<p>I got a two-week extension on my enrollment confirmation date at both schools. I really like UVA and I think College Park is a ratty area, but UMD is offering a full ride, whereas UVA will cost $10k a year plus $6k loans plus $2k work study. Which would you choose?
Oh, and I have no idea what I want to major in. Either engineering, physics, computer science, math, philosophy, business, or english.</p>
<p>Honestly, you cant go wrong either way, but it sounds like you want to go to UVA. I like both of these schools a lot. I'd have no idea which i'd pick. I know a ton of people goin to UMD next year and theyre all really kool kids.</p>
<p>i picked umd over uva but i had to pay. mainly because uva costs 15 g more, but also because i didn't feel like i could fit in at uva as well as i would at maryland. but thats probably just because i don't know anyone at uva as opposed to umd where i know a lot of people.</p>
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and I think College Park is a ratty area
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College Park isn't a nice area, but right around the campus is awesome. Tons of bars, frat row, lots of stuff going on that revolves around the student body.</p>
<p>University of Maryland is an awesome school with a great campus. UVa is also a great school. I don't think I'd be able to pass up on the free ride, considering that UMD is excellent academically.</p>
<p>tripnip~ there's a huge difference between the two schools, so you must decide about your finances. UVA is a "public ivy" with prestige and all that goes with it, especially if you are OOS. if you've gotten in OOS it's a MAJOR honor, and one that should be seriously considered. UMDCP is a good school, but can't compare to a UVA. and there's no comparison between college park and charlottesville, unless you need DC, which isn't an easy metro ride from UMD.</p>
<p>I wouldnt say UVA and UMD are THAT far off academically but...</p>
<p>I agree that UVA is currently a higher prestige school than Maryland. Maryland is improving steadily, though. Maryland has a huge array of honors programs, but you didn't indicate interest in them. Many are for those with interests in specific areas. The costs for UVA are not very high, but is your family all right with paying the 10K per year? For you, graduating with a 24K loan will make things tighter financially for the first few years out of college, but it is not a huge loan. If you are on work study, you are probably pretty low income. If your parents cannot pay the 10K per year, your own loan and work burden will increase, and in that case, UMD looks like a better choice to me.</p>
<p>^^^agreed.</p>
<p>Of course, in terms of overall academics and prestige, UVA > UMCP. But I really dont think UVA is 72K better than UMCP. Besides, if you like to study tech majors like physics/CS/engineering, you should know that UMCPs programs are far better recognized and respected than UVAs.</p>
<p>The immediate surrounding area of UMCP is not too shabby, and DC is just a metro train ride away, less than 30min. As you know, DC metro area is filled with wonderful summer internship/job opportunities, ranging from nonprofit orgs to high-paying summer jobs @NIH, NASA Goddard.</p>
<p>Considering the money factor & EC opportunities, you should go to UMCP.</p>