Hi! I could speak as a Minnesotan here. I can’t speak for the U of M specifically on their diversity as a student body but I can on the Twin cities. I understand what you mean about the Midwest lacking some diversity, but Minneapolis/St. Paul is super diverse. For example, Minnesota has the some of the largest Somali and Karen communities in the country, which is super cool! Also, the weather gets kind of bad, but the past few years it’s only really cold for a month or two, but I’m not sure what you’re used to. If it helps, I have a friend from a very tropical country that likes it here, but it really comes down to preference. For the crime aspect, like someone else said, there are parts I’ve heard aren’t as safe like dinky town, but I’ve never heard any horror stories. There’s definitely far ‘worse’ places regarding crime in the twin cities than where the main campus is. I didn’t apply there as it was too big of a student body for my preference, but I definitely would have if that was a good fit for me. There are great opportunities there for science, I know someone who went to undergrad there for biology or something very similar, did really great research, and he now attends grad school at a T10 college with a scholarships. I’m obviously biased, but Minnesota is really a great place with (mostly) nice people. I’m not sure where you’re from, but Be prepared for strangers to talk to you and smile at you! I moved here, so at first it was odd but then it became kinda comforting. The only concern I’ve really heard about was that the campus is sort of spread out but I don’t think it’s too bad. But an added bonus, it’s literally right in the Mississippi River, which is pretty cool. If definitely look at a map to see if that’s what suits you! Hope this was helpful:)