Hello everyone. My D got accepted into a graduate program at Loyola Maryland. I am quite concerned with the criminal activities in the city of Baltimore.
While further looking into the school, the Loyola website gives thorough accounts of different kinds of assaults on people and students. This has become an issue of concern for us.
Does anyone have any feedbacks?
When D went to the interview, she was told not to ride public transportation because it could be dangerous.
Any Thoughts?
D is a junior at Loyola. Yes, Baltimore is a city that has problems with crime. What city doesn’t? But the students quickly learn what parts of of the city to avoid - just like cities everywhere, there are definitely areas to stay away from. Loyola does an excellent job of alerting students and parents when incidents occur. I don’t think there are more incidents on Loyola’s campus than on other campuses - they just are very transparent about reporting.
Even during the riots last year, the school did a great job of communicating with students and parents. They kept the kids on campus and even let parents know the best routes to drive to get to campus while avoiding demonstrations.
I can’t imagine telling someone not to use the public transportation. D does not have a car on campus and uses public transportation all the time. She takes the bus, or will take a taxi to get the train to visit other places (or to get to DC to take the MegaBus home). If she’s going to be out late I prefer she take a taxi, but I would prefer that no matter what city she was in.
She has spent a lot of time in Baltimore taking advantage of the city - cheap tickets to Orioles games, plays, concerts, museums, events at Inner Harbor, dinners at different ethnic restaurants, trips to Fell’s Point. Baltimore has a lot to offer to college students. S may end up there as well and I would be thrilled if he did.
My D is also at Loyola and has thoroughly enjoyed her Baltimore experience. The students do learn which neighborhoods to avoid, and there is so much to do. She tends to use Uber most to get around, though she also rides to the mall and grocery store with her friends that have cars on campus. There are some really nice neighborhoods in Baltimore, lots of good restaurants, sporting events. I am not familiar with the graduate campus, but the Evergreen campus is very safe. Going to school in any urban area does require some degree of vigilance.
D1 graduated from Loyola in 2014. She’s getting married there this fall. 
When she enrolled at Loyola, she was terrified about having to figure out public transportation and swore she would never take a cab.
In year 1, she learned to take a cab; year 2 got her on the light rail; by year 3 she even ventured onto the city bus. In year 4 Uber became “a thing” and she embraced with every ounce of her being. She absolutely adored going to school in B-More. She explored the city like crazy: wacky restaurants, Halloween in Fells Point, concerts at the Hippodrome, dueling pianos at Howl at the Moon, the theater, and every free festival the city offered, including HonFest. She grew so much as a person during her time at Loyola, and the freedom and challenges of the city helped with that. She and we (as parents) did not fear for her safety.
Thank you all very much for your comments. Indeed it has eased my motherly transition of anxiety regarding this matter.
I can now support my D in other matters regarding grad school transition, and let her know everyone’s comments.
I really appreciate your time and thoughtful comments.