<p>^Depends on what pre-med course you’re taking. A bio chem degree, for example, is going to take a lot of hard work. You can’t just show up and do the work. Most people need to utilize office hours, study groups, etc. and put in a lot of effort outside of the bare bones to get the A/B grade.</p>
<p>-somewhere that will prepare me to apply for medical school
YES. See above.</p>
<p>-a laid back, enjoyable yet challenging environment where I can be super happy
The thing I love most about UMCP is that everyone is so laid back. I love that students go to class in their sweats and that people generally aren’t extremely nerdy or extremely bro-y (sure, there are those people, but the majority of UMD students can’t be put into a HS stereotype box, which I love). I would not classify classes as laid back though. Some profs are laid back and others are extremely strict. Certain pre-med tracks are way more on the challenging side than the “laid back” side.</p>
<p>-Campus life is a big factor for me, I want to go to a place where both food and living are going to be not too bad
I don’t know what’s up with people knocking the campus food. I think it’s delicious quite frankly haha. I could def. eat it every day. I love the Mongolian grill where they stirfry up anything you want (veggies, shrimp, beef, rice, teriyaki sauce), love the delicious ice cream and desserts and breakfast food (waffles, pancakes, french toast, eggs), love the sandwiches, crabcakes, etc. etc. Maybe my parents just weren’t great cooks but to me the diner was heaven haha. Sure you had those “off” entrees but you could always whip something decent together. And off campus the type of food you can get within walking distance is literally limitless…Jamaican…Mexican…Indian…Lebanese…whatever.</p>
<p>One problem is the mealplan is really overpriced. It’s about $500 a month. You could eat like a king for that. So, cost:quality ratio is poor, though quality by itself is decent. Unfortunately it seems typical of state schools to make an extra buck off the meal plan. I don’t know that Boulder is going to be better.</p>
<p>The freshmen dorms do suck, no doubt about it (think small cinderblock cell). And you might have to pay $900/month your junior/senior year to live in apartments if there is no space on campus (though these apartments are brand new and adjacent to campus.) They’re making improvements as a previous poster pointed out, by adding air conditioning and a brand new dorm (the largest yet), but housing is still not Maryland’s forte. There are some FABULOUS dorms (South campus 2-floor suites, Queen Anne’s/Anne Arundel/others lining the mall) and some not so good ones.</p>
<p>-a place where theres always something going on
Definitely always something going on. Definitely. That’s the second thing I love most about Maryland. There is always a concert, lecture, group meeting, protest, performance, dance, talk, whatever. You name it, it is happening here. And then hop on the metro, and all of DC is at your finger tips -free museums, monuments, parks, the frickin’ library of congrees, MORE protests and lectures, and, while not free, some of the greatest bars and restaurants and music and great independent movie theaters. </p>
<p>-good resources and classroom technologies
Would say yes to the first, most definitely. The classroom technologies depends on your major. History, government and politics is still lacking and the classroom space is very outdated. The science/engineering labs and everything will be equipped and up to date though. New business school, journalism school, and English department building as well.</p>
<p>-accessible teachers
Yes. I have never, ever had a prof that was not accessible. Profs really do care about your success, if you show up and do the work.</p>
<p>Your list is interesting because I actually considered applying to Boulder. I think the things that appealed most to me about Maryland probably also apply when it comes to Colorado (laid back, something always going on). They are very similar sizes, both large flagship state unis. Academically, they’re probably very similar as well (in pre-med-ish fields). Not knowing a ton about Boulder because I don’t go there, I think this probably comes down to whether you’re looking for a great college town (Boulder) or proximity to a major city (DC). Boulder also probably has better outdoorsy/snowboarding/skiing opportunities than MD (though we do have a really active outdoors club and ski/snowboard club, the mountains around here just can’t compare!). Weather-wise Colorado is going to be on the freezing side (in the winter). MD is going to be on the horribly hot and humid side (in the summer). </p>
<p>Ultimately I didn’t apply to Boulder because I liked the proximity to DC and all that DC area offered in terms of internship opportunities/entertainment</p>