Jake Yono 

6/23/25 

JY Journalism

"We are the Best University in the World."

If you have been live at Michigan Stadium, aka the “Big House,” in Ann Arbor for a football game in the third most enormous venue in the world, before kickoff, you would have seen the banner being set up on the field and the band ready to play “The Victors.” But before the Maize and Blue take the field, a gong sounds, and a special video comes on, led by University of Michigan Class of 1955 graduate James Earl Jones. The video references the University of Michigan and its prestigious football program with phrases such as standing for Midwestern values of hard work, determination, and an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. It highlights students, athletes, and professors achieving at the highest level and states the fact that the Wolverines have won more games than any team in the country, ultimately referring to the university as being “the best in the world.”

Today, I will be exploring this thought of a University I am very passionate about and finding evidence to support or disprove these statements from all parts of the university—not just the football team, academics, or athletic department—because the word university means so much more.

Starting on the admissions side, which is required at any university, a common narrative is that to be the best university, it has to be the hardest to get into, with elite statistics required, top-ranked programs across the board, and too many of the same academic backgrounds in one place. This does not necessarily make a school the best university, although some argue that it does. The point I am trying to make here is that difficulty on the admissions side is not everything. This mindset often elevates universities such as Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, which are extremely rigorous and academically intense. This is where Michigan comes in. Challenging to get into but still attainable, Michigan allows for slightly lower statistics while maintaining high standards. With an acceptance rate averaging around 20% across its schools, Michigan looks for course rigor, high GPAs, strong test scores when available, and leadership in extracurricular communities because it truly upholds and preaches these values through its mission (University of Michigan President’s Office).

This makes Michigan a place where you do not need perfect grades or scores, but you must show enthusiasm and commitment when applying. This opens the door to a wide range of students who are capable of succeeding in the curriculum, while still maintaining standards high enough to ensure students arrive with the right academic mindset—creating the perfect middle ground.

Next, arguably the most important academic feature is Michigan’s 280 undergraduate programs, diversified to fit nearly every interest. In my opinion, one of the only drawbacks is that first-year applicants can apply to only one of the 14 undergraduate schools. Although transferring between schools is possible, the process differs between institutions, so applicants must be confident in their interests when applying. Michigan aims to present the entire world on its campus, ranking fifth in curriculum diversification and enrolling students from all 50 states and over 100 foreign countries. At the same time, the university preserves its hometown roots, as approximately 52% of students come from Michigan and 48% from elsewhere. This creates a perfect blend of ideas while maintaining a distinct Michigan identity.

Compared to other universities that claim to be the best in the world, such as Oxford and Cambridge—where roughly 75% of students come from England—or American institutions like the University of Texas, where approximately 75% of students are from Texas, Michigan stands out. On the other end of the spectrum, some universities lack a sense of local identity altogether, such as the University of Chicago, where only 15% of students are from Illinois, and the University of Notre Dame, where just 10% are from Indiana. While these percentages may represent the largest geographic groups at those schools, stronger local representation helps preserve institutional culture. My only exception is East Coast schools, which are geographically condensed. Otherwise, universities should maintain a significant in-state presence—at least 25%—to preserve their cultural roots. Michigan excels at balancing this, preserving tradition while bringing global diversity to campus.

As mentioned earlier, Michigan prefers applicants to have a general academic interest upon entry. For undecided students, the university offers a top-10 liberal arts program through the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA), which includes over 100 degree options across disciplines. The other 13 undergraduate schools typically offer only 10–15 specialized degree paths. Michigan also provides five-year programs that cross schools, allowing students flexibility, and the wide range of minors helps students further tailor their education.

Along with LSA, Michigan’s programs in Kinesiology, Business, Engineering, Education, and Art & Design are all ranked in the top 10 according to Niche (University of Michigan Rankings). After graduating, Michigan alumni are recruited by Fortune 500 companies as well as government agencies such as NASA, the CIA, and the FBI. With one of the largest alumni networks in the world, graduates can find entry-level opportunities in nearly any industry. Although Michigan enrolls around 35,000 undergraduates, each school offers a tight-knit academic community where students can access support and feel at home.

Outside of academics, the University of Michigan has more student organizations than any other university, with over 1,600 clubs ranging from investing competitions and professional fraternities and sororities to news networks and recreational groups like Muay Thai and Spikeball. As a top-10 university for student diversity, nearly all religions, ethnicities, and cultures are represented on campus through organizations and clubs, allowing students to find their place without the university feeling overwhelming. The nearly 50/50 mix of in-state and out-of-state students, combined with prestigious academics that allow room for imperfection while maintaining high standards, reinforces Michigan’s identity as a serious academic institution.

Returning to athletics, where this reflection began, Michigan boasts 59 national team titles, placing it in the top 10 nationally. Since 2020, Michigan has also won more conference championships than any current Big Ten school. Wrapping up, students, athletes, and professors at Michigan have achieved at the highest levels. Notable alumni include the 38th U.S. President Gerald R. Ford, Madonna, playwright Arthur Miller, athletes such as Tom Brady and Michael Phelps, and legendary softball coach Carol Hutchins, the winningest coach in NCAA Division I history with 1,707 wins, a national championship, and 22 Big Ten titles. Distinguished professors such as Carl Akerlof, Jeff DeGraff, and economist Justin Wolfers have influenced the world through groundbreaking research and media contributions.

The University of Michigan offers a taste of its 1817 Midwestern culture within a large university made up of 14 distinct schools, blending tradition with global perspective. Its curriculum, student life, and expectations reflect a belief that academics come first. When Michigan selects a student, it looks for someone capable of changing the world through their chosen field, at what many proudly call the best university in the world (Michigan Football Intro Video).