October isn’t just a month for pumpkin spice; for high school seniors, it’s crunch time for college applications. As many may know, Michigan’s public universities — such as Michigan State, Central Michigan and Wayne State — have launched fee waiver programs, hoping to keep local talent in the state. Yet, for a determined part of the Class of 2026, this financial lure isn’t enough. They’re confidently casting a net beyond the Great Lakes, applying to non-Michigan universities in pursuit of specialized academic rigor, vibrant campus culture or unique scholarship opportunities.
The process of choosing a non-Michigan college is often complicated, especially when many applicants don’t know their intended major yet. Without a clear path, committing out-of-state risks being an unforgiving gamble. For prospective undergraduates like Joey Reid ’26, a flexible curriculum is key.
“I don’t really know what I want to do academically,” Reid said. “I want to have a college that will provide me with abilities to go many different directions, and both [Washington University in St. Louis and Case Western] have more of an open curriculum.”
However, a school’s open-mindedness isn’t the only factor. Sometimes, the best way to get to know a school is by visiting in person, like prospective student Sam Beleshi ’26 did this past summer when he toured the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
“The campus has foliage everywhere, the architecture is amazing and they have difficult classes that would challenge me academically,” Beleshi said.
Nevertheless, Beleshi’s motivation extends beyond the impressive surroundings and demanding coursework. Whether or not he is pursuing this institution, he aims for a clear goal.
“I would be able to pinpoint my academic prowess,” Beleshi said. “It would better prepare me for the world of engineering and business that I plan to pursue.”
Post-college aspirations certainly influence which college best suits a student’s needs. However, while acknowledging the value of a degree, Ole Miss and MSU admittee Betsy Ropke ’26 suggests that success may come down to more personal qualities.
“It depends on your personality and social skills rather than the actual degree,” Ropke said. “What really matters is what’s inside you and how you apply that.”
Even for those who embody that mindset, the high cost of attendance at rigorous colleges like Vanderbilt, WashU or Case Western can still be a significant burden. Without financial aid, building a future at these institutions can become increasingly difficult.
“For WashU and Vanderbilt, I’ll be applying for scholarships there, and if I don’t get them, it doesn’t make sense to go since they’re so expensive,” Reid said. “Assuming the Merit Scholarship [at Case Western] is about where I expect it to be, I could very potentially see myself going there.”
