I’m having a really hard time deciding between these two colleges that couldn’t possibly be more different, and May 1st is rapidly approaching. I’m wondering if anyone can give me a second opinion.
I’m probably going to major in Communications and maybe add another major in a business concentration, but at this point everything is up in the air. I’m indecisive! I’m not very good at math, unfortunately.
Here are my two choices:
FIT: University of Maryland: Baltimore County
Pros: Accepted Honors College, 15k Merit Scholarship (have to keep a 3.2, doable?), Humanities Scholar, more my kind of atmosphere socially, limited Greek life, close to home - I love my city!
Cons: Not well known outside of Baltimore, ranked much lower, more science-driven than Humanities.
PRESTIGE: University of Richmond
Pros: Great financial aid package (makes both colleges in the same ballpark financially), nice campus, strong humanities education & business school, well-ranked.
Cons: Went to the admitted students open house and never felt so out of place in my entire life. Everyone looked exactly the same, and when I drove past the campus at night I could see a pretty loud frat party going on, something I’m not particularly a fan of.
Is it worth going to UMBC for that extra degree of comfort and familiarity? I would choose UofR based on academics alone, but I’m terrified I won’t be able to find people I relate to in such a small school, especially after a lackluster experience at the open house…
It seems preferable (and justifiable) to choose fit over prestige.
Reading this, I can’t help but think you know the right choice already, but just need some assurances. I would say go with UMBC. If you felt that out of place at UR, I am not sure why you are still considering it. UMBC is a great school!
@JustOneDad: That’s what I was thinking as well! Thanks for your input! 
@hummingb: Haha, you caught me. I wasn’t at first, but I think I’m definitely leaning towards UMBC at this point, but I couldn’t let go of such a rankings gap - everyone on here says to hop off of the USNWR list, but it is hard! Thanks!
Just a somewhat different opinion here. Admitted student days are not always good predictors of what the on-campus experience is really like. And frat parties on a warm spring weekend will be common at almost any school.
Did you visit Richmond previously and like it? Did you happen to attend any classes? I’d be cautious about crossing it off the list just for the reasons you’ve stated. A wide rankings gap really does have significance, and I hope you would feel sufficiently challenged at UMBC.
@nuhsgrad Agree with your pros about URichmond and wonder if you could elaborate on the negatives. TW1 is about to hit the accept button and I’m just so unsure of the social fit. Thanks. Good luck at UMBC - read many good things about it.
I would say choose fit. Think of it this way. You aren’t going to succeed somewhere if you are miserable. You’re grades will reflect that.
Always go with fit. You’re gonna be living there for 4 years. You will thrive the money in an environment tht fits you. If you feel out of place, don’t go. Remember, you’re gonna be doing more than just going to school there. You’re gonna be living there with them and you are going to need to network and make friends with those people. If you feel out of place, do not go.
Why are you convinced that UR has so much more prestige than UMBC? Try to get to the root of that notion. UMBC is a perfectly fine place to study. Yes, it is somewhat better known in the state for science/tech than for humanities or arts, but it has decent programs for those majors. If you believe you will be happier there, go there.