Pre-Departure and Arrival Information

Many students find the four distinct seasons of Maine to be a most interesting experience. Fall lasts from mid-September through November with temperatures ranging between 30° and 75°Fahrenheit (-1°to 23°C). Winter continues from December to April. Snow and icy rain are common and temperatures range from -25° to 50° F (-32° to 10° C). Winters are generally cold, but prolonged cold spells are rare. The average snowfall is 60 to 90 inches (152-228 cm) yearly. January normally has the heaviest snowfall. Spring arrives in April and lasts until mid-June. The temperatures climb to a range of 45° to 65°F (8° to 18° C). Summer begins in mid-June and lasts until September. Temperatures ranging from 70° to 80°(22° to 26° C) are most common. Occasionally the temperature reaches the 90° to 100° (33° to 39° C) range. Summer nights are usually cool and comfortable. Storms such as tornadoes or hurricanes are very rare, but thunderstorms do occur in the summer.

Most students dress informally on campus. You will need lightweight clothes for summer and heavier clothing including a warm winter coat, snow boots, hat, and mittens or gloves for winter. Most of these items can be purchased economically after you arrive.

Very. The University of Maine at Farmington Public Safety/Campus Police has a full-time chief of police, 3 full-time officers, and 12 part-time officers. They patrol campus 24 hours a day. The UMF Escort Program, under the direct supervision of the UMF Department of Public Safety/Campus Police, provides campus escort services to students, faculty/staff, and guests of UMF during nighttime hours. Individuals who request an escort will be walked from one campus location to another. All residence halls are locked 24 hours a day.

Most students bring a laptop; UMF is a wireless campus. However, if you do not have a laptop you will use our 24/7 computer lab for all your computing needs.

The University of Maine at Farmington’s great student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 means you’ll work closely with professors who will know you by name. You’ll receive their full attention on a supportive, intellectually challenging, one-on-one basis. UMF prides itself on small classes where students receive individual attention and where ideas are exchanged and concepts explored in highly personalized settings: in classes, workshops, labs, studios, and more. The percent of classes with fewer than 20 students is 68%, while the percent of classes with 50 or more students is 1%.

Very. UMF professors are known for working closely with undergraduates. In addition, they have office hours and often are willing to meet with students outside those office hours.

The campus is small and easy to walk around. Students living in the residence halls and are only minutes away from academic buildings and the dining hall. Some students live off-campus and walk or bike to campus. Students with cars may also apply for a parking permit for $25 per year – click here for permit application. The campus is located on the edge of downtown Farmington, where there are small shops, cafés, restaurants, banks, a post office, and a grocery store, all within close walking distance. Although you will not find regular public transportation to the likes of what you may be used to in the form of buses and trains, there is a taxi service and UMF offers a shuttle service, described below.