The University of Rhode Island

Date: Apr 11 2009
Major: Geography and Geosciences (This Major's Salary over time)
I spent a decade attending another couple of schools (and dropping out and working) before returning to school here, so I do have a different perspective. I've been pleasantly surprised by URI. I came because it was what I could afford, not because I heard it was a great school, but there are some really top-notch professors here.

Education quality is the most important thing to me, and I've been very happy with that. I do opt for classes I hear are good and check professors' reputations online. I've been able to get involved in research and I think I'd be able to, say, get into an ivy league grad school if I wanted to. Okay, obviously, a lot of this is my own hard work… the point is, it's possible to get a great education here.

Personally, I've found the faculty and administration to be extremely available and helpful, my classes challenging and thorough, and I have more social opportunities than I have time to take advantage of. But I happen to be a friendly, optimistic and hardworking person… you'll get what you give, and I'm sure anyone who comes in feeling bitter and entitled is going to leave feeling the same.

Practical stuff… I do think you can have a good social life here, but it is a drawback of URI that the best off-campus housing, bars, parties, etc. are in the next town over (Narragansett). I've personally never had a problem with parking, always been able to get a space, never had to walk more than 15 minutes to class (which to me is reasonable). The campus is reasonably attractive but always has a ton of litter and I'm not sure why. Students and professors all seem very liberal to me, but maybe it's just who I hang out with. I sometimes question how the university spends its money, but I think its recent move toward becoming a biotech power is good and this will be a great place to come for pharmacy, microbio, etc.