<p>University of Miami - This school seems to have everything I want, but I have a few concerns. I know their social life is mostly about the beach/clubs/bars, but is there still a strong campus life? Also I heard Miami is very influenced by spanish culture. English is the only language I know, so will this be a problem/inconvenience for me?</p>
<p>Penn State/Indiana U - I've never been anywhere rural, and I haven't lived in the cold...Is it a huge shock to attend a school like this? Or do you get used to it really fast?</p>
<p>Arizona St. - I know large schools like these can't have everyone live on campus, but how big of a commuter school is ASU?</p>
<p>San Diego St. - Are the academics good enough? Is it even worth it to attend? Also how big of a commuter school is SDSU?</p>
<p>Pepperdine/LMU - Since they are affiliated with a church, are they way more strict than my other universities?</p>
<p>My other school is UCSB, but I don't have any concerns with it.</p>
<p>SoCal, you are correct in that the city of Miami itself is heavily influenced by hispanic culture, AND, it is a very vibrant, interesting, dynamic culture. If you wish to spend much time in Miami proper, ability to speak spanish is helpful, but not absolutely necessary. </p>
<p>Politically speaking, the dynamics of the city itself may tilt even more towards internationals, depending on what the Venezuelan president does. Also, when Castro dies, the city expects an even higher influx of immigrants from Cuba. But none of this is a negative, at least in the viewpoint of younger people. The international population greatly enriches the city and tends to be endless interesting. </p>
<p>Having said that U Miami is actually in Coral Gables, a highly afluent city within Miami. Per capita income is $70K-ish, and the campus is situated in a neighborhood surrounded by million-dollar homes. </p>
<p>There is indeed an active, lively campus life, however, I think most students explore the beaches and night life - everything is very close, easy to get to, and there are almost too many social options to chose from.</p>
<p>Of course, the college itself is led by a very popular Arab-American president, and now has a sizable jewish student population - there seems to be room for everyone here and the communication stream between students and faculty appears to be very healthy and productive. </p>
<p>I don't know anything at all about your other school choices. What are you interested in studying?</p>
<p>Thanks for the information. Miami does seem like an amazing city and that is what draws me to the school. Is the city of Coral Gables influenced by hispanic culture as well? Is it equivalent to that of Miami's?</p>
<p>Would you say Coral Gables is the "Beverly Hills" of Miami?</p>
<p>And lastly I plan to major in Media Management, and since it is in the school of communication, you have to double major, so I also plan to major in Meteorology.</p>
<p>SoCal, Coral Gables is also very richly influenced by hispanic culture. It is in equal measure to Miami's, with perhaps the difference that Coral Gables is a very, very wealthy city, so, it has an extremely affluent hispanic population. I don't have links to stats, but, it is very beautiful and the residential areas and homes are simply extraordinary. </p>
<p>I don't know if I would say it's the "Beverly Hills", mostly because I don't know anything at all about Beverly Hills. There are other areas of Miami - Brickell Key and some areas of the beaches that are probably more in line with what I would think of as "Beverly Hills". Coral Gables is more historical in nature - think of it sort of like an Ivy league setting but with tropical weather conditions and hispanic population.</p>
<p>Wikipedia also has some information on the history of Coral Gables, George Merrick and U Miami.</p>
<p>Have you visited yet? It might be difficult to do from California given the flight time, but, if Miami becomes one of your final choices, I would strongly recommend it. I have heard it said that the number one reason that freshman do not return, or transfer after their first year is due to difficulties adjusting to an extremely busy, active multicultural city. Of course, this was said in the context of students from more homogenous regions...</p>
<p>Yah I'm only a junior, and I'm applying early action. If I do get in, I definately plan to visit.</p>
<p>My high school is predominantly hispanic and the rest white. However I won't compare this to Miami or Coral Gables, because the students at my school aren't really into the whole education thing. Most of them don't go to class, and they are really stupid (not to be rude, but it's true).</p>
<p>I think it would be great experience to go to school with a such a diverse AND intelligent population. Because in my classes (all ap's and honors), it is almost all white. Not trying to sound prejudice, but it would be nice to be at a school where the students come from all different backrounds, but are intelligent as well.</p>
<p>SoCal, one last thought, I'm not an expert on hispanic culture by any means, but it is sort of my general understanding that the hispanic culture of California v. Florida are two very, very different things. </p>
<p>Miami's mostly comes from Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, etc., and, my understanding is that California's hispanic population comes from Mexico. Here, when there is a headline or even just a rumor that Castro is ill, there is massive traffic congestion because there are huge street parties, etc. Anyway, there are (supposedly) serious differences in the two hispanic cultures and unfortunately I know little more. </p>
<p>In any case, I suspect that most highly ranked schools will have very interesting and vibrant multicultural student populations - I hope so, anyway. </p>
<p>I'm sure you'll do fine here. You'll never be bored, that's for certain! Good luck with your studies and with your applications next year. :)</p>
<p>Miami is a great international city. Your world is getting increasingly global, SoCal, so I think a media major would enjoy the intense Cuban and South American flavor of Miami--and UMiami.</p>
<p>Why aren't you taking Spanish? Miami will be whole lot more fun if you speak Spanish kiddo.</p>
<p>"Penn State/Indiana U - I've never been anywhere rural, and I haven't lived in the cold...Is it a huge shock to attend a school like this? Or do you get used to it really fast?"</p>
<p>Not familiar with Indiana U - but Penn State is a very active and vibrant place. The weather will be a bit of a shock, but once you get the hang of dressing for it you will be fine. My son refused to look at warm weather schools, so it takes all kinds!</p>
<p>About the cold weather, rural area.... The best thing to do is visit a cold weather campus during your Spring break. March in central PA is not going to be blooming flowers and warm breezes. It's hard for anyone else to predict how fast you might adapt. We've moved around a bit and after living four long winters in upstate NY I told my husband I didn't want to live any farther North then PA. Snow is fun for awhile but if you're not used to it, it might get a little old by February. My daughter goes to a very diverse school in the midwest and she's said you can always tell who the kids are from Southern Californina because they go from shivering in their flip flops one day to being bundled up in heavy winter coats the next. People that are used to cold weather tend to layer up and many kids (especially boys) wear nothing more then sweatshirts for a jacket until it gets in the 30's.</p>
<p>On large campuses the rural aspect might not be as apparent as smaller ones. There will always be something going on but it's not going to be the same things as you would do in a city. My nephew made a smooth transition from Manhatten to Cornell and loves it.</p>