Academics
In keeping with its "rich tradition and history," Miami University delivers "the iconic college experience" while maintaining its "devotion to excellent undergraduate instruction." The academic experience at Miami University begins with "an extremely strong orientation program, a dedicated student affairs department, and an overwhelming amount of student involvement in co-curricular activities." Regardless of major, undergraduates experience the Miami Plan, which provides a specific liberal arts framework for exploring academic, social, and professional opportunities. The Honors Program is "phenomenal. It offers the ability to grow as a student and person through both in and out of class experiences." Students may have "a challenging academic workload" but say that courses are "engaging" and getting the right professors "makes all the difference."
All students complete their Miami experience with a capstone experience, resulting in an individual or group project. This structure "prepares students for the workplace after graduation while also giving them the opportunity to thrive while on campus." As a result, "Miami University students are recruited by companies, and that provides great leverage when looking for internships and jobs." Many students report that "Miami really prepares students for the real world after college." Another student agrees: "A degree from Miami is worth a lot to many employers." Students appreciate that Miami "is committed to its image as a premier undergraduate institution."
Student Body
With just over 16,000 undergrads, Miami University is "the perfect size," where you "can see everyone...but still meet many new people." The average Miami student is "very involved on campus, is concerned about his or her academics, and wants to make a good impression on others. We care about how we present ourselves, but in a good way." One student observes that their peers often seem to be "white, upper-middle-class, and Christian....; however, the student body is generally accepting of all students no matter the background." Regardless of appearances, "the typical student is very academically focused, challenge-driven, competitive, [and] extraverted." Feeling at home at Miami University is "all about finding your niche on campus, which is generally done through people in your major, and especially student organizations."
Campus Life
Students agree: Miami University is "astoundingly beautiful." In "a quaint college town" with a "beautiful red brick campus," Miami students enjoy "a vibrant social atmosphere" that offers a "plethora of student activities." On campus, "Miami makes it possible to find groups or organizations that can fit any student's interest, and many tend to help in propelling graduates into jobs or programs once they leave the campus." With more than 60*0 student-run clubs and organizations on campus, students have many opportunities to find their niche. While one student remarks that "it often seems as though everyone is [Greek affiliated] because of how visible they are on campus," others point out that two-thirds of students are not affiliated with a fraternity or sorority. On the weekends, "Miami students can find a wealth of great bars and clubs uptown-many of which are eighteen-plus, allowing freshmen and sophomores to enjoy the dance floors and bars that makeup almost all of the nightlife." However, other students point out that Miami "offers a lot of alternative programs for students who wish to avoid alcohol." There is "late night programming... offered through Miami, as well as athletic events and other cultural events." On any given day, "there is a ton to do on and off campus. The town is quaint, but it is mainly a college town, so it's like an extension of the school. Nightlife is pretty big here, but so are academics and activities. Students definitely are actively thinking about their futures, and they take academics seriously."