Why'd you pick UM?

BaghDAD
Sun, 24 May 2009 00:28:56 +0000

1551,

“Prestige” is an intangible, something out there, but not able to be grasped. It is also dependent upon region. Yes, Northwestern is known nationally, but so is Miami. I have lived on the East Coast, out West, down South and now in the Midwest…each area has its “IT” school, from Harvard to UC Berkley to Vandy. In the Midwest, I also hear Michigan and University of Chicago as what people say is the “IT” school. Funny, many of the people saying these things don’t go or have never gone to any of those places. You are the one who will have to go through the good and bad at wherever you choose, not the people whose opinion you solicit or who give it to you freely (including yours truly).

I don’t exactly identify Miami as a “settled for school” like some regional state university established in 1991. If you go by USNWR (hardly advocating just that, though) it is top 20% National University, a private school of about 9,800 undergrads. Sure, its admission rate is 10% higher than NU, but that is still a low 37.7%. Party School? At UM, most all are off-campus…Your not “pressured” to participate like some greek-dominated places.

You mentioned studying abroad. Interestingly enough, right as I was getting to write this post, I was interrupted by a phone call…my S calling. Oh, btw he was calling from Australia. He is a Miami sophomore, and a top graduate from his Midwest high school. He received scholarship money on top of his regular scholarship just to go overseas and study at an excellent university “Down-Under” for the semester. I use him as an anecdotal but nevertheless true example. He was admitted to other great schools, with scholarships to boot, but in the end he chose Miami. He continues to excel in his academics, while being afforded unique leadership opportunities while still only an underclassman. If pride is a factor, I know I am proud of him and how well he has done there.