<p>I have been accepted to UMD and OSU (still waiting for others, but these are my top as of now)</p>
<p>The thing is, I got Honors at OSU and not at UMD, and i got National Buck. from OSU and Provost making cost almost equivalent (waiting for further financial aid)</p>
<p>So far as I see it, here are the pros and cons</p>
<p>UMD Pro
-- In state
-- Near DC (good for internships)
-- More traditional looking buildings (yes I like this) and nicer campus (imho)
UMD Cons
-- Not Honors
-- Not as good for poli sci</p>
<p>OSU Pro
--Honors
-- good poli sci program
-- Nicer Library
OSU Cons
-- Not in DC (internships)
--Campus more modernish</p>
<p>A few things</p>
<p>First this comparison that i have made is a bit unfair as I have visited UMD many times and have never set foot on OSUs campus. I will change this soon</p>
<p>How important is Honors? How important is location? How important is Poli Sci rank?</p>
<p>Just my opinion, but for poly sci it seems like location closer to DC would be better. Rankings give you a sense of the different schools/programs, but you need to decide what’s important to YOU, and not to US News, etc. Hopefully, if you visit OSU you will get a good sense of what it would be like. Do you want to be close to home, or farther away. Can you/your family afford the transportation costs, and do you want the stress of dealing with snow/airport issues? (I live in Maryland and have a son in New York). Do you want a job in this region or that region? Have you checked out job placement statistics and/or grad school placement? There are lots of things to consider.</p>
<p>the thing is about being in DC if you’re polisci, you have to do an internship somewhere in the government. You have no excuses. Fortunately, there are tons of places to do one.</p>
<p>@mkpolitical: I majored in Government and Politics at UMD a gazillion years ago and interned for Steny Hoyer when he was President of the Maryland State Senate in Annapolis. I made invaluable connections both in Annapolis and on the Hill (that would be Capital Hill)! My son graduated from UMD a generation later and interned for several members of Congress, including Congr. Chris Van Hollen. </p>
<p>Were you accepted to the GVPT LEP? It’s exceptional! I know absolutely nothing about the OSU program, but I do know that for your major, UMD would afford you with incomparable opportunities!</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. Yes, I did get into the GVPT LEP. I know how good both schools are, which is what is making this tough. My main concern with UMD is that I did not get Honors, and that I did at OSU. If this were not the case it would be a no brainer </p>
<p>Getting into honors upon admission is based on high school performance, so it is less important than earning honors once you matriculate. Don’t get me wrong - honors college is a great program and you get a citation on your transcript and there are many advantages. However, not being invited upon admission should not be a deal breaker if Maryland is the right fit for you (which to me is what it sounds like it is when you refer to choosing Maryland as a no-brainer were it not for this hiccup). </p>
<p>Remember, you also get a citation on your transcript for making Dean’s List. If you are a strong student, you will likely earn a spot in the honors college later on either by applying after freshman year <a href=“http://honors.umd.edu/prospective-current.php”>http://honors.umd.edu/prospective-current.php</a>
or by applying for departmental honors which you apply to either as a sophomore or junior…</p>
<p>“Students not in the Honors College may apply for admission to the GVPT Honors Program by filling out an application outlining their previous GVPT coursework, possible thesis topics, and career interests. Students who are not in the University Honors College must wait until the Spring of their sophomore year to apply to the program and their admission is contingent upon high performance records in both GVPT courses and other University courses. It is at the discretion of the Director to admit non-University Honors students, and decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Students also provide an unofficial transcript, as well as their SAT/ACT scores. Students should have a 3.6 GPA in GVPT coursework and at least a 3.2 in all other coursework.”</p>
<p>"Advantages</p>
<p>As a member of the Government & Politics Honors Program, you will enjoy the following privileges:</p>
<p>You may take Honors courses, which are seminars containing a maximum of 20 students.
Seniors in the program, with the consent of the Director of the Honors Program and the instructor of the course, may register in graduate level courses for undergraduate credit.
You will have ample opportunity for discussion and personal relationships with professors and other motivated Honors students.
In addition, after successful completion of the Honors Program, the student will receive, upon recommendation of the Director of the Honors Program, the Bachelor’s Degree with “Honors” or “High Honors” in Government & Politics."</p>
<p>Thanks for that info! That was really helpful. I will of course visit both but with this new information UMD seems to be getting brighter and brighter. I have always loved the campus and facilities, and even just the feel. Perhaps it is because I grew up going to competitions/events at UMD my entire life, but it just feels like home whenever I walk onto the campus. Once again thank you a ton @maryversity </p>