I spent my April Fool’s Day visiting the University of Miami with several of my IECA colleagues. We started the day with an information session geared toward interested high school students. Did you know that UM will celebrate its 100^th birthday next Tuesday? Founded in 1925, it has grown to be a Tier 1 research university with nine undergraduate colleges, serving roughly 12,000 undergraduate students.

When you apply for admission to the university, you apply to one of the nine undergraduate colleges or undeclared in the College of Arts & Sciences. The School of Architecture, Frost School of Music, and Theatre Arts within Colleges of Arts and Sciences each require either a portfolio or an audition. The School of Nursing and Health Studies is a direct admit program, meaning that students are admitted directly into the nursing program, and it is extremely difficult to transfer into the program. Other colleges include the Herbert Business School, School of Communication, School of Education and Human Developments, College of Engineering, and the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science.

All students are required to complete UM’s general education program which consists of taking three classes in 3 Cognates: STEM, People & Society, and Arts & Humanities. This is easy to complete as each student’s major will satisfy one of the Cognates, and it encourages students to pick up a minor or second major in a different area.

UM encourages students to study abroad and offers 80 different programs in over 20 countries. Students are assigned a study abroad advisor that coordinates with their academic advisor to ensure a smooth transition between campuses. 70% of engineering students even study abroad- a very large number that is not possible in most universities. Research is also strongly encouraged and can be completed in subjects both in and out of your major. Students complete a research request form and are then paired with a faculty member for research as early as the second semester freshman year.

The Toppel Career Center supports students with resume help, interview prep, free head shots, pre-professional track advisors, and career fairs each semester. They even have mini career fairs by college/major.

Housing looks amazing and is organized by year: freshmen live in the new Centennial Village; sophomores in Century Village in apartment style housing, and upper classmen are predominantly in University Village on the edge of campus and near the Greek housing.

Fun Facts:

1.        Hurricane home football games are played in The Hardrock Arena, shared with the Miami Dolphins! Tickets are included in tuition                and they run free shuttles back and forth from campus to the arena on game days

2.       There’s a Metro Station across from campus.

3.       Tons of dining options on campus including a “Without” section for those students with food allergies.

4.       25% of students are involved in Greek life but Rush is not until the spring semester.

5.       There’s a free on-campus cinema that shows current releases.

6.       All residential colleges have hurricane windows- just in case!

7.       Market Wednesdays allow all types of food vendors to come sell their goodies to students- think acai bowls, smoothies, juices, food           tents, etc.

8.       Thursday mornings focus on Patio Jams- listen to musicians from the School of Music or other musicians as you stroll to classes.

9.       There’s an on-campus hair & nail salon!

10.      UM is home to “Launch Pad” an on campus ‘Shark Tank” where any student may pitch their business ideas to real investors.