<p>Hi, I've been accepted to all these universities for fall 2014 and spring 2015. The problem arises when I have to start thinking about my daily commute and being situated in Baltimore, UMBC seems to be the easiest and closest. But UMBC is not rated as well, or as prestigious as College Park or PSU for mechanical engineering. How should I go about this?</p>
<p>PSU York is not PSU University Park.</p>
<p>PSU York does not have mechanical engineering, although it has an associates degree program in mechanical engineering technology.</p>
<p>Between UMCP and UMBC, is there a significant cost difference (after applying financial aid grants and scholarships)?</p>
<p>Would commuting to UMBC be relatively easy while commuting to UMCP be too much hassle so that you would have to live there (at presumably extra cost)?</p>
<p>I have a friend who commutes from Baltimore to College Park and it takes him about 50-55 minutes to commute. Only you can decide if it’s worth the time/money/stress to do that every day for a few years. If you have a means of income while you’re in school and/or you would consider moving into an apartment more locally I would say it’s worth going to college park if only because there are more opportunities for mechanical engineers. </p>
<p>Hi ucbalumnus. Yeah PSU york doesn’t have mech eng. right there and if i transfer to Harrisburg, I will not get in-state consideration as that with York. So I’m kinda really weighing my opportunity there.</p>
<p>UMBC has accepted me for fall but not sent any grant money or scholarships yet. And UMCP accepted me for spring so they said the grants and scholarships will be sent somewhere in november this year, but they’ve been telling me to join their Freshman Connection program.</p>
<p>As about commuting, going from baltimore is about a 1 hour drive (as da6onet) said and I don’t have any means for conveyance other than my parents - who will not do it everyday. which is why they’ve been convincing me to go to UMBC. </p>
<p>Hey da6onet! that was what my counselor said about College Park too. And as of right now I am really confused with the choice. But that being said I would not go to UMBC just because it is easier, if it will hit my chances of getting a better job easily after graduation.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t bother with the PSU branch campuses as an out-of-state student. Even the main University Park campus, while certainly respectable, is no bargain at out-of-state prices (even for in-state students, it is expensive with poor financial aid compared to other state universities for their in-state students).</p>
<p>If UMCP won’t send you a financial aid offer until after April, then it would be risky to choose it with the financial aid uncertainty, unless you are able and willing to pay list price. You may be able to get an estimate from its net price calculator. It looks impractical to commute to UMCP if there is no way to get there by yourself (e.g. public transportation – even then, two hours out of every day for commuting won’t be pleasant), so you would likely have to live there to attend (presumably at some extra cost).</p>
<p>Wait at least until you get the financial aid offer from UMBC.</p>
<p>Yeah I think that’s what I’m gonna do</p>