December is here, and hopefully you all had a chance to enjoy some time off from school to enjoy Thanksgiving! Get any great Black Friday deals? I'll admit, much of my holiday shopping is done last minute :)
Did you get a chance to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade? Miami's Marching Band was featured! Check it out again (or maybe for the first time) as the band welcomes Santa:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3svFLmrniXE&feature=player_detailpage
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
What Makes Miami Different?
As you continue to visit college campuses throughout the fall and winter most begin to run together in your mind. You begin to wonder what makes one school different from the another campus you visited. What is the difference?
At Miami we pride ourselves on being different, the unique experiences our students have are second to none and our campus is one of the most beautiful places you will see. While we have the rankings and student testimonials to show these points it's always better to see videos of what happens on our campus.
This fall the Miami faculty was ranked the #1 public faculty in the country for their dedication to undergraduate teaching (#3 overall - Princeton & Dartmouth tied for 1st). While this ranking is amazing, it may give the impression that our faculty is all studies and not very much fun. Well that is completely false, the Miami University faculty love their jobs and every once in a while put on a show for their students. I invite all of you to check out this link to see our faculty performing a flash mob in King Library on campus during a regular Thursday afternoon. It is a great video and shows an idea of what makes Miami different. ENJOY!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Fall is here!
Fall has officially arrived in Oxford, Ohio and Miami's campus is a beautiful canvas of orange, red and yellow! Fall is my favorite season--the time of year for all things pumpkin flavored (bread, coffee, ice cream, cookies, muffins), and going to pumpkin patches, hay rides, haunted house, and Halloween parties.
This is my 6th year working in Admisison, so Fall also means travel season! I spend about 4 weeks on the road visiting high schools and attending college fairs. Have you seen the posters around your school announcing our visit? There will probably be a lot of schools visiting, and we encourage you to take advantage of these! This is a time to get some face time with an admission counselor who can answer all your questions about their school. Not sure what to talk to an admission counselor about? Here are some helpful questions:
1. Are there opportunites for research and working with faculty?
2. What do you look for academically in the application?
3. What kinds of scholarships and financial aid do you offer?
4. Are students required to live on campus?
5. What do students do for fun?
6. Tell me about study abroad options.
7. What do you like best about your school?
8. How's the food? (come on, you know you want to know! :) )
Fall is also a great time to visit college campuses and if you haven't already done so, start your college applications! You can schedule your visit at www.muohio.edu/visit and apply online at www.muohio.edu/apply.
This is my 6th year working in Admisison, so Fall also means travel season! I spend about 4 weeks on the road visiting high schools and attending college fairs. Have you seen the posters around your school announcing our visit? There will probably be a lot of schools visiting, and we encourage you to take advantage of these! This is a time to get some face time with an admission counselor who can answer all your questions about their school. Not sure what to talk to an admission counselor about? Here are some helpful questions:
1. Are there opportunites for research and working with faculty?
2. What do you look for academically in the application?
3. What kinds of scholarships and financial aid do you offer?
4. Are students required to live on campus?
5. What do students do for fun?
6. Tell me about study abroad options.
7. What do you like best about your school?
8. How's the food? (come on, you know you want to know! :) )
Fall is also a great time to visit college campuses and if you haven't already done so, start your college applications! You can schedule your visit at www.muohio.edu/visit and apply online at www.muohio.edu/apply.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Tours and _________!
As summer winds down and the class of 2012 finally begins to come to the realization that senior year is upon them, campus visits become a crucial deciding factor in where you will spend the best 4 years of your life. We recognize that campus life and student activities are critical factors when making your college decision so we have altered our fall visit schedule to offer Saturday visits that coincide with some amazing events happening on campus.
9/24 vs. Bowling Green State University (Family Weekend; Conference Opener)
10/1 vs. University of Cincinnati (The Battle of the Victory Bell, one of the oldest rivalries in the country)
10/8 vs. The United States Military Academy – Army
10/29 vs. The University of Buffalo (Homecoming)
Prior to every home football game the athletics department also hosts tailgate town with performers and other attractions for your enjoyment before kick-off, one year there was even a mechanical bull! Tickets for any of the games can be purchased through our athletic ticket office by phone at (513) 529-HAWK or 1-866-MUHAWKS.
Above: Austin Brown (90) leading the Redhawks onto the field
Right: Nick Harwell (8) shedding a defender during the GoDaddy.com bowl
On the Friday evening Family Weekend Miami will host a show by Comedian Jeff Dunham titles “Identity Crisis.” Dunham will be performing this all new show on Friday, September 23 at 8:30pm in Millett Hall. If your family is coming into town early this is something you may want to check out! Time Magazine has even said Jeff Dunham is the most popular comedian in the United States. Tickets for the show and more information can be found here: http://www.miami.muohio.edu/familyweekend/index.html
TOURS & PIGSKIN
Beginning in late September and continuing through October we have shifted the information session and tour time on select Saturdays to 10am so that our visiting families can have the opportunity to see our RedHawk football team in action. The football team is defending Mid-American Conference and GoDaddy.com bowl Champions (see my blogs from December and January if you want to relive the magic) and multiple players have been named to national award watch lists, wide receiver Nick Harwell and Defensive Lineman Austin Brown. Nick is on the Bilentnikoff List for best wide receiver in the country and Austin is on the Rotary Lombardi List for the nation’s best lineman. We hope that you will be able to come see our campus and help us cheer on our football team. The dates for these special visits are:
9/24 vs. Bowling Green State University (Family Weekend; Conference Opener)
10/1 vs. University of Cincinnati (The Battle of the Victory Bell, one of the oldest rivalries in the country)
10/8 vs. The United States Military Academy – Army
10/29 vs. The University of Buffalo (Homecoming)
Prior to every home football game the athletics department also hosts tailgate town with performers and other attractions for your enjoyment before kick-off, one year there was even a mechanical bull! Tickets for any of the games can be purchased through our athletic ticket office by phone at (513) 529-HAWK or 1-866-MUHAWKS.
Above: Austin Brown (90) leading the Redhawks onto the field
Right: Nick Harwell (8) shedding a defender during the GoDaddy.com bowl
TOURS & CULTURE
If you are interested in seeing a performance that showcases various cultures our annual Global Rhythms presentation is the event for you. This year’s theme is GLAM UP! with 400 artists of varying backgrounds taking the stage between Friday and Saturday nights performances. The events will be held on September 23 and 24 at 8pm in Hall Auditorium, giving you the option to see the show before or after your tour. Fashion will also be a large focus at this year’s program and if you purchase tickets in advance for the Saturday show you will be able to sample food from Northern India! More information on performers and the event overall can be found here: http://www.cawc.muohio.edu/special-events/global-rhythms
TOURS & LAUGHS
On the Friday evening Family Weekend Miami will host a show by Comedian Jeff Dunham titles “Identity Crisis.” Dunham will be performing this all new show on Friday, September 23 at 8:30pm in Millett Hall. If your family is coming into town early this is something you may want to check out! Time Magazine has even said Jeff Dunham is the most popular comedian in the United States. Tickets for the show and more information can be found here: http://www.miami.muohio.edu/familyweekend/index.html
TOURS & THEATER
The Miami University Department of Theater will have two shows on weekends that coincide with our campus tours. On the weekend of October 7-9 there will be performances of Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” at 8pm (Friday and Saturday) in the Gates-Abegglen Theater. On the weekend of October 28-30 the department will present George F. Walker’s “Better Living” at 8pm (Friday and Saturday) in the Studio 88 Theater. Tickets for these shows can be purchased through the university box office at www.muohio.edu/boxoffice or 513-529-3200.
TOURS & TUNES (Reloaded)
Our summer “Tunes & Tours” are very popular events, but for those of you who were unable to attend we have more musical presentations available. Miami University is home to many dynamic musical groups and we would love for you to be in the audience. On the evening of October 8 many of our a capella groups will be performing in concert at 8pm in Hall Auditorium. Performers will include the Cheezies (all-male), Misfitz (all-female), Mergers, and Remnants. These groups are favorites across campus and their shows are always enjoyable. If you will be joining us on homecoming weekend, our Miami University Steel Band will be performing in concert at Hall Auditorium at 8pm. Our steel band is spectacular and they even have recordings that can be purchased on iTunes, this could definitely be an opportunity for you to experience something different. Tickets for these shows can be purchased through the university box office at www.muohio.edu/boxoffice or 513-529-3200.
If you are interested in signing up for a tour please visit www.muohio.edu/visit. If you plan to attend any of the events listed above I will suggest you sign up for the campus tour prior to buying tickets as our Saturday visits tend to get full very quickly.
Love & Honor!
Friday, July 22, 2011
It's almost Application Time!
Hey Everyone! I hope you are enjoying the summer. It’s hard to believe the semester is just around the corner. Signs are already on campus for football games and campus entertainment, the university is preparing for the students to return and current students are itching to return to Oxford. Here in admission, we’re already getting calls and emails from students ready to apply to the university!
The number one question I have been getting from students is where should I be at this point in the application process? The answer, not everyone is at the same pace, but the fact that you are thinking about the process means you are where you need to be.
Some students will be ready to apply when the Miami University application is available on August 1 (www.muohio.edu/apply). Others are still shortening their long list of schools to a short list. Keep in mind that you once August hits you can submit your application as soon as you’re ready, but you can always take the time you need to ensure you have filled out the application to your satisfaction as long as we have it by our decision deadlines.
As you begin to take a look at applying, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Do not rush your application just to have it done. This process allows you to let the college know the student they are admitting. Take your time to really allow the institution to get to know you as a person.
2. Map out the timing of filling out the application. Chances are you about to get extremely busy when the school year starts, so keeping yourself on a schedule will keep you on track.
3. Ask questions. This is a big decision you are making and you want all the information. Call us at 513-529-2531 or email us at admission@muohio.edu. We are always more than happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Best of luck to you as you begin application season!
The number one question I have been getting from students is where should I be at this point in the application process? The answer, not everyone is at the same pace, but the fact that you are thinking about the process means you are where you need to be.
Some students will be ready to apply when the Miami University application is available on August 1 (www.muohio.edu/apply). Others are still shortening their long list of schools to a short list. Keep in mind that you once August hits you can submit your application as soon as you’re ready, but you can always take the time you need to ensure you have filled out the application to your satisfaction as long as we have it by our decision deadlines.
As you begin to take a look at applying, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Do not rush your application just to have it done. This process allows you to let the college know the student they are admitting. Take your time to really allow the institution to get to know you as a person.
2. Map out the timing of filling out the application. Chances are you about to get extremely busy when the school year starts, so keeping yourself on a schedule will keep you on track.
3. Ask questions. This is a big decision you are making and you want all the information. Call us at 513-529-2531 or email us at admission@muohio.edu. We are always more than happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Best of luck to you as you begin application season!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Early Decision: Great Option, Strong Message
Spend some time on our Admission website, and you might notice a significant change. For the first time in the University’s history, we have a site set up specifically for Early Decision admission: www.muohio.edu/earlydecision. Naturally, the question becomes is this a good option for you? Before you answer that question, let’s focus on the word ‘option.’
Indeed, it is just that. There is no pressure per say to apply Early, but we’re essentially being as transparent as we can. Yes, we like it when students really like us. There’s no stronger message you send to a college than to say, “This is a great school and yes, if I’m admitted I will be coming.” It’s kind of like an allegiance you have to a name brand (Starbucks comes to mind) or a particular channel (for me it’s National Geographic). That allegiance will always come first, no matter the other options on the table. Early Decision—for the most part—works that way. It’s not to say you haven’t considered other colleges, but there is one shining brighter than the rest. If you feel that warmth when you take a tour or attend an information session, go with it. Embrace it. Apply early and tell us you love us. Your application will be due sooner rather than later, but you will also have the college search process wrapped up early into your senior year. Do you know how AllState offers the peace of mind guarantee with auto insurance? That’s what we’re offering too---less stress senior year, and more time to assimilate into the Miami Family before you actually arrive on campus.
So why is Miami emphasizing the Early Decision option now? Why now seems to be the core of the chatter both on and off campus. To get that answer, just reverse the question. Why not now? In a world where students are bombarded with so many options/incentives, we initially didn’t want to appear pushy or pressure students more than they are already pressured. We wanted to outline three specific dates and adhere to them. It’s not so much that we have changed, but the world has changed. Students have gotten smarter and they are starting their college search process earlier and earlier. For thousands, this also means that come November, there aren’t a ton of colleges left on the list. The ones that remain are serious contenders and more often than not, students just seem to “know” their top choice. Act on that and be bold. My advice is if you can complete the following sentence in less than a minute, apply early: “I truly love Miami University and I am applying Early because…..”
Here’s the real pearl in all this discourse—your chances of getting in are better. There’s just no way around it. The applicant pool (which historically has been less than a 1,000 students) is a lot smaller than the Early Action and Regular Decision pools. It’s still going to be competitive because we are a selective school, but it’s not alarming numerical odds.
Finally, whatever option you choose, make sure it’s the right one for you. Pledging your allegiance to Miami is “in”, it is popular and more and more students are doing it. We hope that after careful consideration, you’ll declare Early Decision too.
Indeed, it is just that. There is no pressure per say to apply Early, but we’re essentially being as transparent as we can. Yes, we like it when students really like us. There’s no stronger message you send to a college than to say, “This is a great school and yes, if I’m admitted I will be coming.” It’s kind of like an allegiance you have to a name brand (Starbucks comes to mind) or a particular channel (for me it’s National Geographic). That allegiance will always come first, no matter the other options on the table. Early Decision—for the most part—works that way. It’s not to say you haven’t considered other colleges, but there is one shining brighter than the rest. If you feel that warmth when you take a tour or attend an information session, go with it. Embrace it. Apply early and tell us you love us. Your application will be due sooner rather than later, but you will also have the college search process wrapped up early into your senior year. Do you know how AllState offers the peace of mind guarantee with auto insurance? That’s what we’re offering too---less stress senior year, and more time to assimilate into the Miami Family before you actually arrive on campus.
So why is Miami emphasizing the Early Decision option now? Why now seems to be the core of the chatter both on and off campus. To get that answer, just reverse the question. Why not now? In a world where students are bombarded with so many options/incentives, we initially didn’t want to appear pushy or pressure students more than they are already pressured. We wanted to outline three specific dates and adhere to them. It’s not so much that we have changed, but the world has changed. Students have gotten smarter and they are starting their college search process earlier and earlier. For thousands, this also means that come November, there aren’t a ton of colleges left on the list. The ones that remain are serious contenders and more often than not, students just seem to “know” their top choice. Act on that and be bold. My advice is if you can complete the following sentence in less than a minute, apply early: “I truly love Miami University and I am applying Early because…..”
Here’s the real pearl in all this discourse—your chances of getting in are better. There’s just no way around it. The applicant pool (which historically has been less than a 1,000 students) is a lot smaller than the Early Action and Regular Decision pools. It’s still going to be competitive because we are a selective school, but it’s not alarming numerical odds.
Finally, whatever option you choose, make sure it’s the right one for you. Pledging your allegiance to Miami is “in”, it is popular and more and more students are doing it. We hope that after careful consideration, you’ll declare Early Decision too.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
A Few Questions with a New RedHawk
Hello Everyone! Summer is moving quickly and it’s almost time for rising high school seniors, class of 2012, to begin their college application journey. I thought now would be a good time to get some insight from a new RedHawk on the application process and what he likes about Miami. Enjoy!
Meet Kendall, an incoming first-year student-athlete from Columbus, OH. Kendall will be playing baseball at Miami. Here’s what he had to say:
1) Why did you choose Miami?
I chose Miami because I felt very comfortable as I came on my visits. Being a baseball player, that had some say in my decision as well. The major factor was how I felt when I arrived on campus; it felt like somewhere I wanted to be.
2) What are you most looking forward to?
I am most looking forward to meeting new friends during my first year. I'm curious to see how well I'll make the transition from high school to college as well.
3) What are you most nervous about?
I am most nervous about time management. I have heard from others how it is the key to success in college and I hope can learn to manage my time well.
4) What was the hardest part of the college application process?
Personally, the hardest part of the college application process was making sure I had all the requirements (recommendations, SAT/ ACT scores, etc.) all in order and all present to ship out to each college.
5) Do you have any advice for students that are preparing to apply to college this fall?
Don't let anyone tell you there's somewhere you can't go. If you want to get away, do it. Take the time to go visit and apply to the school. If you don’t get in, so what. At least you made them say no whereas you never know what would happen if you didn’t even apply. Also, don't stress!
1) Why did you choose Miami?
I chose Miami because I felt very comfortable as I came on my visits. Being a baseball player, that had some say in my decision as well. The major factor was how I felt when I arrived on campus; it felt like somewhere I wanted to be.
2) What are you most looking forward to?
I am most looking forward to meeting new friends during my first year. I'm curious to see how well I'll make the transition from high school to college as well.
3) What are you most nervous about?
I am most nervous about time management. I have heard from others how it is the key to success in college and I hope can learn to manage my time well.
4) What was the hardest part of the college application process?
Personally, the hardest part of the college application process was making sure I had all the requirements (recommendations, SAT/ ACT scores, etc.) all in order and all present to ship out to each college.
5) Do you have any advice for students that are preparing to apply to college this fall?
Don't let anyone tell you there's somewhere you can't go. If you want to get away, do it. Take the time to go visit and apply to the school. If you don’t get in, so what. At least you made them say no whereas you never know what would happen if you didn’t even apply. Also, don't stress!
Monday, June 27, 2011
I Choose Option Number 2: Making the Case for Deferment
One of the most beautiful aspects of being a student is that at this stage of the game, your life is full of choices. Some big, some small. One of the biggest decisions an accepted student to college weighs is whether or not to defer his/her admission. I recently sat down with a student here in the Office of Admission who wanted advice on the issue. She also wanted me to weigh in on the “stigma” associated with students who opt to defer. Here’s my two (or three) cents:
Go for it. You only live once. If you’ve discussed it with your family and the pendulum seems to be leaning more on the side of deferment, trust your instinct. The decision to defer is a personal one and is often made for a variety of reasons. The student I mentioned above is spending a year doing mission work in the United States. Some students will travel abroad with different service-based organizations. Maybe you’ll spend a year on a farm in Vermont discovering with your hands what sustainable agriculture really is. Some students will spend a year at a golf academy or playing hockey while others will volunteer for a community based organization they are passionate about. Whatever the case, students who defer are in no way disadvantaged. Once you arrive here, you will assimilate like every other college student…just with a little more life experience under your belt. If anything, deferred students report back to us that they feel more grounded after a year of intense focus on one thing and that they feel well rounded and better prepared for the journey of college.
There’s also the indelible imprint on your life. Spending an entire year doing something you love helps more clearly define some of your long-term goals. It might also influence what you major/minor in at Miami. You might spend that year volunteering at a Spanish-speaking school and that prompts your interest in the teacher education program here at Miami with an emphasis on foreign languages.
In terms of the process, you will need to email Ann Larson in our office to request a deferral. In this email request, you also need to explain what you plan to do during your deferment. The request needs to come from you, not your parents. If you received scholarship money, more likely than not it would still be applied the following year. The only difference is if you filled out the FAFSA and received aid, you will have to fill it out again the following year. Also—you are not allowed to take any college courses during the year you defer.
Deferring is not for everyone, but for some of you—it will indeed make all the difference.
Go for it. You only live once. If you’ve discussed it with your family and the pendulum seems to be leaning more on the side of deferment, trust your instinct. The decision to defer is a personal one and is often made for a variety of reasons. The student I mentioned above is spending a year doing mission work in the United States. Some students will travel abroad with different service-based organizations. Maybe you’ll spend a year on a farm in Vermont discovering with your hands what sustainable agriculture really is. Some students will spend a year at a golf academy or playing hockey while others will volunteer for a community based organization they are passionate about. Whatever the case, students who defer are in no way disadvantaged. Once you arrive here, you will assimilate like every other college student…just with a little more life experience under your belt. If anything, deferred students report back to us that they feel more grounded after a year of intense focus on one thing and that they feel well rounded and better prepared for the journey of college.
There’s also the indelible imprint on your life. Spending an entire year doing something you love helps more clearly define some of your long-term goals. It might also influence what you major/minor in at Miami. You might spend that year volunteering at a Spanish-speaking school and that prompts your interest in the teacher education program here at Miami with an emphasis on foreign languages.
In terms of the process, you will need to email Ann Larson in our office to request a deferral. In this email request, you also need to explain what you plan to do during your deferment. The request needs to come from you, not your parents. If you received scholarship money, more likely than not it would still be applied the following year. The only difference is if you filled out the FAFSA and received aid, you will have to fill it out again the following year. Also—you are not allowed to take any college courses during the year you defer.
Deferring is not for everyone, but for some of you—it will indeed make all the difference.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Summer College Visits
Greetings All! I hope you are enjoying the beginnings of your summer. For most of you, the school year has ended which means it’s time to start college visits! I always get the question, “Is it worth making a visit to a college if the students aren’t there?” My answer is always, “Absolutely!”
First, even though the semester is not in session, there are many Miami students currently on campus taking summer classes. As a result, you will see Miami students walking through the quad as you explore our campus. In addition, first-year orientation is occurring, which means that the students that were in your shoes just one year ago are now visiting their university for the first time as official Miami students. You will certainly have the chance to see students on-campus and uptown, and they are always more than happy to help you find your way around or answer a question.
Second, being on a college campus without much of the student population allows you to really see if you feel at home. If you love the university by just stepping foot on the campus and imagining all the opportunities available to you, then just imagine how you are going to feel about it when all your future friends and classmates return to campus! Can you see yourself playing Frisbee in our quad, using the Rec, sitting in class in an academic building, or meeting friends at the seal?
Finally, it’s understandable that you may feel a little overwhelmed when you first step foot on a college campus. Add a college student population and you may feel a little uncomfortable. If that is the case, it’s perfectly normal. But, by visiting a college campus the first time when the general student population is not there, you are able to get comfortable with a place so when you return for your second visit, instead of worrying about how you will make at that school for the next for years, you will be planning what you will be doing for the next four years.
So as you make your college visit plans for this summer, stop by Oxford, Ohio. Miami University will welcome you with open arms! Just make your plans at www.muohio.edu/visit!
First, even though the semester is not in session, there are many Miami students currently on campus taking summer classes. As a result, you will see Miami students walking through the quad as you explore our campus. In addition, first-year orientation is occurring, which means that the students that were in your shoes just one year ago are now visiting their university for the first time as official Miami students. You will certainly have the chance to see students on-campus and uptown, and they are always more than happy to help you find your way around or answer a question.
Second, being on a college campus without much of the student population allows you to really see if you feel at home. If you love the university by just stepping foot on the campus and imagining all the opportunities available to you, then just imagine how you are going to feel about it when all your future friends and classmates return to campus! Can you see yourself playing Frisbee in our quad, using the Rec, sitting in class in an academic building, or meeting friends at the seal?
Finally, it’s understandable that you may feel a little overwhelmed when you first step foot on a college campus. Add a college student population and you may feel a little uncomfortable. If that is the case, it’s perfectly normal. But, by visiting a college campus the first time when the general student population is not there, you are able to get comfortable with a place so when you return for your second visit, instead of worrying about how you will make at that school for the next for years, you will be planning what you will be doing for the next four years.
So as you make your college visit plans for this summer, stop by Oxford, Ohio. Miami University will welcome you with open arms! Just make your plans at www.muohio.edu/visit!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Commencement: the end, or the beginning?
Well, it’s June! Congratulations to all you seniors have just graduated or are getting ready to walk across the stage and receive your hard-earned high school diploma. When you reach the end of a chapter in your life, you might be so excited to start the new chapter that you forget to relish the old! As one student wrote in our Admitted Student Facebook group: “Get me to Miami NOW!... Please? (:”
I don’t blame you. Miami is great. You will have four fantastic years here. This place will become a part of you and help to guide the rest of your life. But before you pack up and move on, take a moment to reflect on where you are, who you are, and the things you’ve done. Think about all the things you will miss: the people, the spots you love, the leadership roles you worked hard for, the familiarity of it all. Enjoy them one last time before you close that chapter.
I am also looking forward to a new chapter. Tomorrow is my last day as an Admission Counselor, and soon I will start a new role as Assistant Director of the Honors Program here at Miami. And while I am so excited to get started and dive right in working with all of you in the Honors Program, I have to take a moment to look around and reflect on the last three years I’ve spent in this office recruiting great students like you.
I will miss reading your inspiring application essays. I will miss walking into your high schools and picturing what your life must be like there. I will miss driving around your cities on your roads, stopping in your Starbucks or grabbing lunch at your Panera. I will miss answering the phone and hearing “Hi Mandy, it’s me again.” I will miss welcoming visitors to our campus and showing them how great life Miami can be. I will miss getting to know you and walking you through the stressful process that is college admission.
But, as you know, it is not the end. It is time for us to find out what new things we will love, what new things we will someday miss. And it’s time to dive in J
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Summer in Oxford
Hi everyone! While the year has ended for current students, we are here all summer to welcome the Classes of 2015 and beyond! We will be hosting summer tours and information sessions for prospective students and families Monday through Friday and select Saturdays. You are more than welcome to register for these events at www.muohio.edu/visit. In addition, the office is now on Summer Hours, so our new schedule is 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
A question we are always asked when it comes touring colleges in the summer is, “Is it worth coming to campus when the students are not is session?” The answer is Absolutely!
While there aren’t 17,000 students roaming our campus, there are still about 3,000 students taking summer courses in Oxford. In addition, with the beauty of Miami in the summer, you won’t want to stop wandering around, providing you will the full sense of what our campus has to offer. Don’t be surprised when you see people walking through the Formal Gardens or playing volleyball on Western campus. The summer showcases the outdoor activities students have available. If you see me running in the Western Woods with my dog, please be sure to say hello!
Summer is Oxford is fantastic. People are always out and about, eating outside at restaurants or benches, listening to live music at the uptown park, or walking around town with ice cream. While many restaurants and stores do adjust to summer hours, getting a bite to eat, finding an activity or looking for a place to shop is not an issue. I feel extremely fortunate to have spent the better part of the last few summers in Oxford, and I hope when you visit Miami, you will get a small piece of that satisfaction.
As you make your visit this summer here are the top 5 things to do while you are at Miami.
Take a longer tour of campus: You will have the opportunity to have a normal campus tour, but take advantage of the nice weather and see parts of campus that the tour didn’t cover.
Explore an Academic Building: There are classes in session, so the academic buildings will be open. If you are a prospective engineering major, walk through the Engineering Building. If you a prospective business major, walk through the Farmer School of Business Building.
Talk to a Student: Even in the summer students choose to stay in Oxford. Find out why and what their Miami experience means to them. Students are always happy to talk to prospective families.
Visit the Uptown Park: There are a lot of activities happening at the Uptown Park in the summer. Be a part of it!
Eat at a restaurant Uptown: Many uptown restaurants have outdoor seating so you can enjoy the weather while you talk about your visit to Miami.
As always, if you have any questions about a summer visit, you are always welcome to contact your counselor which you can find at www.muohio.edu/askacounselor or call the Office of Admission at 513-529-2531.
A question we are always asked when it comes touring colleges in the summer is, “Is it worth coming to campus when the students are not is session?” The answer is Absolutely!
While there aren’t 17,000 students roaming our campus, there are still about 3,000 students taking summer courses in Oxford. In addition, with the beauty of Miami in the summer, you won’t want to stop wandering around, providing you will the full sense of what our campus has to offer. Don’t be surprised when you see people walking through the Formal Gardens or playing volleyball on Western campus. The summer showcases the outdoor activities students have available. If you see me running in the Western Woods with my dog, please be sure to say hello!
Summer is Oxford is fantastic. People are always out and about, eating outside at restaurants or benches, listening to live music at the uptown park, or walking around town with ice cream. While many restaurants and stores do adjust to summer hours, getting a bite to eat, finding an activity or looking for a place to shop is not an issue. I feel extremely fortunate to have spent the better part of the last few summers in Oxford, and I hope when you visit Miami, you will get a small piece of that satisfaction.
As you make your visit this summer here are the top 5 things to do while you are at Miami.
Take a longer tour of campus: You will have the opportunity to have a normal campus tour, but take advantage of the nice weather and see parts of campus that the tour didn’t cover.
Explore an Academic Building: There are classes in session, so the academic buildings will be open. If you are a prospective engineering major, walk through the Engineering Building. If you a prospective business major, walk through the Farmer School of Business Building.
Talk to a Student: Even in the summer students choose to stay in Oxford. Find out why and what their Miami experience means to them. Students are always happy to talk to prospective families.
Visit the Uptown Park: There are a lot of activities happening at the Uptown Park in the summer. Be a part of it!
Eat at a restaurant Uptown: Many uptown restaurants have outdoor seating so you can enjoy the weather while you talk about your visit to Miami.
As always, if you have any questions about a summer visit, you are always welcome to contact your counselor which you can find at www.muohio.edu/askacounselor or call the Office of Admission at 513-529-2531.
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Unusual Beginning of the Rest of Your Life
Right now, the campus is still. At this point in the year, most students have packed up and left. Their absence is already being felt and unfortunately, it doesn’t feel very good. As someone who was personally counting down to the time when there was no line at Starbucks in the morning and no competition for treadmills at the Rec Center at 6:00 am, something about this feels wrong. It’s off. It’s that feeling when you complain about all the fishermen on the river banks only to return a week later and it’s just you and the fish. Instead of celebrating the isolation you reflect on how poignant chaos can be.
Don’t expect the sadness to linger. There won’t be time. The first summer orientation session kicks off in exactly 23 days. As a bystander, it doesn’t matter what campus you’re on –whether you’re in Omaha or Oxford—some orientation snapshots always look the same. Faces full of bewilderment, excitement, nervousness and anticipation. And those are just the parents! Orientation is for just that—orienting. In just a day and a half, it’s a jam packed schedule focusing on course registration, new student advising and simply getting a feel for the place.
Naturally, orientation segways into the real thing. College life. A new beginning whose structure, in some ways, is right on par with a laboratory. In fact, one definition of laboratory is, ‘a place for practice, observation or testing.’ And what a practice run this will be. Before you live (happily ever after we hope) with a spouse, you will live with a roommate. Before you devote your life to Early Childhood Education, you will explore comparative religion, political science, a semester of German and possibly French. Before you master spaghetti bolognese, you will be tempted with all kinds of foods and discover that the human body can function on a steady diet of mozzarella sticks and grilled cheese. Before you pick Minneapolis as your home after Oxford, you will have traveled to Beijing, Dijon and Washington, DC. During these “college years”, most of your best friends will live within a 1 mile radius of your hall and the majority of you will be sheltered from any kind of serious crime.
It’s unique. It’s unusual. But most new beginnings are.
For some of you, you’re transitioning from the only home you’ve ever known….. to a world full of freedom and tremendous responsibility. If you’re smart, you’ll follow the advice National Geographic dispenses to its audience daily: ‘Live Curious.’ It’s a necessary way to live, especially during that first year. It means combining your passion for Zoology and Women’s Studies. It means at least listening to what the College Democrats have to say at their meeting even though your heart is Republican. It means being open to that casting call from the Theatre Department for a hula dancing violinist dressed in purple and lending a helping hand when your roommate decides your door would look more festive with swabs of carpet.
Like I said, it’s unusual but most new beginnings are.
Don’t expect the sadness to linger. There won’t be time. The first summer orientation session kicks off in exactly 23 days. As a bystander, it doesn’t matter what campus you’re on –whether you’re in Omaha or Oxford—some orientation snapshots always look the same. Faces full of bewilderment, excitement, nervousness and anticipation. And those are just the parents! Orientation is for just that—orienting. In just a day and a half, it’s a jam packed schedule focusing on course registration, new student advising and simply getting a feel for the place.
Naturally, orientation segways into the real thing. College life. A new beginning whose structure, in some ways, is right on par with a laboratory. In fact, one definition of laboratory is, ‘a place for practice, observation or testing.’ And what a practice run this will be. Before you live (happily ever after we hope) with a spouse, you will live with a roommate. Before you devote your life to Early Childhood Education, you will explore comparative religion, political science, a semester of German and possibly French. Before you master spaghetti bolognese, you will be tempted with all kinds of foods and discover that the human body can function on a steady diet of mozzarella sticks and grilled cheese. Before you pick Minneapolis as your home after Oxford, you will have traveled to Beijing, Dijon and Washington, DC. During these “college years”, most of your best friends will live within a 1 mile radius of your hall and the majority of you will be sheltered from any kind of serious crime.
It’s unique. It’s unusual. But most new beginnings are.
For some of you, you’re transitioning from the only home you’ve ever known….. to a world full of freedom and tremendous responsibility. If you’re smart, you’ll follow the advice National Geographic dispenses to its audience daily: ‘Live Curious.’ It’s a necessary way to live, especially during that first year. It means combining your passion for Zoology and Women’s Studies. It means at least listening to what the College Democrats have to say at their meeting even though your heart is Republican. It means being open to that casting call from the Theatre Department for a hula dancing violinist dressed in purple and lending a helping hand when your roommate decides your door would look more festive with swabs of carpet.
Like I said, it’s unusual but most new beginnings are.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Full Circle
Of all the moments in the Admission cycle, this is by far my favorite. It’s that in-between time when acceptance letters have been sent out and confirmations begin to roll in. It’s the time when—unlike a lot of professions—you can physically witness the fruits of your labor. To paint a picture of our office, imagine a canvas where brush strokes illustrate words like contentment, excitement and pride.
Yesterday, Senior Associate Director Ann Larson whispered the phrase every Office of Admission wants to hear in May : “We made the class.” Translation—good work team. We were tasked with recruiting the best and the brightest, and somehow we managed to pull it off. Again :)
To quote our President, Dr. David Hodge:
“As a result of this effort, we have so far confirmed 3,648 students, which is right on our target goal. It is a very strong, academically accomplished group with a significant increase in the number and percentage of out-of-state and international students.”
In other words, we’ve come full circle. Rather—you have come full circle. For many of you, your introduction to Miami started with a visit to our website, a campus tour or visiting friends and family associated with the University. From that initial visit, a spark was somehow ignited. Fast forward and you went from filling out the Common Application, to a full-fledged candidate for admission, to an accepted student and then—a student with many options on the table. We might never know what sealed the deal for you to confirm. And that’s okay. Perhaps it was one of our Make It Miami accepted student events, or a final conversation with a counselor. It might have been our impressive statistics or maybe you connected with an enthusiastic alumna or alumnus. Whatever the case may be, it turned out that we became the priority option in front of you. And for that—we will always be grateful.
Speaking of gratitude, take a moment (in between the remaining senior year parties, Facebook posts and on-line residence hall furniture shopping) to remember what a gift this education is. You will spend many years on campus just thinking and learning, and meeting new people. It may not come neatly wrapped with a bow---but it’s the most significant gift you will ever receive. And you should not take it for granted. If not now, someday you will understand what this really means.
As you transition to college, know that another circle is about to begin. It starts off with orientation, meeting that friend who will turn into a lifelong friend, an amazing trip abroad or interest in a major that turns into your life’s passion. Before you know it, four years will have flown by and yet another circle will be complete.
As you begin this next chapter, take a moment to celebrate not only your impressive admission to Miami but also the foundation you built that got you here, right now, in this very moment. Congratulations Class of 2015--it’s now full speed ahead……
Yesterday, Senior Associate Director Ann Larson whispered the phrase every Office of Admission wants to hear in May : “We made the class.” Translation—good work team. We were tasked with recruiting the best and the brightest, and somehow we managed to pull it off. Again :)
To quote our President, Dr. David Hodge:
“As a result of this effort, we have so far confirmed 3,648 students, which is right on our target goal. It is a very strong, academically accomplished group with a significant increase in the number and percentage of out-of-state and international students.”
In other words, we’ve come full circle. Rather—you have come full circle. For many of you, your introduction to Miami started with a visit to our website, a campus tour or visiting friends and family associated with the University. From that initial visit, a spark was somehow ignited. Fast forward and you went from filling out the Common Application, to a full-fledged candidate for admission, to an accepted student and then—a student with many options on the table. We might never know what sealed the deal for you to confirm. And that’s okay. Perhaps it was one of our Make It Miami accepted student events, or a final conversation with a counselor. It might have been our impressive statistics or maybe you connected with an enthusiastic alumna or alumnus. Whatever the case may be, it turned out that we became the priority option in front of you. And for that—we will always be grateful.
Speaking of gratitude, take a moment (in between the remaining senior year parties, Facebook posts and on-line residence hall furniture shopping) to remember what a gift this education is. You will spend many years on campus just thinking and learning, and meeting new people. It may not come neatly wrapped with a bow---but it’s the most significant gift you will ever receive. And you should not take it for granted. If not now, someday you will understand what this really means.
As you transition to college, know that another circle is about to begin. It starts off with orientation, meeting that friend who will turn into a lifelong friend, an amazing trip abroad or interest in a major that turns into your life’s passion. Before you know it, four years will have flown by and yet another circle will be complete.
As you begin this next chapter, take a moment to celebrate not only your impressive admission to Miami but also the foundation you built that got you here, right now, in this very moment. Congratulations Class of 2015--it’s now full speed ahead……
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Right Fit
Hey Everyone! I hope you are enjoying the last weeks of high school. We’ve certainly enjoyed seeing you here at Miami as we have had thousands of visitors this month. But rest assured if you have not gotten the chance to come to Oxford, you can always log on to www.muohio.edu/visit to schedule your information session and campus tour.
It’s hard to believe the year is coming to an end. Students are always amazed when they realize that the semester is over. Ask graduating seniors, and you will consistently hear, “I can’t believe it’s almost over! I never want to leave!”
I think that speaks volumes about the university. After four years, students have all of the skills necessary to succeed beyond college. Yet, students enjoy their collegiate experience to such an extent that they wish it could continue. This is something I encourage all of you graduating high school seniors to think about as you consider which school you will be attending. Do you feel like that when graduation comes four years from now, you will wish it will still be just a few more days away?
Undoubtedly you have been told about finding the right fit. The idea that you can see yourself spending the next four years on Miami’s campus even if you have only spent a few hours visiting the institution, can be daunting, but think about it like this:
Can you see yourself sitting in a classroom in any of the academic buildings, actively participating with your professor and classmates?
Can you see yourself playing Frisbee, hanging out with friends or doing homework on Central Quad?
Can you see yourself walking around the seal as you go class?
Can you see yourself walking under the Upham Arch?
Can you see yourself in the student section cheeringly rabidly for the Miami Hockey Team?
If you can see yourself making the most of the opportunities available to you as a college student; if you can see yourself as an active member of the college community; if you can see yourself being happy that you are a student of the university, then these are all signs that you are feeling the idea of the right fit.
So as you high school seniors countdown the days towards college and make that final decision, and even as you high school juniors and sophomores begin your college visits, ask yourselves these questions to see if the place you are visiting is the right fit. We certainly hope Miami will be that right fit for you!
It’s hard to believe the year is coming to an end. Students are always amazed when they realize that the semester is over. Ask graduating seniors, and you will consistently hear, “I can’t believe it’s almost over! I never want to leave!”
I think that speaks volumes about the university. After four years, students have all of the skills necessary to succeed beyond college. Yet, students enjoy their collegiate experience to such an extent that they wish it could continue. This is something I encourage all of you graduating high school seniors to think about as you consider which school you will be attending. Do you feel like that when graduation comes four years from now, you will wish it will still be just a few more days away?
Undoubtedly you have been told about finding the right fit. The idea that you can see yourself spending the next four years on Miami’s campus even if you have only spent a few hours visiting the institution, can be daunting, but think about it like this:
Can you see yourself sitting in a classroom in any of the academic buildings, actively participating with your professor and classmates?
Can you see yourself playing Frisbee, hanging out with friends or doing homework on Central Quad?
Can you see yourself walking around the seal as you go class?
Can you see yourself walking under the Upham Arch?
Can you see yourself in the student section cheeringly rabidly for the Miami Hockey Team?
If you can see yourself making the most of the opportunities available to you as a college student; if you can see yourself as an active member of the college community; if you can see yourself being happy that you are a student of the university, then these are all signs that you are feeling the idea of the right fit.
So as you high school seniors countdown the days towards college and make that final decision, and even as you high school juniors and sophomores begin your college visits, ask yourselves these questions to see if the place you are visiting is the right fit. We certainly hope Miami will be that right fit for you!
Friday, April 8, 2011
I am not a parent.
I am not a parent. But, my younger brother is a 17-year-old high school junior who is just starting his college search. Let’s call him “Adam.” Adam has the distinct benefit of entering the college search process with an older sister who is a college admission counselor. But, finding the right fit is a process that is even hard for me to guide him through.
Even though I have a master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education and work with students and families as they apply for admission at Miami, I can’t help but admit that I feel like a fish out of water when we start looking at the list of thousands and thousands of undergraduate institutions where he might spend his collegiate years. He has a few criteria: Division III football, a pre-Physical Therapy program, and not New Hampshire, where he is in school now.
My instinct as an Admission Counselor and a college graduate is to say that these criteria are stupid. Many schools, for example: Miami, have great club football teams that are comparable to Division III football, but he hasn’t really considered that as an option. In addition to that, Adam has only played football for two years; not so long that he should be making a major life choice that centers on it. I can certainly understand that Adam is an athlete and wants to continue playing sports at the highest competitive level that’s possible for him, but there are so many opportunities in college to do that outside of varsity sports!
While it’s great to look at academic programs when making your decision where to attend, I know that the average college student will change majors 2 or 3 times. Even more compelling is the statistic that college graduates will make 5 career changes in their lifetimes! But, my real hang-up with this one is that pre-Physical Therapy programs serve one function: to get students to take the right classes for admission into DPT programs. Any student with a computer can find the requirements for pre-PT and take those classes in college. So, Adam could really go anywhere and be pre-PT!
The last bit of information that we have to work with is that Adam doesn’t want to be in New Hampshire. I am trying to pinpoint why this is a criterion. Is it because he doesn’t like the state? Probably not. More likely, he doesn’t want to be in the middle of nowhere or covered in snow for 6 months. But right now, all I can get is “not New Hampshire.” Well, that crosses a few schools off the list.
One of the hardest things for me to do as a sister is allow Adam to make his own choices. We are lucky to have the resources to visit many different colleges, so Adam can get a feeling about a lot of different schools and narrow his focus that way. In the end, it’s his collegiate career, his future, and his experience to have. I owe it to him to let him work through all of these decisions and arrive at a conclusion about where he will attend. As long as he does it by May 1st, 2012!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Where is your new hangout spot on campus?
Congratulations on your acceptance to Miami! We understand the first thing that students think about when coming to college is the education they will receive. Regardless of which of our 100+ majors and 5 academic divisions you choose, you’re probably looking for a place to hang out and make friends. What is going to be your place on campus? Flat Swoop took a journey around campus to show you where you might be spending quite a bit of time over the next few years.
Upham Arch/HUB: Rumor has it that if you kiss your sweetheart under the arch at midnight you are destined to be married. Upham Arch and the Hub are the crossroads of campus. Whether it’s in the arch itself or sitting on the benches around the university seal, this is a common place for students to stop and chat in between classes.
Central Quad: One of the most picturesque views on campus, Central Quad is where many students go to hang out on sunny days. Whether it’s tossing a football or Frisbee or sitting on blankets doing homework , it is not rare to see lots of students enjoying the quad until dark.
Recreational Sports Center: Students spend hours at the Rec swimming, lifting weights, doing cardio work outs, playing basketball and enjoying the rock climbing wall. Whether it’s a before class work out by yourself, an afternoon basketball game with friends, or a late-night indoor soccer games with complete strangers, the Rec has something for everyone.
The Goggin Ice Center: Where one of the nation’s top collegiate hockey team dominates the ice, The Goggin is home to the best fans in college hockey on Friday and Saturday nights during the season. The RedHawks often face off against some of the best talent in college hockey with Notre Dame and Michigan being a part of the CCHA. In addition, Goggin offers multiple seasons of intramural sports such as hockey and broomball where students get the chance to play with their friends.
Residence Halls: Students spend lots of time in their Residence Halls. Whether it’s watching television and playing games in the common area or spending time in each other’s rooms, the Res Halls are where students are able to form instant communities. Students are required to live in the residence halls for 2 years, and sororities also occupy these buildings. Each sorority has a suite in which the chapter is able to hold meetings and spend time together.
King Café: It’s no secret that students spend a fair amount of time in the library. But when students want a break from peaceful studying, they can head down to King Café to meet with friends and to relax while still studying their material. Students will often bring their books downstairs and grab some coffee and enjoy the change of scenery as they run into friends who are in between classes or studying for the night.
Special Thanks to Elizabeth Anderson, Colin Brand, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Lauren McBride!
Upham Arch/HUB: Rumor has it that if you kiss your sweetheart under the arch at midnight you are destined to be married. Upham Arch and the Hub are the crossroads of campus. Whether it’s in the arch itself or sitting on the benches around the university seal, this is a common place for students to stop and chat in between classes.
Central Quad: One of the most picturesque views on campus, Central Quad is where many students go to hang out on sunny days. Whether it’s tossing a football or Frisbee or sitting on blankets doing homework , it is not rare to see lots of students enjoying the quad until dark.
Recreational Sports Center: Students spend hours at the Rec swimming, lifting weights, doing cardio work outs, playing basketball and enjoying the rock climbing wall. Whether it’s a before class work out by yourself, an afternoon basketball game with friends, or a late-night indoor soccer games with complete strangers, the Rec has something for everyone.
The Goggin Ice Center: Where one of the nation’s top collegiate hockey team dominates the ice, The Goggin is home to the best fans in college hockey on Friday and Saturday nights during the season. The RedHawks often face off against some of the best talent in college hockey with Notre Dame and Michigan being a part of the CCHA. In addition, Goggin offers multiple seasons of intramural sports such as hockey and broomball where students get the chance to play with their friends.
Residence Halls: Students spend lots of time in their Residence Halls. Whether it’s watching television and playing games in the common area or spending time in each other’s rooms, the Res Halls are where students are able to form instant communities. Students are required to live in the residence halls for 2 years, and sororities also occupy these buildings. Each sorority has a suite in which the chapter is able to hold meetings and spend time together.
King Café: It’s no secret that students spend a fair amount of time in the library. But when students want a break from peaceful studying, they can head down to King Café to meet with friends and to relax while still studying their material. Students will often bring their books downstairs and grab some coffee and enjoy the change of scenery as they run into friends who are in between classes or studying for the night.
Special Thanks to Elizabeth Anderson, Colin Brand, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Lauren McBride!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Beware "The Ides of March"!
No, this is not a reference to the famous Shakespearean quote from Julius Caesar, it is however a reference to Clooney, Gosling, and Tomei. Yes, that’s right; I am referring to movie stars George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, and Marissa Tomei who are shooting their newest film “The Ides of March” here in Oxford on Miami’s campus.
The film crews have been on campus all week and of course there have been many star sightings, including girls screaming at the mere sight of Ryan Gosling and people scrambling to get a picture of George Clooney. Scenes for the film have been taped at the Farmer School of Business Building and Hall Auditorium, and people from the Miami Community were invited to be extras in the film. Now, I know Oxford is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of movie sets and A-List Hollywood actors, but this is not the first film to tape scenes on Miami’s beautiful campus. “Little Man Tate” starring Jodie Foster was also filmed here in the 90s.
Now that you have your fun fact I’ll share with you my close encounter with The George Clooney. Yesterday as I was walking back to the office after lunch I was diverted from my regular pathway because the movie crew moved to their location at Hall Auditorium. Since I was a Miami student I knew the easiest way around the closed sidewalk was to go around the library. As I was walking around the building and chatting with my friend a large black SUV started coming down the one-way street between the library and McGuffey Hall. We thought nothing about it until my friend peeked in the back window and turns to me saying “That’s him!” I thought someone important was in the vehicle but we didn’t know if it actual was him until one of the producers nodded to us with a smile and said “Yes, that’s him!” There were tons of people waiting on the other side of the building trying to catch a glimpse of George Clooney and here we were just walking back to the office and we were 5 feet away from him. Talk about lucky! My friend froze in her tracks but of course I said “hi” and told him to have fun filming, to which he replied “hi” back, smiled, and gave us the thumbs up. Then everyone realized he was behind the building not in front and he was whisked away in the blink of an eye. Sadly we were not prepared to take a picture of this once in a lifetime occurrence but we have the memory, and I hope you will be able to create great memories like this at Miami!
Did I mention now there are rumors swirling that Leonardo DiCaprio is here too?! I think I may go on Leo Watch to find out if it is true!
The film crews have been on campus all week and of course there have been many star sightings, including girls screaming at the mere sight of Ryan Gosling and people scrambling to get a picture of George Clooney. Scenes for the film have been taped at the Farmer School of Business Building and Hall Auditorium, and people from the Miami Community were invited to be extras in the film. Now, I know Oxford is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of movie sets and A-List Hollywood actors, but this is not the first film to tape scenes on Miami’s beautiful campus. “Little Man Tate” starring Jodie Foster was also filmed here in the 90s.
Now that you have your fun fact I’ll share with you my close encounter with The George Clooney. Yesterday as I was walking back to the office after lunch I was diverted from my regular pathway because the movie crew moved to their location at Hall Auditorium. Since I was a Miami student I knew the easiest way around the closed sidewalk was to go around the library. As I was walking around the building and chatting with my friend a large black SUV started coming down the one-way street between the library and McGuffey Hall. We thought nothing about it until my friend peeked in the back window and turns to me saying “That’s him!” I thought someone important was in the vehicle but we didn’t know if it actual was him until one of the producers nodded to us with a smile and said “Yes, that’s him!” There were tons of people waiting on the other side of the building trying to catch a glimpse of George Clooney and here we were just walking back to the office and we were 5 feet away from him. Talk about lucky! My friend froze in her tracks but of course I said “hi” and told him to have fun filming, to which he replied “hi” back, smiled, and gave us the thumbs up. Then everyone realized he was behind the building not in front and he was whisked away in the blink of an eye. Sadly we were not prepared to take a picture of this once in a lifetime occurrence but we have the memory, and I hope you will be able to create great memories like this at Miami!
Did I mention now there are rumors swirling that Leonardo DiCaprio is here too?! I think I may go on Leo Watch to find out if it is true!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
New Bookstore!
Hey everyone! As you come to visit campus, I hope you are ready to check out our NEWLY RENOVATED BOOKSTORE! Now that the construction has ended, it has become quite the place to visit on campus.
I remember visiting Miami is 2005 and wanting to go to the bookstore to see all the college gear that my potential future college had in stock. The bookstore was loaded with Miami material from t-shirts to blankets; sweatshirts to pennants; it was wall to wall Miami. Every time I visited the bookstore, it seemed like there was more university apparel (and textbooks of course!), but less room.
I remember making one last bookstore run with some friends the last week before graduation. It was funny to think about how 5 years earlier we had been standing in this same place at the end of our junior year of high school, wondering if this was the bookstore of the institution where we would spend our college careers.
And then it went under construction. The bookstore had always been serviceable, but we were told that the new bookstore would make us jealous that we were not entering Miami as first year students when it opened (we were already jealous of the incoming students because they got to spend the next four years at Miami). After seeing the newly renovated bookstore, I can’t help but wish this had been here when I was a student. It is magnificent, and I encourage all of you to check it out when you come to campus. The bookstore is in the Shriver center—the same site as Make it Miami.
These are pictures of what our renovated bookstore looks like.
Be sure that you stop by as you visit the campus to pick up your brand new Miami gear. If you visited in the late fall or early winter, make sure to stop by the next time you visit to see what your new bookstore will look like!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
What Now?
Greetings from the Office of Admission! I want to take a moment to let you know that this year has again been a record-setting year for Miami! As of today, we have received 18,183 applications for admission. Last year we got a total of 16,960 applications. That means our pool is getting increasingly selective, and as a result we had to make many difficult decisions during our application review. Some of you may have gotten a letter indicating that your application was deferred into Regular Decision, which means that it will be reviewed again and you will get a new decision on March 15th.
You may be thinking, “Okay, what now?” There are a few steps that you can take to make sure we have the best information possible before making our final decisions on March 15th. First, be sure to send us the most updated grades that you have. Your school’s guidance office can forward new transcripts to the Office of Admission (301 S. Campus Ave, Oxford, OH 45056) for our review. Additionally, you can log on to your appcheck website to make sure we have your best standardized test score on file. If we do not, send it to us as soon as possible. You may also want to consider updating your activities list or sending an additional letter of recommendation by emailing your counselor. All of these pieces of information can help us make the most informed decision about your application file.
And here’s a tip for all applicants who have been admitted, deferred, or still have an incomplete application: FILE THE FAFSA! File the FAFSA as soon as possible and send it to every school to which you have applied. Miami’s FAFSA deadline is February 15th, and that is a very firm deadline! The FAFSA is only necessary if you would like to be considered for need-based financial assistance, but we always recommend filing the FAFSA if you are unsure of your eligibility.
As always, contact us if you have any questions! Time to get back to reading all those applications! :)
You may be thinking, “Okay, what now?” There are a few steps that you can take to make sure we have the best information possible before making our final decisions on March 15th. First, be sure to send us the most updated grades that you have. Your school’s guidance office can forward new transcripts to the Office of Admission (301 S. Campus Ave, Oxford, OH 45056) for our review. Additionally, you can log on to your appcheck website to make sure we have your best standardized test score on file. If we do not, send it to us as soon as possible. You may also want to consider updating your activities list or sending an additional letter of recommendation by emailing your counselor. All of these pieces of information can help us make the most informed decision about your application file.
And here’s a tip for all applicants who have been admitted, deferred, or still have an incomplete application: FILE THE FAFSA! File the FAFSA as soon as possible and send it to every school to which you have applied. Miami’s FAFSA deadline is February 15th, and that is a very firm deadline! The FAFSA is only necessary if you would like to be considered for need-based financial assistance, but we always recommend filing the FAFSA if you are unsure of your eligibility.
As always, contact us if you have any questions! Time to get back to reading all those applications! :)
Monday, January 31, 2011
It's The Final Countdown!
Hello everyone!! It is January 31, 2011…do you know what that means?
It means that early action applicants will know their admission decisions tonight! All of our admission decisions will be live on the appcheck website (www.muohio.edu/appcheck) at midnight Eastern Standard Time. This is the first place you will be able to view your decision, so if you can’t wait or just don’t want to wait for the mailed letter check here.
Information on your decision was also mailed to your home address. We sent out almost 10,000 decision letters on Friday with hopes of them getting to you as soon as possible. We are excited about this year’s applicant pool and hope that you are as excited as we are!
If you have gotten this far and are now realizing that you cannot find your appcheck login information make sure you e-mail your counselor and ask them to send it to you again. You can find out who your counselor is and their email address at www.muohio.edu/askacounselor. We can only give out this information to you so make sure you personally request it.
Lastly, before I sign off, I’d like to leave a note for all of our regular decision applicants. We are working hard on reviewing your applications and you will be notified on March 15, 2011. If you are applying regular decision and you still have materials outstanding please remember that the postmark deadline is tomorrow February 1, 2011.
Until next time,
Lauren
It means that early action applicants will know their admission decisions tonight! All of our admission decisions will be live on the appcheck website (www.muohio.edu/appcheck) at midnight Eastern Standard Time. This is the first place you will be able to view your decision, so if you can’t wait or just don’t want to wait for the mailed letter check here.
Information on your decision was also mailed to your home address. We sent out almost 10,000 decision letters on Friday with hopes of them getting to you as soon as possible. We are excited about this year’s applicant pool and hope that you are as excited as we are!
If you have gotten this far and are now realizing that you cannot find your appcheck login information make sure you e-mail your counselor and ask them to send it to you again. You can find out who your counselor is and their email address at www.muohio.edu/askacounselor. We can only give out this information to you so make sure you personally request it.
Lastly, before I sign off, I’d like to leave a note for all of our regular decision applicants. We are working hard on reviewing your applications and you will be notified on March 15, 2011. If you are applying regular decision and you still have materials outstanding please remember that the postmark deadline is tomorrow February 1, 2011.
Until next time,
Lauren
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Feb 1 is almost Here!
Hello friends!
I hope you are having a good winter. I can’t believe it is almost February! This year has been flying by!
Right now we’re getting set to mail out decisions to Early Action students. So if you are in this pool, be sure that you are checking your mail. In addition, you will be able to access your decision online at 12:00AM on February 1. To check your status, visit www.muohio.edu/appcheck. Let your admission counselor know if you are having any issues logging in!
We’re also getting ready to review Regular Decision applications. If you have not yet applied, you still have a few days! They are due on February 1. Go to www.muohio.edu/apply to begin your application.
There is a lot going on here at Miami right now. The hockey team is playing out the stretch for a bid at its 7th straight NCAA tournament and its 3rd consecutive Frozen Four. The Men’s basketball team, after playing games against Duke and Kansas are playing their conference schedule and looking for a MAC Championship. Bill Nye the Science Guy is coming to give a lecture on campus as is Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. This is a just a small sample of why students never run out of things to do on campus.
In addition, now that we’re about to hit February, not only are the days seeing more sunlight, but the temperatures will start to warm up soon. We’re no strangers to some cold February and March temperatures, but I can’t remember a year in the past 4 where we didn’t get some unseasonably warm days where we could go play football, hike in the woods, sit out and read or get some fresh air. It reminded us all that the warm weather would be here soon (and also unfortunately that the semester was going to end).
I hope you college seniors are getting ready for college. I know each time I write one of these blog posts I remember what an amazing experience I had at this university, and I hope you will have the same.
NOTE: Regular Decision Applications are due FEB 1, 2011
I hope you are having a good winter. I can’t believe it is almost February! This year has been flying by!
Right now we’re getting set to mail out decisions to Early Action students. So if you are in this pool, be sure that you are checking your mail. In addition, you will be able to access your decision online at 12:00AM on February 1. To check your status, visit www.muohio.edu/appcheck. Let your admission counselor know if you are having any issues logging in!
We’re also getting ready to review Regular Decision applications. If you have not yet applied, you still have a few days! They are due on February 1. Go to www.muohio.edu/apply to begin your application.
There is a lot going on here at Miami right now. The hockey team is playing out the stretch for a bid at its 7th straight NCAA tournament and its 3rd consecutive Frozen Four. The Men’s basketball team, after playing games against Duke and Kansas are playing their conference schedule and looking for a MAC Championship. Bill Nye the Science Guy is coming to give a lecture on campus as is Former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. This is a just a small sample of why students never run out of things to do on campus.
In addition, now that we’re about to hit February, not only are the days seeing more sunlight, but the temperatures will start to warm up soon. We’re no strangers to some cold February and March temperatures, but I can’t remember a year in the past 4 where we didn’t get some unseasonably warm days where we could go play football, hike in the woods, sit out and read or get some fresh air. It reminded us all that the warm weather would be here soon (and also unfortunately that the semester was going to end).
I hope you college seniors are getting ready for college. I know each time I write one of these blog posts I remember what an amazing experience I had at this university, and I hope you will have the same.
NOTE: Regular Decision Applications are due FEB 1, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
New Year, New Office
Hello, Readers! You may have recently seen a caption on Miami's visit website indicating that our office is under some serious construction! If you were to walk into our office today, you'd be greeted by a huge scaffolding... we like to call it "The Tunnel:"
Don't worry, The Tunnel will be gone soon! In fact, check out the progress that's been made inside in just a few short weeks! Can you believe this is the same corner of the office?
Check out the new home for our Visit Coordinator, Katie! 
Old hallway... new hallway!
As our construction draws to a close, we hope you get a chance to come visit Miami University to see what poet Robert Frost called "The most beautiful campus that ever there was." And maybe to sit in our fun new chairs!
Don't worry, The Tunnel will be gone soon! In fact, check out the progress that's been made inside in just a few short weeks! Can you believe this is the same corner of the office?Check out the new home for our Visit Coordinator, Katie! Old hallway... new hallway! As our construction draws to a close, we hope you get a chance to come visit Miami University to see what poet Robert Frost called "The most beautiful campus that ever there was." And maybe to sit in our fun new chairs!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Hello from Mobile, Alabama!
Last night the Miami RedHawks played in the GoDaddy.com bowl and defeated the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State University 35-21. I have been down in Mobile since Wednesday to partake in the bowl festivities and support the RedHawk football team. The festivities included a Mardi Gras Parade, a fireworks display, and of course pep rallies for each team. The Miami University Marching Band and Cheerleaders were on hand to get all the RedHawk faithful pumped up for the big game. While the floats were quite amazing, the best part of the parade was watching the football players try to catch the beads and moon pies that were being thrown into the crowd. Miami University President Dr. Hodge and Athletic Director Brad Bates were both in the parade and yes, they threw beads too! The hotel I stayed in was the team hotel and the staff was nothing but accommodating, they even decorated the lobby with Miami Flags and signs of support from the student body and the Oxford Kroger. Staying in the team hotel also meant many funny encounters with the members of the football team.
The team left for Mobile last Saturday and they have enjoyed the Southern hospitality to the fullest extent. While in Mobile they were able to visit the USS Alabama battleship, and participated in and WON the bowling tournament pitting the two teams against each other in a competition not on the football field. Possibly a sign of things to come…
When Thursday finally arrived the team was electric with excitement, this was Miami’s first bowl since 2004 and we had a chance to make NCAA history. A RedHawk win in the GoDaddy.com Bowl would mark the first time in NCAA history that a team went from double digit losses to double digit wins. The players went through their normal game day routines and boarded the buses to go to the stadium. The game was long and hard fought through the first 3 quarters but in the 4th quarter the defense stepped up into high gear and intercepted Middle Tennessee’s passes multiple times. The interceptions stopped touchdown trading that had occurred the first three quarters and sealed the victory for the RedHawks of Miami University. Under the direction of interim coach Lance Guidry and under the watchful eye of new head coach Don Treadwell the Miami University RedHawks became the GoDaddy.com bowl champions and added to their already historical season. Worst to first in the Mid-American Conference, a nine game win improvement (tied for most in NCAA history), and the first team to ever go from double digit losses (1-11 in 2009) to double digit wins (10-4 in 2010) in NCAA history.
Well it’s time to board my plane and head back to Oxford so I can continue to read applications and answer all of your questions. Don’t forget our last application deadline is February 1st! I’m also going to leave you with some pictures from my trip.
Love and Honor! Go RedHawks!
A couple of floats from the Parade
Miami Representatives in the Parade: President Hodge, Athletic Director Dr. Bates, & the MUMB (Miami University Marching Band)!
Some of the guys on Gameday (Left: Tight end Ken Bruton; Right: Defensive linemen Austin Brown and Will Diaz)
Welcome New Members of the Miami Family (Left: New Head Football Coach Don Treadwell; Right: Newly Admitted Class of 2015 Student Curtis Jefferson)
Miami Players Celebrate their 10th win! (Clockwise from top-left: Wide Receiver Armand Robinson; Linebacker Evan Harris; Linebacker Austin Moore; Defensive Lineman Jordain Brown)
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