I'm a junior in high school and starting to think seriously about where I want to apply for college. The University of Miami has been on my radar, and I saw that they offer a virtual tour.
Has anyone tried out the U Miami virtual tour? How realistic is it in terms of giving a genuine feel of the campus? I know that in-person visits are the best, but I'd like to start with the virtual tour to get a first impression.
I'm hoping to study marine biology, so I'd particularly like to see if they show any of their research facilities or related departments in the tour. Would love to hear your thoughts on how useful it was if you were in a similar situation!
Response: Absolutely, exploring a school's virtual tour can be a great preliminary step in your college search process. While it's not identical to visiting in person, these virtual tours can provide you with a general sense of the campus environment including academic facilities, residence halls, and more.
From what I've heard, the University of Miami's virtual tour includes 360-degree panoramic views of various spots on their campus, which can give you a sense of what it feels like to stand in those spaces, albeit through a screen. You'll likely also see some areas of interest such as the Student Center complex, various academic buildings, and athletic facilities.
Specifically for marine biology, the tour doesn't have a designated stop for the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science as it's located on a separate campus on Virginia Key, not on the main campus in Coral Gables. However, you can virtually explore the Rosenstiel campus through Google Maps, where you can see the Marine Tech building, the dock, and other parts of the marine campus.
Additionally, apart from virtual tours, you can also attend online information sessions or virtual open houses which often provide greater detail about academic programs and departments. Don't forget to research the department's resources outside of the tour either – for instance, the Rosenstiel School has an experimental hatchery and a Marine Technology and Life Sciences Seawater Complex, both of which would likely be relevant for a Marine Biology major.
Remember, a virtual tour is a starting point and cannot replace interactions with faculty or students, the vibe of the campus, and the overall atmosphere of the college experience you get from an in-person visit. But it certainly serves as an adequate first step in understanding a college's campus and environment. Good luck exploring!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.