<p>Ok, I'll admit that because I live on the west coast I'm a little in the dark for some of these EC schools. But the perception is that UMD is somewhat of a party school, where frats/sororities pretty much dominate the scene. Is this true? Does the party rep. overshadow the solid academic one?</p>
<p>Also, on a less serious note, is the grass normally as dead as it was when I visited a few weeks ago lol? The campus was beautiful, but I couldn't help noticing the brown grass crunching below my feet...</p>
<p>we’re not allowed to water the grass and stuff from certain times on certain days of the week because of the heat so if you want nice grass you gotta maintain it pretty well. my house has pretty green grass but my neighbor’s not so much because my mom waters it at night. and i dont know much about the partying since i’m not into that kind of stuff.</p>
<p>Don’t know so much about the party school rep, because like jsc10 I’m not into that kind of stuff. It is a large state school (with good sports to boot), so I’m sure that contigent is pretty big. But also because the school is so large, the frat/sorority/party scene does in no way control or dominate campus life even if it is present and thriving for those that want it. It is generally understood that as the flagship state uni there will be nerdy students on full scholarship, binge drink seven days a week students, and then a lot of people in between. It is more of a “mix” than too much one way or the other. Not to mention, it is the most difficult school in the UMD system to gain admission to, so in MD at least the party-school mantle is given to other state unis, like Frostburg. </p>
<p>The grass is not dead all year. July & August in MD are usually hard on vegetation b/c of heat and lack of rain. There are often also restrictions on water usage (and hence less ground upkeep in that respect) in those months due to drought. The grass will be green again come mid-September (although then it’ll die again sometime in Dec. due to cold!).</p>
<p>haha, thanks for the grass info. I’ll definitely keep that in mind. Also, thanks for the perspectives on the party scene. I know it will be present at any campus, but I’m not really into it, so just wanted to make sure there were other options as well.</p>
<p>Lastly, how’s the school spirit at UMD? Are football and basketball games regularly sold out? thanks.</p>
<p>The fact that it’s this much of a party school is preventing me from wanting to apply. I need to go to a serious school that takes politics very seriously, and where intellectualism is celebrated (rather than drinking and partying is the only thing people care about). I guess I’ll apply to the UMBC because that’s more of a academic school.</p>
<p>First of all, UMBC is not more academically focused than UMD. Also, because of UMD’s size, you will definitely be able to find people and groups here with the same mentalities and interests as you, whether intellectually, politically, or socially.</p>
<p>But if you really need a serious, politically-focused school that celebrates intellectualism, why are you looking at state universities to begin with?? I’d suggest checking out a few smaller liberal arts colleges. That seems more up your alley.</p>
<p>Well, other than GWU, I’m looking at a few other smaller schools. I prefer a small school over a school that’s more like a city within a city (UMCP).</p>
<p>I’m just looking at UMCP because I have a good shot at getting in. MY college has a transfer deal with them, so basically, it’s my fall back school.</p>
<p>I applied as a transfer, my advisor has some pretty strong connections there and said that I’m basically going to get in on a merit scholarship. I even toured the campus and loved it!</p>
<p>However, my uncle (the one who’s going to pay for it) wants me to get into a better school. I told him that though I’m applying to AU, I will also apply to some tougher schools like Johns Hopkins, Brown, and a few others. He basically hates AU. But who cares, I think the school is actually pretty good. Not to mention, they have a great pre-law program!</p>
<p>I absolutely LOVE UMCP. I grew up in College Park and the town is amazing. The only thing that would deter me from attending is that my father teaches there so it’s a little too close to home…</p>
<p>I can find a party every weekend I go down to UMD, and Frat Row is RIDICULOUS. But it’s really not a problem if you just want to stay in and study on a Saturday night.</p>
<p>I love College Park too, in fact, I was just up there 2 nights ago! It’s arguably one of the best places in PG County to hang out. Plus, it’s a good school! It’s so close though, and half my high school ends up there too. I love new experiences and new places, but if I got a full scholarship there (which, if I don’t f–k up this year, I should be in line for), I’d get to keep my college savings account for myself, and that would be pretty hard to refuse! So we’ll see.</p>