relaxed atmosphere. The Half-Way sponsors "Open Mic Nights" for students who want to perform music or to give a reading. The Benziger Library is also a popular spot for students to find resource material, read a magazine, check out CDs and videos to use in their rooms or to see the newest art exhibit in the adjacent Art Gallery . RC students appreciate being able to see a play or a concert in the Auditorium. When students take RC art studio classes like photography or ceramics, they can use the studios during the day, at night and on weekends. East Quad/RC offers students many different activities and opportunities.
 

Since its inception in 1967, the Residential College has had the evaluation of students in a narrative form. When student receive written evaluations, it allows them to focus on learning of the subject matter without classroom competition for letter or numeric grades. Evaluations are honest appraisals of the individual's performance in the course, often citing written and analytical abilities as well as the articulation of thoughts and ideas. There is no letter grade conversion of the evaluation, and written evaluations and letter grades (from LSA courses) are included on the student's transcript. Evalutions are not considered a pass/fail option, and students are held to high standards in their RC courses. When students perform well in RC classes, written evaluations often function as mini- recommendations given consideration by employers and graduate/professional programs.
 

There are actually quite a few RC students who concentrate in science or math areas. Although they complete majors in LSA departments, students elect some RC classes that can provide a broad view of science and the environment. By the time RC students graduate, they have a well-rounded background in the liberal arts as well as a second language that prepares them to make compete in the global market. The choice of one's academic field of study should not pose any problem for a student in the RC.

If you have any further questions please contact Suzanne Jones, the admissions coordinator at smjones@umich.edu, or calling (734) 763-0176.