Back from Miami: Decision Time-Weather, fate, signs, UM, etc.
Well, I'm back from Miami. Pics are here if anyone wants to check them out. The first two rows are pics from the UM campus.
Honestly, the trip really didnt do much to change my mind. I kinda expected this. I was pretty underwhelmed with Miami and the University of Miami to be honest. First, the campus. It's nicely landscaped--there are lots of trees and benches and tables. There's a lake in the middle of the school. It's a large spread-out campus too...I think over 200 acres. But all the buildings are really ugly. They are like ugly 60s and 70s style buildings which don't really blend in nicely with the campus landscaping. I kind of hoped it would have been nicer. Also, the surrounding area is a bit bland. There are houses on one side...and a busy El Camino Real-like road on another side. So, yeah, I will need a car. No doubt.
The law school quad was sort of nice. It has some tables and shade--and there's a nice fountain. But the school had a 2 star resort feel to it. The bathroom was pretty gross. The stairwell was dark and dank. The place is in need of a facelift. No doubt. It's just disappointing because UM is one of the largest private universities in the country. How come all these buildings are so ugly? And the law school? It's a big law school. It's expensive. Facilities-wise, we arent getting our money's worth. But it's not all that bad. The library I felt was really nice. I'm pretty glad that a student was able to show me around--and he was a Michigan grad like me too!
Unfortunately, I couldnt get any scholarship money. Pretty disappointing. It kinda pisses me off because it's my fault. Had I applied earlier, I know I wouldve gotten some money. I talked to a career advisor and I left away intrigued and excited. I felt that the job prospects, at least for me, were good. I want to do Latin American law and well, Miami is the place to do it. But I will have to work hard. Really only the big firms do business with Latin America...and for those firms, you need to be a good student. So, we'll see if I can pull it off. I think I can.
As for Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, the surrounding cities...well, they are nice. I personally liked Coconut Grove the most and I'm gonna try and see if I can live around there. Coral Gables was a bit boring to be honest. But I guess whether a city is boring or not doesnt matter in the end since I will be so busy in my first year.
And Miami--well, it's HUMID! Obviously. And it apparently wasnt as humid or hot as it usually is this time of year. So that isnt exactly a good sign. But the evenings are really pleasant. Not too hot or humid. Gentle breeze. Just right really. But whatever. I'll be inside during the day so I dont think it's a huge deal. Apparently, Memorial Day weekend isnt quite your typical weekend in Miami. It was hip hop weekend so there were tons of people from out of town. And well, Miami is a mostly Latino town--and this weekend in particular had tons of African Americans from all over the south. Your general hip hop culture, which is fine...but it's not something I'm really used to here. And the hip hop culture I am used to is from the Bay Area, which is well, different. So, you had lots of people loitering about on Ocean Drive in South Beach...and my hotel room totally smelled like weed. haha. but whatever. South Beach had some nice shops, but the area was really dirty, and of course, under construction, much like the rest of Miami. And you know what, that's a good sign. All the construction there means the future is bright. I think. Well, as long as the buildings are commercial ones. hah.
But yeah, I guess what sucks is that none of the schools really blew me away. Each one has a list of pros and cons. Honestly, I liked Loyola-Chicago the most. The city, the school, all my friends who live there. Santa Clara is nice because it's close to home (but that's also bad), I have a 14k/yr scholarship, and I have friends here too. But, jobs for both of those schools are iffy. At least at Miami, things are looking good.
I think deep down inside, I will regret any school I pick. That comes with the territory when you have to make a huge life-changing decision. This will happen down the line when I make a big purchase like a new car, a house, or whenever I propose to a future girlfriend.
I think I will go with Miami, but yeah, it sucks to move away. I will return to the bay area. I will miss the dry summer days. I will miss the cold. But it will be good to try something new.
And finally, I am a believer in signs. I really am. If this isn't a sign, I don't know what is.
Yes people. That is Sarto Avenue...in Coral Gables, the location of the University of Miami. It's not a common last name at all. A sign that's a sign.
Honestly, the trip really didnt do much to change my mind. I kinda expected this. I was pretty underwhelmed with Miami and the University of Miami to be honest. First, the campus. It's nicely landscaped--there are lots of trees and benches and tables. There's a lake in the middle of the school. It's a large spread-out campus too...I think over 200 acres. But all the buildings are really ugly. They are like ugly 60s and 70s style buildings which don't really blend in nicely with the campus landscaping. I kind of hoped it would have been nicer. Also, the surrounding area is a bit bland. There are houses on one side...and a busy El Camino Real-like road on another side. So, yeah, I will need a car. No doubt.
The law school quad was sort of nice. It has some tables and shade--and there's a nice fountain. But the school had a 2 star resort feel to it. The bathroom was pretty gross. The stairwell was dark and dank. The place is in need of a facelift. No doubt. It's just disappointing because UM is one of the largest private universities in the country. How come all these buildings are so ugly? And the law school? It's a big law school. It's expensive. Facilities-wise, we arent getting our money's worth. But it's not all that bad. The library I felt was really nice. I'm pretty glad that a student was able to show me around--and he was a Michigan grad like me too!
Unfortunately, I couldnt get any scholarship money. Pretty disappointing. It kinda pisses me off because it's my fault. Had I applied earlier, I know I wouldve gotten some money. I talked to a career advisor and I left away intrigued and excited. I felt that the job prospects, at least for me, were good. I want to do Latin American law and well, Miami is the place to do it. But I will have to work hard. Really only the big firms do business with Latin America...and for those firms, you need to be a good student. So, we'll see if I can pull it off. I think I can.
As for Coral Gables and Coconut Grove, the surrounding cities...well, they are nice. I personally liked Coconut Grove the most and I'm gonna try and see if I can live around there. Coral Gables was a bit boring to be honest. But I guess whether a city is boring or not doesnt matter in the end since I will be so busy in my first year.
And Miami--well, it's HUMID! Obviously. And it apparently wasnt as humid or hot as it usually is this time of year. So that isnt exactly a good sign. But the evenings are really pleasant. Not too hot or humid. Gentle breeze. Just right really. But whatever. I'll be inside during the day so I dont think it's a huge deal. Apparently, Memorial Day weekend isnt quite your typical weekend in Miami. It was hip hop weekend so there were tons of people from out of town. And well, Miami is a mostly Latino town--and this weekend in particular had tons of African Americans from all over the south. Your general hip hop culture, which is fine...but it's not something I'm really used to here. And the hip hop culture I am used to is from the Bay Area, which is well, different. So, you had lots of people loitering about on Ocean Drive in South Beach...and my hotel room totally smelled like weed. haha. but whatever. South Beach had some nice shops, but the area was really dirty, and of course, under construction, much like the rest of Miami. And you know what, that's a good sign. All the construction there means the future is bright. I think. Well, as long as the buildings are commercial ones. hah.
But yeah, I guess what sucks is that none of the schools really blew me away. Each one has a list of pros and cons. Honestly, I liked Loyola-Chicago the most. The city, the school, all my friends who live there. Santa Clara is nice because it's close to home (but that's also bad), I have a 14k/yr scholarship, and I have friends here too. But, jobs for both of those schools are iffy. At least at Miami, things are looking good.
I think deep down inside, I will regret any school I pick. That comes with the territory when you have to make a huge life-changing decision. This will happen down the line when I make a big purchase like a new car, a house, or whenever I propose to a future girlfriend.
I think I will go with Miami, but yeah, it sucks to move away. I will return to the bay area. I will miss the dry summer days. I will miss the cold. But it will be good to try something new.
And finally, I am a believer in signs. I really am. If this isn't a sign, I don't know what is.
Yes people. That is Sarto Avenue...in Coral Gables, the location of the University of Miami. It's not a common last name at all. A sign that's a sign.