<p>Nobody said anything about LAC’s. These are apples and apples. Nobody ranks LAC departments so there is not much data on them. But there is considerable ranking data on research university depts for a number of reasons.</p>
<p>
There was no such premise put forth, rjk. Read carefully. No one said that. Or at least I didn’t. Take any logic courses lately? LOL.</p>
<p>The idea that being highly ranked as a graduate program will make a difference in the undergrad teaching to the vast majority of students, especially in a program like business but pretty much in general, makes little sense. The typical undergrad might be able to take one or two grad level courses in a typical 4 year program, and virtually all decent research universities offer plenty to choose from. As far as doing research, most undergrads except for a very special few are just trying to learn how grad level research is really done. It doesn’t matter at that stage if the work being done is likely to win the Nobel Prize or not, the student will get a great deal out of the experience. Grad school is a completely different story. And this is Econ and Poli Sci we are talking here, not quantum physics.</p>
<p>To answer a question a few posts back…On the East Coast most states do not have agreements with neighboring states for in-state tuition. Too many people here. There is something called the Education Common Market if a major is not offered at your in-state public university. However, UVA does not participate.</p>
<p>Anything life science, computer science, physics, engineering, Maryland is better.</p>
<p>Actually that premise has been the main point of most of the big versus small debates aka LAC versus research university. Somehow it is presumed that an LAC prof must be a better teacher because he does little research. Of that one that does high level research can’t teach an undergrad class well.</p>
<p>But it wasn’t my premise and it wasn’t mentioned here. For the record, I totally agree with you and reject what you just cited as the opinion of others in post #25. There of course are great teachers and less great teachers at LACs, and the same with the top level researchers. I think what is true in general, but of course has many exceptions, is that the top researchers don’t like to teach lower level courses, and are often absent due to professional obligations. It brings a lot of prestige to the university to have these people, but it often does little for the undergraduates’ education.</p>
<p>Anyway, as it applies to the OP I think he would find little difference between UVA and UMCP as far as the rigor and quality of his undergrad courses in those fields. The much bigger difference (assuming $$ not a factor) is in the general day-to-day life at each school.</p>
<p>I think that U Maryland is a school on the rise and probably deserves greater attention from high schoolers. </p>
<p>I’d agree that the quality of life at U Virginia would be superior, but U Maryland is able to offer a quality product and it is a well-positioned college. Being right next to the District has its advantages and so does having a thriving biotech industry in nearby towns like Rockville and Gaithersburg.</p>
<p>Thank you to everyone that’s replied to this thread :)</p>
<p>I would also have to agree with one of the posters that said the quality of education doesn’t necessarily matter for undergrad. I’d also say the same for prestige…I think those two factors --quality & prestige matter the most for graduate school and higher.</p>
<hr>
<p>So which school would you say has the better social life overall?</p>
<p>Depends on what you like to do. Do you mean partying only? Or do you like to take in ballgames (college and pro), theater, that kind of thing? UVA is not near any really major city and obviously UMCP is. Very different atmospheres. UVA is going to be a bit more “old-fashioned” or classic in its college life, with pretty much everything centering around the school and the greek life. UMCP will have a lot of that, but more off-campus things to do as choices. Please don’t read any bias into that, my S went to a rural college where the school is pretty much the town and he liked it a lot. My D is in New Orleans and really enjoys everything that has to offer, and she doesn’t even drink, lol. So it is just a matter of which kind of atmosphere you want. I strongly encourage 2 day visits to each where you go to some classes, hopefully can stay overnight in a dorm, go to a party, whatever you can in that short time.</p>
<p>^ Ummm, I don’t/can’t drink but I’m still up for partying, I’m not so into sports but I think it would be fun to go to some…I’m not interested in greek life. I reaaally love schools within an urban or large town setting and I like doing stuff off campus 
I’d also like to go to a school where the student body is friendly–not like my state school where ppl still kind of hang out with their HS friends…and get lost in the crows because of how huge the school is.</p>
<p>^^^Yes, Maryland is considered quite strong overall in business particularly in our area. Don’t go by rankings,which are dubious at best and usually are for graduate school. I am speaking only about undergraduate programs and NOT graduate programs. HOWEVER,</p>
<p>Check out this url: <a href=“http://www.cefns.nau.edu/Academic/CS/misc_docs/UG_engineering_ranking_08.pdf[/url]”>http://www.cefns.nau.edu/Academic/CS/misc_docs/UG_engineering_ranking_08.pdf</a></p>
<p>It sounds like UMCP is your choice. At UVA Greek life is more important as a factor, in as I said Charlottesville is not urban at all. I think kids tend to be friendly in general. Most are away from home for the first time, and naturally fall into new groups and new friendships quickly. Given everything you seem to want from college, UMCP sounds like a better fit.</p>
<p>I’d choose Maryland over UVA. UVA is very snooty.</p>
<p>@ fallenchemist & taxguy & ib801: thanks for helping me decide! I think I’ll definitely fit in UMD a lot better…also considering that I’m not very “intellecual-esque”</p>
<p>@ liu02bhs: I’ve also heard the people at UVA are somewhat snobby 
And I don’t want to handle the ultra competitiveness at UVA b/c I don’t want to kill my gpa for grad/law school lol.</p>
<p>Thanks again to everyone else that posted on here :)</p>
<hr>
<p>does anyone else know the percentage of OOS students? I’m just hoping that it won’t be like most of the kids (since it’s a state school) will form cliques with their old HS counterparts…</p>
<p>The few kids I know who attend UMCP do not hang out with high school friends. They are making their own way.</p>
<p>Yeah, it is too big for that to happen much. It can, but it won’t be too common, people have different schedules, interests diverge, etc. Probably the least of your worries, I think. But it looks like it averages about 2/3 instate. That’s actually not too bad. Out of about 3900 freshmen, that’s 1300 OOS. I think you can find a few friends in that mix! Not to mention some Marylanders too, lol.</p>
<p>Thank you MD Mom & Fallenchemist for answering my qs :)</p>
<p>Now, UMD-CP is definitely within my top 5 choices…along with the UMN-Twin Cities. But i miss the east coast so bad! And the UMN is so close to my house…i feel like it would take away from my college experience.</p>
<p>Does UMD-CP offer good fin. aid??! Can you transfer after a year?! Will it be a bit easier for me to get in b/c I’m a URM?</p>