Hey everyone!

I'm an international student from Armenia applying to the University of Miami for Fall 2027, and I'd really appreciate some advice from current students, alumni, or anyone familiar with the admissions and financial aid process.

A little about me:

GPA: 8.89/9.0

SAT: 1520 (RAW: 730, Math: 790)

<<Lomonossow-Tage in Berlin 2025>> Math Olympiad: Silver(2025), (110 participants from 14 countries)

Top 10 - National U18 Chess National and Fide Rating Ranking

National Olympiad in Literature: Bronze(2026) (~5500 participants)

National Olympiad in AI: Silver(2024), (Medal distribution: 12-16-20) (~500 participants)

Arena International Master (AIM), FIDE-recognized official chess title

Strong extracurricular background in chess, AI, entrepreneurship, and student leadership

Intended majors: Finance, Business adm, or Entrepreneurship

My family can contribute a maximum of around $5,000-15,000 per year toward the total cost of attendance, so receiving substantial financial aid is essential for me to attend.

I have two main questions:

1. ED vs EA: Would you recommend applying Early Decision or Early Action in my situation? Since I need a very large scholarship to make UM affordable, I'm unsure whether applying ED makes sense or whether EA would be the safer choice. How does applying ED affect financial aid options for international students?

2. Merit Scholarship vs need-based aid: Should I focus primarily on the Stamps Scholarship, or should I also apply for need-based financial aid? Is it possible to pursue both, and how realistic is it for an international student to receive enough funding to cover nearly all expenses? Does any other merit scholarships.

I'd especially appreciate insights from international students who have received significant scholarships or financial aid at UM.

Thanks so much for your help! Any advice or personal experiences would mean a lot.

Classes are fine for grammar, but actually speaking is a different thing. What do you use? What’s actually worked for you?

Hey everyone! I’m currently dealing with a really frustrating financial aid situation at FIU and was wondering if any UM students know and or have their own way of handling things at their Uni?

FIU is requesting additional documentation to verify my parents’ residency and tax information. My mother moved in with her mother in 2024 but continued using her previous Florida address for mailing, billing, and taxes. Since she lived with family, she doesn’t have a lease or utility bills proving where she actually lived.

FIU is requesting documents we simply don’t have, and my parents cannot afford to amend their taxes. I’ve explained everything to them, but I’m worried about losing my financial aid over circumstances outside my control.

Has anyone successfully appealed something like this or been allowed to submit alternative documentation? Is there anyone at with FASFA I can speak with who can help find a solution?
Also, my tuition payment plan option has disappeared from my account. Does anyone know if FIU can manually offer or reinstate a payment plan after it’s no longer available?

I’m genuinely trying everything I can to continue my education, and any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hey everyone,
I’m looking to transfer to UMiami as an international student for Industrial Engineering. I know UMiami meets 100% of demonstrated need but they are strictly need-aware for international transfers.
With the total Cost of Attendance (CoA) hovering around $95k - $100k/year, I’m trying to figure out where the financial "sweet spot" is to not get filtered out by admissions.
My profile is pretty solid (strong GPA, solid engineering prerequisites completed). Ideally, I would need around $55k/year in aid, meaning my family can contribute about $40k/year out-of-pocket (which I can prove on the CSS Profile / Financial Certification).
Is an EFC of $40k/year realistic enough for an international transfer with a strong profile to get accepted? Or do they mostly favor those who can pay closer to full tuition?

Would love to hear from any international transfers who successfully got aid from UMiami. Thanks!

Can’t attend game so got a ticket up is anyone wants. Dm or comment on this

That's all. Go, Miami!

I’m planning to transfer to UM next fall and I’ve been doing my research on financial aid and I know that transfers can get 15k a year for merit. I’m an independent student and pay for my own tuition but I’m miserable at my school and really want to transfer here so I wanted to know if the financial aid office is generous to people in my situation.

Anybody have some tickets to sell - my friend is coming back from duty and we really want to go! If we could buy 2 tickets it would be great! Thank you

i wanna go to a umiami frat party, but i dont go to the school are they usually open invite

Hey! I’m writing a piece for Distraction about ghost kitchens in Miami. These are the so called delivery-only “restaurants” that don’t have a storefront or that turn out to be a chain cooking under a different name.

If you’ve ordered from a spot on Uber Eats/Door Dash and later realized it wasn’t a real restaurant or you’ve worked in a kitchen that cooked for virtual brands or if you just have a take on about it, good or bad, in general i’d love to hear more!

My daughter is a spring starter and we will be in town later this week for the model UN conference that is being held on campus. Any tips to get two tix to Saturday night’s game? Her school email address has not been turned on yet. Thanks!

Hey everyone! I’ve finalized my college list and am looking closely at University of Miami alongside a few other top choices (NYU, USC, and Case Western). I am going on the predental track. This is not related to admission chances. Don't worry abt cost, that's something my family and I are discussing.

I want to major in Biology (First choice) and Neuroscience (second choice).

If I get into one of these, that’s where I’m going. If I get into multiple, I need to make a choice. Since I'm posting this across all four subreddits for these unis, I'd love some honest student perspectives on what it’s actually like here for pre-med/predental students.

Specifically, I’m hoping to get your thoughts on a few things:

• Pre-Reqs & Grading: I know pre-med/pre-dental isn't a walk in the park anywhere. I know most people rip their hair and toenails out and deal with the devil for As and Bs in their classes. I would like to keep it to ripping my toenails out only, maybe fingernails as well. My goal is a school where I can get high grades for dental school without wanting to rip my hair out (all-nighters for exams are fine, but I want actual institutional support, not toxic grade deflation).
• Are classes manageable, or is it a bloodbath? Also, are people able to graduate in 4 years with majors like Psychology/Biology without being forced into a 5-year track for undergrad to get all prereqs and major related classes in?
• Support & Success: How well does the advising actually support getting into dental/medical schools?
• How Good is the alumni Network?
• Cost & Logistics (NYU is currently my cheapest estimated NPC, but curious about Case): How is the living situation, cost of living, and general accessibility?
• Area & Safety: Especially curious about safety/neighborhood vibes and whether you actually need a car to get around or do things.
• Campus Life: How are the uni clubs, social scene, and general student balance outside of heavy STEM classes? I'm a social person and I already know I would thrive anywhere but I actually like ot do things off campus.

Appreciate any honest insights you can share!

Im applying as ED and I’m especially curious about how many Performing Songwriter students are typically admitted each year, how large the songwriter group is within MADE, and how difficult it is to pass the prescreening and receive an invitation to audition live and be admitted.

I’ve barely seen anything about what an applicant or current student looks like. Anything would really help.

hi! I plan to dual major in Psychology & Elementary Education. I'm not too sure which university I'll go to, probably not UMiami, but just in case I wanted to ask: If you're majoring in either Psychology or Elementary Education at UM, what's it like? :)

Hello! I've been kinda worried about if my stats are enough for UM's aid, because if I get even less than 75% tuition paid then I can't attend. I'm aiming for the Stamps or The Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholarships, or literally anything else goodish. Could you tell me if my stats are decent or not?

• 5.52/6 weighted gpa
• 3.79 unweighted
• 33 ACT (retaking for a 35 hopefully)
• 1380 SAT (ik is silly)
• Tops 1% in competitive high school
• Attended all prospective student events (Preview the U, department tours, emails etc)
• Trying to work hard on my essay, reading books for it and all
• Broward County resident (40 minutes away)
• I have run hackathons for teenagers and have been involved with art and cs clubs

I have a family making a little too much money as middle class but we cant afford the tuition. Don't know how that applies for fin aid. Thanks!!

Hi! I was just looking at Stamps Scholarship for UM, which I really hope I get (Guaranteed housing, and I won't have to work during the summer and focus on other stuff). I saw that they have specific prerequisites such as 1500 or 34 act, A grades overall, roughly 5% of school. I wanted to ask as long as I have those things am I guaranteed to be selected as a semi finalist? Also do superscores count? I have a 1440 sat but 1510 superscore. And if my school doesn't rank?

Also I found the info on this page: University of Miami; Coral Gables, FL - Stamps Scholars

Hi everyone!

My name is Summer, and I’m working with Groundwork Management on a nationwide campus campaign for emerging artist Krystal Molina’s “HENRY FROM THE SUBWAY!”

We’re currently recruiting college students across North America to join our Campus Ambassador Program and bring the “Have You Seen Henry?” campaign to their universities.

Campus ambassadors will gain hands-on experience in grassroots music marketing, artist promotion, social media strategy, and on-campus activations while working alongside an artist management team.

What’s in it for you?

• Add Groundwork Management Campus Ambassador to your resume
• Gain real-world experience in music marketing and artist development
• Build your portfolio through a nationwide artist campaign
• Connect with other students interested in the music and entertainment industries

We’re looking for creative, outgoing, and motivated students who want to get involved in the music industry. All majors are welcome, and no prior music industry experience is required.

Important Dates:

• Application Deadline: October 10, 2026 at 3:00 PM PT / 6:00 PM ET
• Accepted Ambassador Meeting: October 11, 2026

Apply here:
https://forms.gle/jmwQ3SU95ZMe1vpp6

If you have any questions, feel free to comment or message me!

Hope we can bring the search for Henry to your campus 👀

— Summer
Groundwork Management
Nationwide Campus Ambassador Campaign

3.1 gpa 1470 sat ( solid reason for low gpa and 11th and after all as and bs) amazing essay , i attended UM 3 week summer course finished my classes with A+ and A , i have 10ecs including multiple businesses 10+ year soccer and internships. Im planning on doing ED also major in Bussiness management.

Hi, I am applying to UM and in need for full tuition aid or a scholarship. If you got in with any of these would you mind dropping ur stats, ecs and maybe year you got in?

Hi,

I am considering PhD positions at UM, and I was worried about living expenses so I was wondering how much the PhD stipend is for CS students.

uMiami is my top choice by far, but through housing, health care, working in the uni and working during the summer I don't know how I will be able to afford stuff. So outside of tuition, housing and health care how much do you guys spend per week in your everyday expenses?