Reviews

usm is a great school that is often taken for granted. there are tons of opportunities available once you become involved in the community. usm is also known to have some of the best programs around, in certain majors.

life on campus is great, the meal plans are a bit over-priced, but in the long run you do save money.

almost all classes are small, and you're able to speak to your professor if you need assistance. classwork and homework depends on the class/ major, but this is college after all, don't expect it to be a breeze.

i love living on campus. the dorms are in good conditions, and while the atmosphere isn't always the best for studying, there is plenty of social life and fun to be had.

over-priced cafeteria food. enough said.

if you live on the gorham campus, there are events planned every week. portland is a short car/ shuttle bus ride away, with unlimited access to the maine mall, and all that old port and the art's district have to offer. the 1st friday of every month is art walk in portland, everything is open late, with tons of freebies and street performers/ vendors, makes for a very fun evening. a long with your typical: movie theaters, bowling allies, ice arenas, beach, etc...

if you're from out-of-state, make sure that you're coming to usm because they offer a major or program that schools in your home state don't offer, otherwise out-of-state tuition might not be worth it.

robie andrews, a residence hall that also contains the art department is rumored to be haunted.

arts, music, theater, biology, business, etc...

everything you can think of! if you manage to think of a club or activity that the school doesn't have, you can start a petition to make it happen!

greek life on campus has gone downhill, there are only 6 main fraternities and sororities, of which only 2 have houses. the school has banned the expansion of any additional greek life, but the current members do their best to keep greek alive in the usm community.

there are street lamps everywhere, campus is very well lit at night. there are emergency phones located around campus, and the on-campus police department is always on call and patrol.

USM is a state school so it's not crazy fancy, but it's good enough for me! It's a cheap state school and the campuses are beautiful. I love the atmosphere.

Professors are hard but the material is important. They're understanding, especially with sports. (It's an athletic school) Just get your work done and put in the effort and ask for help if you need it. You should be fine, though it's nothing like high school work!

It's a lot harder than high school was for me, but I think that's only because my high school didn't really challenge students. I am also a nursing major so all my classes are science and math intensive so that makes it harder. But Butch Fenton is a great professor for nursing and makes it all worth while!

They're not the nicest dorms we could have and they're pretty expensive but the atmosphere is great. Everyone is very nice and involved. That's what I was hoping for in college.

The food is great, most of the time, and the dining area is so cool. All you can eat? Yes please! Hello freshmen 30!

Like I said it's an athlete school so if you like sports you're set. Lots of clubs and intramural sports to do. Also, RAs and students and sororities put on events all the time which is fun.

It's a cheap school, but not as cheap as it could be. Atmosphere, classes, and dining seem to be up to par, but the living spaces (which is usually most important to students) really isn't.

We have a second food service place on the Gorham campus and it's open late. So every one calls it the Crack! You know, because druggies get the munchies?! Great food though!

Athletes, students who want a small school, can roll with whatever they're given, likes to be outdoors.

There are so many diverse clubs and activities to do almost every day! I can almost guarantee you will find something you find interesting!

I'm not part of the Greek life but I hear they're great and really close-knit. There are quite a few sororities and frats.

Cops drive around all the time. Emergency buttons within visual distance of each other all across campus. Feels very safe, though no college is perfect. (you can't control everything and stop every crazy person.)

i love it here! the hills on the gorham campus are tough on your legs but it's worth it. the community is very accepting of everyone!

get to know people right when you get to school.

the dorms are all good sized and the ra's are always nice. i have never had a problem with room selection here.

the cafe food could be better, but when they do something right.... it's amazing! there are also many cafes on all the campuses that you can get cheep eats

there is always something going on on campus, and there is a 18+ club called the church in gorham that is very popular.the portland campus is walking distance from downtown portland and the old port.

I am very pleased to be a student here. My adjustment process went smooth and now belong to the wrestling team. This is a small campus with a lot of potential if your willing to apply yourself. I have met a lot of new friends and the staff is very helpful. I made the right choice to attend here, as I was offered acceptance in other schools.

Get your paperwork done before starting, especially if your going to participate in sports. Get to know who is going to be your coach. Work Study Students apply early for jobs, as student employemnt opportunties go fast.

Study, play sports or belong to some clubs and you will do well.

Study and applied 100% to all your classes and you will do well. Some classes are easier than others but they still require effort. I enjoy the classes that really pertain to my major and I am challenge with the academic requirements.

The double room I have is bigger than what I anticpated and I have a great room mate. It can be noisy on the floor at times. Study time is best on the weekend, as most students go home.
The washer and dryers do need to be replaced There is a terrible odor from the dryers that transfers into your towels and clothing when drying............The bathrooms are not the best but their functional.

Big choices, but my schedule on two days does not allow me to catch dinner time early. Towards the end of dinner time not much is appealing, but there is always good soup, fruit, and some type of salad. Not bad for school food.

I love wrestling. They have a team here and I am part of it. This program is well run and teammates are really helpful. Great Coaches to have running the wrestling program...

I have some time to socialize with others and have enjoyed myself. My academic schedule, work study job, and wrestling does not leave much time open during the week. I utilize my time to catch up on things to do on weekends and school assignments.

Very affordable education, but a little pricey on the dorms and meals. I feel for the cost I am getting a good education here. I am pleased with this school. It all about what you want to put into it.

Busing between the Gorham and Portland Campus. Everyone takes advantage of this, as it saves on gas money. It is a nice convenience to students.

Wrestling is great. They also have many other sports for students. There is opportunities for all to play and enjoy.

There are many clubs available to those who would like to participate and availability to meet new students.

No Comment....I don't belong

Very safe here and if there is a problem security is always there for you.

This a fantastic school, especially for the price. Programs are divided into three campuses: Gorham, Portland, and Lewiston. The Portland and Gorham campuses are the most established, but the Lewiston campus has a small-community feel that makes it the favorite of many.

Make sure you know which campus your major is housed on. Always keep your eyes peeled for opportunities for involvement that arise unexpectedly. Through keeping myself in the loop, I have been involved with a local shootings of commercials and films, campus scholarships, work study opportunities, and other campus events. Take at least one class from each campus, so as to get a taste of each of them.

So far I have been challenged deeply.

I commute to all three campuses, so I can't speak firsthand about the dorms, but I have not heard anything positive from my dorm-dwelling friends. Gorham campus is the only one that has dorms, though there are other housing options (like apartments) available near the Portland campus. As a commuter, it is difficult to make friendships at the Gorham campus because everyone there already has dorm friends. However, the commuting student thrives at the Lewiston campus. It's tough, though, because most of the clubs and activities are housed at the bigger campuses...

My experience is limited to the Lewiston-Auburn Café and the Bailey Hall Café. The former has amazing food, albeit pricy, and the latter serves overpriced mush.

Some of the greatest experiences though come from random opportunities that are made available through the college that are unrelated to any clubs.

After scholarships, I am only paying $835 this semester for tuition. I am very impressed with the education I am getting here, and for the price it is unbeatable.

The fact that the university is divided into three campus creates a very unusual dynamic. The Lewiston-Auburn college is an oddity that has been largely overlooked in the past but is now becoming a prominent piece of USM.

The L-A college really supports nontraditional students. USM is good for commuters that are housed near the center of the triangle of campuses. Dorming is good if most your classes are in Gorham.

Lots of clubs and activities, although mostly housed at the Gorham/Portland campuses.

I can't really speak for this...

Emergency call boxes in parking lots and cop cars at the two larger campuses. I've never felt unsafe at USM.

The University is a multicultural, multi religious center where education meets eye opening cultural differences.
USM goes bent over backwards to meet the needs of each student, so each one can succeed.
USM is located in the heart of one of Maine's biggest cities, where one can join friends for a movie or fellow students for a study session in the near by park or ocean beach.

Take a long look at the offered majors. Find three that call out to you then narrow it down to one or two. To often students try to take on to much at school, knowing what you want to do going in will help keep that from happening.
Complete your fasfa on time every year for that is the best way to get the most financial aid for your year.
Get to know your professors and don't be afraid to ask for help

Classes are tough, yet professors are fair. They will help you when you ask, and will support you when your trying.

I don't live in a dorm , never have. However upon listening to fellow students they like that there are many options for dorm life. You have the athletic dorm, the adventurous dorm, etc...

USM offers a large variety of food. Healthy, comforting, it's all there. They make a pretty nice soup which for us Mainers, is a good thing.

USM offers frree activites and tickets weekly. From hockey games to trips to six flags, you will never get bored.

Tuition like any University is high, however you will notice when you get into your classes with Professor who are passionate about their work, that the money you have spent is worth it.

Friday's it is a tradition to wear our school colors

For the serious, hard working, motivated students, this is the place for you.

Boff club, soccer, GLBT groups, multicultural groups, boot camp workouts....

We have some of the hardest working campus officers who truly care about the safety of their students.

The university of Southern Maine is a good state university for people who know what they want to major in. They offer a large variety of majors and classes but the advisors don't always help you the way they should. Overall it is a fun school for all ages.

Contact the school and make sure the school offers everything you won't before making your final decision.

Some professors are easier then others but if you get your work done you will pass the class.

Dorm life is always fun! Freshman dorms are old but fun, upperclassman have nice new dorms and best dorm life, most fun!

Food is typical school food, some days is better then others.

Clubs and activities aren't promoted much but they are there if you hunt for them and can get in tough with people! It's a great way to make friends.

There is some Greek life not much.

Campus safety is very strict and is their for your perfection!

Great friends, great professors and gread administration.

Visit the campuses without your parents. Sit in classes during the school years, and participate in a weekend event.

Very agressive. Very challenging. The right mix of student radio with teacher.

The dorms are what students make them. The facilities are older and need some uplifting, but the mixture of students and residential life activities is great.

Need a little more focus on vegetarian type meals, and less fried-food offerings.

The local mall and city life as well as campus offerings provides what anyone needs or seeks out, even without a vehicle. Their public transporation for students is the major assett to getting around and experiencing.

Both in and out of state residential students have expressed the affordability. Just wish there were more scholarship offerings in the area of music.

Being located near the ocean and beaches, there is ample ability and group offerings to see local semi-professional sporting events, hiking, sea kyaking, astrology, museums, and especially a lot of theater offerings.

A majority of students do live off campus. It provides ample jobs and housing opportunities for those that prefer to live off campus, but also addresses the needs well for those that prefer to live on campus.

Several different venues. Need to check the student catalog.

Do not participate, so do not know.

Some of the best. To be commended. They even provide rides to the dorms at night, to avoid students walking alone. Commendable.