UMD Scholars vs. OSU Honors vs. SC Scholars

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Maryland - College Park
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<p>Alright.
So I am making my decision freaking friday about where i will be spending the next 4+ years of my life (hopefully just 4, but you never know. and also, AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHM SO STRESSED SO STRESSED SO STRESSED SO STRESSED)
Majoring in Spanish and International Relations wherever I go. In-state in Maryland, but money is not an issue. In my mind, I had narrowed my choices down to Maryland or Ohio State, but my parents keep pushing Univ of South Carolina, so I figure I'll just throw it back in there...entertain the option...
so what are the pros and cons for each school, as you see it? my brother is a junior at Maryland right now, and we're pretty close so if nothing else, that gives maryland an emotional appeal.</p>

<p>sooo yeah. Maryland Scholars Program, South Carolina Capstone Scholars, Ohio State Honors. Ready...GO (please)</p>

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<p>Arg. As a North Carolinian, I don’t think that USC is remotely in the same league as UMD, unless there is something very specific in your major that makes it better??? I don’t know enough about OSU to comment. I would think that an International Relations would have big benefits of being so close to D.C. for potential internships.</p>

<p>It was quite helpful in many, many ways for our 2 Ds to be at the same school. It will be a bit hard next year when older sis heads away to grad school. Good luck with your decision!</p>

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<p>I agree with astro, another Mom, not only who lived in NC for 8 yrs, but now in No VA.</p>

<p>I say that because as a scholars student you will be required to do an internship to get that citation.</p>

<p>FF 4 yrs from now, be it getting a job or going to grad, you will be competing against other grads. Think about International relations as a major, what would your internship be for USC or OSU? Will it state internship for an Embassy or Consulate, opportunities that exist at UMD because of DC, or maybe since you also want Spanish you can work for Fortune 500 companies or Lobbyists or will it say interned at XYZ company for OSU or USC?</p>

<p>You need to look at colleges like your parents looked at school systems when they bought their homes. Which is the best bang for your buck? I understand money is not an issue. I could also understand that as an IS you may feel you want to go further away and see another part of the world or afraid the folks will always be visiting you. I, as a parent, will say we love you, but we also have a life, we have no intention of knocking on your dorm door 10 am Sat to go out to eat as a special surprise. </p>

<p>You need to ask yourself nothing more than this: </p>

<p>In 4 yrs where do you see yourself? </p>

<p>Applying for a job? What do each of these schools have that will get you to your career goal compared to others? </p>

<p>Applying for grad school? What schools have a better program for grad school?</p>

<p>IMPO, with those 2 majors, and knowing you will be REQUIRED to Intern, DC is where you want to Intern for either grad or career questions. </p>

<p>I would def. feel differently if the major was different, but with your desired majors I just couldn’t support USC or OSU over UMD. </p>

<p>Let me also state this: one of the hardest things for a freshman is being away from home. Yes, you want to try out your wings, but trust me dorms clear out for 3 day weekends, and being 8 hours away usually equates to you staying in the dorms when they are gone.</p>

<p>I love our DD, she goes to VT, DS goes UMDCP. She has a 4 hr haul home, he has 70 mins. She couldn’t wait to get to VT and escape us. 6 weeks in she wanted to come home just to see the family. DS was the same as a freshman. That is not the rarity, that is common. Just saying from experience you can say the distance doesn’t matter, and I am going to tell you, that you never understand how deep your roots are planted until you pull them up.</p>

<p>Going away seems so exciting, but 9 times out of 10 the reason kids transfer to another school, is due to the fact that it was too far away for them.</p>

<p>Think about it…8 hrs one way is far. It may mean you only come home for T-Day, WInter, and Spring Break. Meanwhile the other kids will bolt for Columbus, MLK, Presidents, and Easter because they are no further than 4 hours away. Also I am sure UMDCP and VT are like OSU and USC, no FB home game, and kids bolt.</p>

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<p>Not to mention that UMD has some excellent study abroad options to Spain… You could also apply to live at the Language House after your first semester. D2 is in the Spanish cluster…PM me if you have any specific programs about the LH or the Spanish major in general.</p>

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<p>thanks for your input!
@astrophysicsmom, the main thing about usc that would make it attractive to me is that it’s international business program is pretty much the unanimous #1 in the nation…it’s been in the top 5 for something ridiculous like the past 25 years haha…our (their) assumption is that some of that will spill over into the international relations bit? and it is the cheapest out of the 3 because south carolina does have a very extensive scholarship program which offers in state tuition plus whatever scholarship money you earn from the school. </p>

<p>@bullet thanks for your insight! one major thing that umd has going for it is def its location so im taking that into consideration with my decision haha…thanks!</p>

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<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>