University of Miami
Hallmarks and Quirks
Things I'm Good At:
- Football. My program is one of the most renowned in the country, known for its deep legacy of tradition and excellence. I've got not one, not two, but five national championships under my belt.
- Research. I'm a research institution and I offer students, both undergraduate and graduate, a wide variety of opportunities that give them the chance to apply their academic interests from the classroom to the real world.
- Climate. It's no secret that I have some of the best weather in the world. While my summers are pretty hot, my "winters" are glorious with temperatures reaching the mid-sixty to seventy-degree range. Walking to class during cool and breezy days like these sure is soothing and stress-relieving.
- Okay, I'll admit it. If partying were a major, I'd be in the honors program. But the partying we do down in Miami isn't just your average kick-back in some random frat house. Say hello to some of the most popular and exclusive clubs the city of Miami has to offer—places like LIV and Mansion.
My Top 5 Must-Haves:
- Your Cane card. You absolutely cannot survive on campus without it. You need it to access every single place you can think of, from the dining halls to the gym to football games. You can even store money on it, which means you can make a transaction anywhere on campus. Guard it with your life.
- A general fondness for diversity because there's a beautiful heterogeneity in my student body. Diversity is more than just an old wooden ship; it's an
opportunity for my students to interact with people they'd probably
never meet otherwise.
- An affinity for Cuban food. Miami cuisine is both exquisite and exotic. If you manage to miss trying any type of island food during your
undergraduate career here, then ask for your money back.
- Umbrella. Believe it or not, I have my rainy days. People refer to me as "bipolar" because of my random, impulsive, and not to
mention unsolicited changes in weather.
- A bathing suit. I have some of the most beautiful beaches in America.
Why You Might Have Heard of Me:
- A lot of pop cultural references have been made about me. Ever heard the line "we like the U in the '80s" from "All I Do Is Win"? Yeah, that's me.
- I like to consider myself as an exclusive club with my own unique sign. The U is a gesture that my students make with their hands, which signals their membership within the unique community that is me. It connects student and alumni across continents and it's the thing we all have in common. We use whatever excuse we can to throw it up.
On a regular Saturday night, you can find me...
Many of my students take advantage of the fact that they're in one of the most famous cities in the world. On a Saturday night, you may find them deep in the city at nightclubs like LIV. If you don't want to stray too far from campus, one of the most popular party spots for students is the Grove, which is located only a few blocks away.
Favorite Hangouts:
- South Beach. You've heard of it, right? The only things more beautiful than the rhythmic waves kissing the picturesque shore are the people who gather around it. But South Beach isn't just fun for the sand and water: it's home to a strip of restaurants, clubs, shops, and boisterous activity that draw in tourists from around the country.
- The Venetian Pool. This place is just as fancy as it sounds. Located in Coral Gables, the Venetian Pool is another feature of the city of Miami that draws tourists from around the world. Its two waterfalls and clear, blue waters make it irresistible. You can't help but plunge yourself into it.
- The Rathskeller, a.k.a. "The Rat," is the most popular restaurant on campus. Whether students want to unwind after a full day of classes or meet a friend for lunch, The Rat offers good food with a lakeside view. There are also many special events that take place there, such as football game-watching parties and concerts.
- The Student Activities Center is another great hangout spot on campus. It serves as a nice, little niche for students outside of the classroom. Its beautiful multi-story glass framework and stunning porch view of the lake is ideal for solitude and productivity.
Quirks:
- There are a lot of celebrities that visit our campus, from Kobe Bryant stopping by one of our basketball games to Kevin Durant using our practice facility. Be on the lookout for famous faces because you just might run into one.
- Sportsfest. If you're a freshman, you're pretty much obligated to participate in Sportsfest, which is just a university-wide competition that includes basketball, video game tournaments, cornhole, etc. Rep your residential tower and compete for bragging rights because there's nothing that says "college" more than overly competitive, inherited rivalries, am I right?
- Small class sizes. I have a student-professor ratio of twelve to one. Beat that, FSU.
Famous Alumni:
- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Come on, you know who The Rock is (and what he's cookin').
- Sylvester Stallone, a.k.a. Rocky himself
- Ray Lewis, famous linebacker
- Jimmy Graham, famous tight end
- Enrique Iglesias, the Latin pop sensation best known for being your hero
- Ray Liotta, actor best known for Goodfellas