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College Prowler

Academics

Several of my computer science classes were also interesting. I’ve had the entire spectrum of professors. I’ve had the inspiring and insightful teachers and also the horrible and unfair teachers. For the most part, they have been pretty good. The best way to find good professors and classes is to ask upperclassmen.

Athletics

There are certainly loyal fans, but the average student couldn’t care less. Our football team struggles a lot in the MAC, as does our basketball team. Hockey games get a lot of coverage, and in my opinion, are the most entertaining to attend. The team is pretty good and we play big-named schools like Notre Dame and Michigan. Lots of people get involved in IM sports since there is such a wide variety to choose from.

Campus Dining

The dining halls are terrific! There is a lot of variety in the dining halls and the food they offer. The best in my opinion is probably Hot/Cold Scott, but Shriver is always yummy and Alexander caters to more selective diets. Harris has some fancier on-campus dining options for people who just want to try that out as well.

Campus Housing

All of the dorms are gorgeous on the outside. I think the nicest setups are in Flower and Hahne Halls, where four people live in two bedrooms and share a bathroom. You can also control your own heat and air-conditioning by individual room in those dorms. The dorms on East Quad and Western Campus are the farthest from the action, though Flower and Hahne and the rest of North Quad are probably just as far, if not farther.

Campus Strictness

Miami is now a smoke free campus - even outside - which is irritating. However, the rule really isn't enforced. If you're 21 or over you can have booze in your dorm. If you're under the general rule is don't make it obvious. None of the RAs really want to bust you - so don't make them. If you do drink in the dorm just don't be noisy or have it out in the open.

Computers

I always used the computers in King and Brill Libraries, and never had to wait at all for them. There are numerous labs all throughout campus, so if you don’t have a computer—although I recommend having one because it’s much more convenient—you will have lots of options. You have to get an Ethernet card and cable. You can have someone install it for you once you get to school if you can’t figure it out yourself, but know that the wait for that service when you first get to school is kind of long.

Diversity

What diversity? Except for the occasional African American or Indian, and maybe a smattering of Asians, this campus is fairly devoid of diversity, no matter what the administration would like to portray in their commercials. Can you say ‘false advertisement’ boys and girls?

Drug Scene

The drug scene isn’t too big. Just like any campus, if you really want something, you can get it. I personally don’t do drugs at college, but my roommates got involved in it later on. One of them paid a hefty price for it.

Facilities

The student center isn’t that good. It has a place to eat, a post office, some meeting rooms, and a small market to buy food. It’s one of Miami’s weaker points. It’s not a major place to hang out or anything. On the other hand, the Rec Center is great! I live off campus right across from it. It is one of Miami’s best features. It’s only a few years old and has four basketball courts, two racquetball courts, a great exercise and weight room, a track, an amazing Olympic-sized swimming pool, plus an enormous diving pool and a recreation pool. It’s really a first-rate place. There is a food court there, too.

Greek Life

Greek life is pretty big at Miami. I am not in a sorority, but a lot of my friends are. You may read Miami is only 30 percent Greek, but in all honesty, they count Miami’s branch campuses in Hamilton and Middletown in that number. The branch campuses do not have Greek life, so the Oxford campus is actually over 50 percent Greek. It just depends on what you like to do. There is something for everyone. Each frat and sorority has their own little stereotypes, but all-in-all they’re just fine.

Guys & Girls

There are many types of people on Miami's campus. The guys are usually pretty fun and outgoing, but there is also the group of guys that are more "geeky" if you will- really smart but kind of socially awkward. The girls are usually described as "snotty" and "preppy" but really pretty with not a lot of common sense. This is only a portion of the girls- many girls are very smart, both book smart and with common sense, and are very nice, outgoing, and funny.

Local Atmosphere

I like the small town community. The people are the best! Very friendly and tight knit. Miami is a couple of hours away from any institution so the most interaction I'd get with other university students would be when teams are coming into tow for games.

Nightlife

There is only one ‘club,’ and that’s Brick Street. It plays all the white boy, suburban, hip-hop favorites and ends with Bon Jovi. There is a moderate bar selection. Hippie bars, frat star bars, but no gay bars.

Off-Campus Dining

There are a lot of options for restaurants uptown, which always surprises people. Considering how small Oxford is, it's amazing that there are something like 30 places to eat. There are the typical sub places and some cheap local stops which are usually busy. They have very few nice restaurants, though. When it comes to parents visiting, I would suggest leaving town after the first time. There is Alexander house, which is expensive and varies in its quality. The new restaurant, Stella, is actually really good and reasonably priced. Most of the restaurants are within walking distance, or the bus rides right uptown on the really cold days.

Off-Campus Housing

Off-campus housing isn't too bad to come by but you have to start looking almost an entire year before you plan on living there. You have to start as early as September 2009 if looking for a place for August 2010. Plus, many leases need to be signed that early anyway.

Overall Experience

There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than at Miami. I’ve met the greatest people and done some things I never thought I’d do. I’ve made the most of my time here, so far, and intend to keep doing so for my last year. I’m sure I could have been just as happy at another school, but Miami fulfills about everything I wanted in a college: beautiful campus, wonderful friends, interesting classes, far away from home. It’s just great!

Parking

Everything at Miami is close enough to walk or take the metro. Parking isn’t too bad on the street by my house, but I think it’s because we’re a little further away from campus. Most of the streets are crammed with cars, and the police make no bones about giving out ticket, after ticket, after ticket! We have one big parking lot slightly off campus for younger students to park their cars, so they have a way to get home. However, they don’t use the car on a daily basis. Oxford also just built a brand new parking garage, but that’s mostly for the new hotel and uptown businesses to use.

Safety & Security

Miami University has its own police force, which works along with the Oxford Police Department to keep order on and around campus. Miami has had some problems with sexual assault in the past, but they are taking many steps to prevent that from happening. There are emergency phones all over campus, and you can call and ask for either a walk-along escort from the student volunteer organization or a ride from the Campus Assault Prevention Program (CAPP) van. I usually feel safe walking around campus, even at night, and I don’t know of anyone having any problems.

Transportation

The Miami Metro service is nice when its cold outside, but it is hardly ever on time. Sometimes it's early, sometimes it's late, and you can probably get anywhere faster by walking than by waiting for a late bus.

Weather

Fall is beautiful, but kind of cold. I personally love the beach, so it isn’t great here for me, but it’s not bad either. Winter is freaking cold, and there’s usually a good amount of snow. Spring and summer are good, too, and not usually that hot. You’ll want to bring considerable winter clothes though, like a nice warm jacket. In August and September, it’s usually at least 70. It gets pretty cold from November until March too.