burgler09

Party school reputation? oh come on, USC has a party reputation but that doesn't make it not a top university in the US. UMiami might be known as a party school to some, but its still one of the best universities in the US. Miami has so many different connections and when applying to grad schools and jobs they will know its a great school academically, they understand many schools have parties. Dartmouth is known as the party-ivy, that doesn't mean people will be afraid to hire a dartmouth alum :P

4KidsMom

4kidsmom's daughter again...
after a lot of thought today, i am now leaning towards umiami
its the place i want to be

but here's another twist
i'm on the waitlist at richmond, lehigh, and lafayette
richmond doesn't have a neuroscience department, but i still LOVE it
lehigh and lafayette do, but they're like in the middle of nowhere
I guess miami sounds like the best fit, but I do worry that the names of these schools carry more weight...

MJay

4KidsMom('s daughter), you seem somewhat similar to myself. I'm entering college as a premed student, most likely at UM.

The school's reputation as a party school and the fact that clubbing seems to be the most prevalent thing to do on weekends are the two largest detracting factors for me. I'm just going to hold out faith that I'll be able to find a few students like myself who want to focus on academics and do things other than South Beach.

My advice is, if you think you want to go to medical school, you should go to the college where you think you can do the best academically. If you feel comfortable at UM, both in the physical sense and the academic sense (challenging, but not too challenging), then that would be a good place for you.

BruinsJEW

MJay,

There are plenty of students who are not into the club scene. I'm just having difficulties adjusting to the social factor since I'm a mid-year transfer (2nd sem freshman) and everyone has already created their groups and such since Miami tends to be more clicky than other universities like my past one, or maybe it would be the same everywhere. But, I feel since the students here are more well to do, that makes them more cocky and think that there all "cooler" than everyone else. I dealt with the popularity game in high school and no longer wanna deal with such bs.

With that being said, starting out as a first-semester freshman, I think it will be easier for you to fine the right group of friends.

Hope this helps! I'm just biased because of my shortcomings into the schoolyear. However, I hope to correct this issue by getting more involved in student life next year, perhaps joining a fraternity (rumor that AEPi is coming back).

hurryCANE

BruinsJew:

Yes, UM is one of the most selective schools in the country (top 75 among all colleges, and 40 among "National Universities" according to most rankings) but the avg SAT score is definitely not 1350. That is the 75th percentile. only 25% of kids have scores higher than that. But, that was last year. Rumor has it that this year the avg is indeed over 1300 -- about 1310. And, yes, the avg GPA is 4.0+. That is true. Congrats on acceptees! Good luck making your decisions. Just wanted to clarify...

MJay

"...I feel since the students here are more well to do,..."

Hey, I'll probably be there in the Fall and I'm only moderate-to-do. We can hang. lol

BruinsJEW

MJay,

I'll hold you to it. I'll be a sophomore so I can show you the ropes.

my-3-sons

You will find that there is no shortage of kids who are academically minded and not into the club scene. The best way to meet like-minded kids is to get involved in campus clubs and activities. Be active and enjoy all UM has to offer.

MJay

Thanks, my-3-sons. Thats about what I'm banking (and planning) on.

I will now cease my hijacking of this thread. lol