Visit Report by SpringfieldMom (Member since January 27 2006 with 736 posts) Visit Date - May 2008
Visit to Miami University - Ohio in May 2008 by SpringfieldMom ()
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - Opening presentation by Admissions Counselor, short DVD and excellent followup Q&A by Adm. Counselor. Campus Tour:
Yes - Very long-2/5 hours (and a very hot day!). Saw many academic buildings, student union, rec center and one freshman dorm. Tour guide was top notch, even though we had a very large group she made sure we all could hear her.
Miami University - Ohio Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 5 - Excellent -
Student tour guide was very friendly and informative.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 4 - Very Good -
Admissions staff was very friendly and helpful.
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
Very well maintained, buildings well spaced. Layout is great.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
Everything we saw (except construction areas, of course) was in tip-top shape. Campus is like something out of a magazine.
Dormitories: 4 - Very Good -
Good first impression of freshman dorm. Room rather small, but to be expected.
Security/Safety: 4 - Very Good -
No first-hand experience with this, but there are call boxes everywhere and free escort service.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
Campus is top-notch. Loved the fact that bus service will take students anywhere in the Oxford area for free.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 4 - Very Good -
University is surrounded by residential areas on 3 sides and and High Street (main drag of the town of Oxford) is on the other. Some rather dicey-looking rental housing next to campus but otherwise the area is charming.
City/Town/Community: 4 - Very Good -
Oxford is a very small town in a rural area and relies heavily on the University. Shops and businesses are geared towards the kids; however, not much in the way of chain stores frequented by most college students. A thriving metroplis it isn't!
Campus Visit Notes for Miami University - Ohio:
Visit Description:
Beautiful campus, not too big, not too small; 15,000 underclassmen, but you can walk across campus in under ˝ hour. If the weather is rotten, you can take “Metro” bus, which has four routes on campus. We really liked the town of Oxford...even though it’s not very big, it’s geared towards the students, with plenty of places to eat (but not much in the way of other kinds of shopping, unfortunately). Big emphasis on safety…escort service will pick you up anywhere and take you where you want to go. Academics sound great, the athletic facilities are wonderful, you can’t get much better; Div. I athletics (football & ice hockey are biggest sports); intramurals are popular. But...when they say it’s in the middle of a cornfield, they mean it really is in the middle of a cornfield! None of the usual suburban shopping opportunities nearby; the closest mall is near Cincinnati, 1 hour away. Freshmen not allowed to have a car unless home is 200 miles away and the 24 hour lot is a hike. And the only other on-campus parking is on the street, where students are not allowed to park during the day M-F and the parking fines are outrageous…$75.00 for a parking fine?????
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
Stayed at the Best Western-Sycamore, right next to campus (less than 5 minute ride). Excellent stay-free continental breakfast, indoor pool. There's also an Amerihost and a Holiday Inn.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Great burger at the High Street Grill!
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
Free Metro Bus for students. Parking on campus no problem for us at Admissions. Beautiful country scenery on our long ride to interstate 70 (45 min-1 hour away)
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Student tour guide was very friendly and informative.
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Admissions staff was very friendly and helpful.