When it comes to pot shots, first blood is on your hands @Blah2009 …
1. "Additionally, I can name ... Can UMD claim the same despite being much much larger? "
That’s a challenge, plain and simple. Had you made the statement that you have several friends that did well at JHU in physics, that is not at all offensive. Throw in that second sentence and you totally change the tone/message.
2. "At the undergrad level, I would question if UMD is "better" despite some citing US News grad school rankings on here."
I’m not saying rankings are the be all and end all assessments by any means, but rather than discounting praise of Maryland’s program, it would be far more acceptable to praise JHU without trying to take Maryland down in the process.
Let me say that JHU is an outstanding school without question… but it has been that way for many, many years and enjoys that reputation without dispute.
Maryland, on the other hand, has made major investments and changes to effect an amazing upward trend. The Maryland I attended several decades ago does not hold a candle to the Maryland of today.
The same can be said of the Maryland that you (Blah) applied to a decade ago, compared to the Maryland of today.
You (Blah) are correct that the aggregate number of national/international awards to Maryland students over many years cannot compete with the number earned by JHU students, with the exception of the DOD SMART awards (which I personally believe is the most relevant award to the OP, who intends to study physics).
However, if you look at the recent figures of other awards over the past several/most recent years, you will find huge strides in the accomplishments of Maryland students in this regard, primarily because Maryland has made the effort/ investment to improve.
There’s an old adage that it’s better to be #2 because you try harder.
Blah, you are welcome to recommend JHU over Maryland, but you are not welcome to step into our house/forum and talk disparagingly about Maryland in the process. And you are sadly predictable in trying to discount the article David posted by pointing out the one of Google’s two founders attended Maryland (only Sergey Brin, not both of them). Ironically, you proved the points in the article – if you actually took the time to read it…Wouldn’t it have been enough to concur that your tone could be a bit better and stop at that? I’ll admit I was a bit rough in defense of my school, and I apologize for letting my anger get the best of me.
However, to be fair, when you again just now cited the elite recruiting at JHU for investment banking/finance, you also proved my point that you personally cannot see the forest through the trees. The OP is going into physics. Those recruiters are not relevant to the OP to begin with. It’s like saying he/she will never perform at Carnegie Hall unless he goes to Julliard. Ok, that may be true, but he/she is not trying to be a musician. So the OP won’t be recruited by your employer, but I really don’t think he/she cares.
Let’s let sleeping dogs lie and continue in peace to help the OP.
@zzz523, I am sorry for the direction this thread has taken. Let’s bring the focus back to your question, which is really the only relevant one for you.
@DavidHopkins is correct that “college is truly what you make of it.”
The most important thing is not the name or rank or reputation of a school as much as what you do when u get there.
It really comes down to where you personally feel the most comfortable and feel is a better “fit”…don’t go where u think you should go or where strangers recommend as much as where u will be happiest.
Look at the programs, side by side. Which is the better program for what you want? Look at the actual classes required for each; which do you like better? Where do you feel “at home” when you walk around campus? Which student population did you feel most comfortable with? Look at the research opportunities at each school, starting from freshman year. Which has more projects that appeal to your personal interests? What kind of overall experience do you want as an undergrad? These are just a few of the questions you should consider.
There honestly is no right answer, as they are both good choices, finances aside.
I know it seems all-consuming right now, but trust me that in the long run, you will be happy with whatever choice you make. The only right answer is the one you decide. Best of luck to you.