Miami University-Oxford Top Questions

What are the academics like at your school?

neny

Though most courses may come off as pretty difficult, they turn out to be exactly what students need because they give them an extra push to work harder.

Micayla

The academics are great and they push you to be a better student

Nathan

As a business major, I have seen firsthand the opening of one of the nation's most prestigious business schools. A pristine and majestic building, the Farmer School of Business is unrivaled when it comes to getting the highest-quality education without breaking the bank on tuition. Other majors and programs offer similar career services and resume-building activities, and the campus as a whole does a great job to prepare students for the professional world. Classes are usually somewhere between the 30 to 40 student range, so if you make any effort to get to know the teacher (ie: office hours, staying after class to ask questions), they will know you by first name and will be willing to help you on projects and job searches in the future. The curriculum at Miami University is challenging, interesting, and useful as well. Miami encourages a strong liberal arts foundation before they delve into their specific majors and programs, which allows students to have a better grasp of the world around them. This also makes it very easy to find a major that is right for you, or even finding second majors and minors to add to what you already are studying.

Charlie

Academics at Miami University is the best part about campus! Everyone takes this seriously here and the professors, faculty, administrations are extremely helpful! The professors always remember their students names even when the class size is huge! The professors love it here because the students love to learn. Everyone is very passionate about education and doing well therefore it is an amazing experience.The class participation is always high even in some of my 8am classes. The students here want to learn and want to participate and the professors always make sure to include us in the lectures rather than just talking to us the whole time. Miami is known to have a lot of competitive students. Especially in the business school because all the classes are challenging, but rewarding too! I am an Accounting major and can honestly say it is a really hard major here on campus, but if you like to be challenged and really like to learn rather than just memorizing and forgetting then this school is for you! I am always in my professors office hours and this helps me understand the material much more!

Danielle

Academics like any school can be hard, but professors at Miami really want their students to succeed. All of my professors know my name because I make a point to ask questions and actively participate in class. Even in my lectures, which have more students than other classes, I go to office hours to introduce myself so the professor knows who I am. Students study all the time, to make sure they understand the information to prepare to tests and quizzes. Students at Miami realize how important these classes can be and want to do well in them. Class participation can be very active, lectures typically not as much participation. Overall, the more you participate in class, the more you will understand and remember the material being taught. I don't think or notice student competition as much as I did in high school. Everyone focuses on doing well and doing the best that they can do, competition isn't the first thing on their minds! I am a business major with a theater minor. Being in two departments is challenging, but so much fun! I get to take a variety of classes to complete both majors. One day I can have two business classes and an acting class - this is the best part about my major/minor. I try to spend time with my professors outside of class, but only when necessary. If I have questions or need study tips for an exam, I go to office hours to get help! I like the academic requirements at Miami. Since we all have to complete the Miami Plan, classes and credits we have to take in order to graduate. These classes can open your mind to new majors or minors. You can also explore interests that you never knew existed! Education is taken very seriously at Miami. They gear the curriculum toward getting a job. They provide many opportunities to market yourself and even help with resumes and interviews. It is ultimately up to each person to understand the material being taught in order to get a job after graduating!

Justin

I have not found the academics to be especially grueling, many times I feel like I am just in harder High School classes as opposed to College classes. There is not too much studying or outside intellectual conversations going on around campus. As an Anthropology major, I have the opportunity to take smaller classes since there are not very many other Anthropology majors on campus. I've found that if the class is below about 40 people, the teacher will likely know your name. The biggest class I've had so far was an Introduction to Cultural Anthropology class that was about 300 people and I am taking a Zoology class that is close to 100. There is certainly know doubt that the education is geared toward getting a job which is something Miami has become known for around the country.

Traci

Specifically to my majors, both in the humanities, my class sizes allow interactive and intellectual discussions. All of my professors know my name, and I feel very comfortable going to them outside of class. Participation is optimal for understanding material and answering questions. Students are rarely competitive, but rather supportive of each other. We all want to succeed together. I have found that the material I learn in my classes transfers into other subjects and is valuable for "real world experience."

Caitlin

Academics here at Miami University are fantastic! Being an English major, specifically, gives me the opportunity to become acquainted with my professors, considering we do have smaller classes than most. However, professors always seem to know their students by their participation or attendance of office hours, no matter what major you are! Participation is KEY to your success as a college student... most professors even grade you on how well you participate in class discussions or answering questions. Also, don't ever hesitate to attend office hours or set up an appointment with your professor if you are struggling. Miami offers so many different resources to help you succeed in any class. Professors are so willing to help in any way that they can and the tutoring center is a wonderful resource if you're struggling.

David

Classes at Miami are great. One of the greatest aspects of academics at Miami is the student-professor relationship. I have known every one of my teacher's names and they have known mine. It's very impressive that Miami has been able to create and maintain the great student-professor relationship. Students take studying and classes very seriously at Miami. Miami isn't a "geek" school, as in students only study and study all the time, but academics are very important to most Miami students. Class participation is common and is usually factored into a student's grade in class. Participation ranges from attending professor's office hours to talking in class. Students are very competitive at Miami and are always looking to go above and beyond the basic requirements. The library is always full at the end of the day and rarely are students seen blowing classes and work off. Students also participate in very intellectual conversations and activities outside of the classroom. Miami offers many opportunities to apply your knowledge in a real-world atmosphere. Students don't really spend time with professors outside of class unless they are meeting to go over subjects in class or there is a project to be completed outside of class. The school's academic requirements are rigorous and a bit much but the classes they ask for are essential to receive a quality education. The education students receive at Miami gears them towards both getting a job and learning for their own sake. Miami does a great job balancing the two well so students get the most out of their college careers. I am currently in the professional writing program at Miami. This is a new major and focuses on modern day writing such as social media, business writing, and publications. I really enjoy this major and even if you aren't in the major, students should still look into taking a few of the classes to improve their writing skills.

Devona

Lecture halls generally have a lot of students in them, so even though the instructors do make time for students to come and see them, it's not easy to really get to know them, and vice-versa. However, for regular sized classes it's definitely possible to get to know a professor. They all have office hours that they hold regularly, and you can even find the professors outside of these hours and talk to them as regular people. All of my professors know my name, and I even hold conversations about whatever with several of them. In general, they're all pretty nice people and I haven't had any problems with them. As an English major, my favorite classes would have to be my English ones. The English professors are all a very creative and unique bunch, and they're very funny. I've really enjoyed every English class I've had so far at Miami, and have liked every teacher. Once you start getting into classes that go towards your major, the students definitely become more competitive and study more. While there are some students here for the sole sake of just partying and having a good time, it seems to me like the majority of the student body works hard to study and get good grades in their subject of study. The friends I have all work hard to get the grades they do in their classes, and that's the same attitude that I feel most students have.

Michael

Academics are definitely challenging at Miami, but while they are difficult, they are rewarding. For instance, being an English major, I have to read a variety of literature and write a number of papers, but in the process of doing this I have discovered various new topics in literature that I was not aware of before entering the major. When first committing to being an English major, I thought it would be a lot of Shakespeare reading and such, but now leaving the major after 3 years of serious investment, the major is so much more than that. What I have learned is that it is about learning how to properly critique and analyze various realms of literature, preparing oneself to present these findings in different ways, and allowing oneself to use literature to broaden one's view on numerous subjects. The professors at Miami are especially gifted at teaching these skills, and give their students many opportunities to succeed in this regard.

Jessica

Starting answering!I think that the academics at Miami are really great. The professors really care about how the students are doing and they try to make the class as interesting as possible. Most of the classes I have had have been relatively small and the professors have been pretty good about remembering names. The education is focused on learning to use logic in order to think outside the box as well as figuring out how to deal with the problem at hand. I feel that this is perfect for life outside of college because not everything is going to be straightforward and easy to solve. My least favorite class and my favorite class were both Art History classes. The first time I took it, I really hated the grade I ended up with and retook the class. The first professor was very demanding. For exams she required us to memorize on hundred paintings. We had to know the name of the piece, the artist, and the date it was made in. It was just so much memorization. The class was purely lecture and I just didn’t feel like anything I learned in there would be retained after the final. The second time I took it the professor engaged the class. We had to do small projects on the pieces and when we learned about architecture she had us go out and photograph specific styles that are still used today. I feel like the second time around was a much more Miami education experience. It was challenging but fun and rewarding as I still remember a lot from the class. The classroom environment at Miami is pretty laid back but it’s a lot of work. Professors expect students to be fully prepared and ready for discussion. I think that Miami’s academics are amazing and I feel confident that when I’m done with my education I will be prepared for my career.

Angela

The professors at Miami are really nice. They really try to relate and to help you. Besides the Miami plan classes I had to take, I've always been in classes where the professor knows my name. They are constantly trying new ways to help us learn. I have one professor come up with a game called "textual tetris" where he cut out tetris blocks and wrote theses on them that we had to support using the novel we were reading at the time. It was hard but fun at the same time. There is usually a group element to most of the classes, even if it is as simple as leading a class discussion. I'm an English Literature major with a Management minor. There are some major difference between the departments but the one thing that never changes is how much the professors care. My English classes are cool because there are so many different things you can study. There are guidelines but you really get to pick what interests you. One of the requirements is that you have to take two 400 level classes. The 400 level classes are the best because they are really specific to what the professor wants to teach. I took one on the Old West in films and books and I took one on how we look at terrorism. Both were probably the best classes I've taken. They both had 10 page papers at the end which seemed difficult but we were given plenty of guidance and help if we needed it. The management classes are cool because a lot of the professors have been in the fields they are teaching. You are getting people that were actually in the business world and can tell you about their experiences. They tell you what really works and what doesn't. Some of my more interesting classes for my minor were about leadership and motivation. In my leadership class we talked about the difference between a leader and a manager. It really made you think about which you wanted to be and showed that there are differences. In motivation we questioned whether money is really what makes people like their jobs. Both are applicable to my real life and I loved them both.

Trisha

The academics at Miami probably differ on the major, but I'm sure there are connections all across the board. Students definitely study a lot...at least, near midterms and finals, ha ha. The majority of students at Miami are dedicated to their studies, more than I've ever seen before, and make sure that they have plenty of time to study. Class participation in the English department, which is the one that I'm in, is constant--whether it's literature review or discussion about a nineteenth-century novel, students always have something to say. It's less of a competition in this field because there's very rarely a right answer, it's about perception and interpretation. Every professor I've had in the English department has learned all of their students names. Granted, the biggest class I've been in was about thirty five students, but still. Professors are on a first name basis with their students, always willing to meet outside of class (or come in early/ stay late). The education within the English department is geared just as much towards learning as it is for getting a job. The basic design of college is to get one prepared for the job that they wish to have. Since there are a plethora of outcomes for someone with an English degree (not just teaching, as most people assume), learning for the sake of learning is one of the best ways to go about it because, instead of "teaching to the test," it encourages students to think on their own, enjoy learning, and find happiness in what they do.

Erin

Miami University is a state school that prides itself on the personal attention it gives to its undergraduates—a statement that seems to ring true. I personally have taken classes that are smaller, comprised of twenty some students, and larger, lecture-hall classes. Regardless of the size, professors make a genuine effort to know their students, and be readily available concerning any questions about course material. Office hours are adequate, but professors are very flexible in meeting outside these times as needed. In small classes, professors not only make it a point to know a student’s name, but also to follow that student’s progress and address concerns. Some lecture halls make personal attention difficult, but I personally was impressed with the methods professors use to make such classes more engaging. My psychology professor, in particular, assigned group work and encouraged small group discussions when possible, making the class both more interesting and more intimate. Admittedly, large lecture halls can become disruptive and monotonous, but this is a small problem because lecture halls are mostly for Miami plan requirements. Once a student is inside his or her major, classes rival the small size seen in private schools. Class participation varies dependent on the course, as I have witnessed both ends of the spectrum. Lower level courses tend to have less participation, as many students are simply taking the course for credit as opposed to interest in the material. Likewise, upper level courses tend to have very active participation, but it depends on the professor itself. One of the negative experiences I’ve had concerned a professor that discouraged students because the professor shut down answers he/she did not agree with, rather than encouraging new lines of thought. On the other hand, I have had a professor that had such enthusiasm and open support of her students, that the whole class participated often. Fpr the most part, Miami University promotes student participation. In my experience, students tend to be very different outside of class. Except for students purposely meeting for a group project, it is not common to hear anyone students leading intellectual discussions. Admittedly, many students are too concerned with social affairs to discuss their classes, unless it is to commiserate on a heavy course load or difficult professor. While students at Miami are serious about their academics, this does not usually translate into their daily lives. Many students study diligently on Sundays, spending their weekends engaging in social activities. Cramming for tests is common, and students tend to think about course materials more in concerns to their grade then how it applies in their life. Miami University has a strong academic program; that is fairly certain. Perhaps the greatest weakness is translating that success into passion. Students are very successful, with high job placement rates upon graduation, but I see few that learn for the sake of the love of learning. It is of course, difficult to blame a school for this, in the difficult current economy, but it is still a challenge the University should consider. As for my personal experiences, I am in enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, pursing a degree in English/Creative Writing. My least favorite course I’ve taken was a lecture hall science course, which I took to satisfy Miami Plan general requirements. Partially this was due to my lack of interest, but it was more so the manner the course was taught. Tests were written so as to question a student’s confidence, and, I feel, were not accurate to a student’s knowledge and dedication. My favorite class, on the other hand, was an introductory literary studies course. The professor was extremely enthusiastic, exceedingly encouraging, and creative. Every class consists of open discussion, and I truly believe my writing and analytical abilities were fostered over the semester. The course required hard work, but it also helped students grow, and welcomed many ways to go about succeeding and developing one’s one voice.

Shannon

The students at Miami are extremely smart in my opinion, and the academics here push students to continue growing and learning. My favorite part about Miami classes, is that almost all of my classes have been 30 people or less, which really has allowed me to get to know my fellow classmates and my professors. My teachers have been so nice and open which has helped me out greatly in school. I have visited almost all of my professors' office hours and been able to continually communicate with them via email when outside of class. When not in my Literature or Creative Writing classes, I have had the opportunity to take many interesting courses though my Miami Plan requirements. These have ranged from Sociology to Math to American Studies classes, none of which are my major, but all extremely beneficial to my education. I could go on forever about Miami's academics, but I am not going to. Just know that Miami really does a great job encouraging their students to learn and then succeed later on in life.

Rachel

I have found that the academic experience at Miami is very fulfilling. In my first semester I took 4 classes: French, Creative Writing, Sociology, and Women's Gender Studies. As an English major, I found that these courses were a great way to explore my interests in an academic setting while still pushing myself intellectually. My largest class consisted of about 50 people and my smallest had 12. Creative Writing and French were set in a more intimate environment that provoked discussion based learning and innovative thinking. My professors in those classes were extremely engaging and attentive to each student and his or her individual needs. While Sociology and Women's Gender Studies were taught at a larger scale, it did not take away from the learning experience. The professors were still very good at making sure that we were keeping up with the material. All of my professors were courteous and professional and made me feel as though I was not just another number on their roster. There is a wide variety of students here at Miami. Some spend countless hours at King Library while others take a more lax approach to their studies. The good thing about Miami is that if you want help there is always a way to get it. Whether it be through a private tudor, a T.A., or even one on one assistance from your professor during office hours, there are ways to make sure that students are not falling behind.

Philip

Professors know your name, especially when you don't attend class. This was the case when one of professors called me out on not coming to class regularly my freshman year. She sat me down, and explained the importance of education towards a better future. It took me by surprise, because i didn't understand why she cared so much. These are the type of professors that you will experience at Miami. They are invested in your success and have no problem in helping you, even networking with you outside of the classroom. My favorite class was Contemporary American Fiction so far. I thought this class was interesting, because we read amazing American fiction books and had discussions regularly about the book and what it meant to literary world. It made me happy to be an English major, because it engaged me in the material that I will soon make my profession. My least favorite is any science class, just because I dislike any sciences. This is the case sometimes, you end up taking many classes in the beginning that you either dislike or are really hard. This is the result of the Miami Plan, a liberal arts collegiate system that forces the student to take classes in different areas of the arts to be a well-rounded student. Also, most of your pre-requisite classes for your major are made to be extremely hard to "weed students out" of their academic capability. This can be a good and a bad thing. Good, because Miami has no problem in challenging students so you will be prepared to leave Miami. Bad, because sometimes it can be too much and discourage students from their majors, or even from college itself. But this is when services like the Rinella Learning Center come in, providing free tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, disability modification, study sessions, academic counselors, and etc... The typical Miami student studies most of their time and is well-knowledgeable, just because of the liberal arts education that Miami is rooted in. You learn so much in different areas, in not just your own, but outside other classes you take. I like this because it makes you well-rounded in the world. You attend Miami, not just to get an education, but to be a productive citizen in the world.

Ronnie

Academics are very important here, just like at other universities. Having talked to some friends studying in other states, I can safely say that I am fully satisfied with Miami's program. Within the English and Journalism departments, my majors, my class sizes are small, which allows for class participation and teacher recognition. I can't say that I have a favorite class for the following reason: the success of a class comes from what you contribute. I feel that my professors have done an amazing job creating a "forum" in the classroom for which I may speak of my knowledge, or lack thereof, as well as criticisms of texts or lessons. Both departments are homes to wonderful professors who I've spent time with outside of the classroom. I've always felt that the professors here treated me as an adult and there are few teachers who demand that you call them Dr. Surname. In fact, I am on a first name basis with quite a few of professors. Professors here see the students as an investment, at least that's what I think. They take the time to ensure that you are properly educated and, when the time comes, that you have your foot in the door towards a career. I recently sat down with one of my English professors and one of my Journalism professors and discussed my future career wise. Both of them provided me with contacts in my desired field as well as a list of leads for positions.

Philip

Professors know your name, especially when you don't attend class. This was the case when one of professors called me out on not coming to class regularly my freshman year. She sat me down, and explained the importance of education towards a better future. It took me by surprise, because

Britany

The academics are fantastic at Miami! The professors always know my name and encourage discussion in and out of the classroom. I am an English literature major and the department as a whole is a tight-knit community. The professors are engaging and always open to helping students outside of the classroom. I have never had a problem getting office hours, and have found that professors will work around my schedule and even meet somewhere off campus. The grades are not easy but they are fair. Furthermore, it's a nice feeling that Miami gives anonymous, student evaluations at the end of every semester so the professors can continue to improve.

Angela

The academics are hard, they are challenging. After my first class at Miami University I realized that high school did not prepare me adequately enough. The revelation was amazing and at the same time, terrifying. My back woods education was not enough to put me at the same level as other students, but my determination and accommodating professors allowed me to catch up and even surpass some of my (expectations!) peers. One thing that I believe is important to know, not just with my school but every educational institution, is that professors, teachers, educators love it when students ask questions. They need an indicator to make sure that they are teaching you correctly and you are understanding them. They would rather you not understand the material and ask them questions than understand it right off the bat. Students are competitive and because of this asking questions may seem silly and embarassing, because it admits you weren't born an Einstien, but the competitiveness allows you an edge and pushes you harder.

Melissa

Miami has been ranked among one of the best public universities in the nation. I feel that this is a fair evaluation of just how dedicated the administration, faculty and students are to a liberal arts education. There are required courses every student must complete and this provides them with a well-rounded sense of the world which they will be entering in four short years. One of the most surprising thing to me is that within the first two weeks of every class I have taken, my professor knows my name (unless, of course, it is a large survey course). The professors are required to hold office hours every week and are really excited when student show up for extra help, or just to chat. I have met with two separate teachers off campus at a cafe to discuss my writing and another has even held a end-of-the-semester dinner at his house. Moving on from the professors, Miami students are all motivated. The library is almost always full, even on Friday and Saturday nights! Each student is forced to take an active role in his or her education and the great part about it is that student enjoy it. Finally, it is important to note that from day one, each student is placed with an academic advisor who helps the student which paths might be right to pursue.

Todd

Though some do not realize college is really about getting an education. At Miami you will get one of the best educations in America. Whether you want to do business, science, religion, or education Miami boasts a great tradition in all. Miami takes pride in its small class sizes and I can only recall two classes that were larger than 50 people, each being an intro level science course. I am a zoology major with a comparative religion minor and pre-medical focus. I have thoroughly enjoyed my academic time at Miami and have really taken advantage of Miami multiple different areas of study. One of the best parts of Miami are the professors. I have gotten to know many of my professors and have actually gotten drinks with them at the local bars. Some have invited students over for dinner and most have written some letter of recommendation. I have not found one professor in my four years that is not approachable during office hours.

Taylor

Miami is known to have difficult classes, as it is also commonly called a public ivy school. Some classes are big where professors do not know your name, but there are also plenty where professors know a lot more than just your name! I have met many friends through classes. In big classes where professors don't know names, if you attend office hours they will definitely remember you! Also, for the big classes there are usually SI sessions, which are helpful sessions for the class and they are amazing!

Sarah

Everyone is scared when starting college that it will be totally different from high school and loads harder. It really isn't. If you know how to balance your time and actually read and do homework outside of class, you will be fine at Miami. Most class sizes are between 20-30 students. The biggest class I ever had was a 100 level history class, with over 100 people in it; about half the class showed up on a daily basis. I would challenge anyone to pursue their academic interests outside the classroom, because that it what college is preparing you to do. Most people don't seem to have intellectual conversations outside of class unless they are in a group setting specified to such an endeavor. Definitely get to know the professors, and don't be afraid to ask questions. They are there to help you, and most are very approachable and easy to talk with.

David

Miami has been classified as a top tier academic institution since its founding in 1809. We have been classified by many as part of a select group of public colleges whose academic quality rivals that of the Ivy League schools. Class sizes range from a dozen to about 150 but in each class there is widespread student participation and its easy to get face to face interaction with professors for extra help. All of my professors have really cared about my academic success and general well-being. Its quite common here to find students walking around campus having deep and thoughtful academic conversations prompted by something heard in class. Miami definitely challenges its students to think at a higher level and to achieve at the best of your abilities, but if you put the time in, you will come away with a top notch education and a degree that is respected across the world.

Leah

Academically, Miami is very rigorous and was listed in 2011 as the second best school in the country for undergraduate teaching. Fortunately, Miami offers a variety of classes on interesting topics that students are actually interested in and aren't just required to take. For instance, I am in a music class that is titled "Global Music of the iPod" that teaches students how popular music varies across the globe. Very cool.

Alison

Just last year Miami University was ranked as the second best public school in the United States (Just behind Stanford I believe) for undergraduate teaching. Just that statistic says a lot. The professors at Miami love what they do and are always willing to help the students. Not to mention, they are extremely knowledgeable and worthy, in my opinion. As far as majors and courses go, Miami has so much to offer, especially with respect to the study abroad program. A greater percentage of students at Miami study abroad during their college career than most schools in the United States, which is probably because our program is promoted so well and has the credentials to do so. All in all, the academics at Miami are phenomenal. Students work extremely hard, which is evident in the high post-college employment rate of Miami students.

Alexandria

Academics are wonderful at Miami. The professors are so involved in students' lives, I feel as if they always want to personally know me. Professors always give out office hours, e-mail addresses, and even cell/home phone numbers in case you need help. Not only do professors try to get to know you, but they want you to get to know them as well. My favorite class has been a Sociology class called Juvenile Delinquency, even though I am not a SOC major. Students are fairly competitive at Miami but academics are not the ONLY thing that matters. There is a good balance between studying, working hard, and having a "college" experience. Many student organizations are geared towards preparing students for the real world, jobs, and interviews. Miami does a good job preparing students for getting jobs--such as doing Career Fair every semester. At Career Fair, over 170 employers hold interviews on MIami's campus for students.

Meghan

High quality professors offer a strong academic experience and truly engage students in the subject matter. The "Miami Plan" offers a liberal education and allows students to engage in subjects outside their major. The ability to double major is common and minors are always encouraged. Miami students take full advantage of their academics and can be found studying hours on end at King Library before an exam. King Library is commonly referred to as "Club King" because it is a popular meeting spot and there is always someone you know in the cafe.

Melissa

If you are a music or education major you may be able to skate by with doing relatively little studying. But if your headed to business or a science you better be ready to work. You will have tests you ace and tests you fail. If you have never had to study that will change once you get here. But there is a lot of people looking to help you. There are tutors, help centers, and lots of professors who are willing to help in any way they can. There is also a connection between students. Living i a dorm gives you an amazing opportunity to team up with peers who are taking the same classes and can help you work through problems you may be having.

Melissa

If you are a music or education major you may be able to skate by with doing relatively little studying. But if your headed to business or a science you better be ready to work. You will have tests you ace and tests you fail. If you have never had to study that will change once you get here. But there is a lot of people looking to help you. There are tutors, help centers, and lots of professors who are willing to help in any way they can. There is also a connection between students. Living i a dorm gives you an amazing opportunity to team up with peers who are taking the same classes and can help you work through problems you may be having.

Jesse

Academic life is easy for business students. As most Miami students are in business, they can take classes with their friends and cheat their way through. Professors tend to be unapproachable when it comes to outside help. Miami has a thematic sequence for their liberal education in which you have to take bull **** classes to graduate. Testing can be quite difficult but the students usually look at the grade distribution for each professor to find the easiest class.

Andrew

Most professors know your name. Classes range from a handful of students to giant lectures. Generally, the entry level classes are bigger; my BMZ class was over 200 students with three profs. These classes suck, but are easier to skip. Studying will become more prominent in your routine for sure. In high school, I just listened in class and hardly ever did any outside studying. At Miami this doesn't fly; but if you put in a few good hours on weekends and days before tests, you should be okay. Classes can become pretty competitive, especially in the business school, but using your classmates to help you isn't hard. The academic requirements are generally pretty good. The Honors program is completely disorganized and weirdly structured, however; definitely a work-in-progress. The education at Miami is geared towards getting a job, there are many programs and such that can help you in the working world.

Laura

Miami's education is very challenging and the professors definately expect a lot out of the students. I must say that most of my teachers have been more than happy to help me out with anything I needed. It is also nice for professors to see you around campus and say hello and actually know your name. One thing about Miami that is stressful or a bit of a bothersome to me is the competitive attitudes of the students, especially in the Business school. As far as my major, I have changed it quite a bit and for the most part my professors and the department heads have been very helpful and supportive of all my changes.

Mallory

You can make academics at Miami as easy or as difficult as you want. Its a good idea to check with older students on which classes to take, as well as which classes NOT to take. Students aren't that competitive with each other. Some students take their studies seriously, and some of us party a little too much. It can be as challenging or easy as u want it to be.

Cara

Academics are definately challenging, but it will pay off in the end. Miami has an excellent reputation.

Lydia

Miami is a liberal arts college so this means that the students are required to take a lot of classes that do not pertain to their major. I agree that this is great for people who come in undecided in their major or want to explore various areas, but when you are double majoring and trying to get in a work schedule along with trying to fit all of your major required classes into a week, having to try and fit in a math or social science class in the mix, just to fill Miami's liberal education requirement, gets daunting. I was a double major in literature and creative writing and I was still taking the Miami Plan classes (Liberal Ed. classes) until the last semester of my senior year. These classes included: Statistics, Fundamentals of Ecology, Aging in America, Contemporary Religion, etc... These courses, along with the many, many, many others that Miami requires seem to be a waste of money for the family instead of allowing the student to complete their major requirements and take classes that they have a genuine interest in exploring.

Jonathon

There are classes that will inspire you. There are professors who inspire you. Unfortunately, though these are few and far between. Most students I've gotten to know within the art department are seriously lacking in influential thought and are extremely uncreative. When they do have a decent idea, the will power to follow through with that idea isn't there and the teacher's often don't motivate these ideas into being.

Charlie

Academics at Miami are the same as academics anywhere else. If you want to do well, you will need to work hard. Professor's usually do not know your name unless you make a point to talk with them after class and tell them your name and a little bit about yourself. In fact professor's love to hear from their students and encourage you to get to know them. Also, if you are in a smaller class, then professors will be more likely to know your name. I would have to say that the most unique class that I have taken it Sign Language. Overall, the class was a lot of fun and I always looked forward to going to it. Along with learning how to speak in Sign, I also had the opportunity to communicate with deaf people through this class. It really opens your eyes and overall is just something really neat to know. Although Miami only offers one course of it and I do wish they would have enough teachers to teach higher levels of Sign Lanuguage.

Anna

Academics are surprisingly good. The professors really show that they care about students. Some class sizes are large, but it's easy to get mostly small classes. I have gotten to know many of my professors outside of class and they really want to help. My major is chemistry and I started to do research with a professor last semester. It's really easy to get involved in research, even early in Freshman year. Students are extremely helpful to one another, and the competitive atmosphere that I experience in high school has been replaced by lasting friendships with other students that I study with. We learn the subject together, but often get of track while talking about philosophical issues.

Stephanie

The academics at Miami are well balanced. The intro level classes are larger but once you get more major specific the classes get smaller. There is plenty of help offered, tutoring, office hours, workshops. You can tell you are getting a well rounded education at Miami. The liberal arts education is highly stressed and seems to be very effective.

Mike

Academics is great at Miami. Very small class size, you will personally know all the professors in your major by your junior year. The engineering professors really care about the students and I believe do a great job. Overall, I would rate the engineering programs as excellent. However, the overall university policies are not so great. They have more general education requirements than most schools, and you will waste alot of time in stupid classes like art, etc.

Kate

I think all of my professors have known my name but two, and those were classes of 200. The class size, generally, stays a pretty good size. I personally like the bigger classes, feels more like college. But, my favorite class so far was either CLS 121 or ITS 309. CLS was about 50 people, but it was an interesting class and my prof was good - Dr. Lyons. My ITS 309 was full of older kids, but it was discussion based with a lot of papers so it had a good flow to it. The education at Miami, I would say, is more geared toward learning than toward getting a job. They don't give a lot of "career advice" unless you seek it out, which I don't mind too much anyway.

Brad

The classroom teachers and facilities are very nice. We have new buildings popping up everywhere each year so things are only improving. The atmosphere is very competitive in class especially as a business major at Miami. Teachers have been very easy to communicate with in and out of class time. The academic requirements are a little weak in my opinion. One example is that when i started business majors were not forced to take any language requirement. Scheduling for class is one thing that has also bothered me over the years. They dont offer enough sections of key major courses so many people are forced to take classes they may not want to take or to force add way to many credit hours in the later years of the college experience.

Meredith

It really depends on the major, but most classes are hard but rewarding. Professors want students to succeed.

Andrew

Academics are good at Miami. It is considered a "Public Ivy" and is definitely one of the best schools in the Midwest and the best public school in Ohio. You are not a number at Miami, some intro classes are large but no more than 350 students. It is sometimes hard to get into some required classes, especially in business. Most students are concerned about their grades and do work hard, it is often hard to find a desk at the main library. There are multiple libraries nut the main library is the best. Basic intro classes are easy (early Miami Plan classes) but sophomore year (at least in business) difficulty ramps up a lot. The Miami Plan is a set of liberal education requirements ranging from humanities, sciences, history, etc. that everyone is required to take. It is there to help you become a more rounded person. Generally, professors are excellent; I have had 2 bad professors in two years. There are not many Grad assistants except in sciences, math, and english/com.

martha

I think a miami education is a great preparation for college. i have one year left and am working at an internship this summer and have felt firt hand prepared for this internship because of the education i have gotten at Miami. if your a science buff, a lot of your science classes might be in a hige classroom with a lot of people, but everyone will have some small classes, especially as you get older. In my experience, class participation is very good. there are always people ready to debate or state their comment on the subject. I have found that most professors are very willing to meet outside of class to help you, and i think at miami its really important to establish a personal relationship with your professor. I was suprised at how almost every professor (big or small class) knew my name and was more than willing to help me in any way that they could.

Allie

Each class and professor is different. The best classes that I have had have been the smaller classes (small for Miami is around 20 students in my experience). The smaller classes are those in which the professors will learn your name and be more willing to work with you. Freshman classes are typically larger, more lecture based, but as I've progressed the class sizes have been smaller and the dynamics have changed. It is really up to the student as to how close they become with professors. If you utilize office hours and go to study sessions, the professor is much more likely to know your name and face. If you don't, then they don't have that opportunity here. Miami is the perfect size of school for me personally, but for someone who is looking for all small classes, this may not be the place.