<p>I've been accepted to both. I'm looking into both schools for engineering and jazz studies. I live 20 minutes away from UMD, so I've seen plenty of the campus. I visited MSU about a month ago, and I love its campus and atmosphere a lot more than UMD's. It doesn't seem like MSU's academics can really compare to UMD's though.</p>
<p>Thoughts?
- on academics
- on campus
- on value of degree after graduation
- on social scene
- on local atmosphere
- on night life</p>
<p>Bump, anyone care to contribute on this?</p>
<p>UMD’s academics…unless you got a full ride to MSU, I can’t imagine that you could justify the price difference unless you came up with some compelling reasons why MSU would be better. I would certainly recommend living on campus at UMD…the whole “college” experience will be much different than living at home in high school.</p>
<p>@danny, were you accepted to the SOM@UMd? This would be in addition to being accepted by the University.</p>
<p>Danny, i was just accepted into UMD as a transfer from Michigan State University. Michigan State academics are what you make of them. Michigan State has a very respectable engineering program, but as a business student here i am rather unfamiliar with the engineering requirements. The great thing about MSU is the plethora of options you have to add extra curricular activities to boost your resume. In this day in age a strong education is important but if you don’t have a strong resume as well it means nothing. The campus at State is massive, absolutely massive. I live behind the freshman dorms in a apartment and i usually bike to class. MSU has the cata bus which runs constantly all over the campus, east lansing and surrounding towns. In the Winter the cata is packed with students, but is an easy option for getting around. The social scene at State varies, i’m in a Fraternity here and we consistently have parties every weekend. If Greek life isn’t your scene, house parties, apartment parties are always an option. Movies are offered on campus and other sober activities from comedians to magicians as well. On football weekends campus is wild and full of life with tailgaters. When their isn’t a home game, watch out, campus is usually dead since 90% of MSU students are Michigan residents so most kids usually head home. As an out of state student from Maryland this wasn’t an option. The extreme downside i see with state is the unequal balance of instate to out of state students. MSU does have a plethora of international students, but they usually stick to themselves. Most kids at State already know a few students coming in, so they have an automatic support structure.</p>
<p>Did you receive any sort of scholarship for MSU? I received a study abroad scholarship. MSU has the largest study abroad program of any university and has the most students study abroad of any university as well. Another opportunity to boost your resume.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions don’t hesitate to ask.</p>
<p>Just curious…what are your reasons for transferring?</p>
<p>Astrophysicsmom- I am considering transferring due to the cost and distance from home. Also, as a conservative jewish student, Michigan State doesn’t offer a Jewish Community even close to the community of UMD. As a Maryland resident, instate tuition vs. MSU’s out of state tuition is half the cost.</p>