<p>Between CP and BC definitely CP. I don’t know Wellesley though. It sounds like the argument writes itself though. The school isn’t too big if you are in a L&L which you are in. Plus with the access to H Classes, you even get small(er) core classes. I don’t see you getting swallowed up with that on your side.</p>
<p>@FastNeutrino</p>
<p>For your questions about the honors classes, and engineering in general at UMD, let me refer you to this thread…I’ll copy your questions and post answers there since others with similar questions would be more likely to look there and those with knowledge of engineering would be more likely to help answer because of the title (a decisions thread is typically geared towards stats of acceptances) </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1481313-help-decision-engineering-major.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1481313-help-decision-engineering-major.html</a></p>
<p>@carbs2
Hmmm, with an unknown major, it is hard to compare apples to apples, so to speak, for a specific program…so, I guess you just have to look at which school has the most options that are well-recognized. Some schools are known for a particular field being tops, and have other majors that are there, but not as good. Maryland has many programs that are rated very highly.</p>
<p>So, as for the schools your parents are pulling for…they are indeed very different than UMD. Yes, they are great schools, but are they THAT much better than UMD academically? </p>
<p>Knowing that you are IS actually might explain a little of your parents’ perception that those schools are that much better. Assuming they are my generation, understand that when I went to UMD, the academic reputation was not nearly as strong as it is now. Maryland has really become very competitive and continues to increase its rigor. So, when I met up with my college roomie, we actually had a good laugh over the difference. Maryland used to be a safety school for IS students. Now, many students are getting rejected despite IS residency. So, perhaps your parents still have the impression of Maryland as a safety school…? If that’s the case, it can be hard to reconcile the perception they grew up with to the current reality.</p>
<p>I have a friend whose oldest was valedictorian and just one of those all around ridiculously amazing kids. Refused to apply to UMD, despite honors college because wanted a certain “prestige.” All the schools of interest were very…preppy, rich kid/old school ivies. Got accepted at them all. So, I can understand why UMD would not have been “good enough” for someone that prefers that kind of environment. You can’t put that kind of label on Maryland - Maryland has a very diverse population in many ways. I would never describe Maryland as preppy or snobby. </p>
<p>Does that mean that I am implying BC and Wellesley are only preppy or snobby? No, of course not. However, their student populations are more homogeneous as a whole than Maryland’s.</p>
<p>As for Wellesley, do you think you would enjoy a single gender environment? There are definite academic advantages from that because there are less distractions. An all girls school can be very freeing in that respect. On the flip side, that tends to also create a more competitive environment in some respects also. What kind of vibe did you get when you visited?</p>
<p>I’m guessing that since you are leaning toward Maryland, you are more comfortable with the vibe and diversity of Maryland. Your parents need to understand that with the inception of the honors college, there are a great many students that also applied to ivies, but decided to attend Maryland. So, you will be challenged academically - by both class rigor and peers. It’s not going to be a walk in the park, if that’s what your parents are thinking and concerned about.</p>
<p>Hope this helps…</p>
<p>@maryversity</p>
<p>Thank you SO much for your help. It was really encouraging to hear that. I’m going to visit all three schools in the next few weeks, so that will help solidify the decision in my mind.</p>
<p>You may be right about them thinking in terms of when they were in college. They both knew people who went to Maryland, so they’re probably drawing on their own experiences. The thing about Wellesley is that it’s tiny and it’s all girls, and my hesitations about BC are mainly rooted in, as you said, homogeneity. I can’t make the final decision until I visit them all, but I will explain the situation to my parents again with your advice in mind.</p>
<p>Again, thanks so much. You’ve been really helpful!</p>
<p>What is the best way to find a roommate for a freshman.</p>