Florida International University

Date: Aug 22 2006
Major: Geography and Geosciences (This Major's Salary over time)
Of all things about the school, the weather is good except during the hurricane season. Few of my department faculty were really nice and helpful, many came from the most prestigious universities in the nation. Despite the "International" name, the school does not care about it's foreign students who pay almost 7 times the fee. I would give the administrative sector a D grade. The parking is just horrible. If you dont't drive forget this place, the public transport is non-existent.

There are double standards in the school and hugely caters to the Latin/Cuban American students. A number of departments are decaying due to inadequate funding becausehe university's president wants have a medical school and build a new college of law.

Academically, a huge percentage of it's undergraduate students really don't deserve to be in college although there are some exceptional ones. Many students cannot write or speak average english and the city is far worse. If you are looking for a competitive institution, FIU is not one. I have taken upper division classes in a few departments and did far better than those who were memebrs of their respective departments. They may make an average student look exceptional.

In additon to the rare social climate of the campus, if you are not latin/hispanic, expect to be very isolated and lonely. It's all about dressing in expensive and "in-vogue" wear, luxury, "pimped" rides, looking rich. The "international" moniker is a joke as many students are ignorant about the rest of America and the world. The only thing international is Cuban studies and their anti-Castro propaganda.

The city is home to bad drivers, ignorant and not so friendly people. Social interactions with students are, more than often, not genuine. I would advice you to take such interactions at face value for most times. If you have choice, you may want to consider another school.