University of Maine Top Questions

UMaine is Maine's biggest university. With over 10,000 undergraduate students, it's safe to say that the diversity of stereotypes is quite vast. Yes, while walking to class, it can be easy to tell who is a theater buff, who is on a varsity team, and which students are deeply engaged within their studies. Not that it's a bad thing, though! There are many sub-groups that any student can identify with, making it an easier task to get to know people and make great friends. These stereotype-students do find their niche, and end up joining clubs and organizations that spark their interest. These groups offer structure to those students who have parallel qualities, hobbies, and interests.

Our school is not very diverse, we have a large white majority. The Bangor area does not have a lot going on, so many people party at Fraternaties, and house parties on the weekends as well as bars. As long as you are being responsible and following the laws, it is a great way to meet new people.

UMaine is the state school and as can be expected, a lot of students here are from Maine. And a lot of these students picked UMaine as their safety school with expectations of going bigger and better places. This all seems like it would make for a school of unhappy people, but it's quite the opposite. UMaine's slogan is "You're in a Great Place" and that's absolutely true. I'm from out of state so I have a unique experience of living and sharing my life with the true MAINAHS. UMaine's stereotypical student is a student who never expected to go here, but upon arriving realized the benefits of a strong research university, with class sizes small enough to really get to know the professor. The Black Bears (mascot) are a community with strong New England roots, and a love of athletics (especially hockey!), but a genuine desire to be a part of an academic community striving for success.

I don't think there's a stereotype but a lot of students who attend UMaine, it was their second choice college. Some come for financial reasons, others come for academic reasons, but ultimately every students tends to love UMaine once they attend.

The typical stereotype that I hear from people who go to UMaine and from people who are alumni or know people that do say that it is a huge party school for drinking and drugs. The big issue with this is that this phrase could mean that everyone up this way either parties or will do so at some point when in actuality, that is not true. I can't say that a lot of students do or do not. But what I do know is there is a huge population of the students on this campus, probably 20 percent of them, who do not drink or do drugs of any sort. When you think about the overall population of the campus, 20 percent is around 2000-2500 students.

The biggest negative stereotype that I have seen is that everyone is from away. Coming from Wisconsin, I knew I was going to a public state school, and most state schools have a majority of in state students.

UMaine takes pride in its Football and Hockey teams, so you will find big crowds at every game. There is also a large "activist" art-sy like group who you may see on "the mall" tight rope walking or playing frisby. UMaine has a strong amount of Study Abroad students, as well as GLBT community. UMaine Freshmen get a little excited about the drinking--so if you aren't into that scene you and want to actually enjoy living in your dorm, it is my suggestion to move into an Honor's dorm or one boasting quiet hours. My neighbors drank EVERY night...EVERY night of the week at times, and it was very stressful to be a Nursing major and get my work done in the dorms. The Fraternity and Sorority groups are big too, basically a party scene, in my opinion--although they need credit for their occasional awareness events like "Take back the Night".

UMaine isn't a big enough school for the nation to say "Yeah... if you're [this] than you should love/hate this school!" However, there should be one: Carhartt Nation. I've never seen so many workboots, logger jackets, or canvas in my life.