University of Southern Maine - Portland, Maine

angelonedance

A school with an exceptionally beautiful campus centrally located. What's not to like? It's the deception and deciet that seems to be threaded into the marketing approach. All these pop up costs and fee increases that are not mentioned as well as ridiculous fees for books in a digital age. It doesn't leave a favorable first impression as a parent. Being upfront on costs can go a long way on not creating negative energy/feelings toward the University that inevitably arise with the emerging truth.

Michael L.

Do not go here. The University hires and supports professors who misgender students. Disability accommodations are a joke. Lastly, the parking situation is TERRIBLE. Plan to spend an additional $100-200 on parking tickets per semester and trust me, they won’t dismiss them.

Gary Z.

UMaine student here. I’ve been trying to get summer intern housing for a month. Housing never picks up the phone. My application was submitted a month ago. Was told I was guaranteed a spot but now they’re telling me they don’t know if they have availability. Ridiculous. They should genuinely be ashamed.

bfd1611

I find the low scores interesting because you are essentially rating yourself. If you have any reference at all it is because you had an experience at another school that you had an obvious reason to transfer from. This school is ripe to provide a student with exactly what they work toward. The administration is very accommodating and the professors provide the students with the opportunity to think for themselves. The core requirements promote a well rounded student who can think critically and make decisions based on that judgment. I would highly recommend this school for traditional as well as non traditional students. This review is provided by a non-traditional student who went full-time and graduated.

Post I. R.

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". Learn elsewhere!

Timothy L.

This is college, there's no such thing as a "teaching degree" like there is in secondary school. This school has amazingly good professors, and people who are experts in their professions because Portland, Maine is such a nice place to live! All the night live life without the hassle. I went to the Shetland Islands on a field study. Students go all over the world in various degree specialties. Iceland is the next big place students will be going. I've received two certificate degrees in GIS and Community Planning and Development as a non-traditional student.

Nicholas T.

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 big or small.

Waylon H.

I attended this University a year after I exited the military. I was eager to start but unaware of issues I was dealing with at the time. Attention, retaining, social, among many other issues were over challenging and I dropped out.

After years of being out and working on things, I felt I was ready to go back for a degree program. This time, USM denied me admission because of my drop out and gave no care they were due to medical issues of post combat.

This is not a feel bad for me review, as I’ve moved on and succeeded. I do not recommend anyone with handicaps or post combat issues to apply. Find a better supportive school to help you succeed.