Florida International University

Date: May 22 2008
Major: Business - Management and Administration (This Major's Salary over time)
I was in FIU for one semester, and that was enough for me to realize that it wasn't the school for me. The campus is gorgeous, and it's in a VERY good part of town. Someone before me wrote that it wasn't, but I happen to live in the area, and I know for a fact that it's safe. But, truth is, appearances aren't everything. This school is the worst school, academically-speaking. They tell you that they care about students and their academics, but that's not true. Professors go at a really fast pace and are forced to cover a given number of things for the entire semester, AND they must cover all this information, otherwise, they are not teaching up to FIU's standards. What that means is that 99% of the entire class could be failing, but professors cannot stop to teach the sections that the students failed…they must continue teaching the curriculum that has been set up by the given department. That was actually something that I have learned from many professors who used to teach there. So, how is it possible for a school to be able to compete academically if all its students are failing? It's ridiculous.

Speaking about professors, I had some of the worst professors that one semester. They were arrogant, very arrogant. Completely full of it. Their word was game, everything else wasn't. That's not academic freedom…that's high school version 2.1. These people could care less about undergraduates. All they care about is research and researching with their graduate students. That's not caring for students AT ALL.

Another thing is, as other students have mentioned, is that this college is run by bureaucrats who don't have the slightest clue of what they're doing. The best example of this is the construction of the new football stadium. That has got to be the WORST administered money EVER! First of all, NO ONE goes to games. NO ONE. Second, the team stinks. When I was there, they had just finished the WORST season ever, with about 30-something losses. Third, it's a waste of space…THEY NEED MORE PARKING!

By the way, another reason to avoid this college, especially for those of you who are serious students, is the fact that this school is a PARTY SCHOOL. No one in this school takes the academics seriously. You go to library, and it's super loud in there. Every day, when I was there, I used to pass by Graham Center, and there was always some Fraternity standing there with loud music on. Again, as some other students before me have mentioned, fellow peers also do not take school seriously. Most people in my classes never showed up, because either they felt lazy or they had overslept. Sad but true.

The school takes pride in two things: small classes and good financial aid. Well, if you consider small classes to be anywhere in a range from 50-300 students, then this is your school. As far as financial aid is concerned, yes, this school is very cheap, and particularly for in-state students. But, that should NOT be anyone's prime concern…that's the ONE thing I have learned from attending FIU. I received offers from many schools in the country, but they were so expensive. Even though I liked those other schools much more than FIU, I decided that being debt-free was more important, but after spending one semester at FIU, I realized that money just isn't that important. It's not more important than getting an education in a place where you feel confortable and happy. So, my advice is: please go to the college that you like, and don't freak about money. Money doesn't buy happiness, and that certainly applies to this situation. Sure, everyone's different, and what might have been a terrible situation for me would be great for someone else, but if you are like me, you like having smaller classes, interaction with professors, a nurturing environment surrounded with students who are curious and intellectual, then do yourself a favor and DO NOT GO TO FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY.

P.S. If you live in Miami, my suggestion is: please go to Miami-Dade College. I know, it's a community college, and I used to think the EXACT same thing about it as you probably are thinking right now, but looking back at FIU and comparing my experience there with my experience at MDC, I think that MDC is a WAY better school than FIU. Professors are super accessible, classes truly are very small, and their goal is to build you up as a student. At every turn, they take the opportunity to make of their students independent beings, especially with your academics…they want you to grow. That's the difference between FIU and MDC. FIU just wants your money. They could care less about whether you graduate in 4 years or in 40 years.