University of Southern Maine — Attraction in Portland

You are better off going to another University if you are set on the city of Portland. While Portland is a great city, the University is one big disaster that is apparently getting worse with massive layoffs due to "budget shortfalls" even as much of the administration at the top get raises (one financial officer got a 40K raise bringing her salary to 250K)...figure that one out. Which brings me to my next point, if you are coming to this place for an education, think twice, this is run more like a business, it is an embarrassment to higher education. Great faculty members have been laid off left and right in certain majors deemed "unneeded" by the current higher ups.

Even if you find a major you want that is not being downsized or terminated, there is still the issue of money. No one from the business office will help you. They are unsympathetic to the average students needs. Because of that, and other reasons I will explain, you will likely graduate here with debt. Even if you try to find ways to make the experience more affordable as it should be, you are likely to meet with denial. For example, and from my personal experience, I lived in Maine for 3 years. I rented there, worked and paid taxes there, got mail there. By all accounts I was a resident of Maine but the University never granted me instate, after several pleas, they still rejected me with no reason given. I went to the financial aid office, the only advice I got was "take out more loans". Great advice to give a 20 year old. No advice or attempts to help me find scholarship I might be eligible for by the financial aid office. I did try to look on my own but there are so many scholarships, especially ones that are under the radar that nonetheless might be suitable to me, that I find it hard to believe that avenue was never explored with me when I visited the office. They just want a quick, easy fix/response to students with legit questions (on how to make UNI more affordable, etc.) - like take out loans. Great, but USM offers little help after graduating with job placement which is not good considering the advice you got for three years, "take out loans". Considering the money you pay, this is not acceptable. But considering the advice I got from fin. aid and apathy I got from the business department I guess I should have seen it coming!

This is one bloated bureaucratic mess. Greed at the top with tons of unjustified raises while the talent "below" (great teachers) are axed because of "budget issues". ...

This is the tale of the haunted wash room. Ok if you didn't know the grounds of usm were built on an ancient indian burial ground or somthing like that. The Indians still haunt the grounds today and any one that goes here isn't safe. If you go to the most east bathroom at 5 o'clock, you can here the melody of flutes as the cheif, Cherokee Jack plays for exactly 5 minutes. Be careful for if you dont here the song you are not welcome and are in danger of the cherokee curse. The curse can be identified my a red mark that should appear on the forehead of the victim. They have 3 days to find a ancient indian peace pipe and a flute. You must play the song the chief plays from somone that hears it. As you do so another person must smoke the pipe with Brazilian tobacco. If you do so correctly you will see his reflection in the smoke. But if not you will see the mascot the husky and be forced to live on the campus for 10 years before...

The education is good, but not the availability. Professors don't understand that most of the education is outdated. They don't keep the interest of the students and there isn't enough emphasis on application - though this isn't a technical school. The grading is good! so thumbs up. The buildings are ok - Bailey is NICE! And the wishcamper center is very futuristic and formal, etc. Food on the Gorham campus is great, except breakfast is mediocre. The salad bar for lunch & dinner I liked a lot. My classmates did have a lot of common interests, and I think that was my biggest gain from the Univeristy, was bridging the gap between a teenage high schooler and a professional - adult. The bus service is convenient. Portland is a great city too, not too...