University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (UPRM, UPRM, RUM, Colegio, Colegio de Mayagüez) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

The University of Puerto Rico was founded in 1903 with the help of a land grant from the U.S. Government. It was the first university system in Puerto Rico, and at over a century old has been adapting to the needs of students and residents for many years of academic growth.

The campus of Mayagúez began as the College of Agriculture at Mayagúez, later renamed the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (CAAM). A reformation movement began in 1942, causing the CAAM campus to grow and expand its course offerings, offering programs in agriculture, science, engineering, and later the arts. In 1966, these disciplines were broken into separate campuses, each with a specialty. The Mayagúez campus because the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts.

Today, the University of Puerto Rico – Mayagúez (UPRM) offers four colleges: Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, and Business Administration. It also offers over 35 graduate programs, which awards master’s and doctorate degrees. More than 12,000 students enroll each year at Mayagúez. Total enrollment at UPR is over 70,000.

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Information Summary

Ranks 5th in Puerto Rico and 856th overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	82.2
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$6,262
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	26 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	88% / 40%
Enrollment Total (all students)	13,224

Academics

UPRM offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctorate degrees across four different Colleges and a graduate school. It is dedicated to providing students with a wide range of growth opportunities inside and outside the classroom. Students can engage academically by getting to know their professors or researching independent projects outside of the classroom.

Classes are offered in both Spanish and English, depending on the preference of the professor. Most academic resources and administrative forms are offered only in Spanish, but most textbooks are in English. Locals tend to be bilingual.

College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences gives students the opportunity to study a vast range of topics, including biology, English, economy, nursing, marine science, and the humanities. Students of the College can earn Excellence Awards along with their degrees, which are high academic honors that recognize student achievement. The College also offers a certificate program in film studies, which is conducted under the English department and introduces students to the theory and art of cinema. Students at the College of Arts and Sciences can choose to enter the workforce after graduation or continue study at the graduate level.

College of Engineering and College of Business Administration

The Colleges of Engineering and Business Administration give students a strong foundation in career-oriented fields, preparing them to enter the workforce as skilled accountants, financial consultants, and more. Students enjoy modern facilities that are designed to create a workplace-like atmosphere. They can also participate in research and internship programs with the help of College-specific guidance counselors.

College of Agriculture

The College of Agriculture offers a number of different programs, including Animal Industry, Agricultural Economics, Crops and Agro-Environmental Sciences. Its publication, Harvest, keeps students updated on College news and developments. It also offers special programs like the Women in Agriculture initiative, which supports and trains women to be competitive in the traditionally male-dominated industry.

College of Graduate Studies

The College of Graduate Studies offers more than 35 different graduate programs. Student can get master’s degrees in Business Administration, Arts, Science, or Engineering, or earn a doctorate in Philosophy. Graduate programs may require a thesis or research project.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Admissions

UPRM is a competitive college that accepts academically promising applications. Prospective students must provide either a high school diploma or a GED certificate as well as SAT scores, which will be used in determining admission.

The Application Form is available online at the Admissions Office website. Students must complete this application and submit it with the $20 non-refundable application fee by the listed deadline, which is in the middle of February. Students should send hard copies of their SAT and SAT II scores and official transcripts along with their application.

Financial Aid

UPRM offers aid to students who demonstrate financial need. All students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which is available online at www.fafsa.com. The FAFSA determines eligibility for federal aid in the form of grants, loans, and work-study programs. It is also a required supplementary document for many third-party aid programs and scholarship competitions.

Students can visit the Financial Aid Office to learn about the different forms of aid available and to get help filling out the FAFSA form.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6695th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in Puerto Rico.

Athletics

UPRM is an NCAA Division II sports team. Its athletes compete in 16 men’s sports and 12 women’s sports, including basketball, soccer, wrestling, and more. Student athletes enjoy academic and residential support from the athletic department, which may include aid in the form of books, meals, medicinal services, and lodging.

Students who wish to participate in sports but aren’t on a varsity team may enjoy the LIA intercollegiate program and the intramural sports program. Through LIA, students can compete against students from other colleges and may have the opportunity to travel to different sporting events. Through intramural sports, students can compete casually on campus in activities like basketball, judo, cheerleading, balompie, and table tennis.

Local Community

The island of Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean, between the minor Antilles and the Dominican Republic. It is home to nearly four million people of Hispanic, European, and African descent, mostly concentrated in the San Juan metropolis. It has a steady climate that is warm in both summer and winter.

Mayagúez, home to 150,000 residents, is located on the far west of the island. It offers local entertainment like a theatre, Botanical Gardens, and the Mayagúez Resort and Casino. Students can also enjoy natural attractions like the coastal beaches, which offer activities like jet skiing, scuba diving, and swimming.

Additional School Information

There are over 100 student clubs and organizations at UPRM. Students can join groups for different career interests, political affiliations, Greek organizations, and extracurricular activities like chess and orchestra. There are also honor societies for students who excel academically or in a particular department. Any student can start a club – contact the Department of Social and Cultural Activities for more information.

UPRM does not offer on-campus housing, but students can visit the Student Residence office for resources and guidance in finding housing nearby. The Office also has a number of online resources that will help students in every step of the process from finding an apartment or house to making an offer and signing a lease.

Students can also seek help from other resources on campus, including the academic advising center, counseling center, and career assistance center. Staff are available to help students work through any problems they face while a member of the UPRM community.

Bibliography

“IMA – Objetivos.” Colegio De Ciencias Agrícolas. Web. 02 Aug. 2011.

University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez. Web. 02 Aug. 2011.

University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez