University of Minnesota-Rochester
Rochester, MN, USA

Reviews

University of Minnesota-Rochester

Nicole from Necedah, WI

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The professors at UMR are very helpful and extremely accessible. At least one professor per department has office and/or Just Ask hours weekly. The courses are rigorous, but the professors genuinely want to help the students learn. They challenge us, but give us the support we need as well. The online grading and feedback system for homework, quizzes, and exams make it very easy for students to assess their work and make the changes necessary to learn the material. There is not a lot of lecture in the classes; instead, we have a lot of class discussion, practice problems, and group work. This setup gets students really involved in the learning. Overall, the learning environment is well-balanced and extremely productive.
Am enjoying being here
I absolutely love UMR. The instructors are easy to get along with and are very willing to help. The courses are challenging and interesting. The people here are all very friendly. UMR is a really small school, so it has a great community feel. It’s very easy to form relationships with faculty members and other students. The campus is right by Mayo, which is excellent for volunteer or internship experience. Since the campus is in the middle of downtown Rochester, there are plenty of things to do nearby. UMR also sponsors some activities for the students, and there are a lot of clubs that students can join. It is a great school and I am very glad I decided to attend it.
Bang for the buck
UMR isn't as expensive as a lot of private schools, but still offers the small class sizes that make many private colleges appealing. Furthermore, there are a lot of scholarship opportunities available if students are willing to fill out applications. The community offers a lot of help. I only have a couple of complaints about the financial situation at UMR. The laptop fee is a little excessive. Also, there are not really any cheap housing options. Other than that, I feel the prices are reasonable. Students get a small, private-school feel for a public-school price tag.
Tips for prospective students
I recommend that prospective students visit UMR and talk to the faculty and current students. Seeing the campus is a major deciding factor. Also, if you are considering UMR, you should be sure that you want to go into a health-sciences field; if you're uncertain about that, UMR is not the school for you. It can be difficult for credits to transfer in and out because the courses are all integrated. If you are a transfer student, make sure you find out whether your credits will transfer before making your decision. Also, realize that the coursework is very rigorous, but you will get support from your professors if you take the time to seek help.
Great for these types of students
UMR is the perfect school for students who are sure they want to pursue a career in the health sciences, like to be challenged academically and intellectually, and like a small school with a community atmosphere.

KaoLee Xiong

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
UMR is innovated with a medical based foundation for the classrooms. The courses all integrate health science into them for a more focused learning environment. Lots of opportunity and help is available.
Tips for prospective students
Visit campus! If you're looking for a very health science focused school, UMR is your best bet.
Academic Rigor
The classes are rigorous but there is a lot of help available since the professors have a lot of help hours. They're not too hard where you will be failing every class. If you pay attention and do your work, you will do just fine.
Dorm Life
We have apartment style dorms. It's not your normal average dorm. You basically get an apartment and you share it with other first years. Come for a visit and you will see the fabulous apartments. (A lot of people use this as their decision maker too!)
Food and Dining
We don't have a meal plan here at UMR so you will have to pay for your own food and cook. However, there are a ton of good restaurants just right outside the dorm and nearby so you have many options !
What to do for fun
There is always activities going on at University Square and here at the dorm. Every weekend there is always something going on. We also have therapy pets come in during exams to help relieve some stress for us. There is also a lot of clubs and volunteer opportunities you can be a part of.
Bang for the buck
It is very worth it if you are firm on majoring in health science! All your classes will tie back to medical or health science! You're also right next to Mayo Clinic which opens a ton of opportunities.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Everyone here is super into Halloween. All the staff and faculty compete every year to see who has the best costumes.
Great for these types of students
UMR is great for students who are looking to go into any health science or medical related field.
Clubs and Activities
There is a of clubs available to join. Clubs range from hobbies to per-proffesional orientated clubs like volunteering at Mayo Clinic or going abroad to help give medication.
Greek Life
We don't sororities here.
Campus Safety
Our campus has 24/7 safety and no one but students can get in the dorms. We have security escorts available all the time to walk you to where you need to go if you feel unsafe.

Rachel from Lakefield, MN

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The University of Minnesota-Rochester (UMR) is the perfect campus for a student that is positive that he/she wants to pursue a degree in health sciences, at a small campus. I believe that UMR is better than a typical college campus, because the students can go directly to their professors and ask questions at a few different locations on the small campus, the kind of interaction we have with the professors at UMR isn't like most colleges in the United States. Also, there's a sky-way that connects the school apartment to the rest of the campus, so if you live at 318 Commons, you don't have to walk in various, unsuitable weather conditions.
Tips for prospective students
Make sure that you want to pursue a career in the health sciences, because that is all that is provided at the University of Minnesota-Rochester. If you decide you want to change your major outside of the health sciences, you would have to transfer to a different University of Minnesota campus, or a whole different college. The education here challenges the students and you only take courses that are applicable to the health sciences, so your electives serve a purpose.
Academic Rigor
The academics at UMR are very demanding, if students don't put time and effort into studying and doing homework, they aren't going to be successful.
Dorm Life
We don't actually live in dorms, the school had an apartment complex built, there are classes that are held in the basement level. The apartments are fully furnished with furniture, kitchen appliances, and laundry appliances. The only downsides are that it's expensive to rent here and the walls are kind of thin, so it's easy to hear people in other apartments.
Food and Dining
Since we live in fully furnished apartments, we don't have a food plan or dining hall. Students have to cook for themselves or go out to eat if they can afford it. There are a few restaurants connected to our apartment so that is a plus.
What to do for fun
We had the opportunity to see the movie Catching Fire for free, through UMR, all we had to do was pay a dollar to reserve a spot and we got our money back at the theater. There are a few movie theaters in Rochester, so my roommates and I have gone to a couple movies together. Also, the University provides other activities, the other night, there was mini golf in one of the classrooms. Our apartment floor has arranged a few potlucks and played games at them.
Bang for the buck
Another great thing about UMR is that they are conducting research while we receive our education. Higher education has left people with degrees, looking for a job and not able to find one. UMR is trying different things, like the classrooms, almost all of the classrooms consist of tables and chairs; no individual desks or humongous lecture halls. Unlike most colleges, we can easily interact with our professors on a regular basis at the Just Ask centers. At our college the professors care about teaching their students, not just their paycheck, like most other college campuses.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Our actual campus is unusual, compared to traditional college campuses. There are classrooms in the basement of the school's apartment complex. The rest of the classrooms are on the third and fourth floors at a small shopping mall. The sky-way from the apartment leads to the second floor of the shopping mall, all we have to do is go upstairs to class or to one of the Just Ask centers.
Great for these types of students
The University of Minnesota-Rochester if perfect for students that want a smaller setting with less people, it's kind of like being in high school, pertaining to the class sizes. It is also great for students that want to pursue a degree in health sciences, because that is all that UMR offers. Since it only offers a health sciences degree, all of the classes you take are necessary, you won't have any electives that don't apply to your degree.
Clubs and Activities
UMR doesn't have sports teams like most colleges, but there is a ballroom dance team. There are various activities provided on the campus throughout the year.
Greek Life
There are no fraternities at UMR.
Campus Safety
The apartment is a part of our campus, so to get to the living areas in the apartment, you have to have a fob to go up and down the elevators to the living areas. I have seen many security cameras throughout the campus. Also, you can call a security guard to walk you from the parking ramp to the apartment complex if you feel scared or if its just dark out and you are alone.

Naaz from Overland Park, KS

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The opportunities given to students who have an interest in the health field are amazing! The class size is small which will lead to smaller classroom sizes. Overall, the university is amazing!
Tips for prospective students
Be decided on pursuing a career in medicine. Take advantage of all the opportunities offered.
Academic Rigor
I will be attending in the fall so I don't have precise knowledge on the academic rigor.
Dorm Life
You get an apartment!
Food and Dining
I think students cook at home or there are plenty of restaurants to get food from.
Bang for the buck
Aid is not amazing.
Great for these types of students
motivated to pursue a career in medicine. Looking for something small for a easier transition from high school to college. Don't mind the cold and snow. Looking for a student body that becomes pretty close by the end of four years.
Campus Safety
I found it pretty safe. 318 commons has fob entry in the elevator and to each apartment.