Reviews of University of Southern Maine (Library)

Lakyn Osgood

Amazing school feels like a second home

Veronika Klubnika

BIO lab has real human bones

Krystal Haislop

USM is a great school with hard working faculty that really care about your education. I'm in grad school now, and I'm finding myself more prepared than other students because of the USM chemistry department.

Micah Malenfant

I only took a few summer classes here but everything about this school has been a headache. Each time I try to use my transcript, they have a hold on my account for small fees that make absolutely no sense at all. They somehow find a way to waste your time and money even after you think you're done with them for good.

Travel Man

You are better off going to another University if you are set on the city of Portland. While Portland is a great city, the University is one big disaster that is apparently getting worse with massive layoffs due to "budget shortfalls" even as much of the administration at the top get raises (one financial officer got a 40K raise bringing her salary to 250K)...figure that one out. Which brings me to my next point, if you are coming to this place for an education, think twice, this is run more like a business, it is an embarrassment to higher education. Great faculty members have been laid off left and right in certain majors deemed "unneeded" by the current higher ups. Even if you find a major you want that is not being downsized or terminated, there is still the issue of money. No one from the business office will help you. They are unsympathetic to the average students needs. Because of that, and other reasons I will explain, you will likely graduate here with debt. Even if you try to find ways to make the experience more affordable as it should be, you are likely to meet with denial. For example, and from my personal experience, I lived in Maine for 3 years. I rented there, worked and paid taxes there, got mail there. By all accounts I was a resident of Maine but the University never granted me instate, after several pleas, they still rejected me with no reason given. I went to the financial aid office, the only advice I got was "take out more loans". Great advice to give a 20 year old. No advice or attempts to help me find scholarship I might be eligible for by the financial aid office. I did try to look on my own but there are so many scholarships, especially ones that are under the radar that nonetheless might be suitable to me, that I find it hard to believe that avenue was never explored with me when I visited the office. They just want a quick, easy fix/response to students with legit questions (on how to make UNI more affordable, etc.) - like take out loans. Great, but USM offers little help after graduating with job placement which is not good considering the advice you got for three years, "take out loans". Considering the money you pay, this is not acceptable. But considering the advice I got from fin. aid and apathy I got from the business department I guess I should have seen it coming! This is one bloated bureaucratic mess. Greed at the top with tons of unjustified raises while the talent "below" (great teachers) are axed because of "budget issues". Learn elsewhere!

Timothy Lynch

This is college, there's no such thing as a "teaching degree" like there is in secondary school. This school has amazingly good professors, and people who are experts in their professions because Portland, Maine is such a nice place to live! All the night live life without the hassle. I went to the Shetland Islands on a field study. Students go all over the world in various degree specialties. Iceland is the next big place students will be going. I've received two certificate degrees in GIS and Community Planning and Development as a non-traditional student.

Sam Overlock

The USM Portland campus is conveniently located. There are a couple of amazing buildings and a couple that need updating. This is more a rating of the campus and amenities. Great views of the back bay from the higher floors in the Glickman Library.

Stephanie Hayslip

I've had the worst experience at this school. I am now on my 6th year for my 4 year degree. I have been assigned 5 different advisers, taken multiple classes that I never needed because my advisers never knew me and where I was at, and have been forced to stay in school 2 extra years because of budget cuts. I was on track to finish in time but was unable to take the classes I needed because they kept getting cut last minute. I strongly suggest checking out different colleges.

Hannah Tran

I went to couple schools in Maine such as USM, UNE ... USM is the best school I ever had. The campuses are big and very beautiful in two locations, Gorham and Portland. The tuition is very affordable. The staffs and faculties are very dedicated in their career. They care about you and your success. It`s very technologically advanced school and they are always updating.

Aly Sutherland Kruger

I went here for my sister's spelling bee-it was beautiful! They had these really high chairs and tables in Hannaford Hall that made me crack up so much!! BTW, my sister got 7th in the state!!

Hermit Crab

I've taken classes at MSU, DeVry Tech Columbus, Delta College in MI, Lansing Community College in MI and Southern Maine Community College I've liked them all, but the people at USM are the friendliest people in Maine. My instuctors are all fabulous and blow me away with their knowledge. They are very professional but approachable at the same time. I feel like I will never know everything they do. The one thing that drove me crazy this year was all the time spent on Google Portfolio, Twitter, Eventbrite, Google Calendar . . . plus you really have to stay on top of your Gmail. Do not take a primitive phone to this school. If you have a workstudy job, you will also need WhenIWork, Hipchat, and of course, the school site at your fingertips.

Waylon Holbrook

I attended this University a year after I exited the military. I was eager to start but unaware of issues I was dealing with at the time. Attention, retaining, social, among many other issues were over challenging and I dropped out. After years of being out and working on things, I felt I was ready to go back for a degree program. This time, USM denied me admission because of my drop out and gave no care they were due to medical issues of post combat. This is not a feel bad for me review, as I’ve moved on and succeeded. I do not recommend anyone with handicaps or post combat issues to apply. Find a better supportive school to help you succeed.

bfd1611 .

I find the low scores interesting because you are essentially rating yourself. If you have any reference at all it is because you had an experience at another school that you had an obvious reason to transfer from. This school is ripe to provide a student with exactly what they work toward. The administration is very accommodating and the professors provide the students with the opportunity to think for themselves. The core requirements promote a well rounded student who can think critically and make decisions based on that judgment. I would highly recommend this school for traditional as well as non traditional students. This review is provided by a non-traditional student who went full-time and graduated.

James Bellissimo

Portland is wonderful city. I have had a great experience with the people here, faculty, students, Delta Chi etc. have all shaped the person that I am today.

Jon S

Reasons to not go here: 1. The food is extremely greasy and unhealthy, and at most you are allowed to eat twice a day, 6 days of the week. 2. Housing is questionable, with tiny shared rooms or even smaller if living alone. 3. Fines and fees, what can't they fine you for? Don't be too loud... seriously. 4. Teaching staff do not need a teaching degree! I've had some good professors, but while at the same time easily half of them are beyond terrible at trying to teach others. 5. The gym is ALWAYS full, it's a small room, but they have decent equipment if you have spare waiting time. 6. Advisers are generally bad, to be honest I've had a lot of good luck with mine, but I'm hearing horror stories from every one else.

Dan Svenson

Convenient location in downtown Portland.

Maegan Walden

Not bad for a public college. The Interpreting major is great.

Mardochee Khele Mbongi

it's an inspirational area that you can get more excited about your studies's vocation

Troy Garcia

My daughter Mariah just loves the people and location of USM. We are from Colorado. We think Maine is gorgeous and the people are so nice. Recommend USM.

Sol Stan-70

Political bigots.

Dylan Chauvin

Very kind staff. Some buildings are outdated, but yet again they are relying on state funds

Mike Tython

You know the dumbest people from your High School? They work here now as professors and as office staff.

Ryan Sellers

A biased university that enjoys ruining people’s lives. Employer of fanatical , unamerican professors, whom share ideas of hate.

Anita Sou

Place discriminate anyone with color. I recommend you a different school. They do not care about you or your education. They only care about money.

Matt C

nice little campus smack dab in the middle of Portland. Take a walk through the community garden!

Hassan Barzani

Awesome community!

Nicholas Therriault

The education is good, but not the availability. Professors don't understand that most of the education is outdated. They don't keep the interest of the students and there isn't enough emphasis on application - though this isn't a technical school. The grading is good! so thumbs up. The buildings are ok - Bailey is NICE! And the wishcamper center is very futuristic and formal, etc. Food on the Gorham campus is great, except breakfast is mediocre. The salad bar for lunch & dinner I liked a lot. My classmates did have a lot of common interests, and I think that was my biggest gain from the Univeristy, was bridging the gap between a teenage high schooler and a professional - adult. The bus service is convenient. Portland is a great city too, not too big or small.

Lindsey Fortin

This school system is a joke. I finished courses in June and they "forgot" to send me a diploma...all that money and they just forgot about the fact that I might actually want in writing that I graduated after four years of hell. Don't go here if you want a school administration that will actually follow through with what they are supposed to. I was told a women retired...the same women that they kept sending me to all summer with no response. I've been waiting for 3 MONTHS to get my actual diploma in hand. I always knew going here I would regret it and honestly the school experience was awful. The only good part to me were the sports teams and community.

Mike Hart

great choice

cody delta

Absolutely horrible. This place is super expensive for what you are getting. Everything about it is a joke. The dorms are like little opium dens. Your paying the price of a decent apartment for them and you have to put up with a roommate, which is always a joy. Its just hundreds of little things that make it suck. Everything from super dirty toilets and showers to the constant slamming of doors that sound like a gun going off at 2am. Scares the absolute living $H!7 out of us, especially when your trying to fall asleep or concentrate on something. (Maybe consider taking classes here but nevah evah EVAH get a dorm here!!!!) I'm an engineering major and I have to take an art class that will cost me over $2200. What the hell do i need art for!!?? You will also get brainwashed with leftism which wont be a big deal for most, but when i'm paying to learn engineering things and the teacher is babbling about how President Trump is a big bad evil man, it kinda irritates me. Defiantly wont be coming back next year!!! (University Scammed Me).