<p>@jibler - Listen to your gut…visit both schools and spend as much time there as you can (an overnight if possible). Which is the one you picture yourself at most? You will know after spending time with current students more so than any pros/cons list. Even if you did an initial visit, I’m sure it was more exploratory than the way you would look at it now as one of the two schools u are deciding between.</p>
<p>Maryland will challenge you academically, but there is not a cut-throat environment among students. They really do work together. Not only is it a great educational experience, it also offers the balance of a great social life, huge school spirit, Division I athletics (going to the Big 10 next year), great recreational facilities, living-learning communities, top research facilities, there is a lot of diversity…you name it, Maryland has it. It is, in my opinion, the quintessential best-four-years-of-your-life college experience. </p>
<p>FYI, I have yet to meet someone who didn’t love Maryland, or regretted their decision to attend (even though statistically there has to be some, given the sheer volume of students)! I loved it as a student, and love it even more as a parent given all the opportunities/experiences my s is enjoying and taking advantage of - I really feel I am getting my money’s worth. </p>
<p>However, the only opinion that really counts is yours. Go to both schools, preferably at accepted student days ;), with an open mind and a critical eye. I think you will know what’s right for you. It may be Maryland or it may be the other school (whatever that is). There is no wrong answer, but I think you will know…don’t worry about making that decision right now.</p>
<p>I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up, but a classmate of mine had contact (via email) with one of the staff who handle, I assume, mostly New Jersey applicants. She apparently said that decisions may be out on the 27th. Hopefully this is true</p>
<p>I had to laugh when I saw this. We were just speaking about trolls on the board. </p>
<p>You’ll hear the decisions are out first on CC, but they will be the trolls. It’ll be a couple more days, usually, before you’ll be told by email to check your portal. </p>
<p>Everybody just take a deep breath. We have around a couple more weeks to wait.</p>
<p>Speaking of trolls, I saw somewhere on here two days ago saying their daughter had gotten her acceptance already. Clearly its not correct. Just try to be patient. I know I’m trying</p>
<p>Just wondering as a prospective college freshman, should I get accepted into both UMD College Park and Penn State University Park, which should I choose? I live in Maryland so tuition would be cheaper for College Park but I hear that Penn State offers so many more clubs/organizations and student research opportunities. Also, I hear Penn State is the better school academically according to the latest rankings. What do you folks think? Thanks for taking the time to read this and I wish you and your loved ones the very best with college decisions!</p>
<p>Marylandude, we are in CT, and lots of kids apply to both. As far as we can see MD is harder to get into and the kids who apply from our HS are better students overall. You’re in state for MD…I can’t see why you’d pay more for Penn State unless the specific program you want is better or you like the campus setting of Penn State over UMD</p>
<p>I am also applying to both. I agree UMD would definitely be less expensive than Penn State since I am in state. However, though UMD is indeed more difficult to get into (47% as opposed to Penn State at 54%), according to the US News Report, Penn State is actually ranked much higher at #37 among national university compared to #62 for UMD. But, UMD has a better overall mathematics program which is what I am interested in. Then again, Penn State has a great campus setting. I’ve done extensive research to get this information and now I have to outweigh the pros and cons. Luckily, I have until May 1st to decide where to enroll so I still have plenty of time to make up my mind.</p>
<p>That being said, both are great schools and I would be very grateful to get into either one. I applied early action to UMD so just less than a couple weeks left until decisions are made! Penn State is rolling and since I applied mid December, I hope to hear back very soon! From reading the previous posts, I’m assuming you can find out online the day the decision is made rather than having to wait for mail.</p>
<p>Yes, I would be happy more than anything else to have such a “dilemma.” Can anyone tell me about the campus setting in either of these schools? I’m a little curious to know if students had a better overall experience at UMD or Penn State.</p>
<p>Marylanddude, it depends on which rankings you’re looking at. Forbes has MD ranked #73, Penn State at #93. And Maryland is quite a bit harder to get into, which should tell you about the academics at College Park. With tuition about $20k/year cheaper at Maryland, you’d have to have a VERY good reason to opt for Penn State. Good luck.</p>
<p>sschickens, I was looking at the US News Report rankings. You do have a valid point about the cost and acceptance rate. If I had to pick between the two schools, money would play a key role in my selection. Also, since UMD College Park has a lower acceptance rate, one would have to assume that the students there are relatively smart (not to degrade Penn State, they have very bright students as well but a little less competitive).</p>
<p>Just wondering, which rankings do you all think is the best/most accurate? I was a little surprised to see Penn State ranked so much higher than UMD College Park in US News Rankings but also surprised to see schools like Carnegie Mellon and Johns Hopkins ranked so low while schools like William and Mary were ranked relatively high in Forbes. Maybe it’s different factors that each ranking system takes into consideration?</p>
I loved it as a student, and love it even more as a parent given all the opportunities/experiences my s is enjoying and taking advantage of - I really feel I am getting my money’s worth. </p>