Miami University -- Oxford
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Majors: Double Major in Media and Culture and Interactive Media Studies
Minor: None
Student Self Identifies as: Caucasian Heterosexual Male
Summary
I’m in a fraternity and part of a sketch comedy group.
Background
Gender Identity: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
High School Experience: Private school in Nashville, TN with a graduating class of 120 students.
First Generation College Student: No
Majors: Double Major in Media and Culture and Interactive Media Studies
Minor: None
Extracurricular Activities: I’m in a fraternity and part of a sketch comedy group.
Academic Experience
Can you describe the weekly coursework for your majors?
Most of it is readings and quizzes. We also have a lot of small projects and occasionally you get hit with a week where you have a ridiculous amount of work, but, for the most part, it’s just building up to bigger projects.
Is there anything that you feel your either of your majors’ departments do especially well or especially poorly?
All the teachers are pretty nice and the class content is interesting for the most part. The facilities aren’t all that great. There isn’t a big budget for either of my majors.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
Collaborative. I’ve never really felt a competitive environment in a class. Everyone pretty much works together since you don’t get to choose who you work with most of the time.
How accessible have your professors been?
They’re pretty accessible, but I’ve had a handful that have been tough to get a hold of. Everyone will meet with you [outside of class], and office hours are never fully booked or anything like that.
What was your favorite class in your major?
I took a class on social media that I thought was interesting. I also took a class called The Design of Play where we got to make and play games and that was really fun.
What was your least favorite class in your major?
I took some production classes in Media and Culture that were boring, and the teachers were really tough graders. The coding classes in Interactive Media Studies can get a little dull and confusing. Those are mainly graphics and web design coding with HTML and CSS.
Why did you choose your combination of majors? Are you happy with your choice?
I was originally a Business major and I didn’t really like it. The business school is more competitive at Miami and I preferred the relaxed atmosphere in my majors, and I’ve always really been interested in television. Interactive Media Studies was a more realistic path to getting a job after school. I’ve been very pleased with my decision.
Reasons to Attend
1) It teaches you to work hard and play hard. Everyone goes all out in both areas.
2) Being so isolated means that you get really close with everyone else here.
3) It’s a beautiful campus and a beautiful town.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) You might get very bored.
2) The culture of Miami is kind of specific, and not for everyone.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on campus?
Freshman: I lived in Dodds Hall. I had one roommate, and that was pretty bad.
Sophomore: I lived in our fraternity house. I had one roommate but there was about 40 of us in the house.
Junior: I lived in a house with eight of us in total.
Senior: I’m living in another house just down the block. It’s a duplex with four people on each side, and we each get our own room.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
I’ve always felt pretty safe. The townspeople are a little sketchy at times, but I’ve never actually felt in danger.
How was the transition from Nashville, TN to Oxford, OH?
It was rough for about the first two weeks since I didn’t know anyone. After two weeks I had made a really close group of friends. Culturally, it’s not really different [than Nashville].
What is your favorite off-campus restaurant?
SOHI Grilled Sandwiches.
What is your favorite place to get away from campus?
Probably Hueston Woods State Park. There’s not really a lot out around Miami but Hueston Woods has lots of good hiking trails.
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you participate in at Miami (OH)?
My fraternity has parties and the bars uptown are really fun. My favorite is CJ’s, it’s pretty lowkey. I usually go out Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and an occasional Tuesday or Wednesday. There are lots of 18 and up bars in the area, so we would frequently go to those during freshman year.
What is the impact of Greek life on nightlife at Miami (OH)?
It’s pretty high. Most of the people at the bars I usually go to are in Greek life or somehow affiliated.
How happy are you with the nightlife? Is there anything you would change?
It would be nice to have a few more options because it can get really crowded, and only going to bars does get old after a while.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
I met the majority of my close friends through my fraternity. A few lived in my hallway freshman year.
How would you describe the social scene?
It’s very Greek heavy. Most things go through [Greek life]. The bar scene is good. Because there isn’t much else around, everyone goes to the bars. There are lots of different bars for every taste. [About 30% of students are involved in Greek life.]
To what extent do people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
Pretty much everyone here is White and straight. It’s not a very diverse school. In terms of race, I personally haven’t seen any big issues. But I don’t think [different sexual orientations] would feel accepted in the crowds I hang out with or in Greek life. [About 73% of students are White. See Miami Student article, “Study: Few GLBTQ Students Feel Welcome at Miami, in Greek life.”]
Do you think people are happy with their choice of Miami (OH) by senior year? Do you think people leave loving Miami (OH)?
Yeah, I would say the vast majority are very happy with it. I think it’s good to know what you’re getting into when you go and have realistic expectations, but I think, for the most part, that everyone enjoys it. I certainly have.
Careers
Has the alumni network helped you find internships or jobs?
Not yet.
Have you used the career office?
I have not, but I probably should. Most of my friends have.
Have you learned any computer programs that will be helpful for you professionally?
I’ve learned coding languages like HTML, CSS, Java, and JQuery. I’ve also learned all of the Adobe Creative Suite, like Premiere Pro and Illustrator and other things along those lines, and the Google Suite and Microsoft Suite.