University of Miami Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

Megan

i love it and there is so much to do

Isaac

I love the University of Miami. It offers almost anything a student could want from a college. It is one of the most diverse college populations and this allows you to meet people from all over the world and come together with shared interest to complete your common goal: to gain more knowledge. The school does not have the largest campus, which is not necessarily a bad thing. It is located in the center of Coral Gables, one of the nicest places in Miami. You walk around campus and almost always run into someone you know. There are thousands of locations on campus to spend your time. If you are studying there is the Richter library or any of the beautiful work tables located all around the lake and throughout Miami's incredible campus. There is tons of school pride and that is apparent at almost every sporting event, from the football games in the Dolphins stadium to the basketball games in the Bank United Center. Also the school has provided me with more memories then I will ever be able to remember. From freshman orientation, to Homecoming, to my first football game, to Ultra Music Festival, this school has helped me encounter some of the most influential experiences of my life.

Alana

Lets just say that the only bad thing I can say about University of Miami is that sometimes it is so beautiful out, I don't want to go to class. It has everything the picky high school senior in me could have ever wanted. Located in Coral Gables, you are 20 minutes outside downtown Miami, 30 minutes outside South Beach and Miami Beach and 15 minutes from the beach. I love being so close to these places because there is always something to do and an way to get there, but at the same time I am far enough away that it doesn't distract from school itself. Also, being in Coral Gables you are close enough to every convenience store, supermarket, clothing store and eatery you could think of. Despite the scandals surrounding us, the sense of not only student pride, but alumni pride and community pride is massive. I cannot wear a UM shirt off campus without at least one person throwing up the []_[] and screaming go Miami. Once you are a cane, you join a club of pride, love and community. Being a private school, many might automatically deter because of the high sticker price, but many people I know are here on some type of scholarship and in my eyes, it's worth every penny. That money goes towards the brand new gym and wellness center, to getting people like Ludacris and Billy Joel to perform on campus, to getting free tickets for all sporting events, for tons of free food, t=shirts, pens, cups and towels, for moon bounces on finals weeks, and straight out of the theater movies in the cinema. University of Miami continues to wow me with everything it has to offer.

Ashley

I personally love this school. It is an amazing size, great athletics, amazing climate, has greek life for those who care to belong, but does not make a huge deal about it, there is so much school spirit, the location is perfect, the nightlife is so diverse, and south beach is unlike any place any other school could offer. The most frequent complaint is how bad the traffic is in the area; it is hard to get places, especially around rush hour, and many students live off campus so this is definitely a prevalent complaint. Also, it can be an expensive place to live, off campus rent is pricey compared to other college towns, and nightlife, although fun, has its costs especially for men.

Leah

I love the University of Miami. One of the best experiences is the annual SportsFest where each floor of the various residential colleges compete against each other in various events, including: kickball, soccer, flag football, canoe races, obstacle course, darts, bocci ball, "couch potato" (connect 4 and other board games), basketball, tennis, tug-of-war, etc. It's a great way to bond with people in your dorm community and compete in a fun, friendly environment. There is a lot of pride in the school. During football season, students gather at the football stadium hours before the game begins to drink, socialize, and get pumped up for the game. Students often paint their faces and bodies green and orange and wear their best school gear. It's a very energized and exciting atmosphere. It's easy and cheap to get around the city of Miami on the Metro-Rail, an above ground subway, and the bus system, however, the public transportation is often crowded and dirty. The city of Coral Gables isn't much of a college town, so travel is often necessary for students to have fun and take care of errands. The classes are usually very small and the teachers are almost always willing to work individually with students upon request. Advisors and Deans are much harder to get in touch with, which is a big negative, but overall, it is an excellent school.

Jaymes

I would never want to go anywhere else. One of, if not the best choice of my life to attend this University. The weather is incredible, the party scene is incredible, the people are very good looking, most teachers are great, the campus is constantly improving, you have D-1 sports to cheer for, tailgating is a blast, you can say you are part of the []_[] family, you are in a legit city with all kinds of party locations and scenes, and I love the diversity.

Chhaya

The University of Miami is a school that does have a certain atmosphere. To do well at Miami you need to be able to manage your time and be organized. The city and school operates at a very high pace. There are plenty of opportunities to succeed but there is also a lot going on at the school in terms of extra curricular activities and school pride, the key is not to get distracted. It is my personal opinion that Miami is one of the most diverse places to go to school and the people and connections you make will last you a life time. I spend a lot of my time on the green where they offer free yoga, movies, a place to read, and other activities. My favorite thing about campus are the all the events that happen, there's never really a dull moment. I would certainly change the interaction between the administration and the students. Miami can be slow to respond to students requests and that gets old very quickly. Frequent student complaints on campus center around the speed of the shuttle service, administration, and housing. One of my favorite memories at campus are the football games and the spirit that's tangible on campus. It's the perfect size and if you chose to come here, your experience will be what you make of it.

Jayson

A lot of people, myself included, agree that the best feature of The U is the weather. When a 60 degree night in January is considered "freezing", you know you're in a good place. I believe that the school is a perfect size at around 10,000 strong and the campus is flat and only has a circumference of a little over 3 miles, which makes it very manageable to walk around and get where you need to go in a timely fashion. Most people will envy you for coming to this school and will want to come and visit you on their spring break. The school is located in Coral Gables which is a wealthy suburb of downtown Miami, but it is definitely not a college town. The school is 15 minutes from Downtown Miami, 20 minutes from Miami Beach, and on long weekends it is only a 3.5 hour drive north to Orlando or a 3.5 hour drive south to Key West. There is a sense of school pride at The U, but it's not as intense as some Big 10 or SEC schools. Some kids here would rather party than go to the sporting events. Students at some other schools would wake up at 8:00am to start tailgating. This would not work on a consistent basis at the University of Miami. Most students would rather party the night before, sleep in, and just watch the game on TV if it starts too early.

Danielle

I think one of the best parts about UM is that it's exactly the right size. Even if some kids may think they're too cool for school, there's enough down to earth good people to balance it out. You can have many different groups of friends who you do different activities with. There can be the crazy friends you like to go out with and then the friend from class who will study with you in the library. You can meet all of these people through all the different clubs and on campus activities, which happen on a daily basis. Just walking through the breezeway, you'll get handed at least three or four flyers, all with different ways to get involved and meet people. The freshman dorms also work really hard to get everybody acquainted, offering floor dinners and outings to plays. Football games at the beginning of the year also give freshmen a great introduction to being a Miami Hurricane!Since they're off campus, all the frats set up big tailgates with barbeques and music to get you psyched before the game. When I tell people I go to UM, they always tell me how jealous they are. The weather is great all year long and there's never a dull moment in such a happening city. No matter what you're into, be it community service or singing, you'll definitely find your niche somewhere.

Aryana

In my opinion, it's all about the U. Everyone I know is always jealous of the experience I've had at U.M. Although I was accepted to many other universities with greater academic reputations, I wouldn't alter my college experience for anything; I've actually found that I've received the same, if not better, educational quality as students I know in top 15 schools. President Shalala takes academics seriously, and has recruited world-recognized scientists, researchers, and professors from the top institutions to advance our university. In fact, we hold the record for the fastest ranking acceleration- 51 to 37 in 3 short years. She is also concerned with providing her students and faculty with unique opportunities and therefore hosts many renowned individuals at our university- former President Clinton, the Dalai Lama, Ludacris, to name a few. We are a relatively small undergraduate campus, nestled in the luxurious area of Coral Gables in Miami, and we are frequently described as going to school at a country club because the campus is so pristine and manicured. On campus, we are fairly isolated from the hustle and bustle of Miami, but all of its advantages lie in our backyard. No where else could you receive such a world-class education and also party in the nation's #1 club with celebrities like Will Smith and Michael Jordan. The city of Miami is extremely supportive of us; they are loyal fans of the U and many organizations actually offer us students discounts. The school pride is similarly enthusiastic and faithful. As I said, it's all about the U.

Kateryna

I absolutely love UM. I have met a lot of interesting, unique, and fun people. The campus is gorgeous, the dorms aren't bad. The dining hall food needs to be improved, which is the students most frequent complaint. The classes are the for most part interesting, although you get teachers who don't know what they're doing sometimes. The school doesnt seem too large, there are huge classes and some small classes, which I love. UM is also the best university in Florida so I am very proud to go here. I feel like its a prestigious school in this state. There are a LOT of activities and clubs and honor societies and sports you can participate in. Very active campus, and perfect location. Coral Gables has everything you need, and what you don't have here you have at Downtown (15 min away) or South Beach (30 min away). There is a LOT of school pride.

Jordan

The best thing about going to the University of Miami is the fact that you go to the University of Miami. As pretentious as it may sound, being a Hurricane is an experience like no other, and cannot be simply decided by one football game or a certain class. Some students may point to our spirit and the excitement our athletic programs generate; this is a good answer. Some students may talk about our incredible professors, small class sizes (52{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}, according to US News, of them classes with less than 20 students) and prestigious academics; also a good answer. Some may brag about our beautiful campus, location, and thirty minute commute via public transit to famous South Beach; also a good answer. Going to the University of Miami is an experience that is comprised of all the incredible things the university has to offer to its students; unique and interesting classes taught by respected, friendly and most of all well-educated professors only too happy to teach students. The awesome school pride that pervades every part of University life here, from dorm life, classes, football games and even, on some memorable occasions, bathrooms. The “just right” size of the school, where you will always be meeting new and diverse fellow students but feel at home and comfortable in a campus that takes maybe twenty minutes to walk across (not that you would need to, thanks to our school-sponsored, campus-exclusive) ‘round the clock bus service). There are far too many aspects of the Hurricane Experience that need to be just that; experienced. But rest assured that every aspect of UM excels in its field. Even the administration has proven itself incredibly helpful, friendly, and easy to work with, unlike some other unfortunate institutions whose administrations are marred with red tape and inefficiency. The administration is able to work with the “just right” size of the student body, which means every prospective student, and has no problem quickly scheduling one-on-one meetings with counselors, advisors, professors, deans, or whoever may be necessary. Things like recovering a lost UM ID card or sorting out a problem with one’s financial account are handled on a personal level in one of the university’s many offices with a friendly smile and remarkable speed that one would never expect of such a complex institution, but not unusual at all for the University of Miami. It’s not unusual either to see the friendly and incredible President Donna Shalala walking around campus to grab a coffee, meet with a professor, or just to chat with her students and get a real sense of what’s going on in her school; in fact, school-sponsored meetings with the administration to deal with problems or just to see if there are any are held on a regular basis. I don’t even live on campus, being a Miami native, and I have made use of the school’s useful on-campus clinic when I felt sick earlier in the year. As a student, my schedule seemed too busy to include a trip to my doctor, so the on-campus clinic was very convenient. I waited maybe a few minutes and was seen by a professional physician and quickly diagnosed with a common cold, all without the hassle (or cost) of having to see my own doctor. Speaking of my status as a commuter, the school does everything it can to include and account for all types of students; residents, commuters, transfers, and even the significant portion of the student body that hails from an entirely different country altogether. At the beginning of this semester, a change in the established parking system made finding parking nigh impossible after noon, a death sentence for a commuter, and within the first month of the semester the administration in charge of parking held a meeting with the commuter student body to see how to best address the problem. Changes were made to the parking system soon after, and parking has not been a problem since. Though this may not have much bearing on a resident student, it just goes to show how responsive and helpful UM’s administration is. Taking into account all these factors, it’s impossible to pinpoint one. The University of Miami is an experience that will define and change an entire lifetime.

Steven

You've heard the phrase 'college is what you make of it,' but what no one tells you is that you can be limited by what the college has to offer. At the U, almost everything you can think of is available to you. Alongside the enormous selection of majors and minors is an incredibly large and diverse extra-curricular assortment. Whether you are interested in sports clubs, Greek life, wellness and fitness, music, movies, or anything else, UM has just about everything. Having so many options available to me has allowed me to expand my horizons and experience things I would never have previously. In example, my freshman year I was able to go rock-climbing, see a free pre-released movie screening, go to a party at the President of UM's house (she does this every year), and record music in a professional recording studio all in two weeks.

Steven

You've heard the phrase 'college is what you make of it,' but what no one tells you is that you can be limited by what the college has to offer. At the U, almost everything you can think of is available to you. Alongside the enormous selection of majors and minors is an incredibly large and diverse extra-curricular assortment. Whether you are interested in sports clubs, Greek life, wellness and fitness, music, movies, or anything else, UM has just about everything. Having so many options available to me has allowed me to expand my horizons and experience things I would never have previously. In example, my freshman year I was able to go rock-climbing, see a free pre-released movie screening, go to a party at the President of UM's house (she does this every year), and record music in a professional recording studio all in two weeks.

Cory

I love University of Miami. I grew up with it as my parents both went and my mother teaches there, but that's not the reason I love it. I believe that there aren't many other schools like it. Firstly, it's a medium sized college holding a little over 10,000 students on average. This means that the classes tend to be smaller and teachers are more willing to help, as they might actually remember you. Although some general education classes may be big, the more difficult upper-level courses tend to have more help. UM is also not in the "city" of Miami but nearby, meaning you're not located directly in the city but not in a college town where there is nothing nearby. Another aspect of Miami that I really like is having Donna Shalala as our President. After working in Bill Clinton's administration she turned her focus towards UM and adores the students. She even has the Freshman Orientation Barbeque at her house in Coral Gables!

Brad

I love UM, I have lived in Miami my whole life and when i was a freshman i went to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. After a year and a half there, i decided it was time to come home back to Miami. I am so glad that i did. I love the campus, the student body, as well as the location surrounding the campus. There is so much to do on weekends whether you are a partier or not. I honestly rarely hear any complaints about the school, and if i do hear them they are about the amount of work the students have built up for their next test!

Tiffany

From an international and transfer perspective, I personally would have preferred a bigger school but it’s a good size. Not too big, not too small. Coral Gables is not a college town, definitely not; however the school spirit takes over the state of Florida. The weather is unpredictable but when it is warm, it is warm and everyone loves it. When I tell people I go to this school, they are usually impressed. Physically, it can be a pretty campus, I spend most of my time in my room doing work. The dining halls need to immensely improve and so does housing and these are where most complaints come in. But one thing they do, is encourage you , as a student, to have a voice and hopefully they will improve. Maybe what everyone else is calling partying, is not how I see partying, its more of a chill and drinking vibe. There are many opportunities to grab here, some take advantage of what they are given, and others take it for granted. I've had more bad experiences than good here but I'm hoping that will all change and the good will overshadow the bad. This is my first semester here and as a transfer it is hard to make friends because everyone already had their set of friends however, there is every type of group on campus and some really do make you feel welcome. I am not on a scholarship what so ever. In my opinion, it isn’t worth the $56,910.00

Katherine

The best thing about the U is the atmosphere. The campus is the perfect size (15 minute walk from one side to the other) and is gorgeous. Most people think that UM is a huge school because of our football team but we only have around 11,000 undergrads. Another common misconception is that the school is in a dangerous area but our campus is located in Coral Gables, a quiet upscale town right outside of Miami. The Rathskeller is the best place to be, located right in the middle of campus you can sit outside on one of the swinging tables and grab a burger and a pitcher. The school is located close to the beach and lots of restaurants, shops, and bars. Cane pride is huge at UM. Once a Cane always a Cane and we go all out. My first football game will always be my favorite part of college. Our campus is probably the most unusual part about our school, it feels more like a resort than a school with all of the green grass, palm trees, and fountains. The school even sets up hammocks during finals. The biggest student complaint is probably that our football stadium isn't located on campus. However, UM provides charter buses free to students to take you to and from the game.

Lauren

Everybody has an opinion about UM students. Clearly, I think our students are the best! Our President is highly interested in our successes and her actions show that. The worst part about the school is the food. Its not bad, but it's not great either. The food is contracted out by Chartwells and I believe we are in the process of improving it. This leads me to my next point, UM listens! Tell them anything, start a protest (peacefully), sign petitions! If you want something, it'll get done! Students wanted to be able to rent umbrellas, offer more catering options, offer bike rentals, and more! And these are all things in the works! Recently, our homecoming committee had Ludacris as the headlining act. Last year we had Lauryn Hill and before that we had Common. Not only are celebrities interested in the U, but they are also supporters. You will notice celebs in boxed seats at football games. We also hosted the Democratic debate with Obama and McCain, Condoleeza Rice and the Dalai Lama. The opportunities here are priceless! Miami is a great city. UM is located in the heart of Coral Gables, an affluent community with a lot of history. Miami is rich with history, rich with culture, and rich with scenery. Not to mention, the weather is always great! Despite the recent controversy of the Nevin Shapiro case, our community remains faithful to our students and the football team. Instead of being fairweather fans, they came out in droves to support us! The spirit of University of Miami is so large that people who have no ties to our school whatsoever still support our football, our students, and our alumni. When an employer sees that you attend UM or that you graduated from UM, you automatically get a leg up. Its a note of distinction and they know that our students are well-rounded, well prepared, and hardworkers! Being a student at UM will always be something I remember. Telling people I attend this campus is always a joy because their face and attitude change about me.

Sarah

Overall, I'm transferring... again. I came to Miami hoping to get amazing connections, which I did. It is a great school for networking. The nightlife is fun if your 21+ but besides that the U lacked for me. I had mediocre professors who just seemed to put there time in to undergrad in order to do research in their field. They were defiantly experienced and knowledgeable but lacked the motivation to teach.

Alyssa

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI IS THE WORST CHOICE FOR YOU MONEY. YOU WILL SPEND $50,000 A YEAR ON EDUCATION THAT IS OF WORSE QUALITY THAN YOU WOULD GET AT AN IN-STATE SCHOOL. FURTHERMORE THEY MAKE IT ENTIRELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO GRADUATE, ESPECIALLY AS A TRANSFER. FORGET HAVING FUN ON CAMPUS, THEY ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO SHUT DOWN GREEK LIFE AND THE RATHSKELLER. IF YOU WANT A GREAT EDUCATION, SPEND YOUR MONEY WISELY, BUT NOT AT UM AS THEY SPEND ALL YOUR MONEY ON LOBBYISTS IN WASHINGTON AND TOWARD INCREASING THEIR RANKING IN US NEWS.

Jesse

The most common reaction I get when I say I go to Miami is "Wow, such a beautiful place to go to school." All of my friends are extremely jealous of my choice and are always trying to visit. Size was not a huge factor when I originally looked at colleges but Miami really is the perfect size. Some days I can walk to class and see everyone I know but other days its like walking around with a bunch of strangers. I never feel alone but on the off chance I want to hide there are plenty of ways to conceal myself in the crowd. Coral Gables is definitely not a college town but almost all the local spots are filled with students and there is a lot of school pride. Its practically impossible to go to a store near campus that doesnt display its support for Miami Canes.

Morgan

Miami was my first choice school, despite the fact that people warned me against it. I wish I would have listened, however I was drawn in by the admissions department endless string of advertisments, videos, etc. showing academically motivated students. This turned out to be false advertising at its greatest. The school is nothing like that. Don't be fooled. I once read review after review trying to find the perfect school for me. I had read reviews just like this one, but decided that Miami was the right place for me. I just have to say this: IF YOU HAVE WORKED HARD FOR YOUR GRADES, AND WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE TO LEARN, DO NOT COME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI. I TURNED DOWN VANDERBILT, USC, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. I REGRET IT MORE THAN I CAN SAY. THERE ARE SO MANY BETTER SCHOOLS YOU CAN CHOOSE, SO PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF THE TROUBLE.

Alex

miami is great place to go to school! the profs i've had in the poli sci dept are great! there is so much to do...whether you want to spend time on campus or head to south beach...coconut grove, a short ride away has great little bars and restaurants catering to canes. the football games are a lot of fun too..but far away! but the university provides busing to them, and you get in free and can have beer in the stadium (legally only if youre 21+)!

Andy

the size is just right. love the city of miami - it is def not a college town, but SO much fun. there is an infinite amount of things to do here... beach, shop, eat amazing food, tan, club, bar hop, museums, aquariums, ...everything! greek life needs to be eliminated or revamped - the ppl in it are very cocky about nothing, not in it for the right reasons at all, sisterhood does not exist, girls join sororities for resume building or for reps... huge disappointment being a transfer student

Carlos

The best thing about Miami...where to start...we can talk about the world class professors (Dean of the the School of Business, taught at Wharton), we can talk about the broad academic options, the endless amount of student organizations, the beautiful campus in the heart of affluent Coral Gables, the diverse student body, the storied athletic program, it's all there! When you tell and employer or even someone you just met you're a Miami student, you can notice a slight change. Employers are impressed and people ask whether you're rich or smart. Although few can claim the first, almost all Miami students can claim the latter. Studying at Miami allows you to mix academics, with a WORLD CLASS PARTY SCENE! SoBe and the Grove are minutes away! It's not really a college town and people are always on the move in Miami, there's just so much to do. One thing though...get ready for the traffic...there is over 10 million registered vehicles in Miami-Dade County. If you want to stay on campus, there's the Cosford cinema, events at the Rock, and for the sports-junkies, get your fix at the Rat. For the adventurous...sex in the Stacks if you can manage it will grant you entry into a very exclusive club. Everyone is proud to be a Miami Hurricane, and when the football picks up, we'll be back with a vengeance! R.I.P.: Kelly Anne Jones!

Joe

Our school is an awesome size - 10,000. Big enough that you can meet new people anytime, but small enough for a good community feel. It's not a college town, but the local community rallies around campus because were the only major university in South Florida. I'll always remember (but sometimes not specifics) my Thursday nights in the grove. I'll always remember going to the beach every weekend. I'll always remember the class I took with my President. And I'll always remember the awesome friends I made along the way.

monica

i love the beautiful campus friendly people and overall laidback yet at the same time exciting exerience. the sports games are very fun and all the students who attend show spirit for their team. eating lunch at the rat on campus feels like youre relaxing at a resort. the classes are challenging but most teachers are helpful. i would do something about the parking situation bc theres never any spots and they give out parking tickets too casually. when i tell someone i go to UM they usually say that im "so lucky!" because of the school's great reputation in academics, as "suntan U", and its great social life.

Alison

UMiami is an all-around amazing school. The size is just right and class sizes are typically small. The academics are wonderful -- I've learned so much more this year than I have in any other school year. The students are proud to go to Miami. All around campus (and the surrounding community) you will see orange and green. There's nothing better than saying that you go to school at "The U." The U is tradition, it's excellence, it's family.