Creative. Independent. Smart. Quirky. Awesome. UMF students are different (in a great way).
Farmington students want hard questions, not easy answers. They enjoy being challenged into thinking for themselves, not being lectured to. They’re a pretty impressive bunch.
The student body (about 1,600 full-time students) is split about 68% self-identifying as female / 32% self-identifying as male. But students here are not required to self-identify gender.
And although our students come from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and across the U.S., around 85% are from Maine.
Does This Sound Like You?
Want to be Known as a Person, Not a Number
At Farmington, you’ll know everyone on a first-name basis — even your professors (which is a good thing). Here we take a personal approach to learning. We believe that teaching done collaboratively, with real professors, in small classes leads to the best results. You’ll see the big picture. Make more connections. Get more out of your coursework.
Not Sure of a Major
A lot of students come to Farmington having not yet chosen a major — which is perfectly fine. Here, you don’t have to decide right away. You can explore. We even have an Undeclared program for you. Plus, many students choose to switch majors after their first or second year. That’s what exploring helps you do, find and follow your passion.
Seeking Financial Aid
Roughly 98% of UMF students receive some form of financial assistance: scholarships, federal aid, merit scholarships, loans, institutional aid, student employment, etc. It’s the norm, here, not the exception. And we’ll help you through the financial aid process every step of the way.
Up for a Challenge
Farmington students thrive on challenges — in the classroom, in the field, on the field, in the labs and on the court. We’ll push you outside your comfort zone and inspire your curiosity. We give you the space and the freedom to make choices, to try new things, and to follow your passions.
Creative
Here, creativity isn’t limited just to those majoring in The Arts or Creative Writing. Our Biology students, Special Education students, Business Economics students, Outdoor Rec Business Administration students and Psychology students are also musicians, poets, DJs, web designers, improv comics, animators and actors. UMF is an artsy, creative place, even if you’re not an arts major.
Environmentally Conscious
Our campus is committed to environmental stewardship and to graduating students who genuinely care about our world. As an outdoors-focused campus in an amazing natural environment, our commitment to sustainability and green causes comes as no surprise. Our Sustainable Campus Coalition, a group of students, faculty, staff and community members, promotes campus-wide green initiatives, putting the University’s strong environmental commitment into true action.
Appreciate Attention
Personal attention is what Farmington is all about. Whether it’s working with classmates on a group research project, chatting with a professor over coffee, or hearing the University President say hello to you by name, you’ll get to know everyone here. It’s something that catches new students off-guard a bit but by Halloween they’ve come to love that about Farmington. Bet you will, too.
Outdoorsy
Look, if you’re into the active outdoor lifestyle, Farmington is the absolute perfect location: skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, snow-shoeing, trail running, camping you name it — right in our backyard. And if you’re not yet into the outdoors, there are a ton of students, faculty and staff who’ll introduce you to active outdoor activities, some through our Mainely Outdoors adventure program.
Welcoming to Different Ideas
You’re OK with people who have different ideas and values. The broad range of our student clubs and organizations is proof of that: Queer Student Union, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, UMF Democrats, College Republicans, Black Student Union, Rugby Club, Bust-A-Move Beavers, The Otaku Club, The Clefnotes a capella group, WUMF radio, etc.
And students in each of those clubs are often members of other clubs and organizations. A rugby player who’s an actor in Theatre UMF? Yes. A Lawn Chair Pirates comedy improv troupe member who’s an Admissions Ambassador? Yep. A Service Fraternity member who’s on the varsity softball team? Sure. it’s not unusual. This place is not segmented into pre-defined little cliques. It’s nothing like high school. Farmington students are open-minded, tolerant, and open to different ways of thinking.
Looking for Small, But Not Too Small
Farmington, Maine (pop. 7,500) is a storybook New England college town, with coffee shops, bookstores, funky shops, restaurants, a multi-screen movie theater and more just a 3-minute stroll from campus. You’ll get to know your fellow students, our faculty and staff but also townspeople. The UMF campus is located right in town. We’re part of the town and the town is part of us. Which is nice.
Want to Work Closely With Real Professors
Our faculty are deeply committed to your success. Yes, this sounds warm and fuzzy but here it’s true. Our professors take a genuine interest in their students’ lives.
They’re relatable, approachable, and super-smart. Our professors chose to work at UMF because they have a passion for teaching and mentoring young people. These are people you’ll want to keep in touch with long after you graduate.
Oh, and we do not have grad students teaching classes here, like at many Big-State U’s. Just something to keep in mind as you’re comparing colleges.
Independent and Self-motivated
College life is what you make of it — no matter where you go. If you’re independent and willing to try new things you’ll fit right in at Farmington.
Comfortable With Who You Are
Farmington is pretty chill. Here, you can truly be yourself. Or you can get a fresh new start and reinvent yourself and become whoever you want to be. And who you are is OK with us — all of us.
Farmington has long been respected for its LGBTQ+ Pride
At Farmington, you can be your true self. Or you can get a fresh new start and become whomever you want to be. And who you are is awesome.
The University of Maine at Farmington, and the greater Farmington area, is a safe, welcoming community that admires and respects people for who they are.
Here, the LGBTQ+ community is not some separate, isolated group. We’re all-inclusive.
We’re woven into the very fabric of the institution: across all academic programs; in every club and organization, we’re in our athletics, sports and recreation programs; in student government and numerous student leadership positions. Here, it’s just not a big deal. It is. But it isn’t. If that makes sense.
Back before you were born, in the late 80’s / early 90’s, UMF pioneered one of the very first LGBTQ+ student organizations in northern New England. For years we’ve been awarded a strong 4-Star Rating from Campus Pride, the leading national organization that recognizes colleges for taking steps to make their campuses safer and more inclusive.