I got accepted into UMBC and College Park and not sure where to go. I am also undecided on major, computer science or CompE most likely CompE. I didn’t not get into the honors college at either school but got an $8k/year scholarship from UMBC. What school would be better for these majors and more importantly offer better experience and internship education?
Was also wondering if there was a chance I could get any more financial aid from either school down the road, my high school gpa is very low due to slacking off in the first 3 years, but currently have straight As senior year.
GPA: 3.58 not including senior year
SAT: 2010
APs: Physics 1 - 4, Physics C - not taken yet, Calc AB - 5 and BC - - not taken yet, Compsci - - not taken yet, English 11 - 4, APUSH - 4, Stat - 4
Paid Internship at Hopkins 11th grade summer
College Park is one of the best schools in the country for computer science. If you’re looking for prestige then go for college park. However UMBC has offered you 8k a year so if finances are an issue you might wanna go with that. Are you from Maryland? Your weighted GPA is important as well. Unless the GPA you mentioned above is your weighted GPA.
My older daughter applied to both schools for humanities and ended up at UMBC, even though it’s known for STEM, because she preferred it. Younger daughter plans to major in engineering. Yes, UMD is ranked very highly and she will be applying, but UMBC is well-known to grad schools and professionals, and has better merit. Plus, this study just came out:
You need to do what is right for you, but $36,000 is a lot of money to throw away unless there is a clear advantage to UMD.