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Michigan Learning Communities (MLCs) are living-learning communities formed around common academic interests inside and outside of the classroom. Students live together on common floors in residence halls, take classes together, and participate in social and academic activities.

Envision a community here to welcome you from day one. Join fellow first-years, student leaders, faculty, and staff as you actively participate in curricular and co-curricular opportunities, fun social and community-building activities, safe spaces for dialogue, and engagement with the world around you. 

Each community is committed to embracing and providing a supportive environment to a diverse population of students. You will be actively connected to resources and opportunities to ease your transition to U-M and to help you succeed. 

Apply to one of the MLCs. Be sure to apply by May 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Health Sciences Scholars Program (HSSP)

The Health Sciences Scholars Program (HSSP) introduces pre-health undergraduates to the breadth of careers and current issues in health care by bringing together students and faculty from a broad range of backgrounds, interests, and experiences.

Some unique activities that HSSP offers include a Professional Autobiographies Series to speak with career professionals, the Annual Health and Wellness Conference to help students learn wellness strategies for success in the college environment, and committees for students to engage socially and build leadership skills. HSSP students receive personalized pre-health advising to complement the academic advising received in their home academic unit by our dedicated advisor.

Our program offers peer-led study groups specific for members that are facilitated by second- and third-year HSSP students trained in collaboration with the Science Learning Center. These study sessions are held virtually this school year and designed to support HSSPers in popular introductory courses. Study groups give students the opportunity to come together with peers and use each other as learning resources, as well as to learn how to study for science courses here at Michigan.

Living ArtsEngine

Joining Living Arts was one of the best decisions I've made here at Michigan. It has been beneficial beyond measure to form close friendships and make connections outside of the School of Music. As a musician, I find it necessary to learn from as many different perspectives as possible. By expanding the way I think about the creative process, I have improved upon my abilities to perform and generate meaning behind my music.

- Hannah Langenbach, School of Music Theatre and Dance, Viola Performance

Living ArtsEngine is an interdisciplinary residential learning community that brings together undergraduates in the arts, architecture, engineering, and other fields to explore innovation, creativity, and collaboration. Living ArtsEngine strives to provide an open environment that encourages students to generate and pursue creative new ideas. The program offers weekly classes and monthly workshops by distinguished faculty and working professionals from the fields of engineering, architecture, visual arts, film, music performance and composition, dance, and theater. 

All Living ArtsEngine students take an interdisciplinary class together and work on a collaborative capstone project which is presented at our end-of-year exhibition. In addition, Living ArtsEngine provides mentorship by older students and support for community members to create their own programming and events.

Lloyd Scholars for Writing and the Arts (LSWA)

As a first-generation college student, a third-generation immigrant, and Queer man, going to the University of Michigan was scary. . . . LSWA gave me something that I was hoping for when picking a college: a community. Here I have been able to meet people who love art as much as I do, and different forms of art, too! I have met friends who have supported and cheered me on. I got to join clubs, meet a bunch of silly and wonderful people, and live in a creative environment.

- Victor Luis Garcia, first-year student in LSWA and Stamps School of Art & Design

Lloyd Scholars for Writing and the Arts (LSWA) focuses on creativity as the basis of building our community. Although LSWA students are passionate about writing and the arts, they pursue diverse academic interests – from the humanities, arts, and social sciences to business, nursing, engineering, and more. 

We encourage students to “be creative, no matter your major!” Each year our students publish an arts and literary journal, showcasing their range of talents and passions. We also have student-led arts- and writing-focused clubs, social events, poetry awards, and leadership opportunities.

Michigan Community Scholars Program (MCSP)

What makes MCSP so special is the community you get to be a part of; the amazing people that you get to meet, work with, and live with every single day; and the opportunity to grow into a more informed and thoughtful person to make a difference in the community around you.

- Sohan Guduru, first-year MCSP student

Michigan Community Scholars Program (MCSP) brings together students, faculty, and staff dedicated to community service, diversity, intergroup dialogue, and excellence inside and outside of the classroom. Our student team of Peer Advisors for Community Service (PACS) offers you engagement opportunities related to three distinct social issue areas: sustainability and food insecurity; women, children, and education; and civil rights, borders, and immigration.

Throughout the academic year, PACS collaborates with community partners, including Food Gatherers, Scarlett Middle School, and Freedom House, to encourage and empower first-year students through direct-service initiatives and reflection, while fostering your growth as a member of MCSP, U-M, and the broader community in Southeast Michigan.

In addition, MCSP supports a variety of additional community service groups including HackBlue, WolveReaders, and Alternative Spring Break. And even as we serve the community, we become a community. We hope you’ll consider joining the MCSPhamily!

Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars (MRADS)

When most people hear the name “Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars,” they assume the program is only for very serious academics dedicated to research. While MRADS does provide opportunities for real-life research experience and professional development, students graduate from the program with much more.

MRADS provides a holistic community experience where students feel accepted for who they are. Students in MRADS hail from all over the globe and have diverse experiences prior to joining the community. Through the social and wellness programs, in-house study groups, and alumni seminars, students have the opportunity to learn from one another and form friendships with people they probably would not have encountered if not for the MRADS community.

The program’s commitment to accepting students from all colleges and academic interests allows students to blend together for an interdisciplinary experience. Students join MRADS for the research, but they stay in MRADS for the community!

Women In Science and Engineering Residence Program (WISE RP)

In high school, I saw the benefit of having a smaller community with close friends and resources to help on your journey, and I was eager to find a similar community at Michigan — WISE RP has been just that and more for me.



Through WISE RP, I have met my best friends, amazing role models as peer mentors, and staff members that are passionate about supporting individuals in STEM. I really appreciate that WISE RP gives me an avenue to learn and discuss topics like imposter syndrome and intersectionality because leveraging these parts of my identity is key to navigating my life as a woman in STEM. I am so grateful that WISE RP has given me both lifelong friends and skills that I can take with me for the rest of my college career and beyond!

- Gaby George, WISE RP Peer Mentor and Social Media Coordinator, College of Engineering - Chemical Engineering

WISE RP is unique in that we support female-identified students in their academic and career pursuits, encompassing a wide range of majors and academic disciplines. Not sure about a STEM major? Not sure if you can handle that difficult STEM introductory course? That’s where WISE RP can help!

Our community is rooted in supporting students throughout their first year as they navigate both the challenges and opportunities that come with STEM academic programs. From study groups to networking events to social connections, WISE RP prides itself on being an inclusive, close-knit community that supports one another throughout the first year and beyond

Want to learn more about MLCs?

Explore the MLC website.