University Of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine, or USM, is the largest of the seven campuses of the University of Maine System, as well as the oldest. USM's main campus is in Portland, which was named America's Most Livable city by Forbes in 2009 and one of the country's greenest cities by Organic Gardening Magazine in February/March 2008.

It was founded in 1878 as the Gorham Normal School. It was later renamed Gorham State Teachers College and Gorham State College. The school merged with the University of Maine at Portland in 1969 and was named the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham, or UMPG.

In 1978, USM adopted its current name. The university also has a campus in Lewiston for nontraditional students and a campus in Gorham.

The University of Southern Maine has been named a Best Northeastern College for the fifth year in a row by The Princeton Review.

USM is divided into the following academic units:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Education and Human Development
• College of Nursing and Health Professions
• School of Applied Science, Engineering, and Technology
• School of Business
• University of Maine School of Law
• Lewiston-Auburn College
• Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service

USM has recognized many fraternities and sororities. Among these Greek Letter Organizations are Delta Chi, Phi Kappa Sigma, Kappa Delta Phi, Sigma Nu, Phi Mu, and Alpha Xi Delta.

USM sports teams are referred to as the Huskies and compete in the NCAA Division III in the Little East Conference. In addition to men's and women's athletic teams, there coed sports of cheering and golf.

The famous alumni of University of Southern Maine include Tony Shalhoub, actor; novelist Lois Lowry; Raymond Stevens, research scientist; and Walter Mattson, former president of the New York Times.

Highlights

Where the school stands out most compared to other schools (details below):

• Many students concentrating in nursing and emergency medicine, art studies, law, and media.
• Large number of programs of study offered.
• Large number of students.
• High female/male ratio.
• High faculty salary.
• Many mature (40+ year old) students.
• Numerous part-time students.

Other important characteristics:

• Faculty tenure system
• Library on-campus
• Campus housing available
• Student meal (board) plan
• Study abroad option
• Distance learning available
• Weekend study option
• Part-time classes available
• ROTC

Degrees Awarded (in 2008-2009)

Students

Student enrollment was 10,453 in 2007-2008 (7,427 full-time equivalent).

About 47% of the freshmen class in 2008-2009 was male and women were 53% of the class.

Undergrads are 74% of enrolled students, graduate students are 24%, and those seeking first-professional graduate degrees represent 2%.

About 0% of freshmen are from countries other than the US. Students living in the US make up 100% of incoming freshmen.

Among freshmen students, 96% are full-time and 4% are part-time.

Tuition and Other Costs (2008-2009)

Financial Aid: University Of Southern Maine participates in US Title IV financial assistance programs.

Please refer to BrainTrack's financial aid articles section for background information.

Housing and Meals

University Of Southern Maine provides on-campus housing for 1,539 of its 7,427 (full-time) students (as of 2008-2009).

Students may purchase a meal plan which includes 19 meals weekly.

Athletics

The school is in the Little East Conference for major sports.

Admissions (2008-2009)

SAT Test Scores: