<p>Yes, another question comparing UMBC and UMD. But, I assure you, I've done my research on both schools and this is a specific question. </p>
<p>I want to study biology and got pre-med. From what I've seen, both schools are about the same for an education like that. I could go to UMBC for free, but I didn't get into its Honors College or Meyerhoff. UMD has it's Scholars program, which seems great, but I'll have to fork over a few thousand dollars. </p>
<p>Will going to regular UMBC affect me in anyway in getting into a good med school, as oppose to going to Scholars UMD? Also, are the better work/internship/research/etc opportunities at College Park better than UMBC's?</p>
<p>Neither school will give you an advantage with regards to getting into a competitive medical school and if you put the work in and get the good grades at either institution, you will be fine in both cases. I am unsure about research, but I believe biology research is sort of UMBC’s forte, but I have no personal experience myself and am going on secondhand knowledge. I don’t think asking this question here will be as useful as visiting the schools and looking at what they have to offer and / or speaking with current biology students, but I do not know if you’ve done this when you say you have “done your research.” I think the experience at College Park will be better and if that is a motive for which school to pick, it definitely makes College Park seem like the better choice on paper.</p>
<p>Thank you, ginab591 and Gemini116. Your replies are very much appreciated and helpful. </p>
<p>I have visited both schools, obsessively looked through their websites and asked current bio students, but the problem that things like that is students are biased, saying that their respective colleges are better. Then they offer all the best examples they have, and in the end, UMBC and UMCP seem about the same level, with UMBC having more rigorous classes, but UMCP with more extensive research, opportunities, and options. </p>
<p>My gut feeling goes for Scholars UMD, but only for that Scholars Program. I do like UMBC’s smaller student population and undergrad focus, and, of course, the free aspect. ‘Better Experience’? It seems like I will have to choose and decide in retrospect.</p>
<p>Also, it doesn’t come up often but UMBC is more of a suitcase school.
Of course I am biased lol.
Honestly I’d go with the free education unless you could do it loan free.
I do think that UMD has the more rigorous coursework, but again I’m biased and I don’t know any bio majors at UMBC well.</p>
<p>I am watching this thread closely. My D, who is a junior, is looking at both schools, among others. UMBC does emphasize undergraduate research, at least they did in our recent trip there. She seems to like UMCP better. She attended a bio lecture at UMCP and thought the large class size was not a problem. The professor knew many names and interacted with the students. I hope you update your findings later.</p>
<p>People have been saying this for years about UMBC. They have been building additional student housing on campus. 75% of Freshman live on campus. That’s fairly sizable.</p>
<p>MDdad–That means it’s not a commuter school. A suitcase school is where everyone goes home on weekends. (Thus only needing to pack a suitcase)
Also 75% of UMBC freshman class is only a little more than a thousand. Nothing compared to UMD.</p>
<p>Gotcha. I was confusing the 2 terms. I am more familiar with the commuter school concept. BTW, there are 1,500 freshman at UMBC. It seems like UMBC is a better place if you do not want to get distracted by partying. My daughter is not the partying type, but I am sure she would lots of fun things to do on the weekend.</p>
<p>I would like to bring this post back as I have the same question. My son will major in Chemistry and we are trying to decide between UMBC’s Meyerhoff and UMD’s scholars programs. Because of the scholarships he has received, both schools will be equal in cost to us, so that isn’t a factor in our decision. Does anyone have input on either of these they would like to share? Thank you.</p>
<p>If cost is the same, I think it comes down to campus culture. If your son wants a rah-rah school with sports excitment and greek life, he’ll be happier at UMDCP. More studious kids who prefer to hang out and play video games seem to prefer UMBC. The locations are also very differtent. UMDCP has the advantage of being a metro ride away from DC, while UMBC is a suburban location where it would help to have a car on campus. UMBC is seen as an “up and coming” school while UMDCP still enjoys a stronger national reputation. Students from both schools seem to get a good education and have good opportunities after graduation.</p>
<p>Cugirl, I’m only slightly familiar with the Meyerhoff and Scholars programs, but I think that the Meyerhoff program may offer more benefits overall. The Scholars program is nice because it houses students with similar interests together and makes a big school feel smaller. Good luck to your son.</p>
<p>Thank you momjr! We will have a better understanding of the UMD Scholars program after our visit next month. Right now, UMBC Meyerhoff has really impressed me so I will have to see if UMD Scholars is as good.</p>