<p>Maybe there is a section in here somewhere dedicated to Puerto Rican schools, but I didn´t find any so I´ll just post here. :-)</p>
<p>Does anyone here know much about U PR Rio Piedra in San Juan? I just came across the website today and it looks really interesting - 22% acceptance rate but the SAT scores aren´t that high (they fit me pretty well - my math score is smack dab in the middle and my verbal is quite a bit higher than their average), yet it looks like a good college. I´m wondering what majors they are strong in - how about political science? Also, are all classes in Spanish or are some in English as well?</p>
<p>Basically, any info about the social life (with 16k undergrads, it´s got to be good!), academic programs, etc. would be greatly appreciated. It seems like most college review sites neglect PR...</p>
<p>Gracias!</p>
<p>What's your intended major, elgringobkn? I can help you more if you give me that info.
UPR indeed is a good university, and yes, the primary language of instruction is Spanish, although sime departments do have classes in English. Its strong academic departments include history, comparative literature, political science, philosophy, biology.
The main (and beautiful) campus is in Rio Piedras, which is an urban area with all the pros and cons of any other urban area.
If you give me your particular academic interest, I could aid you more.</p>
<p>My ultimate goal is to get into diplomacy, so unfortunately they don´t have international relations. However, political science would work great as well, and it looks like you think very highly of their poli sci program! I´d also be interested in a minor in Humanities. I saw that they have a Communications/Rhetoric program. What exactly is that? Do you attend the university? Thanks so much for the help!</p>
<p>Sorry for the double post...I forgot to ask something. I think I read somewhere that not many people live in on-campus housing. So how does that work? Do most students already live in San Juan or do they all find apartments or something? Are there programs to help students find apartments? Are they usually expensive or decently priced?</p>
<p>Also, could you tell me a bit about the city? How large? Good public transportation (metro, buses, etc.)?</p>
<p>okay I´m gonna be naughty for old campus´s convenience in finding the thread....</p>
<p>BUMP</p>
<p>Elgringobkn,
It's great to hear of your interest!
I am not an alumni, but a writer and professor at another university who also has lectured at UPR's School of Communication. I live on the island and spend a semester a year teaching in New York.
TRANSPORTATION: A train station is one block froom campus, and bus stops are conveniently located around the campus as well. Also, Rio Piedras' main bus terminal is within walking distance. An express bus will put you in Old San Juan in less than 15 minutes! It is a very convenient location, trust me. Trains are $1.50; buses .50.
HOUSING: Most students do live off-campus in Rio Piedras, but the UPR has a residential tower for students who choose to live in campus. Apartments in Rio Piedras are decently priced, but affordability has its pros and cons. Santa Rita (an are i which many studenst live) is located three blocks from the UPR, and has a mix if art deco houses and Caribbean-inspired architecture. You definitely will find a housing situation that fits your budget, and the university will help you do so, especially if you are coming from the U.S. and have never lived here before.
THE CITY: Rio Piedras is a part of San Juan (San Juan's app. pop. - 500,000), but the UPR has a large, beautifully manicured green campus that feels like a haven in the middle of the city. Rio Piedras has an array of pubs and bars, bookstores and some shops that cater to students, but essentially it is a metropolitan university. That's why you would be able to - say - take a class in the early morning, hop on a bus, go to the beach, and be back in time for your 3 p.m. class.
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATIONS: They have a great interdisciplinary program, and tracks. One is a theoretical communications/cultural studies track; the other, a more traditional hands-on journalism communication program.
POLITICAL SCIENCE: It is definitely one of the most highly-regarded faculties. Its professors are top-notch scholars, widely published and commited teachers. The same is true of the Humanities faculty, which I know personally. Many have teaching appointments at the UPR and visiting appointments at otger U.S. universities - Columbia, NYU, Notre Dame, etc. Strengths include political theory and Caribbean/Latin America/US relations.
I will post some more info after my next class. My students await.
Any more questions that you want answered?</p>
<p>I, too, have to get going, but two quick questions (well maybe not so quick to answer...): is the area pretty safe? My mom seems to have a lot of reservations about Puerto Rico, although I feel very comfortable going there (already lived in DC as a page and am in Chile right now on foreign exchange, so I<code>m pretty independent). Also, how "friendly" is the university to gringos like me who know a lot of Spanish but wouldn</code>t be able to write the same quality of essay as in English?</p>
<p>The theoretical communications/cultural studies track of the communications program seems really interesting, and I`m very happy to hear that they have great poli sci and humanities programs! This might replace Georgetown as my #1 choice!</p>
<p>I can tell you that the UPR campus, and the surrounding areas, are not unsafe. It is a city, but it is not overwhelming. I went tio college in New Haven, CT, and have lived in New York, Washington, D.C. (Dupont Circle area) and Atlanta, and please reassure your mother that Rio Piedras is not as frenzied, dangerous or convoluted as DC, NY or Atlanta. If you live in Chile right now, and manage, you will have absolutely no problem in Puerto Rico. It will ne much easier for you here. And, of course the university and the students are friendly to "gringos". There are thousands of mainlanders living here. Do not fear.
I will get you more info on the Communications program tomorrow. I am so glad that you are considering UPR!!!!</p>