Palm trees blow gently in the breeze while macaws perch curiously on the branches of
giant banyan trees. A manatee, astray from its home, sunbathes in the canal while mischievous
ducks chase an ibis looking for food. Inside the buildings nestled in this lush, tropical setting,
the serenity disappears into a bustling hotbed of activity. World-renowned geneticists are
researching a cure for cancer. Budding journalists are learning to ask the right questions, and
musical protégés take advice from Broadway masters including Jerry Herman and Barry Brown. Located in Coral Gables, Florida, the University
of Miami offers the quaint atmosphere of a city rich
in history while positioned just ten minutes from a
booming metropolis.
Approximately 10,500 undergraduate students
call University of Miami (UM) home. Coming from 49
states and over one hundred foreign countries, the university
boasts a diverse student population, and a stroll
through the Whitten University Center (UC), the hub
of student activity, displays this tapestry of cultural
pride. On any given day, the UC patio is transformed
into a stage for Cuban cuisine, Asian spoken-word
poetry, or vibrant hip-hop dancers.
Ethnic heritage isn’t the only thing that UM students
take pride in. With a tradition rich in athletics,
Hurricane sports bond students both on the field and
off. “The U,” as sports fans fondly call UM, is a powerhouse.
Alumni, faculty, staff, and students alike, joined
by the whole community, rally for the Hurricanes during
baseball and football games, and bleed orange and
green when the basketball team takes to the hoops.
The university had the unique opportunity to see athletics
play out under different stadium lights when
UM’s on-campus Lowe Art Museum, hosted “Game
Face: What a Female Athlete Looks Like.” This photographic
exhibit was a portrait of women in sports, exemplifying the importance of Title IX and
praising the strong, athletic woman.
The university’s ability to blend academics with culture provides an environment that
breeds higher learning and intellectual growth. With the launch of “UM Presents,” an online
portal highlighting all the cultural offerings on campus, the university community, as well as
UM’s neighbors, have a cultural smorgasbord at their fingertips. Promoting events including
lectures from UM’s renowned faculty to the Frost School of Music’s annual extravaganza,
Festival Miami, the variety of programs appeals to every taste.
Giving students the opportunity to learn and grow outside of the classroom is one of
UM’s best attributes, and it clearly enhances the academic experience. It is not unusual for faculty
to offer a Thanksgiving dinner to students not traveling home for the holiday. Creating a
home away from home, resident faculty in each of the residential colleges will often provide
an oven to bake cookies in or simply help students adjust to life on campus. As seniors, students
have created lasting relationships with their professors.
At a school like the University of Miami in a city like Miami, in one day students can
learn about DNA or Shakespeare and parasail over Biscayne Bay or snorkel in coral reefs.
Learning branches out far beyond the classroom as students explore the city and reach
higher.
“The U” by Numbers
10 Lessons Learned from the Dalai Lama
9 National Football and Baseball
Championships—1982, 1983, 1985,
1987, 1989, 1991, 1999, 2001
8 Top States UM Students Hail from:
Florida, California, Texas, New York,
New Jersey, Massachusetts, Illinois,
Pennsylvania
7 Residential Colleges—Mahoney,
Pearson, Stanford, Hecht, Eaton,
Apartments, University Village
6 Rockin’ Concerts—Coldplay, Green
Day, All American Rejects, John
Mayer, Kanye West, Audioslave and
more all have played at the
BankUnited Center
5 Presidents in UM History—Ashe,
Pearson, King, Foote, Shalala
4 Recent visits from Presidential
Candidates—George W. Bush, John
Kerry, Howard Dean, Ralph Nader
3 Literary Lectures—Toni Morrison,
Maya Angelou, Eli Wiesel
2 Supreme Court Justice
Appearances—Chief Justice John
Roberts, Justice Edward Breyer
1 Billion Dollars—Raised during UM’s
Momentum Fundraising Campaign
At the University of Miami, students will receive
an educational experience that lets students dip their
feet into political debates, cultural festivals, intellectual
lectures, and athletic events, not to mention the
Atlantic Ocean. Its dynamic, tropical location, worldrenowned
faculty, and the exceptional programs
designed to enhance student life make UM a place
where a high school student grows and matures into an
adult ready to enter the professional world with sophistication
and creative spark. The unique mix of tradition
and innovation instills pride in students and
inspires them to leave their own mark the moment they step on campus. When you graduate
from UM, you don’t become a statistic, you become part of the legacy, part of the UM family
that bonds people from every walk of life. Ask any alumni of UM how this university bonds each
student who crosses its campus in an indescribable way, and they’re sure to say “You wouldn’t
understand; it’s a Canes Thing.”
University of Miami
Academics
At the University of Miami, there are over 10,000 faculty, staff, and administrators whose
main goal is to deliver an exceptional higher education experience. The Coral Gables campus,
UM’s home base, is the location for its two colleges and six schools that house over 120 bachelor’s degree programs within eight undergraduate schools. In addition, the Coral Gables campus houses professional degree programs including the School of Law and School of
Architecture. The Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and Miller School
of Medicine are located on separate campuses. Many schools require students to enroll in a
double major. For example, students majoring in motion pictures through the School of
Communication may also major in photography through the College of Arts and Sciences.
During their time at UM, a 120-credit hour minimum must be fulfilled, which to a student can
seem like an eternity, but four years go by fast, and students leave UM prepared to take on the
world.
While attending UM, students typically take twelve to eighteen credits a semester,
meaning a majority of students are working diligently to graduate in four years. Classes are
small, with a fourteen-to-one student-to-professor ratio. Students usually chose credit hours
based on the number of activities they might be involved in, hours worked as a student employee on campus, and classes needed to fulfill their requirements. With the help of an academic
advisor, picking classes and staying on track became an easy task.
For some students, studying in Miami may seem like traveling to a different part of the
world. International food, dance, clothing, and language pop up all over and are celebrated on
campus. Researchers at the Miami European Union Center study how Europe’s relationships
with America, among other counties, shape the world today, politically and economically. Over
at the Center for Hemispheric Policy, panels of experts discuss important issues facing Latin
America today. Students are given a chance to interact with researchers and attend conferences
and lectures that explore the world around them and leave UM prepared to enter the
global market.
For students looking for a real international experience, UM’s study-abroad program
delivers an experience to last a lifetime. Featuring programs in twenty-eight countries, the
study-abroad program whisks students away to the Czech Republic, Australia, England,
Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Iceland, and Monaco to name a few.
The faculty at the University of Miami is among
the best in the country. These knowledgeable individuals
aren’t just people who assign what seems like endless
amounts of textbook reading and grade papers
with an iron fist; they are movers and shakers in their
professions and areas of research. The most interesting
aspect of working with professors who are current
practitioners is the blending of academics and real-life
experience.
In several public relations classes, group projects
were assigned where students were paired with a
client (usually business members in our local community)
and asked to develop a complete media strategy.
This meant conducting focus groups and surveys in the
community to find out about the public’s knowledge of
the client, creating promotional material for distribution,
and presenting ideas and solutions.
Hands-on curriculum is evident all over campus. Students in the Frost School of Music
have recording studios at their fingertips, and several times a year they sit in on master classes
where their form is critiqued by leading entertainment professionals. Motion picture majors
are required to write scripts, conduct casting calls, and shoot film to produce short movies. At
the end of the spring semester, the Cannes Film Festival provides an opportunity for budding
directors to showcase their works to the community. Select films are then taken to Los Angeles
for a second premiere through a program that matches students to alumni working in the
major movie studios in Hollywood.
UM also focuses on giving students a variety of options when choosing classes. This
allows individuals to think outside of the box when picking classes. A biomedical engineering
major might find him or herself in the actor’s studio in Theatre 101. A finance major, opera
major, and visual communications major might sit next to each other in an architecture class.
Mixing students from all walks of life, with different interests and views, provides students
with a melting pot of academic flavors. This classroom recipe increases student productivity as
well as the exchange of ideas.
Mixing students from all walks of life, with different interests and
views, provides students with a melting pot of academic flavors.
University of Miami’s Schools and Colleges
School of Architecture
College of Arts and Sciences
School of Business Administration
School of Communication
School of Education
College of Engineering
Philip and Patricia Frost School of
Music
School of Nursing and Health
Studies
Graduate School
School of Law
Leonard M. Miller School of
Medicine
Rosenstiel School of Marine and
Atmospheric Science
Division of Continuing and
International Education
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at University of Miami.
Applying to the college is an exciting time in any student’s life. Perusing college
brochures in high school guidance counselor’s office and looking at university web sites on the
Internet is a good way to research prospective schools. Upon opening an admissions brochure
from UM, the bright school colors of green and orange and vibrant photos of college life will
immediately spark your attention, as will the text listing all UM has to offer students now and,
more importantly, their futures.
Meeting the Faces of UM
The first true step in the admissions process, meeting an admissions counselor, will only
make you more eager to apply. UM routinely sends counselors around the country to
meet with prospective students, and making an appointment is easy. By joining the mailing
list through the admissions web site, high school students can see when the counselors will
be in their area.
The Ideal Student
Admissions counselors will talk about UM’s ideal student. The profile is someone who
demonstrates academic talent and a strong sense of personal integrity and has a wellrounded
secondary school experience, inside and outside of the classroom. They will also
explain that UM receives approximately 19,000 applications every year but strives to keep
the size of each freshman class small, around 2,000. The average weighted GPA of an incoming
student is 4.2 and the median SAT scores range from 1220 to 1370 (based on 1600).
Students who took the ACT scored between 27 and 31 and 68 percent of incoming freshmen
ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class.
The numbers may appear a bit intimidating, but the admissions team looks for wellrounded
individuals with a strong personal statement and superior recommendations from
their guidance counselors.
Down and Dirty with Applications
After the nerves of applying settle; its time to get down to the busy work. By logging on
to the admissions web site, students can find a downloadable application. At the university,
there are three options to apply. Students can apply for Early Decision if UM is going
to be the first choice; Early Action, which allows students to express serious interest in UM
but keep their options open; and Regular Decision. The difference between the three is the
timeline in which you learn your acceptance status: Early Decision coming in late
December and Early Action and Regular Decision coming in mid-April. Here’s a hint:
Students who choose Early Decision generally get first pick at housing choices because they
will have to mail in their enrollment forms and deposits before everyone else. So if you’re
absolutely sure of the college you want to attend, keep that in mind.
While applying to UM, students can also decide if they would like to enter into the
Honors Program which demands a higher level of study and performance. Students who are
accepted are required to have an SAT score of over 1300 and must be in the top 5 percent of
their class.
The Campus Visit
Even though reading about universities is a good way to get the basics on what the campus
has to offer, nothing can compare to the experience of visiting the campus and seeing
first-hand the people and places that make up the institution.
After just a fifteen minute taxi ride from Miami International Airport, students arrive at
Stanford Drive, the main entrance to UM, and the campus tour begins.
Greeted by a row of majestic palm trees, UM’s campus looks more like
Club Med than the stoic brick and mortar universities I was accustomed to up
north.
Financial Aid
It can also be useful to have a finance major sit next to you to tell you how to manage
your student loans and financial aid packets each year. That kind of free advice can also be
found at UM’s Office of Financial Aid or by looking on the department’s web site.
The university works with students on a number of levels to provide the maximum
amount of tuition assistance possible. Academic scholarships are awarded based on merit
and are announced in students’ acceptance letters. In 2005–2006, 86 percent of all full-time
freshmen and 87 percent of full-time upperclassmen received some form of financial aid. The
average freshman was given $23,188 to help pay for school. Need-based grants are awarded
and need-based self-help aid such as student loans and jobs through college work-study are
also available.
Student Financial Aid Details
How many students use Financial Aid, and how much do they use?
University of Miami 1058th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best Florida scholarships and financial aid
Students at the University of Miami will find out fast: New York might be the “city that
never sleeps” but Miami is the city that never stops the party. And life at UM keeps that motto
alive and well. At UM, students party in a million different ways, continuously redefining the
word, and not just in the Animal House way. Students involved in Salsa Craze heat things up
on the dance floor as they learn how to salsa, meringue, and samba twice a week in the
University Center. Members of Delta Gamma, just one of the thirteen sororities on campus,
participate in Anchor Splash, their annual fund-raising week by holding contests between
different Greek and non-Greek organizations, including a “Mr. Anchor Splash” competition.
The Rathskeller, UM’s on-campus bar and grill, is the home of Hurricane watch-parties, comedy
improv hours, and open mike nights. It’s a great place to grab a pitcher and burger and
hang with friends.
Campus Activism and Community Service
On the campus activism side of student life, UM offers a number of organizations and
activities perfect for the community-service-driven individual. Students can visit the
Smith Tucker Involvement Center (also known as The STIC) to look at the list of organizations
UM has to offer or pop into the Volunteer Services Center to find out where they can
help on campus and in the community.
Over 900 University of Miami students participate each year in the National Gandhi Day
of Service. Planned by the Council of International Students and Organizations, this joint effort
provides the opportunity to give back to the community. In one of the largest student-led volunteer
service events in Miami-Dade County, UM teams up with students from other local colleges
to volunteer at a number of locations including Citizens for a Better South Florida, the
Community Partnership for Homeless, and Camillus House, a local soup kitchen.
Another initiative at UM is STRIVE (Serving Together Reaching Integrity, Values, &
Engagement), a select group of University of Miami students that have formed a living community
that focuses on leadership and civic engagement. Originating out of the Butler
Volunteer Services Center, thirty-one students live together in on-campus apartments, studying
and participating in a number of service- and leadership-driven activities. The program
includes an academic component that requires students to take classes with curriculum that
focuses on building a strong voice in the greater community and are paired with mentors in
the faculty.
Life in the City of Miami
The University of Miami is located in the city of Coral Gables, a suburb of Miami-Dade
County. For students, this means easy access to everything Miami has to offer.
Downtown Miami, South Beach, Key Biscayne, the Design District, and the upscale shopping
center Village of Merrick Park are a twenty-minute drive away. Fortunately for students
without cars on campus, Miami and Coral Gables offer a number of safe, easy ways to
get around town. With a little planning, students can ride the Metrorail (the univer sity has
its own stop), city trolleys, or UM’s HurryCane shuttles, or use taxi services to any location
in Miami.
Students at the University of Miami will find out fast: New York
might be the ‘city that never sleeps,’ but Miami is the city that never stops the
party.
Safety On Campus and Off
For parents who may worry about sending their kids away to a big city, they need not be
concerned. The University of Miami has a number of programs, policies, and procedures
in place to ensure students’ safety as they find their way in and around campus.
When walking from residential colleges at night, blue light phones located around campus
put students instantly in contact with members of UM’s Department of Public Safety.
Officers are on call to escort anyone around campus and are a constant and reassuring presence. Students hired through the Department of Residence Halls staff a desk in each residential
college at night, checking in visitors, with photo I.D. required. This ensures that only students
enter the buildings.
UM also takes a proactive approach toward ensuring students’ well-being. Educational
programs such as Pier 21, organized by the Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Awareness,
teach alcohol awareness and responsibility to students. Through the counseling center, the
university has a number of programs for students who might be feeling blue. The Student
Health Center is opening for students who are under the weather or may just need a flu shot.
The on-campus pharmacy provides quick and easy access to medication for students suffering
from a cough or cold.
The Wellness Center provides programs for the mind and body. Students can sign up for
yoga, healthy cooking classes, aerobic exercises, and a favorite amongst members, Butts and
Guts, designed to tone your abs and behind! The Wellness Center is the best gym in town, and
it’s all yours if you come to UM. All of the various programs on campus are designed to promote
a healthy lifestyle, as well as social and personal responsibility.
Looking tanned and toned in the 80-degree weather that comes during February may be
a strong allure to students, especially those coming from the north; however, its important to
touch on another weather-related phenomenon unique to Miami: hurricanes.
The University of Miami is well prepared to handle a hurricane of any intensity.
Hurricane shutters adorn every residential college. Students are given food and beverage during
hurricane warnings as well. Staff and administrators in each of the residential colleges
keep students informed and aware of changes in the weather, and updates from the university
president are e-mailed as new information arrives. Information is also posted on the school’s
web site, especially for parents who live outside of Florida. A hotline is in place for students,
faculty, staff, and parents to call and find out the latest news.
I have personally been among the trained volunteers who answer the
hotline live during and after a storm threatens and can assure prospective students
and parents that the university is well equipped and well versed in their
hurricane procedures. They go to incredible lengths to ensure that students are
well fed and taken care of. Student safety is of the utmost importance.
The university administration isn’t the only arm of UM involved in hurricane preparation.
CERT (Canes Emergency Response Team) is a student-led initiative that serves as a
resource for the University and its Coral Gables neighbors during emergency situations such
as a hurricane by delivering water and disseminating information to off-campus neighbors.
This specially trained group also participates in drills designed to improve basic search and
rescue procedures and sharpen the important skills of triaging, treating, and transporting victims.
As hurricane season begins, these students are available to even help members of the
community put up hurricane shutters.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at University of Miami?
If anyone has any questions about how much athletics are loved and cherished at the
University of Miami, they only need to walk around campus during Homecoming weekend.
Almost 3,000 alumni from around the country travel back to South Florida to join current
students, faculty, and community members to celebrate the University of Miami’s
Homecoming festivities. UM’s annual homecoming parade kicks off the Friday night
pregame parties.
Following the parade is one of UM’s most cherished traditions, the boat-burning ceremony
on UM’s own Lake Osceola, in the heart of campus. The boat-burning ceremony involves
setting a wood boat on fire in the middle of the lake. The tradition states that if the mast
breaks before the boat sinks, UM will win the Homecoming football game.
Football isn’t the only sport Hurricane fans go crazy for. Crowds of students cheer on the
basketball team at the state-of-the-art BankUnited Center, and each season the stands are
packed as the baseball team takes the recently renovated diamond at Mark Light Field located
Local Community
The University of Miami is located in the city of Coral Gables, a suburb of Miami-Dade
County. For students, this means easy access to everything Miami has to offer.
Downtown Miami, South Beach, Key Biscayne, the Design District, and the upscale shopping center Village of Merrick Park are a twenty-minute drive away. Fortunately for students without cars on campus, Miami and Coral Gables offer a number of safe, easy ways to
get around town. With a little planning, students can ride the Metrorail (the university has
its own stop), city trolleys, or UM’s HurryCane shuttles, or use taxi services to any location
in Miami.
Students at the University of Miami will find out fast: New York might be the
“city that never sleeps,” but Miami is the city that never stops the party.
Nightlife in Miami serves up a heaping dose of diversity, appealing to every taste and
budget. Whether it is a quick, inexpensive Cuban meal at Versailles, sushi and pad thai at
Moon Thai, or plate-throwing Greek cuisine at Taverna Opa, Miami is known for its nightlife as
well as its cultural flair. World events such as the Miami International Film Festival, the
International Book Fair, the Latin Grammys, and the Winter Music Conference attract tourists
from all countries. When you live in Miami, these events are at your doorstep, and the chance
to see renowned films, authors, artists, and musicians is a priceless experience.
Alumni
If you think high school went fast, college races by at the speed of light. A blur of latenight
cramming sessions at “Club Richter” or the Otto G. Richter Library, spring breaks on
South Beach, and football games at the Orange Bowl come rushing back as you step on stage
to receive your diploma on the most important day of a student’s life, commencement.
Over 2,400 bachelor degrees were awarded in 2004 and just over 155,000 people called
UM home in the university’s eighty-year history. Alumni of the University of Miami are scattered
across all 50 states and in 148 countries.
While alumni may have left Miami to make their mark on the world, UM is never
far from their hearts. The Alumni Association works as a liaison between UM and alumni, reporting on their successes through the Miami
Connection. Alumni groups such as the D.C. Canes, a
group of alumni residing in Washington, D.C., hold frequent
gatherings to watch athletic events and to network.
Alumni weekly news is e-mailed out to
subscribers several times a year letting UM grads stay
updated on what’s happening at their alma mater.
Administrators at the university also travel around the
country giving lectures and speeches about the vision
and future of UM.
It isn’t unusual for students to interact with
grads who return to campus either. UM alumni often
participate in career fairs, recruiting students nearing
graduation. For example, when the Public Relations
Student Society of America, a student group of public
relations majors on campus, holds their biannual mixers,
a quick glance around the room shows that about
half of the attendants are UM grads interested in seeing
their fellow Canes succeed in the profession.
If students need assistance jump-starting their
career path, the university’s Toppel Career Planning
and Placement Center is the place to go. Toppel plays
host to several major career fairs throughout the academic
year as well as to workshops designed to help students
by presenting resume critiques, holding mock
interviews, and offering brochures and lectures on jobsearching
techniques. Toppel also supports CaneZone,
an online portal where students can post resumes and
search for employment opportunities. If students are
exploring graduate school, they can also visit Toppel to
research graduate programs, the application process,
and admissions exams. These are free services available
to students and alumni.
Prominent Grads
Rick Barry, ’65, Professional Athlete:
UM’s all-time leading scorer on the
court, Barry is the only player in basketball
history to win titles in the NCAA,
NBA, and ABA. He is also inducted into
the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Gloria Estefan, ’78, Entertainer and
Producer: An internationally known superstar,
Estefan produced No. 1 singles
including “Rhythm is Gonna Get You.”
Roy Firestone, ’75, Broadcast
Journalist: A personality on ESPN’s Up
Close, Firestone hosts a variety of cable
network specials as well.
Jerry Herman, ’53, Composer/Lyricist,
A revered artist on Broadway, Herman
created masterpieces including Hello
Dolly! and Mame. Herman is the recipient
of two Tony and Grammy Awards.
Patricia Ireland, ’75, Activist, She is
former president of the National
Organization for Women.
David Alan Isaacs, ’71, Producer, He
created hit sitcoms including Cheers
and Frasier, and also collaborated with
writers for MASH.
Duane Johnson, ’95, Professional
Athlete and Actor, Duane “The Rock”
Johnson was a star wrestler in the
World Wrestling Federation. He also
starred in blockbuster movies that
include The Grindiron Gang and The
Rundown.
Suzy Kolber, ’86, Broadcast Journalist,
A former anchor for Fox Sports, Kolber
now reports for ESPN.
Alfred O’Hara, ’54, NASA, As a launch
director for NASA space shuttles, O’Hara
worked on the Apollo, Skylab, and the
Apollo-Soyuz launches.
Sylvester Stallone, ’99, Actor, A
Hollywood superstar, winning acclaim
for his 1976 motion picture Rocky,
Stallone became one of the highest-paid
actors.
Vinny Testaverde, ’86, Professional
Athlete, UM’s first player to receive the
Heisman Trophy, Testaverde was the
first player selected in the 1987 draft.
Lori White, ’88, Entertainer/Song Writer,
Nominated for Top New Female Vocalist
in 1994, White has propelled herself as
one of the most successful country
singers of her generation.
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