University of Minnesota Reviews

The campus police are strict about...

The campus police are strict about underage drinking, but they are not Barney Fifes. I live in one of the only "wet" dorms, meaning you can drink in them, but only if you are 21 or older. The regulations are: don't drink if you are underage, and don't do drugs period. Just be smart about your partying. Have sober people, never drive, and don't advertise the alcohol you have hidden in your closet.

The teachers are so welcoming and...

The teachers are so welcoming and excited to teach, but only if you are excited to learn. Get in their offices and talk to them the first week and try your hardest and you will have a wonderful relationship with all of your professors. The workload is rough. I'm a pre-med major, but it is a top university and they will make you work for your education. Isn't that what we are here for though? My school is a top research school.

The athletic facilities at the...

The athletic facilities at the University of Minnesota are magnificent. There are multiple rec centers located around campus, all of which are very nice. There are always open machines, they keep good hours, and they offer a variety of activities, such as cycling and dance classes. The student center, known as Coffman, is always open and huge. It is always buzzing with people and activities. It has a big cafeteria in it with lots of food choices. It also has a Starbucks and Jamba Juice in it. It is always a good choice to study or hangout. The libraries are perfect for studying. They are always quiet and have a staff that is willing to help find any resource you need.

The security and safety on campus...

The security and safety on campus is tight. We have callboxes set up all around campus that you can push if you need help right away. We also have a walking service that will walk you wherever you need to go on campus if you don't want to walk by yourself. Also, if a crime does happen on or even near campus, the dean sends out a campus wide e-mail telling of the crime and what we can do to prevent things like that. Be smart, lock your doors, don't go walking by yourself at night. It is a safe campus, but you have to be smart about it.

Varsity sports at the U of M are...

Varsity sports at the U of M are massive. People get really excited for them, and they unite everyone. Anytime there is a game or event, the students definitely let the rest of the world know whats going on. Intramural sports are a huge thing here also. Volleyball is awesome. You meet a ton of different people.

The recreational center is fully...

The recreational center is fully equipped but sometimes crowded. Though it's never bad enough that you won't be able to do something. The libraries are top-notch, and there are a fair amount of student hangout spots.

The dining hall food is horrid,...

The dining hall food is horrid, but its convenience is unparalleled. There are some good places to get food in Coffman Memorial Union.

The campus housing office has most...

The campus housing office has most of the authority in these matters, and they seem to take harsh action against the sparse encounters there are without taking greater action to curb the overall effect of drugs and drinking.

The teachers are some of the...

The teachers are some of the smartest people in the world. They are always available for questions. The U is definitely known for it's medical school and business school.

There is a fair amount of...

There is a fair amount of marijuana usage, but it is not that visible on campus. Just depends on who you hang out with.

The U of M campus is very diverse,...

The U of M campus is very diverse, but we're one of the largest public schools in the country. There are many active student groups encompassing many ethnicities, ideologies, political views, and GLBTA groups. It was a bit of a culture shock for me, but it's definitely an asset to our school that students have the opportunity to interact with so many different groups of people.

Greek life is a small part of our...

Greek life is a small part of our student population. They are a fairly active part of university life, but it is not crucial to anything to be involved in a frat or sorority. They throw good parties and put on other events, but other student groups on campus are just as active.

The computer labs at U of MN are...

The computer labs at U of MN are fairly nice. Carlson and IT labs are nicer, but we pay for them. Some can be crowded, but you can always find a computer somewhere. Most students, however, do bring their own computers, and it is convenient. Tech support is really nice. Don't be afraid to call.

The drug scene at U of MN isn't...

The drug scene at U of MN isn't hugely noticeable, but it depends. The school is huge, some people do drugs, but it's mostly smoking and it's a small part of the population. Drinking is much more prevalent, though that can be avoided just as easily.

It snows. Bring some warm clothes....

It snows. Bring some warm clothes. Hats and scarves and mittens are crucial. Long underwear is also really useful. We walk a lot in freezing weather. It does occasionally get warm though, so be prepared. Bring an umbrella and rain boots too.

The workload is not overwhelming...

The workload is not overwhelming until you stop trying and start coasting. Catching up is a difficult thing, so just try to stay on top of it. Also, many of the colleges here are known for their great programs, including the Institute of Technology, College of Biological Sciences, and Carlson School of Management, so apply to those as well as the College of Liberal Arts (which most students are a part of) if you have any interest in specializing in engineering, medicine, or business.

Varsity sports are fairly big,...

Varsity sports are fairly big, although rarely successful. 2008-2009 has been a year marked by great seasons for the first few games, followed by painful second halves. People still get pretty into the games, and in fall of '09 the new football stadium will open, which will make the experience even better. Fingers crossed for new (or at least improved) players to go with it. Intramurals are a great alternative to the intense varsity teams, too, and a lot of fun. Frolf, anyone?

One of the best parts of the U of...

One of the best parts of the U of M is the accessibility of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding areas. For the price of a bus ticket, you can get to uptown, with great shops and restaurants, downtown, which offers the same (a little pricier), the Mall of America, Minnehaha Park, theaters, museums, movie theaters, concert venues, great restaurants, clubs, and plenty of other great spots.

The Rec is the on-campus gym, and...

The Rec is the on-campus gym, and it's pretty nice. Libraries have great hours and there are plenty of them, so they're rarely crowded. The Union is nice too, with restaurants that offer a nice break from dorm food, the bookstore, and it's in a central location, so it's really easy to get to. There's also a museum on campus, and the Boynton Health Services for students.

Greek life is big on campus, but...

Greek life is big on campus, but it is not overwhelming for non-Greeks. Going to frat parties is rarely exclusive to Greeks, and it's rare to meet people in frats or sororities who think they're superior. There are also plenty of people who have never set foot in a frat and still find parties and have a good time, so it's nice that it's not the only option.

It's easy enough to find tons of...

It's easy enough to find tons of options for off-campus housing. It's not the cheapest, but depending on what you're looking for, you can find something to fit your price level. The biggest problem is that a few places are competitive, so applying early is a great idea. Also, although most are very close to campus, some are a bit farther away. The easy fix is the Metro Transit bus system, which is pretty reliable, and can get you to campus with little to no hassle.

So far, I have enjoyed the U of M,...

So far, I have enjoyed the U of M, and I'm very glad I made the decision to come here. There is so much to do on and off campus, everyone is friendly, dorms and dorm food are decent, and there are tons of opportunities to get involved. There's definitely something for everyone here.

Public transportation is decent....

Public transportation is decent. The U has campus shuttles that arrive more often than every 5 minutes. City buses run less frequently - around every 10 to 15 minutes. But it's easy to walk to anywhere on east or west bank. The lightrail is scheduled to run down Washington Avenue, straight through campus.

The campus police park along frat...

The campus police park along frat row, but they don't really do anything unless something serious happens (e.g., a fight). They don't really care about the thousands of underage students drinking. The dorms are strict though. They don't allow alcohol or drugs.

There is a lot of crime. The U...

There is a lot of crime. The U sends out weekly emails notifying you of attacks and attempted rapes. Basically, don't walk anywhere after dark alone and you'll be fine. If you are alone, call the campus escorts and they'll be there within 10 minutes to walk you anywhere you want - even off campus!