Good, laid back schools in the MD, DC, PA, VA, WV area

College Search & Selection
1

Hello! I’m a Community College student looking to transfer. I live in Western Maryland, right next to the Eastern Panhandle of WV, and I’m looking for some good schools to transfer to in the surrounding states. I’m relatively close to PA, WV, VA, and of course DC (but I’m not a big fan of the area). I don’t like the big stress-out, competitive atmosphere, so some laid back schools would be nice.
I’m 18, never took the SATs, have 50 college credits with a 3.79 GPA. I’m a member, and previous Vice President of our Phi Theta Kappa chapter. I went on multiple national honor trips as a representative. I was also president of the outdoor adventure club, and did lots of volunteering. I could bring that GPA up with a couple of classes at my community college this fall, and bring my transferable credits up some too. The reason I’m not looking to finish my AA is because the math prerequisite requirements would take an extra semester, possibly two, and I’m looking to get started at a new school this spring.

I’m not absolutely sure of my major, but it’s looking like a toss up between psychology and biology for me right now. Biology was my major at my community college.

I don’t really care if it’s a big school, small school, party school, sporty school, just so long as it has a reliable reputation and plenty of stuff to do (I have a tendency to get homesick when bored or lonely). Also, a school that offers decent financial aid would be nice, my parents have offered to help pay but I’d still like to try to pay for a lot of it and don’t want to be absolutely strapped with debt.

So any suggestions would be great, thanks for your help!

2

Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA; Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA.

3

YOUR yearly limits on loans are from $5500-7500. Anything else is your parents or has to be cosigned. Are you a MD resident? If so you should be looking at in-state options for relatively good prices.

4

university of west va, odu, CNU, Mary Washington, Longwood, radford, vcu (good psych program)

5

I am a maryland resident. In state schools aren’t that much of a bargain here, though. I was talking more about schools that offer good grants or transfer scholarships.

6

Thanks Bobbx123, I hadn’t considered some of those schools!

7

Take a look at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the in-state Liberal Arts College (and St. Mary’s is the name of the town, so no, it’s not religious in any way). It’s a bit pricier than UMD but very good value if you can afford it. Pretty campus right on the Chesapeake. Worth visiting.

As for ‘plenty of stuff to do’ - much depends on what you enjoy.

8

I’ve been in talks with St. Mary’s, it looks like a beautiful school, but I’ve heard that their Biology program is designed for students who are not interested in med school to fail. Getting home would be a hassle with that awful drive around the beltway, but if they offered aid it might be worth it.

9

Washington College in Chesterstown, MD offers aid.

10

Few schools offer merit aid for transfers. You’ll need to look at each school’s site to see what’s available.