University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR, USA

Reviews

University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras

Paola from Puerto Rico

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
A top student institution, that will help you develop your skills in a variety of ways. Provides a wide range of activities like sports, musical groups and night life for the students. It will present the student with academic challenges that will be of great benefit for the student.
Tips for prospective students
Take classes from all faculties, the knowledge you will acquire will be most satisfying and variant. Sometimes the toughest professors are the ones you will learn the most from. Enjoy the beauty of the campus, learn from the brilliant professors and open your mind to all the things they have to teach you.
Academic Rigor
You will find challenges, and as a student it is your task to make it work. I have had horrible professors (in terms of rigor) and good ones (not so rigorous) and I have made it work. It is not meant to be easy, but to take you to higher academic standards.
Dorm Life
It is said to be secure (the dorms from the university) and ranging from very expensive (includes many things like 24 hr air conditioner, internet, security guard, and bed, closet, tables and refrigerator. Also private restrooms) to cheap (sharing bed room and restroom with more than one person, no air conditioner).
Food and Dining
There are many options: fast food, warm heavy meals, light meals, vegetarian meals, you name it! There are also small cafe's in which you can stop for a quick snack or to have a coffee with a friend or a professor.
What to do for fun
There is a good night life close by, there are theater activities, musical activities, clubs, sports and groups! There is a wide variety of things to do!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
To the first years: the first weeks they are followed and soaked in shaving cream and/or water. They are put to dance on the tables and around the campus. It is most entertaining !
Great for these types of students
all types of student. The variety of people is huge, there is room for any type of person. You will never feel odd or alone.
Clubs and Activities
Night clubs near by. Music, art, sports and theater clubs are available. And others like science and discussion clubs and/or groups.
Campus Safety
There is a new security system and it seems to be working greatly. It is still a big campus and one needs to stay out of dark areas at night.

archi123 from Puerto Rico

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The University of Puerto Rico it's the best university on the Island. Provides academic offerings such as: business administration, architecture, natural sciences, social sciences, education, school of communications, general studies and humanities. It's a big campus, but also walkable.
Tips for prospective students
If you are attending this university is recommended that you go in comfortable shoes because you have to walk a lot. Since the university is in a wet area and the rain is very common, so always walk with an umbrella in hand.
Academic Rigor
The academic rigor depends on the faculty you belong. In my case, I belong to the Faculty of Architecture and based on the amount of work that it's given to the students I can say that the rigor is very high.
Dorm Life
I don't have any experience in this area, but the university provides apartments for students or you can also go to near apartments. But a great dorm life it's all about roommates, so if it's a Puerto Rican you will always have fun.
Food and Dining
I gave a 5 for food and dining since there are many places to choose where to eat, and most are near the university. If you wish you can go by foot or drive.
What to do for fun
Since the university is in a urban location there are many places you could go to have fun like: Nightclubs, restaurants, cinemas, mall, among others. And if this does not convince you can always hop on the train and get to other areas such as the Colosseum of Puerto Rico where you can enjoy concerts and other activities.

Gustavo from Gurabo, PR

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
A very good university in the education of their students. Committed to the pursuit of knowledge and offers a quality education. It offers an accesible tuition fee to all social classes.
Tips for prospective students
Its expected of all students to have a committed to their studies. With hard word come great benefits.
Academic Rigor
It all depends on the subject. All college professors expect high quality work of the students.
Dorm Life
The campus offers a variety of dorms. It offers rooms at great and manageable fees. The dorms are right next or inside the campus providing comfort too students.
Food and Dining
Theres a centro de estudiantes on site where there a variety of food choices. Also almost every faculty building has a small cafeteria and he University avenue has a variety of food choices.
What to do for fun
Theres ample stuff to do. The university hosts a variety of cultural events and music concerts. Its also located less then a half an hour commute to the Old San Juan, a popular tourist location. Theres also the world famous beaches and surfing spots.

Paola from San Juan, PR

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Contributes greatly in the intellectual, and professional development of the student by providing wonderful professors and courses that challenge the students capabilities to higher levels. Has a campus filled with history, variety and a knowledge that, apart from the classes will provide enrichment and amazement. Provides a wide variety of courses that allow the student to learn not only about what they are majoring, but also from other disciplines that play an important role in society and in their lives.
Tips for prospective students
Be emotionally prepared for the pressure do to the vast amount of material given; Also I recommend comfortable clothing. The professors are greatly prepared and if you are interested, and show it, they will appreciate it and show you gratitude for it. I believe every one should take classes from as much different faculties as possible, because it provides a vast enrichment, and I believe that the more variant your knowledge, the better prepared.
Academic Rigor
I believe it is very demanding, but it will help you expand your knowledge and your passion for it every time. Everyone should take advantage of this, the professors will push you to your limits, and that will help you find new limits and grow, and expand your mind to new horizons that not even you knew. It is very satisfactory when you look back and see the immense progress you have achieved and at the same time, you will want more and more each time.
Dorm Life
I have not had this experience, but i have friends that tell me it is wonderful. Security is great, you may have a dorm inside the university or in front. Both are secure, both are close (of course the one inside is closest), and both the home of many students who share interests and time. It is a challenge to be on your own, but i believe it must be a wonderful experience that will help you on your journey through life.
Food and Dining
The food is mainly fast food, but very close by (outside the university) there are many places that are much better. Most of the time i bring my own lunch, and the professors and student associations provide microwaves for reheating. There is a vast variation of places to eat from Burger King, to Sub Way, to affordable restaurants all in the area.
What to do for fun
There are a vast variety of activities! For example: Yoga, Sports like volley ball, basket ball, ping pong, swimming and many more; musical presentations, theater, concerts, plays and art expositions with live music at night (many of these activities are free, for the enjoyment of the student!). Also, there is a street very close to the university that has a night time life for the enjoyment of the student and is frequented by many of the students; Its a time to relax and have fun with friends and students like yourself.
Great for these types of students
Anyone who wishes to have a college experience filled with knowledge, and activities that will help you to become the adult you wish to be; But is willing to make the sacrifice that takes to study here.
Campus Safety
At night, should be a little more careful because the campus is very big and has places that could be good for hiding. Although there is always vigilance.

Wildaly from Guayama, PR

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The programs are comprehensive and they prepare you really well academically. There may be one or two professors that perhaps you just won't like, mostly because of his/her attitude or perhaps because the class is just not what you were expecting it to be. At least, that's been my experience. Of course, this can vary from faculty to faculty since there's hundreds of professors at the UPR. Overall, however, I find that there's a lot you can learn at the UPR campus of Rio Piedras. The course offerings are so large... you can study anything from art, architecture, all types of sciences, math, languages, education, law, theater, music, journalism, etc.
Am enjoying being here
I love the people you meet, the extracurricular activities, the student discounts on plays, student organizations, night life, college dorms... everything!
Bang for the buck
Despite the new $800 yearly special stabilization fee and that each year the cost per credit keeps rising, the UPR still offers inexpensive higher education. Cost per credit for 2012 will be somewhere around $55 per credit for undergraduates and $137 per credit for graduate students.

For foreign or non-resident undergraduate students, the yearly rate is around $4,369.00 (sans the $800 yearly special fee and this is if you take the 12 credits minimum per semester to be considered a full-time student). For foreign or non-resident graduate students, the yearly fee is something like $6,371.00 (again without counting the $800 fee and as a full-time student taking a minimum of 8 credits per semester).
Tips for prospective students
Be aware that you have to have a working knowledge of Spanish as almost all courses are given in that language (except English and foreign languages majors, of course). There's a decent population, however, of foreign students who study in the Natural Sciences faculty and I've noticed many of them don't know much Spanish. Still, if you want to get to know the locals, knowing Spanish definitely helps (although many Puerto Ricans in the metropolitan area DO know English).
Great for these types of students
Anyone who would like to get to know Puerto Rico and take advantage of its wonders. The academic offerings are vast and the university is located at the heart of Rio Piedras, which is basically kept alive by the university community.