Loyola MD vs. UMBC vs. Towson

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi CC'ers, this is my first post. Yay for me! </p>

<p>As I'm sure you can guess by the title, my college choice has been narrowed down to Loyola MD, UMBC, and Towson, and I'm having a hard time deciding. I will be majoring in engineering, although I'm not 100% sure which branch yet (probably CE). And on a side note, I plan to commute for the first year or two. Okie Dokie, let's get things rolling.</p>

<p>Cost (not counting Room and Board):</p>

<p>Loyola- $3000 per year after Tuition Exchange scholarship and $3000 grant.</p>

<p>UMBC- $4000 per year after Pres. scholarship.</p>

<p>Towson- $3-4000ish per year after scholarship.</p>

<p>Each school has also offered a 3500 yearly Stafford Loan to help ease the financial burden.</p>

<p>Some details:</p>

<p>Loyola- Small LAC. Has MANY more required liberal arts courses, which could be good or bad depending on how one looks at it. I visited the engineering department, and I was impressed. The chair of the department knew the students very intimately, and I believe the placement rate is good (they claim ~100%). A relative of mine graduated from Loyola engineering, and Northrop Grumman recruited him before he finished his senior year. Short commute (10-15 minutes).</p>

<p>UMBC- Medium-Large university. Has a strong engineering department, but it seems very impersonal. When I met with the chair of the CSEE department he didn't know any of the students who were walking around the halls or doing lab work. UMBC has plenty of facilities, and, apparently, a good engineering reputation. Long commute (20-30 minutes).</p>

<p>Towson- Larger university. I know little more about TU. I wasn't considering TU at all until I learned of their 3-2 physics-engineering dual degree program with UMD and PSU. Shortest commute (~5 minutes).</p>

<p>All in all, it seems to be down to Loyola and UMBC. I really liked Loyola, but I believe UMBC has the better reputation in technology/engineering. Also, the only way I can afford Loyola is through the Tuition Exchange Program. If my father leaves the college where he works, I will need to transfer out (or pay an additional 28k yearly). </p>

<p>Anyone have any thoughts or questions?</p>

<p>Also, do colleges offer transfer students scholarships and finacial aid like they do fresman?</p>

2

<p>I would choose Loyola, unless your father is talking about leaving his job. Why not take the scholarship of Tuition Exchange- it is like being given a lot of free money? I agree- UMBC is impersonal and the campus is not very nice. It is harder to get financial aid from private schools as a transfer, but the Maryland state system may be easier, since many people enter after a year or two at a community college. They are probably better set up to handle it.</p>

3

<p>Since there is no money factor to consider, i'd also say Loyola.</p>

<p>FWIW, here is my $0.02.</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpost.php?p=3946478&postcount=40%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showpost.php?p=3946478&postcount=40&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

4

<p>If your commute time is part of your decision, plan on an hour from Towson to UMBC before 10AM and after 3:30.</p>

5

<p>Actually, I just got a letter from Uncle Sam, so I think the price is going to be $1000 a year for UMBC, and $3000 for Loyola. Commuting isn't a big deal for me- it's my car. My beloved is a '91 Volvo who's Odometer stopped at 236699 about five years ago. Anyway, I'll probably be going to Loyola. Still not 100% sure. I guess I won't be until I'm sitting in my first class. </p>

<p>Thanks for the help, everyone.</p>