<p>I realize I will likely get biased replies, but my son is down to these two choices. Some thoughts below. Any suggestions or other things I should consider? Thanks in advance.
UMD is in state and within an hour of home. Miami is a plane ride away (or very long drive).
Both business schools seem very good. Both have strong job placement.
UMD has the DC connection going for it, for internships, and is close to Baltimore too. With Miami he may wind up working in the Midwest/far from home.
Both campuses are beautiful.
Miami is smaller, and is recognized for undergraduate teaching.
At UMD he might room with someone from his high school, and several people from his school are going. At Miami he will know nobody.
Miami is cheaper, but not that much cheaper, and both are within our budget. He dropped Indiana, because he said it was too expensive. (I would have paid, but was not disappointed when he decided against it).
He was leaning towards Miami when we visited, but I think his friends are pressuring him to go to Maryland.</p>
<p>Are these friends people you would like for your son to continue to hang around with or would you prefer he move on? 
I really don’t have any advice for you because I don’t know much about UMD. We loved Miami Business for our daughter. They really do create a small college environment on a medium sized campus. Their devotion to undergraduate teaching is very real. Her professors all knew her and took a personal interest in her development. I never had that at my big state school. One thing I can add is that you shouldn’t worry about him necessarily ending up in the Midwest if he chooses Miami. Most of our daughter’s friends are going elsewhere after graduation. Many national employers recruit at Farmer SB and will allow recruits to choose where they would like to live.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. I am an alum of UMD/Smith, but we both really liked the feel of Miami when we were there, and that everyone seemed genuinely happy there. His friends are actually an impressive bunch, and if he chooses UMD I will be fine with his decision. I really don’t know which is best, but I will ask some questions no matter which he picks. </p>
<p>I would say it comes down to fit and geography. We took our S out to look at Maryland (and other East Coast schools). Walking the College Park campus he said it just didn’t feel like the place he’d want to spend four years, but again that’s about fit/feel. If you want to be on the East Coast obviously more companies will know UMD. If your goal is anywhere in the Midwest, Miami/Farmer is well known but of course UMD is still a good school.
I have a friend who is a senior exec at a large computer (hardware/software sales) company here in Chicago and he said he almost exclusively recruits from Miami (he’s not an alum) because in a sales context the Miami kids have a solid education but also they come out with a very wholesome appearance. He said it matters when he puts a new person in a room in a sales pitch with a client that they come across as knowledgeable, presentable, and well-adjusted.</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. He really likes them both. He went to UMD today thinking he could decide after the visit, but no such luck… This is a really tough decision for him.</p>
<p>My son chose Maryland. We put the deposit down tonight. In his case they were both great choices. UMD is in-state, closer to home, and several of his friends are going there. They are a good group of kids and he will have a great experience. I’m kind of mourning Miami, but it’s all good. </p>