Winter at Miami

Hey everyone. I hope you are enjoying the beginning of your holiday season. There has been a lot going on at Miami. Students are currently gearing up for finals as they get set to go home for a few weeks. But if there is anything I learned in my time as a student, and certainly as a working member of the university, it is that while it is fun to go home and see family in friends, after a few days you are ready to be back at Miami.

A question I always get asked when prospective students and parents learn that I am an alum is, “Was Oxford the type of place that you missed when you went home?” The answer is always the same. “Absolutely!”

Every winter I would go home after finals, take a two day nap that would be frequently interrupted by chores, see my friends and celebrate the new year. Then it would be January 2, 200_ and I would wonder why I was still at home in Chicago. Don’t get me wrong. The most important things to me are friends and family. But Oxford has that magical quality to it. It always calls you back. So much so, that I would volunteer at Winter Orientation not only to help new students, but to get back to what more and more became my home.

I love Oxford in the winter. Growing up, it isn’t winter if there isn’t snow, and while we don’t get nearly as much snow in Ohio as I did when I lived in Illinois, the beauty of a snowy Miami campus is breathtaking. Some of my best Oxford memories occurred in the winter—moments that will be with me forever. Here are two of my favorites.

In the winter of my sophomore year, Oxford had a rare blizzard. I was with six of my friends in a residence hall room and we were watching the weather as we debated the odds of classes being cancelled (they weren’t). We were hungry, and apparently blizzards are the only conditions in which establishments do not deliver food (pizza has been delivered during a tornado warning). So we called Bagel and Deli, who said that even though they wouldn’t deliver, if we came in they would make us bagels. So we put on our snow gear, tracked through campus in the blizzard and made our way Uptown. When we got to Bagel and Deli, my friends knew the person working there, so we talked to him for awhile as he couldn’t believe we had decided to leave the hall for bagels. As we thanked him and made our way back outside, he handed us a bag of popcorn and told us to take it. We earned it for making the trek uptown.

The second moment happened in the winter of my senior year. The university has an emergency text message system. When classes are cancelled or there is inclement weather, students who have signed up for the service receive a text message. As I sat in class, I could hear the vibration of everyone’s phone go off. Afternoon classes had been cancelled. I called my friends. We took everything we could find. Trays, garbage bags and sleds were taking to the giant sledding hill. There, the five of us joined, and I kid you not, at least 75-100 other students who found whatever they had and taking it sledding. We raced, took turns going off jumps, and had contests to see who could go the farthest down the hill. It was an absolute blast.

These are just two of many Oxford memories in the winter. I can guarantee that if you spend your next few winters in Oxford, you will be filled of winter memories that will be pulling you back to Miami as you drink hot chocolate on your couch at home wondering what your college friends are up to. I’ll give you a hint, they’re wondering what you are up to as well. And they’re already making plans for what to do when you get back to campus.

Early Decision Notification!

Today is December 14th. That means it’s a mere HOURS before our Early Decision applicants are able to view their decisions online! For those of you who are unfamiliar, Early Decision is a category that some colleges use that will always mean the same thing wherever you see it: it means that you make a binding commitment to attend that institution if you are admitted. As you can imagine, it is a big decision to apply to a school Early Decision, and that’s why we require the contract to be signed not only by the applicant, but also by the school counselor.

There a few important things to know about applying Early Decision. First, Miami performs the Early Decision application review the exact same way as we review all of our other applications. We don’t give special priority to those students who apply in this category. One thing to remember, though, is that Miami reviews our applications contextually, so we look at the whole pool of applications in addition to just your application. This year, Miami got 500 applications for Early Decision, while we have about 13,200 applications for our other admission categories! Because we review Early Decision files first, our context is smaller, and in some cases that can work to the applicant’s advantage.

Another important factor to think about when you are considering applying Early Decision is that you will hear your decision prior to receiving your financial aid award. Because we want to be fair to all of our applicants, we review for financial assistance blindly (meaning we don’t see which category you applied for) in March. However, an Early Decision applicant has already committed to attending Miami without seeing what the award will be!

We are very excited to release admission decisions to the Early Decision pool tomorrow. Applicants, you can log on to your

appcheck website to find out your decision at midnight tonight! If you are having trouble finding your login information, contact your admission counselor before 5pm today! To find out about all of our application deadlines, check out www.muohio.edu/apply.

Hope you're enjoying this holiday season as much as we are here in Oxford! check out a pic one of our tour guides took of Uptown Oxford:

It's A Great Time to be A RedHawk!

It’s the beginning of December and the atmosphere around Oxford is electric. This week we found out that our Mid-American Conference Champion football team will be competing in the GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, Alabama on January 6, 2011. The RedHawks (9-4) will face the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State (6-6) in a game televised on ESPN. I have never been more excited in my life, and the way that we won the Mid-American Conference is an even better story. (Prepare for a short game recap…in case you missed it.)

Miami was a 17 point underdog going into the Mid-American Conference Championship game last Friday against then #25 Northern Illinois (NIU) but the RedHawks never let that get them down. We scored first after an amazing run by Thomas Merriweather (later named MAC-East game MVP) placed us in the redzone but NIU answered quickly. The game was a dog fight until the end. By the time the 4th quarter was winding down to its last 2 minutes Miami was down by 1 point. All we needed was a field goal to win but knowing that NIU had already blocked one of our extra point attempts and a field goal attempt we actually needed a touchdown to “seal the deal.” The Miami crowd (including President Hodge) stood in the stands nervous about what would happen. Hopes were high after we were given a short field with NIU punting out of their endzone, but we knew we had to be efficient and not lose the ball. The crowd stood still with anticipation as Austin Boucher started guiding the team down the field then the movement stalled and the RedHawks faced what seemed like an impossible 4th down and 20 yards to go situation. The NIU crowd was convinced that the game was over, there was less than 2 minutes left, what did they have to worry about? Austin Boucher’s completed 31-yd pass to Chris Givens is what they probably should have worried about. The pass was tipped by NIU and fell into the hands of Givens sending the Miami fans into a frenzy (and later being one of the top plays on SportsCenter!). It was unbelievable, the RedHawks were in field goal range and still had time to go for the endzone. Two plays later Boucher completed a pass to Armand Robinson who was wide open in the middle of the field and Armand ran straight into the endzone with 33 seconds left in the game. The RedHawk fans cheered louder hoping our defense could hold NIU and preserve our win. An Austin Brown sack as time expired finally sealed the deal for the RedHawks as the team rushed the field. Final score: Miami – 26 NIU – 21.

Miami completed a true worst to first turnaround going from 1-11 in the 2009 season to 9-4 and MAC Champions in 2010. This is only the third time this feat has been accomplished and Miami students, fans, and alumni could not be any happier. Now as we prepare for a trip to Alabama there is plenty of action going on in the friendly confines of Millett Hall and the Goggin Ice Center to keep everyone occupied. The men’s basketball team is currently 1 – 1 against cross town rivals, beating Xavier by 11 and losing to Dayton by 12. Next up is the University of Cincinnati on 12/21 at Millett. Ice Hockey just completed a series against Notre Dame which the RedHawks and Fighting Irish split. Next up the Brotherhood (the nickname for Miami’s Hockey team) will travel to Florida for the Florida College Classic before taking on Ohio State in Columbus.

Before I end this post I would like to also let all the readers that have already applied know that we are still processing your transcripts and recommendation letters. Please allow at least 10 business days for your paperwork to be processed and updated on your appcheck website. If you know these forms have been submitted do not worry, you are still eligible for the Early Action deadline! If you have problems with your application other than the transcript/recommendation letter please make sure you contact us (513) 529-2531.

I am going to leave you now with some pictures from the MAC Championship Game. Enjoy. Go RedHawks!


The RedHawk Offense


Lining up for the 4th and 20 Miracle Play


The Video Screen


Love and Honor! Let the Celebration Begin!

New Counselor in the Office!

Hello Everyone! My name is Lauren and I am the newest counselor in the office. I am very excited to be back at Miami, I graduated in May 2010, and I cannot wait to help you with your college search process. I am the designated counselor for Minnesota, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. I love my territory because I have a connection to all of those states, except Tennessee (I cannot wait to visit so I can change that). My mother’s family is from South Carolina, my father’s family is from North Carolina, I have an uncle that currently lives in Kentucky, and my best friend from college is from Minnesota.

Currently the office is very busy because we are in the middle of our application deadlines for the entering fall of 2011 class. Our next deadline is December 1st, which is designated “Early Action”. This is a non-binding deadline and the great part about it is that you will find out your decision on February 1st. The majority of our applicants every year choose this deadline because of the earlier notification date, but please note that we also have a regular decision deadline of February 1st which is ideal for students who are taking standardized tests for the first time in December or are waiting for an updated transcript. When I applied to Miami, I applied during the Early Action deadline. I loved knowing where I was going to school at the beginning of February, versus my friends who were still waiting for decisions.

If you have any questions feel free to call the office or contact the counselor designated for your area. All of our contact information can be found at www.muohio.edu/askacounselor.

Happy Application Season!

Bridges

It’s November! That means it’s time for my absolute favorite program of the year at Miami. This year, we are hosting roughly 450 high school seniors from around the country for a program called Bridges. We conduct three two-day sessions in November (all lasting from Sunday to Monday) with 150 students each. This program allows students to experience Miami University firsthand through an all-expense-paid overnight visit where participants stay on campus with current students.

Bridges is different than all of our other programs at Miami because it is designed specifically for underrepresented student populations, and is a way that we as an Admission office can level the playing field for students with fewer resources and people that can help get them to college. That’s why in addition to our campus tour, academic classes, and campus exploration that any Miami visitor can do, our admission representatives conduct an “Application 101” session. In this session, we talk about the ins and outs of the application, the financial aid process, and how to monitor the status of the application after it’s been submitted. We also showcase some of our student support staff members from Financial Aid, the Miami Access Initiative, MADE@Miami, Academic Advising, and other offices.

The best part? Participants in the Bridges program, if they choose to enroll at Miami’s Oxford campus as full-time first year students, receive a $2,500 scholarship that is renewable for four years. And, they get an application fee waiver! To all you high school juniors out there who are interested in applying to Miami: that’s 10,050 reasons to apply to the Bridges program next year! You can find more information and the application for the program at www.muohio.edu/bridges, which will be updated in the spring with next year’s information.

The Miami Community--It lasts a lifetime

Happy Halloween! I love this time of year at Miami because it provides that sense of community that is on campus. Whether it is an English class full of students dressed up as Robin Williams from Dead Poets Society or a Finance class coming to the Farmer School of Business dressed as doctors, football players, and animals, you get that feeling of everyone just loves being at Miami right now, and it is a very powerful thing.

It is funny to think about the strength of the Miami community. While I was out on the road throughout the month, the campus kept pulling me back to Oxford. I was able to finish my travel season in time for Homecoming. To see all the alumni coming back from places like Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Denver, in addition to Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, really put into perspective how special this place is to those who have attended the university. Whether it was seeing the masses of people uptown after the football game, or the rowdy crowd cheering on our hockey team to two wins with a combined score of 13-1, or the people watching the parade floats drive by with the new generation of Miami students waiving to us alumni, the sense of the Miami Community was palpable.

When we talk about that sense of belonging to something bigger than yourself when you attend Miami, this is what we’re talking about. We’re talking about being able to go up to a complete stranger wearing Miami gear and becoming instant friends, simply because you both lived in Emerson Hall. Even if it was twenty years apart. It’s being able to talk to alumni who remember Miami having a struggling hockey program that played its games in a much smaller venue but still knowing that his passion for the RedHawks is as strong as your passion for the National Championship contender you see every year. It’s standing in line for bagel and deli, reliving a memory from sophomore year and hearing the Miami ’98 grad talk about the time he was waiting in line his sophomore year. It’s knowing that Miami is place that sticks with its alumni forever, and they just keep coming back every year.

I hope that as you enjoy your trips to Oxford and that you feel this sense of community as you visit campus. Because as an alum who just spent homecoming with thousands of others Miami family members, that feeling never goes away.

Admissions Note:
Today is the deadline for Early Decision. As long as your materials are POSTMARKED by November 1, they will be accepted for Early Decision. As a result, if have sent them through the mailed and we have them with a Nov. 1 date or earlier, they may be processed after the Nov. 1 deadline, but they will certainly be accepted.

The Staff Keeps Growing!

My name is Raegan and I’m a new Admission Counselor here at Miami University. I moved to Oxford after living out my dream of going to Alaska. After four exciting years in the Last Frontier, it was time to return home. I’m originally from Ohio and have always had great respect for Miami. I have a background in both college admissions and television news. This job is a natural fit for many reasons, but namely because my college search process was so positive. It was a process that inundated my family for more than a year. Weekends & vacations were spent visiting colleges, taking tours and meeting with academic department heads. I was also fortunate enough to do several overnight visits. It’s a daunting process, but also a fun process if you allow it to be. Here at Miami, I am the territory manager for Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. I look forward to meeting students from those regions during my upcoming travel.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit us here in Oxford, rest assured that this is a great, vibrant community where something is always going on. I’ve lived in Oxford for a month now and it already feels like home! When I’m not at work, you’ll most likely find me taking pictures, running or hiking with my golden retriever Ezra on one of the many trails around campus. There are miles and miles of nature trails surrounding the campus—Four Mile Creek is a personal favorite, especially at sunset. I’m also a big fan of both our Farmer’s Markets here in town—the vendors are some of the nicest people on the planet. Seriously.

Please know that you can always contact me if you have questions about admissions or you just need some advice about finding a college that’s a good fit (raegan.butler@muohio.edu) . You hear counselors say that all the time, but it really does matter. The best college in the world can also be the worst if it’s not where you are suppose to be. Have a little faith. Ask questions. Learn to enjoy life’s process as well as its rewards.

Dalai Lama at Miami

Yesterday, Miami University was graced with the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama of Tibet. While he interacted with students, faculty, staff, and trustees in various settings, his lecture on "Ethics in the Modern World" was delivered to a sold out crowd in Miami's Millett Hall and sold out remote viewing locations, totaling close to 12,000 viewers.

His messages were powerful, to say the least. But what I was most anxious to share with you was his reflection on the 20th Century, and his hope for the 21st Century. He indicated that the former was a century that will be remembered by bloodshed, concentrating on the violent "solutions" to human differences that were employed in this time. But he looked forward, too. He charged us, the younger generation, to ensure that the next century is one of dialogue. He stressed that we have ninety more years to make this century into what it will be remembered for. Dialogue, he stressed, is how we can take difference of opinion, policy, religious affiliations, and come to a productive understanding that is mutually beneficial.

As he sat with his shoes off and his legs curled under him, he talked about the root of happiness and internal peace. Genuine affection, both showing and receiving, can allow us to flourish as humans. He called on the audience to remember how we feel when we are treated with affection and love, and how we feel when we are treated with mistrust and fear. Without ever using the term "karma," he was clear in his message that we receive what we put out in the universe.

Miami has made a commitment to provide a global education, primarily achieved through opportunities like Study Abroad. His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Miami is indicative of the ways in which the Miami education provides a global experience right here in Oxford, Ohio. To learn more about the Dalai Lama's visit and the many opportunities for students to interact with him, visit www.muohio.edu/dalai-lama.

News Flash for Business Students!

Attention potential Miami Farmer School of Business students!!! The Farmer School of Business just announced that they will be admitting some applicants directly into the program. Normally, we require all incoming business students to complete seven pre-major courses. So, if you fall into either one of these categories:

• Admitted to Miami and selected Business as the academic division
• ACT of 29 or higher or an SAT (CR + M) of 1290 or higher AND
  GPA of 3.70 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) OR top 10% of their class

OR

• Admitted to Miami and selected Business as the academic division
• Admitted to Miami’s honors program

You will be admitted directly into Miami's nationally recognized Farmer School of Business! To learn more about being a business student at Miami, go to www.muohio.edu/fsb. And as always, you can direct any questions to your admission counselor at www.muohio.edu/askacounselor.

Confessions of a New Admission Counselor

Hi everyone! I hope everyone is off to a good start this year! We’ve been excited to begin visiting your schools and thrilled that you have been visiting us here at Miami. As I started my job as an admission counselor at the beginning of this month, I began to ask myself many of the questions you may be asking yourself when you talk to a counselor.

1. Does my admission counselor really love Miami this much?

The answer, quite simply, is YES! While some of us, such as myself, spent our undergraduate careers studying here in Oxford, others have come to Miami from different experiences because they feel a very strong connection to the university and its mission.

2. Is my college counselor giving me the same speech he/she gives every student?

The answer is a resounding NO. We understand the individuality of each student as well as the diversity of questions in the minds of prospective students. As a result, we answer these questions personally and as they pertain to the individual.

3. Is my college counselor looking for a type of student?

Actually, yes. ALL OF THEM. Miami is looking for all students that are hoping to excel in college and contribute to the university and society. We do not look for a “typical student.” Our students come from all walks of life, all over the nation and all over the world. We want students that are looking to make the most out of their education.

4. Can I really contact my college counselor at anytime?

Absolutely! You can always call the office of admission or our direct phone lines to get in touch with us. We are more than happy to answer your questions. In addition, you can send us an email at anytime, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

5. Why does my admissions counselor keep mentioning they wish me luck with my college decision?

We understand that choosing a college is a big life choice. We have been there ourselves. Myself, more than once. After initially going through the college decision process, I found that I was in a different place after I started college than I was when I began my college search. As a result, I went through the college process more carefully when I decided to transfer schools, looking at institutions that met my needs. That search brought me to Miami. Ultimately, we want you to do what is best for you because this is your education and your life.

I hope these have helped answer some general questions you may have about your college counselors. Please contact us if you have any questions about Miami. You can visit www.muohio.edu/askacounselor to ask your counselor a question. And sincerely, we wish you the best of luck on your college search.

Fall already?!

Alright. It’s not even okay that it’s September. Where did summer go?! For many of you, this fall is the beginning of the end: your last year of high school! It’s also a time when you start deciding where to send in your college applications… which means that it’s an important time for us in college admission as well. As you start classes this fall, you may notice your guidance office advertising visits from colleges around the country who come to talk about their school and the application process. In the admission world, we call this “travel season,” where we visit high schools during the school day and attend college fairs in the evening. Many of us are on the road for over a month!

Traveling is my favorite part of being an admission counselor. Don’t get me wrong… I also love reading applications, giving presentations on campus, meeting with families and planning our on-campus programs, but there is something special about the thrill of going from school to school, seeing new faces, and talking about Miami to students who may not have the opportunity to visit our campus. I also love hotels (free cable, pool, and gym? Yes, please!) and exploring new cities. This year I have the amazing opportunity to travel to Atlanta, Denver, Nashville, and Cleveland, where I will hopefully meet many future Miami students! This is Shaker Heights High School in Shaker Heights, OH... one of my favorite schools to visit!
You can see where Miami is hosting programs at www.muohio.edu/inmytown. Be sure you’re getting emails from Miami by filling out a request form at www.muohio.edu/requestinfo, and we will email you if we will be coming to your high school or to a college fair in your area! You can also visit www.muohio.edu/askacounselor to email your counselor and find out if he or she will be at your school.

Welcome Back!

Happy first week of school for some of you all! For us in Oxford, it is a beautiful morning and we are excited for the 2010-2011 school year! I always enjoy the first week of classes because students are very excited to see one another and our new first year class, their first step into university life. It's always fun having students stop by my office in between classes just to chat about the summer and what interesting things they’ve done. I had one student, Robert, who helped with Teach For America in Atlanta, Georgia for the summer and another student Sierra, who is excited about her Urban Teaching Cohort which takes place in Over the Rhine, a low-income area in Cincinnati. Not only will she have the opportunity to do her student teaching in nearby Cincinnati, she will actually live in Over the Rhine and get the opportunity to immerse herself in that community. If you are interested in checking out this opportunity through the School of Education, Health and Society, feel free to visit http://www.units.muohio.edu/eap/digitallearning/utcVideo.html to view a video.

In addition to hearing about the students and their summer, during this time is when we also find out about national rankings through national media outlets. Some of those are the U.S. World Report has recognized us as #2 among national universities for our commitment to teaching, Forbes labeled us "Best Buy," PARADE Magazine named us a Top 25 public university, Washington Monthly talked about our success for low-income students and lastly, G.I. Jobs designated us a "Military Friendly School."

We really hope your school year begins well and if you have any questions, feel free to leave it in the comment box!

Visit Miami
Today our Saturday Tour registration went online! I am very excited we are able to host our Saturday information sessions across campus in our newest building, the Farmer School of Business. Fall is a great time to visit our campus with classes in full swing. The First day of class for Miami is Monday, August 23rd and already the campus energy is buzzing as we welcome our new and returning students and faculty.

Schedule a visit to Miami at www.muohio.edu/visit.

It's almost time!

I'm blogging today because it is a mere 12 hours until August 1st! The Common Application is finally available for you to begin applying for admission for Fall of 2011! Our future Miami Class of 2015 can go to www.muohio.edu/apply or directly to www.commonapp.org and create your Common App profile. This application is accepted at 416 colleges, including Miami University! It's great because you fill it out one time online, and you can select the schools to send your application to. Most college applications ask you for the exact same demographic, personal, and family information, which is why the Common Application is so nice: you fill out that information just once!

One aspect of the application that can be confusing, though is the list of deadlines on the Common Application. Because colleges use different terminology, there is a list of many different "Decision Deadlines" that you can select. At Miami, we have three deadlines to choose from:

Early Decision (November 1st)- This deadline is different from the others because you actually fill out a contract to go with it. You sign a document saying that if you are admitted during this deadline, you will attend this college. It's also referred to as a "binding" deadline because you are doing just that: binding yourself to attend that school if you are admitted. You are notified of your decision on December 15th, and if you are not admitted, you are released from that contract, but your application is automatically reviewed again in Regular Decision.

Early Action (December 1st)- This is Miami's most popular deadline. You are not making a binding commitment, so you still have the freedom to choose which college you would like to attend after you receive your admission decisions. But, you get notified of your decision on February 1st, so you have the peace of mind of knowing your decision earlier! If you're not admitted, your application is reviewed again in Regular Decision.

Regular Decision (February 1st)- Generally speaking, if you are planning on applying to selective colleges or universities, you should have your application in by February 1st, as this is the latest deadline for most selective colleges. We let you know on March 15th of your admission decision.

So, set your clocks, and begin working on your Common Application on August 1st! We are SO looking forward to reading them, and welcoming you to Miami's Class of 2015! As always, if you have any questions, contact your admission counselor at www.muohio.edu/askacounselor.

Summertime Visit to Miami!
Last night we hosted over 100 visitors for an evening tour which gave our visitors a chance to join the Oxford Summer Music Festival Concert Series free concert in Uptown Oxford. These events are great entertainment for our summer students and Oxford community members who come together to enjoy local musicians! My brother plays string bass in one of the local bands that performs each year and everyone in the band is a member of the Oxford community. They all work full time in different careers, some who are owners of Uptown businesses and they come together to share their passion for music.
Schedule your visit www.muohio.edu/visit
Oxford Summer Music Festival Concert Series in the Uptown Parks Thursday Evenings in July & Augusthttp://www.enjoyoxford.org/2010_Music_Festival.pdf

Future Cincinnati Opera Idol?

I am so proud to work at a university with such talented and amazing students. The best part, though, is that we have such a wide variety of student success. We get constant updates on scientific research, business proposals, archaeological digs, and volunteer work that students are doing. I just found out something that I just HAD to share!



Mark Aiken, a senior music education major, made it to the finals of the Cincinnati Opera Idol competition! And just like the TV show, he needs votes to win!! Aiken, who is from Cincinnati, will compete against five other finalists for the title. To vote, go to http://www.operaidol.org/. Deadline to vote is July 19, so don't waste any time!

Summer Heat!

A lot of our current student’s really seem to think that we admission counselors don’t work in the summer since they know that they and their faculty are not on campus (unless taking/teaching summer classes). On the other side of this, the university still needs to function whether it is summer, fall, winter, or spring. The few of us who do work in the summer get to spend some quiet time around town. Since we don’t have a lot of students here, it is also a great time for those staff members to take some vacation time. So, if your admission counselor is out vacation and you really need to have a question answered…no worries! There is always someone here in our office Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:30pm EST that can help you, so give us a call at (513) 529-2531. As for me, I am headed to my hometown of Brownsville, Texas in two days to visit my family and friends and to get married in nearby South Padre Island, Texas (please keep your fingers crossed for no rain or hurricanes).

What will you be doing this summer? Staycation? Any vacations?

My Miami Experience

For the last two days, I have been at a seminar on Privilege and Allies on campus here at Miami. Although we talked about many different types of privilege, including gender, religious, sexual orientation, and class, the seminar really centered on issues of race. The issue of race and privilege is actually the reason that I decided to work at Miami, and so this was a great experience for me to remember why I am here.
Let me give you some context: as a White woman, I never really expected to feel so passionately about racial oppression. But once I came to terms with the reality that oppression that doesn’t live in the hearts of individuals, but in the systemic inequities, there was no turning back. I knew that the rest of my life would be full of conversations about this concept we call “White Privilege.” As I said before, there are so many different ways that a person can have or not have privilege. Students of color are one of many demographics that have to think about things that the average Miami student doesn’t. For example, Black students are sometimes the only member of their race in any given classroom.
Although this topic is much too deep to delve into in this context, I am proud to say that I work at a university that holds seminars just so that we can get together and talk about what it means to be privileged and what it means to be oppressed. And we generate conversation about how we can be better allies as we continue to educate our constituents.
Miami is a university that continues the conversation about inequity. When it came time for me to choose a job, I knew Miami was a good choice because of opportunities like this one. When it comes time for you to choose a college, I hope you remember that Miami is a university that values education that will help change our students and our world.

Miami: My Two Worlds

Miami University is a great college choice, and it’s also a great place to work. I’ve done both! I graduated from Miami in 2009 with the bicentennial class, and I had the opportunity to join the admission staff shortly after graduating. I was excited to spend an extra year at my home away from home, and it’s been a wonderful experience seeing Miami in two very different ways. When I was a student, I would get up and head to class or begin studying. Instead of throwing on something casual, I had to get used to dressing up a little more and head to the office after grabbing a bowl of Special K. I’m still on Miami’s campus, but it is a much different atmosphere in the professional world since campus is no longer my home. Throughout this past year, I’ve made a lot of connections with parents, students, guidance counselors, and colleagues, and I have also enjoyed doing some travel for the university. Choosing the right college is certainly not an easy process, and I have enjoyed helping students find the right fit. My time at Miami is now drawing to a close as I am preparing to move away for graduate school, but I want to give a shout out and welcome the incoming freshman class. I also wish everyone the best of luck finding the right college!

How is Miami like Disney World?

Last week I went home to Tampa, FL to spend some time with my family. After a long admission season, it was really nice to relax for a whole week! While I was home, I took a trip to Epcot: one of the four theme parks that make up Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. I hadn’t been to Epcot in over ten years, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was definitely surprised at what I found! Most theme parks I’ve been to are focused on entertainment and exhilaration, but Epcot provided an educational perspective that many parks lack. From the “Spaceship: Earth” ride that highlighted the influence of technology on innovation, to the “Living with the Land” ride that emphasized the importance of sustainability on farming, my brain was full of appreciation for the human spirit. These rides were all part of the “Future World” section of the park. The other side of the park is called “World Showcase” for a very good reason: it’s made up of eleven pavilions that represent different countries of the world. Each ‘country’ has components that allow visitors to gain a sense of the culture: clothing, rides that detail the history of the country, dances, music, and of course, FOOD!

After a full Moroccan meal, I thought about how my Epcot experience was really similar to a college experience. One great part of college is that you learn new things all the time, and you get a better understanding of things that you already knew. But, in my opinion, the better part of college is the exposure to so many different people and cultures. And the best part? That you get to teach your friends about your family’s killer mac’ and cheese recipe, or the Dutch Dance you do every year, or your practice of Bhakti Yoga. These interactions are what make college such a profound and life-changing experience, and these are the things that you have to look forward to!

Proud moments

Last Friday night I celebrated my son’s high school graduation. Yesterday, I attended the First Year Orientation with him here at Miami University. I was impressed with the advising staff who took time with each new student and family to provide information and share available resources to help start their journey into college. Today, I am so proud of my son’s success and proud to welcome him to the Miami Family! Check out our Miami advising and majors below to begin your future plans.

Links with information about advising and majors at Miami University: http://www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/advising/index.html http://www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/majors-minors/index.html

Macy’s Day Parade

I know what you’re thinking…its June, why am I blogging about the Macy’s Day Parade now? Well, we just got word that our Marching Band will be marching at the parade this year, which I think is amazing. As a former band member (both marching and concert), I know how much of a major accomplishment this is and I will finally be able to proudly say: that is OUR marching band out there and cheer them on from my comfy couch at home. This is definitely going to be one more thing added to the holiday lists of “to dos.” Are you going to watch?

Go Green, Miami!

Are you going green? So is Miami! Miami University was recently recognized for having the first residential hall in Ohio to receive a 2010 Energy Start from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Heritage Commons are on-campus student apartments that include a single room for each person, a joint bathroom used by two, and a common living and kitchen area. Only 5 years old, Heritage Commons accommodates up to 108 students who prefer the apartment-style living but want to stay on and near campus. The EPA gave kudos to Miami for meeting requirements in the categories of indoor air quality, energy performance, thermal comfort, and lighting levels. The university closely monitors all electrical and water usage on campus and has made strives to conserve energy when possible, saving the university substantial amounts of money. Miami is excited to receive this award and is encouraging others to find ways to conserve everyday resources. Go green!

Digital Games

Digital Game Studies
Do you love video games? Wouldn’t it be great if you could study video games in college? Miami University has lots of ways for you to study and earn college credit for your passions. A Digital Game Studies minor or Interactive Media minor might be something to consider. Miami also offers a series of classes in these areas that you could choose for a Thematic Sequence outside any major. All students complete a Thematic Sequence as part of the Miami Plan.
Miami University Digital Game Studies was named one of the top 50 programs in the nation! Miami has a program that includes a game lab, the world’s largest virtual reality space, and rapid prototyping where students can design 3-D models and more!
Pictured above are participants in the 2010 Miami University Global Jam, an event with students age 16-35 who spent a weekend on campus creating a game from concept to completion.
Miami University offers a liberal arts education that you can customize to fit your goals and areas of interest. Follow your passions to have the best college experience and to open a future in areas you love!
Links to help you discover more:
http://aims.muohio.edu/game-studies-minor/
http://welcome.eas.muohio.edu/global-game-jam-comes-to-miami/
http://www.miami.muohio.edu/academics/index.html

Yummy

Once again Miami University’s housing and dinning services won gold, silver and bronze awards at the Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards which is sponsored by the National Association of College and University Food Services. Miami actually received the most honors in the competition and we will compete for the grand prize during the national conference this July!

So, if you are visiting us this summer or fall, please feel free to stop by one of our award winning dining facilities on campus for breakfast, lunch or dinner. If you would like information on what is being served at the dining facilities and the calorie content as well, please visit http://www.hdg.muohio.edu/EatingAtMiami/.

Congratulations class of 2010!

On behalf of the Office of Admission, congratulations to both graduating Miami seniors and high school seniors! You should all be proud of your accomplishments. Miami seniors are enjoying their last days here with senior week, which included a class trip to the Cincinnati Reds game on Sunday and will include a last senior lecture on Friday. Saturday is the big day. The senior class of 2010 will zip up their gowns and adjust their tassels while they say good-bye to friends, family, and their beloved Miami University. The commencement exercises will begin at 2:00pm at Yager Stadium and will include keynote speaker Kenneth Merten, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti and Miami alumnus of 1983. Graduation weekend will continue with academic divisional recognition ceremonies on Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9.

Congrats to all high school seniors as well! We are proud of your achievements, and we look forward to welcoming you into the Miami class of 2014!

Hop on the bus!

Miami University offers a metro bus system to all students who want to get around a little quicker. Transportation is available to and from the Oxford/Hamilton campuses, uptown Oxford, and various places around the Oxford campus. Miami University recently received a grant to expand its Metro destinations! Starting in fall of 2010, Miami Metro Busses will occasionally provide transportation to and from Wal-Mart in Oxford as well as Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield, OH. This exciting change will allow students who do not have cars to do some extra shopping in their free time, especially if students are browsing for international food. Miami is happy to provide services to students of all backgrounds and making the community at Miami more inclusive.

Junior Scholars Program

Attention Juniors! What are your summer plans? Miami University offers an exciting summer studies program that gives you the opportunity to see what it’s like to be a college student. The Junior Scholars Program invites high school students to campus during the summer between their junior and senior year to take classes, live on campus, get an insider look on college admission and financial aid, and engage in social activities. Students typically take two classes from a list of forty classes and will receive college credit for coursework earned. Those who complete the program in good standing are guaranteed admission to Miami University if they meet the academic requirements. We want you to be part of the experience! The application deadline is approaching on May 1, 2010, so visit the Junior Scholars Program website for more information on tuition, facts, contact, and the application: www.muohio.edu/juniorscholars.

Still deciding?

It’s April 15th! For your parents, that might mean the stress of filing taxes is now over and they can enjoy a free cup of coffee. If you are a senior this year, it might mean that you are only two weeks away from the national deadline to choose your college: May 1st. This can be a stressful experience- you have put in so much time and energy visiting colleges, filling out applications, waiting patiently for admission decisions and financial aid packages. And now it’s up to you. There are so many things to consider: what will your professors be like? What will your friends be like? Where will you study? Can you find a place to watch Glee on Tuesdays? Is there a Chipotle nearby?

Whatever you are considering, it is important to remember that this is your decision. Only you can determine the right questions to ask, and the right answers to those questions. Choosing a college is not about finding the one perfect campus, the perfect department, or the perfect location. It’s about finding what feels perfect for you.
One of the best ways to make your final college selection is to do one last visit. Visualize being a part of that community, saying “hi” to friends as you walk across campus, hanging out in the café, playing guitar in the quad—whatever it is that you want from your collegiate experience. There’s still time: register for a Make it Miami! event today and see if Miami is your perfect fit!

Where will Swoop go next?

While practicing his skating skills at the Goggin Ice Center, Miami mascot Swoop came face-to-face with a zamboni! An unfortunate series of events resulted in Swoop’s untimely flattening. See the video here. Despite this accident and his current flattened state, we want Swoop to continue to see the world! Enter our contest to keep him soaring. Photograph your journey with Flat Swoop around your hometown, during your spring break trip, at a senior event—wherever your travels may take you. By submitting a photo, you will be entered into a drawing for one of our great prizes (limit one per student):

• 13" MacBook computer (courtesy of the Miami University Bookstore notebook program)
• iPod Touch
• Miami Hockey jersey
• $100 bookstore gift card
• (4) $15 restaurant gift cards

Visit our Flat Swoop website for details on how to submit your photo! Swoop has already been hanging with Miami's hockey team, headed to the NCAA Frozen Four next week! Where will he go next?

Admitted Student Chat

Congratulations to all of Miami’s Class of 2014 accepted students! Miami will be hosting a live chat just for you. If you would like to talk to current students, faculty, and staff, join us online on March 31st! Still have questions about your future Miami experience or just want to know what it’s like here in Oxford? Talk to an admission counselor in our main chat room or join a specific room to ask about the Honors program, student life, study abroad, financial aid, and just about every academic department you can think of! Miami representatives will be chatting from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., and 8:00 pm. – 10:00 p.m. Check your email for the chat URL and login instructions. Can’t find it? Check your spam filter! Make sure to add our email address (admission@muohio.edu) to your Address Book or Safe Senders List to receive our important emails in your inbox. See you online on March 31st!

On the ice.

From Broomball to Synchronized Skating we are really known for our sports on the ice! This past weekend we hosted the International Skating Institute (ISI) at our Goggin Ice Center. There were more than 100 teams and over 1,000 skaters on our campus from ages 4-81. At the competition all three of Miami’s synchronized skating teams preformed during the exhibition portion. The senior team currently holds the third place U.S. National Championships while the junior team finished in fifth. For more information about Miami’s Synchronized Skating Team, please visit: http://www.muredhawks.com/sports/w-syncssk/mioh-w-syncssk-body-main.html.

Another team on the ice doing well is our Men’s Ice Hockey team who will be playing in the final four after a 3-2 double-overtime victory over Michigan at the NCAA Division I Midwest Regional. For more information about the game and/or information about tickets, please visit: http://www.muredhawks.com/sports/m-hockey/mioh-m-hockey-body.html.

A Gleeful Weekend

There’s always something exciting going on at Miami! This past weekend, the Miami University Men’s Glee Club hosted the Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses National Seminar (IMC), a three day event that including concerts, luncheons, discussion panels, and an all-conference get-together. The seminar included 12 colleges, 3 high schools, and 4 other choir groups, from various parts of the country. IMC Vice President and Conductor of the Miami University Men’s Glee Club, Ethan Sperry, opened the concert series with 100 members of the Miami University Men’s Glee Club. Other featured performers included Dr. Jameson Marvin of the Harvard Glee Club in his 32nd and final year as conductor. It was an exciting weekend to welcome many visitors to campus. If you are interested in learning more on the Men’s Glee Club, visit their website at http://www.mugleeclub.org/ Miami has many music ensembles for students of any major may join. Check out this link for more information on acapella, choir and instrumental ensembles: http://arts.muohio.edu/music/ensembles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5lYAB0bk38

Admitted Student Chat

Congratulations to all of Miami’s Class of 2014 accepted students! Miami will be hosting a live chat just for you. If you would like to talk to current students, faculty, and staff, join us online on March 31st! Still have questions about your future Miami experience or just want to know what it’s like here in Oxford? Talk to an admission counselor in our main chat room or join a specific room to ask about the Honors program, student life, study abroad, financial aid, and just about every academic department you can think of! Miami representatives will be chatting from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., and 8:00 pm. – 10:00 p.m. Check your email for the chat URL and login instructions. Can’t find it? Check your spam filter! Make sure to add our email address (admission@muohio.edu) to your Address Book or Safe Senders List to receive our important emails in your inbox.
See you online on March 31st!

More than just a shirt...

Miami University is home to EDUN Live on Campus, which is the first student-run business that enables campus organizations to customize ethically-produced T-shirts in the entire country! What is it? It is a social conscious, student-run, apparel business, with the mission to assist with employment opportunities in Africa. These shirts are 100% African made which includes the growing of the cotton, to the manufacturing of the fabric, to the fabrication of the t-shirt.

EDUN Live on Campus has reached a milestone with sales of 25,000 shirts in just a little more than three years! An even bigger accomplishment is that 100+ jobs that have been created in sub-Sahara Africa as a result of this business.

If you are interested in more information about Miami’s chapter or want to learn how to get involved with this organization, please check out the following link:

http://www.fsb.muohio.edu/centers/social-entrepreneurship/edun-live-u

Pssssst… admission decisions posted early!

Attention all admission candidates! Miami will be posting final admission decisions on your appcheck website (www.muohio.edu/appcheck) at 6pm EST on Sunday, March 14th! That’s six hours earlier than our advertised notification time! If you’re having trouble finding your username and password, check the email address that you listed on your application for admission. Miami emailed you on March 5th with your login information. Can’t find it? Check your spam filter! You will also receive paper notification in the mail early next week.

Miami thanks you for reading our admission blog, and don’t forget to log in at 6pm on Sunday!

Interested in a studying Business?

You’re looking at the right place. Miami University’s Farmer School of Business consistently ranks among the top undergraduate and graduate business schools in the nation. Last year, our undergraduate program ranked 18th nationally, and this year, according to Business Week the program moved up to 16th overall. Business Week also placed us 6th for public schools and we have the top ranking in Ohio. In addition, last fall the Wall Street Journal ranked our executive MBA program 8th in the world and 3rd nationally! Miami’s Farmer School of Business University offers 8 undergraduate majors: accountancy, business economics, finance, interdisciplinary business management, management information systems, management & organizations, marketing, and supply chain & operations management, and numerous minors. The Farmer School of Business is known for its outstanding academics, a focus on undergraduate teaching, study abroad programs, and placement rates for internships and jobs. The class of 2008 reported 82% of graduates are now employed fulltime, and 12% are enrolled in graduate school. The Farmer School of Business also opened a new building fall 2009 bringing the latest technology into the classroom. We encourage all prospective business students to look into the programs and make arrangements to meet with an adviser and check out the brand new facility.
http://www.fsb.muohio.edu/

Class Schedule for Senior Year

Juniors- it is now time to plan your senior high school schedule. Keep your focus on selecting challenging classes. Don’t be afraid to schedule Advanced Placement or AP classes if they are offered or add an extra year of a foreign language. Miami will use your GPA for the first 6 semesters or through the end of your junior year for application and scholarship consideration. A full senior schedule which includes AP or honors classes courses will better prepare you for college and indicate that you are not afraid of challenging classes.
For a list of AP classes and scores needed to receive college credit here at Miami see:
http://www.miami.muohio.edu/admission/ap_ib.cfm
If you have questions check with your admission counselor we would love to help!http://www.muohio.edu/askacounselor

STAY-cation!

While many Miami students pack up their belongings to head south for next week’s spring break, others choose to spend their vacations in a familiar place: southwest Ohio. Students from our Hamilton campus will participate in both service and research as they work with impoverished communities in the area. The eleven participants will engage in a poverty simulation to begin this week-long project. These students will work with local homeless shelters, nonprofit agencies, faith-based organizations and businesses to learn about the impact of joblessness and poverty in the area throughout the week. Seven of the participants will also be presenting at IMPACT, a national conference on advocacy, social justice and service March 19-21 in Little Rock, AR. This presentation will relate to their experience with STAY-cation, and explore poverty and joblessness’ impact on local communities.

Many other Miami students will participate in alternative spring break trips next week, including studying eco-tourism and participating in service learning in Dominica; service learning in Tijuana; and volunteering with Ambassadors for Children in Jamaica and Columbia. Whenever your spring break rolls around, consider participating in a service project like many Miami students choose to do!

Do you know what you want to major in?

If not, no worries. Every year at Miami University students are able to attend something called an “Exploring Majors Fair” which is designed for students who are undecided or still exploring a choice of major.

The reason for this fair is to provide students the opportunity to learn about the 100+ majors Miami has to offer and to allow them to investigate a variety of curricular and career options all in one place. Not only is this fair staffed by each academic department, but the Office of Career Services, the Career Exploration and Testing Center, and the Office of International Programs will also be in attendance.

The setting is very informal and students are encouraged to come and go at any time while the fair is going on.

For more information on additional career services at Miami, please visit http://www.units.muohio.edu/careers/.

Miami Peace Corps Record

What are Miami students doing after they graduate? Alumni report doing a variety of things after their time at Miami, including 43 students now working for the Peace Corps! This number places Miami 4th on the top 25 list for amount of students serving from medium-sized colleges and universities. In 2009, Miami placed 7th, and our increase in student volunteerism within the program has upped our ranking! If you’re not familiar with the Peace Corps, it is a nonprofit volunteer organization that hires young adults to live in various parts of the world to promote international development related to education, agriculture, environment, or business, just to name a few.

The Peace Corps volunteer population is quickly growing, and in the past 48 years, 825 Miami alumni have participated in the program. Miami is holding a Spring Career Fair on February 16 to showcase opportunities for Miamians after graduation. The Peace Corps will be present to recruit even more volunteers at 6:00pm on February 17. This is just one of many organizations invited to participate in the Spring Career Fair, where students can see the myriad of possibilies for life after Miami!

Mobile unit is hitting the streets soon!

Miami University will be welcoming a Mobile Health Initiative this week to Oxford. The unit is a prototype for student health promotion on college and university campuses around the nation. The mobile unit is a student-run, student-focused project that is designed to help college kids become more aware of their own health, and health issues in general. The unit will also utilize “hands-on” and interactive experiences to help students understand health and wellness issues. The unit is funded by The Ford Foundation, along with a partnership with Armor Mobile Systems, to improve the health of students throughout college campuses. For more information, contact Reginald Fennell at 513-529-3226 or fennelr@muohio.edu.

Are you an accepted student?

If so, CONGRATULATIONS!!

Would you like to chat with current Miami University students, faculty, and staff? This opportunity is available for you tomorrow, Wednesday, February 24th. We will be participating in an online chat most of the day for accepted students. For more information please check your e-mail since we sent you important log-in information on how to find us online. Meanwhile, if you have any questions/concerns, feel free to leave us a message on the blog!

Hey Juniors!

It’s never too early to start your college search! This year, Miami is sending current students back to their high schools during spring break to talk to you about their Miami experience and why you may want to become a RedHawk, too! Look for Miami students in high schools across the United States, including: Reno, NV, Naperville, IL; Cleveland, OH and many more!

Miami’s not coming to your high school? We may be in your area soon! Miami will be represented at national college fairs across the United States throughout the spring. Find us in Louisville (2/27), Detroit (4/15), San Francisco (4/17), Nashville (4/25), Boston (4/27), New Jersey (4/28), and Cleveland (5/2). If you can, we encourage you to come to campus for the best view of your future college experience. You can find all of the information about setting up your visit to Miami at www.muohio.edu/visit.

Time to Plan a visit to Miami!

Time to Plan a visit to Miami!
College search often begins with a visit to the campus. I invite you to schedule the visit that is best for you and to take time to really get a feel for student life. Visit Oxford to see why Miami students thrive in this great college town setting.
Schedule a campus tour and learn more about Miami. Our tour guides will share their experiences while you get a taste for student live on campus. If you have time to attend a class you may contact the faculty directly using our open class list http://www.miami.muohio.edu/admission/visit/pdfs/Class_Visits_Spring_10.pdf
Meet with our faculty who share your passion for a specific area of study to learn more about programs and research opportunities available to undergraduate students. Send your request to meet with faculty to facultyappt@muohio.edu.
Schedule a campus tour at www.muohio.edu/visit to see all your options.
Accepted students are invited to attend a full day special event. Look in your acceptance packet for details about how to register online to attend events.
We look forward to seeing you on a campus visit at Miami University!

Miami Makes Guinness World Record

What is it about Miami students that creates life-long relationships? More than 14% of Miami alumni have married another graduate of Miami. Dubbed “Miami Mergers,” these love birds tally up to a grand total of 26,472 scattered across the globe. This number is believed to be one of the largest of its kind in the country. Valentine’s Day is approaching, and Miami is preparing to send out Happy Valentine’s Day cards to all Mergers, a tradition that began in 1973.

On February 2, Miami was pleased to receive word from Guinness World Records that we officially broke the world record for the most couples renewing their wedding vows at once. Last June, 1,087 couples returned to Miami last summer for alumni weekend to renew their vows. Robert Frame (1938 graduate) and June Frame (1939 graduate) were there and were recognized as the oldest known Miami Merger. Special thanks to the Miami University Alumni Association for organizing such a successful event. We even have three Mergers working here in the Office of Admission. Shout out to Carol Richmond, Ann Larson, & Ann Bader! Traditions live long at Miami!

There's still time!

We have extended our application deadline to Monday, February 8th! The best part? If you are admitted, you will automatically be considered for merit scholarships. Check out our new merit scholarships for next year. If you want to be eligible for need-based aid, fill out the FAFSA by February 15th. You will receive a financial assistance package at the end of March! Start your application today!

For those of you who applied Early Action, we have received reports that the acceptance packet delivery has been delayed in certain areas. All packets were mailed Friday morning, January 29, 2010. We are investigating the situation with the post office in Oxford, Ohio, as well as the central post office in Cincinnati. We apologize for the delay. Students can check their admission status online. (If you do not remember your login information, please contact your Miami Admission Counselor.)

What's Next?

Happy Monday!

It is a very exciting time currently in the Office of Admission! All of our Early Action applicants have received a decision regarding their admission application.

We are excited as well to invite all accepted students to our Make it Miami! accepted student events. There, they will get a chance to eat in a dining hall, meet faculty from a variation of departments, explore our campus, attend a class, and to learn more about how to become an active Miamian.

Through our website www.muohio.edu/accepted , accepted students are able to enroll for Make it Miami!, confirm their enrollment, select a meal plan and Living Learning Community, submit additional paperwork, take placement exams, sign up for orientation and find additional information on how to get involved.

We look forward to having members of the Class of 2014 on our campus soon for our first Make it Miami! event this Friday!

Apply by February 1st

Still time to Apply!
Are you a senior in high school? Miami would love to have your application for fall 2010 and you still have time! Submit your application by February 1st and you will be considered for admission for Fall 2010 and eligible for merit scholarships. All applicants are considered for a Financial Aid package when you file the FAFSA by February 15.



You still have time to apply to the Miami University Honors program! If you have already applied or are a new applicant, you may apply for our amazing Honors program as well by February 1st.. Check out the Honors website listed below to learn more about all the wonderful opportunities available in the Miami Honors Program.

· Apply to Miami online at www.muohio.edu/apply
· Free Application for Federal Student Aid available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
· Apply for Honors Program at https://survey.muohio.edu/Checkbox/HonorsApplication.aspx

What is Miami Doing?

Last week, Haiti was rocked by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, affecting over 3 million people and devastating the poverty-stricken country. Organizations across the world have reached out to help this country with monetary donations. One of the great benefits of being part of a college community is the depth of opportunity to which you are able to get involved in relief efforts such as this one. Many students have used their connections within student organizations and leadership positions to assist in these efforts. Miami students started a Facebook group: “Miami University Haiti Relief Efforts” to share their plans and implementation strategies.

Miami has partnered with the World Food Programme (WFP) to send monetary donations to directly distribute food and water to Haiti. Currently, food and water donations cannot be accepted due to logistical complications from the quake. WFP is one of the only organizations who was previously equipped in Port-Au-Prince to distribute food and water supplies, and Miami’s Office of Community Engagement and Service strongly suggests monetary donations to organizations like WFP and the American Red Cross. To donate now, visit https://donate.wfp.org/supporter/donatenow.do?n=gbss&dfdbid=1115409 and choose “Miami (OH)” from the pulldown menu.

Share Your Miami Experience

As you may know, Miami has over 300 student organizations available for students. Two of these organizations work closely with the Office of Admission and share with prospective students their reasons for choosing Miami University. Every spring, we encourage current students to apply to be campus tour guides, who are trained to answer frequently asked questions about the university and share their experiences while conducting tours of campus. These students of course, must brave chilly weather, hot summer days, and the occasional rainfall.

Another organization to look into is called Miami University Student Ambassadors (MUSA). MUSA is a volunteer organization that meets biweekly, gets involved in fund-raiser events, and social events for fun. One of the duties of MUSA is to greet families who are checking in for campus tours and get to talk with them before the campus information session begins. These students also reply to emails, make phone calls to prospective students, and hosts receptions on campus for visitors. If you have any questions for current students, feel free to contact a MUSA member at miami100@muohio.edu.

Both organizations are an excellent way to get to know Miami students and help out students just like yourselves who are searching for the best college. Good luck college shopping!