Do you have a kid at UMiami?

[Anonymous]

This winter really has my DC questioning their other acceptances (specifically Michigan and Wisconsin). Miami is 79 right now. Madison is 9. AA is 15. Academics and the traditional college town experience obviously were factors when creating their list. UMiami is a bit different. I get the impression that the city of Miami a pretty big part the experience. I just can't see my kid being into the club scene. If you have a Cane, do they report there is a sense of community or is it more like attending an urban school? Do students usually stay close to campus or do they spread out after freshman year? It's actually funny how many times I've seen people debating the 2 U of Ms. I feel like the student body would be more academically motivated at Michigan, but I also think I'm probably too influenced by student social media.

[Anonymous]

Surely your child has a preference!!!

[Anonymous]

Lots more money and coke at the U

[Anonymous]

30 years ago, it was not a typical campus social scene. We went to South Beach mostly, fine dining, shopping. There was a small Greek presence, did that, and looking back I think I really missed out on all the other opportunities to interact with the majority of students who joined other things. Greek life there was all encompassing, like it made my world very tiny, and in a way kind of toxic.

[Anonymous]

I have a recent UMiami grad. She maintains that U Miami is filled with happy, smart people. And she knew she wanted sunshine (felt other places were too depressing). She is a social person and was in a sorority but she's definitely not a follower, she makes her own way. As it turns out she makes friends from every situation she finds herself in. She's since graduated from a top business school and still says UM was the best place to spend 4 years. Also, teachers and admin, she said all were really great. In comparison she really had nothing particularly great to say about her grad school, except the diploma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Surely your child has a preference!!!

We haven't done admitted students days, yet. DC isn't ready to make a choice, but likes the schools for very different reasons. If they had a preference, they would have already commited. :p

[Anonymous]

Have they visited??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have they visited??

So far, only Miami, but it was awhile ago before going to some other big, traditional campuses in college towns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have they visited??

So far, only Miami, but it was awhile ago before going to some other big, traditional campuses in college towns.

It’s cold and snowy for 3-4 months of the year at 2 of those schools. Don’t wait until April to go.

I’d visit Michigan in early March if already admitted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a recent UMiami grad. She maintains that U Miami is filled with happy, smart people. And she knew she wanted sunshine (felt other places were too depressing). She is a social person and was in a sorority but she's definitely not a follower, she makes her own way. As it turns out she makes friends from every situation she finds herself in. She's since graduated from a top business school and still says UM was the best place to spend 4 years. Also, teachers and admin, she said all were really great. In comparison she really had nothing particularly great to say about her grad school, except the diploma.

Op, what is your kid looking for? You just mention "traditional college town"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Op, what is your kid looking for? You just mention "traditional college town"?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a recent UMiami grad. She maintains that U Miami is filled with happy, smart people. And she knew she wanted sunshine (felt other places were too depressing). She is a social person and was in a sorority but she's definitely not a follower, she makes her own way. As it turns out she makes friends from every situation she finds herself in. She's since graduated from a top business school and still says UM was the best place to spend 4 years. Also, teachers and admin, she said all were really great. In comparison she really had nothing particularly great to say about her grad school, except the diploma.

Op, what is your kid looking for? You just mention "traditional college town"?

Here's a comparison:

We went to Boston University. The programs offered seemed great and our tour guide was really personable. The townhouses near the school were so appealing. However, my DC didn't like that they couldn't tell where the school ended and the city began. While it would be awesome to have all of Boston available as a college student, they felt like they wanted more of a defined campus where they could just hang out on the quad and study outside. They didn't want to walk out of their dorm onto a city street. For this reason, DC also refused to apply to Pitt after visiting.

We also went to UGA. Again, the program and tour guides were great (probably best tour guides of all, TBH). It felt like the college campus they envisioned in their mind, from the design of the buildings to the landscaping and general vibe. They felt much more comfortable in that environment. Then, we walked around downtown Athens and loved all the restaurants and shops that are right there by campus. You could tell that students would be just fine without a car, at least while living on campus because there is so much to walk to nearby. They also loved walking into the football stadium at the end of campus. DC loves feeling part of a big community and I think the camaraderie that comes from supporting your school team contributes to that.

UMiami seems to be kind of in between these two. We didn't have a chance to explore Coral Gables, but I get the impression that Michigan and Wisconsin are much more like Athens in terms of campus and college town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Op, what is your kid looking for? You just mention "traditional college town"?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a recent UMiami grad. She maintains that U Miami is filled with happy, smart people. And she knew she wanted sunshine (felt other places were too depressing). She is a social person and was in a sorority but she's definitely not a follower, she makes her own way. As it turns out she makes friends from every situation she finds herself in. She's since graduated from a top business school and still says UM was the best place to spend 4 years. Also, teachers and admin, she said all were really great. In comparison she really had nothing particularly great to say about her grad school, except the diploma.

Op, what is your kid looking for? You just mention "traditional college town"?

Here's a comparison:

We went to Boston University. The programs offered seemed great and our tour guide was really personable. The townhouses near the school were so appealing. However, my DC didn't like that they couldn't tell where the school ended and the city began. While it would be awesome to have all of Boston available as a college student, they felt like they wanted more of a defined campus where they could just hang out on the quad and study outside. They didn't want to walk out of their dorm onto a city street. For this reason, DC also refused to apply to Pitt after visiting.

We also went to UGA. Again, the program and tour guides were great (probably best tour guides of all, TBH). It felt like the college campus they envisioned in their mind, from the design of the buildings to the landscaping and general vibe. They felt much more comfortable in that environment. Then, we walked around downtown Athens and loved all the restaurants and shops that are right there by campus. You could tell that students would be just fine without a car, at least while living on campus because there is so much to walk to nearby. They also loved walking into the football stadium at the end of campus. DC loves feeling part of a big community and I think the camaraderie that comes from supporting your school team contributes to that.

UMiami seems to be kind of in between these two. We didn't have a chance to explore Coral Gables, but I get the impression that Michigan and Wisconsin are much more like Athens in terms of campus and college town.

Given this, I'd say UMiami is more similar to Boston College with a beautiful self-contained campus with access to Miami/Boston but it takes a 20 min train ride or uber - you're not on the edge of town. (yes, Coral Gables and Chestnut Hill have a couple restaurants/pizza/ice cream/bars and grocery/drug store, etc, but not the "college town" as typically envisioned).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Op, what is your kid looking for? You just mention "traditional college town"?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a recent UMiami grad. She maintains that U Miami is filled with happy, smart people. And she knew she wanted sunshine (felt other places were too depressing). She is a social person and was in a sorority but she's definitely not a follower, she makes her own way. As it turns out she makes friends from every situation she finds herself in. She's since graduated from a top business school and still says UM was the best place to spend 4 years. Also, teachers and admin, she said all were really great. In comparison she really had nothing particularly great to say about her grad school, except the diploma.

Op, what is your kid looking for? You just mention "traditional college town"?

Here's a comparison:

We went to Boston University. The programs offered seemed great and our tour guide was really personable. The townhouses near the school were so appealing. However, my DC didn't like that they couldn't tell where the school ended and the city began. While it would be awesome to have all of Boston available as a college student, they felt like they wanted more of a defined campus where they could just hang out on the quad and study outside. They didn't want to walk out of their dorm onto a city street. For this reason, DC also refused to apply to Pitt after visiting.

We also went to UGA. Again, the program and tour guides were great (probably best tour guides of all, TBH). It felt like the college campus they envisioned in their mind, from the design of the buildings to the landscaping and general vibe. They felt much more comfortable in that environment. Then, we walked around downtown Athens and loved all the restaurants and shops that are right there by campus. You could tell that students would be just fine without a car, at least while living on campus because there is so much to walk to nearby. They also loved walking into the football stadium at the end of campus. DC loves feeling part of a big community and I think the camaraderie that comes from supporting your school team contributes to that.

UMiami seems to be kind of in between these two. We didn't have a chance to explore Coral Gables, but I get the impression that Michigan and Wisconsin are much more like Athens in terms of campus and college town.

Coral Gables is really not a college town. You could live there and not even know it's a college kid area at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Op, what is your kid looking for? You just mention "traditional college town"?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a recent UMiami grad. She maintains that U Miami is filled with happy, smart people. And she knew she wanted sunshine (felt other places were too depressing). She is a social person and was in a sorority but she's definitely not a follower, she makes her own way. As it turns out she makes friends from every situation she finds herself in. She's since graduated from a top business school and still says UM was the best place to spend 4 years. Also, teachers and admin, she said all were really great. In comparison she really had nothing particularly great to say about her grad school, except the diploma.

Op, what is your kid looking for? You just mention "traditional college town"?

Here's a comparison:

We went to Boston University. The programs offered seemed great and our tour guide was really personable. The townhouses near the school were so appealing. However, my DC didn't like that they couldn't tell where the school ended and the city began. While it would be awesome to have all of Boston available as a college student, they felt like they wanted more of a defined campus where they could just hang out on the quad and study outside. They didn't want to walk out of their dorm onto a city street. For this reason, DC also refused to apply to Pitt after visiting.

We also went to UGA. Again, the program and tour guides were great (probably best tour guides of all, TBH). It felt like the college campus they envisioned in their mind, from the design of the buildings to the landscaping and general vibe. They felt much more comfortable in that environment. Then, we walked around downtown Athens and loved all the restaurants and shops that are right there by campus. You could tell that students would be just fine without a car, at least while living on campus because there is so much to walk to nearby. They also loved walking into the football stadium at the end of campus. DC loves feeling part of a big community and I think the camaraderie that comes from supporting your school team contributes to that.

UMiami seems to be kind of in between these two. We didn't have a chance to explore Coral Gables, but I get the impression that Michigan and Wisconsin are much more like Athens in terms of campus and college town.

Given this, I'd say UMiami is more similar to Boston College with a beautiful self-contained campus with access to Miami/Boston but it takes a 20 min train ride or uber - you're not on the edge of town. (yes, Coral Gables and Chestnut Hill have a couple restaurants/pizza/ice cream/bars and grocery/drug store, etc, but not the "college town" as typically envisioned).

[Anonymous]

UMiami and BC have similar academics, social scenes, and campus/city environments. Only big difference is the weather.