StudentsReview :: The University of Minnesota Twin Cities - Extra Detail about the Comment
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The University of Minnesota Twin Cities

How this student rated the school
Educational QualityD- Faculty AccessibilityB
Useful SchoolworkD Excess CompetitionC
Academic SuccessF Creativity/ InnovationD
Individual ValueD University Resource UseA
Campus Aesthetics/ BeautyA FriendlinessD
Campus MaintenanceB Social LifeB
Surrounding CityA Extra CurricularsC
SafetyD
Describes the student body as:
Friendly, Afraid, Arrogant, Approachable, Snooty

Describes the faculty as:
Friendly, Helpful, Arrogant, Condescending, Self Absorbed

Female
Bright
Lowest Rating
Academic Success
F
Highest Rating
University Resource Use
A
She cares more about Academic Success than the average student.
Date: Aug 17 2011
Major: Biology (This Major's Salary over time)
The UMN-Twin Cities was a pretty big school. In addition to a Minneapolis campus, there was also a St. Paul campus located about thirty minutes away if you took the Campus Connector. It's usually very busy on East Bank, especially around Coffman Union, which is usually packed with many students from various walks of life and countries. I have found that most students are pretty friendly if you ask for help or directions, but they do tend to ignore and avoid people they don't know. It is easy to get lost there, and I mean that literally and figuratively. On the first day, I got lost on the buses, so ask about that and make sure you KNOW where you're doing! If you're like me, a little shy and easily intimidated, I would recommend you break out of that fast. It's impossible to do anything here without asking for help, and that ranges from classmates to teachers, and even staff. Oftentimes, you will be forced to break out of your shell in order to get what you need; it would be wise to set up appointments at the U, since there are so many students, you might not even be able to have a chance to talk with your advisor, professor, TA, or a tutor. UMN recommends students engage in campus life in order to get the best out of their undergraduate experience. While this is true, it's also really easy to get caught up in a lot of activities, since the U has many opportunities it offers to its students, include study abroad programs, clubs, research opportunities, part time jobs, and a frat or sorority life. It also has workshops on various ways to build your skills, such as in leadership skills or career preparation. I have found that the U is probably the best place to find a job as a part time lab assistant; usually, these positions are only open to UMN students, as well.

One of the things I really liked about this school was the aesthetics. The campus can be really beautiful during spring, summer, and fall. It's great for taking a walk and keeping the weight and stress off.

So far, all of my teachers have been sincere and committed to helping students achieve success. My most favorite courses were liberal education courses, since the class sizes were smaller and group discussion more frequent. The teachers also got to know their students at a more personal level and were able to provide personal feedback. CBS advisors also try the best they can to help students and are usually very understanding (I've already met with five of them…). It can be very hard to find a group of friends here, especially if you commute (like I did), so if you feel alone or isolated, join a club with similar goals and interests; not only can it help you to network with people, but it can also help you to build more meaningful relationships.

Despite the all these great things about the UMN-TC, there were a lot of hardships and challenges I experienced here. It was very easy to feel like just a number, and I oftentimes had to skip out on fun opportunities in order to fit all my homework and studies in. The weather is cold, cold, cold during the winter, probably because of the mississippi river, and really hot during summer. I would recommend wearing a full set of clothing during winter- that includes mitters/gloves, hats that cover your ears, scarves, boots, and a winter coat. I never wore heels while at the U, unless I wanted my feet to bleed. It took at least fifteen minutes to get from class to class, and I often had to cross the Washington Bridge (it usually takes about five minutes), since Minneapolis (where a lot of starter classes are located, such as Gen Chem I) is divided into East and West Banks. It's hard to find a place to sit and eat during lunchtime in the winter; there are often many students around. Although the advisors were really nice, it took about a year for the school to finally give me an advisor to work with. Until that happened, I was just drifting from advisor to advisor in the CBS department, and most of them told me information I already knew from the website. The great thing about the advising, is that you can request a major advisor.

Class sizes in the sciences are very large, ranging from 125 to 400 students, with most students wanting to go into healthcare (particularly pharmacy and dental), and students are very competitive; at least that's what I've found in the major I'm in. Averages on tests can be pretty low (50-60%). If you're really into academics like me, it's easy to get depressed here, so find ways to stay optimistic.

Personally, even though I've sought the help of my teachers, used the tutoring centers, read my textbooks from cover to cover, took a course on study skills, and completed homework assignments and did an endless array of chapter problems, I still managed to struggle a lot in my courses. I felt that the material did not adequately prepare me for the difficult level of thinking that the tests presented me with. Ultimately, I ended up transferring out to a much smaller school and am doing a LOT better in my studies. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't…

Responses
questionHi
I have read your review and found it very helpful. I am an international student from Mongolia.
I am accepted to the UMN agriculture college an looking forward to enroll.
Could you give me more info about the campus safety, housing and about my college if u know. Also do know any mongolians studying tnere? Thank you.
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