Up until now I was pretty dead-set on applying to only southern schools but recently I’ve tried to get more informed on some more northern schools. All i know is the basics of Miami like admission rates, and cost but can someone please tell me what this school is like? Socially, what people tend to be like, school spirt, etc.
Lots of school spirit, particularly for hockey (usually a top team at nationals). For a long time Miami was considered the birthplace of great college football coaches (they move on to lead great Div 1 programs). Not so much lately. It’s an attractive campus with a lively Greek culture.
Miami U alumnus here. Miami University’s campus is beautiful - with the look and feel of an eastern or southern US private school (lots of trees, Georgian red brick architecture). Oxford is the quintessential small college town. Roughly one-third of the campus is greek. A number of national fraternities and sororities were founded at Miami U, so the greek system is prominent; but since the majority of the student body is not greek, you will feel no pressure to go greek - nor does the greek system run campus per se. School spirit is strong for the hockey program, but school spirit is somewhat lacking for other sports (since the football and basketball teams have struggled for the past handful of years). While D1, the sports programs (hockey aside) are not of the caliber nor following of Big 10 or SEC programs (aka - no significant game day/tailgaiting culture). That said, the student body is VERY athletic, so intramural and club sports teams are very popular. I would describe the student body as competitive academically, but not bookworms - a work hard, play hard type of environment. The student body is VERY social - so very shy or socially awkward people may find the environment intimidating. There are over 400 student organizations, and most students are involved in something - the quality and diversity of the academic, social, and sport clubs are very high. The medium size of the campus give it an unusual comfort and intimacy - large enough that you will always recognize someone during a walk across campus, but always plenty of new people to meet. While the ethnic diversity of Miami U is somewhat lacking (only about 18-20% including both domestic and international multi-cultural students), there is an unusually high 33% of domestic students from states other than Ohio - so you do get exposure to lots of US geographic/regional diversity. Socially, the student body leans conservative, but not dramatically so (a good number of students from white, upper-middle class suburbs.) However, the student body voted overwhelmingly for Obama in the past two presidential elections even though there is a legacy of strong republican support among Miami U alumni. The Miami U alumni base is loyal and involved. Alumni reunions are a big draw to campus. Alumni tend to support the university financially as well.
I went to a Model United Nations conference there last year and this year and loved it. The town is very picturesque, and the students are very welcoming. The first time I was there was on St. Patricks Day and it was very crazy. There were a lot of parties and loud music all night. The last time I was there there was a Holi festival, which was very beautiful. I really loved it, but Miami (from my observations) is a party school.
St. Patrick’s Day at Miami is not the time to visit. It’s their biggest party of the year, and not a great representation of what it’s like to attend school there.