All privates will have wealthy kids - why is UM any different. As I have said before, my daughter has found tons of great kids at Miami. Especially if your son is used to all types of people. Mine are both there on scholarship, as are most of their friends, and they are having a great time. We have been very happy with the small class sizes and personal touch of the professors and staff - advising has been great and the career center has lead to internships for my older one, and the study abroad experience was life changing.
I like the size - big enough to offer lots of things to get involved in, but small enough that they are not just a number. I have seen a growing emphasis on academics since my older one started, and the kids attending seem to be focused and serious about school, but there are plenty of things to do for fun, too. Many [not all! My kids have met students from all over the country, and the world, and it has really expanded their world view. The best advice is to visit if you can and see how it feels to you.
I am not saying every kid is like this at UM, but there is a large contingency of students who think this way. Yes, you can find some down to earth kids who really care about the right things, but you have to really look hard for them.
That is why we chose it in the first place. Having experienced what a really down to earth school environment is like at a state school, there are glaring differences so just pointing that out.
They also work hard in class, get good grades and are enjoying all that UM has to offer. There is something for everyone there, and I would hope that everyone would do what they enjoy in their down time. Maybe your son was not looking in the right places or was blind to the great kids. Everyone else here seems to feel that the "spoiled rich kid " thing is overblown but you.
