<p>Hi, I'm on the college search and am interested in adding UMD to the list, but I would just like to know if it has the infamous "college feel" like UGA in Athens or at UNC Chapel Hill, where the whole town kind of revolves around the university or is it more urban?.. Is there a downtown for college students like a strip for them to walk to and go get dinner? If anyone could answer some of these that'd be great... Thanks!</p>
<p>I visited UMD and I can say that the surroundings definitely aren’t “urban”. Much closer to suburban, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t restaurants around and stuff. I’m not sure, but I think the town revolves more around the university than the university just being one attraction in a multitude, as it is in a city. </p>
<p>If you want to know about the campus itself, it’s quite large with spread-out buildings, unlike UNC. There were many students outside enjoying themselves when I visited, but that might be because it was a Saturday. </p>
<p>@pumpkinpatch35 thats fine! I’m looking for something suburban, but I still want a quaint sort of small downtown area with the bars and restaurants and stuff. I’ll really only visit umd if I get accepted with a solid aid package…</p>
<p>I think this summary quote (from College Prowler) says it all pretty well about the “college feel.” The campus really is beautiful and worth a visit (-/+ 2.5 hours from Philly).</p>
<p>"Overall Experience
Written by Paul Yu</p>
<p>The University of Maryland, College Park is paradise compared to some schools across America. Most students who join the campus community stay awhile, and some don’t want to leave, even after being there four or even five years. It’s universities like this that have contributed to the popular expression of college being “four of the best years of your life.” From students’ first year on campus to their final days leading up to graduation, students’ academic, personal, physical, professional, and social lives come together to prepare them for the real world. Many alumni look back and agree that, even if they could, they wouldn’t change a thing about their overall experience at UMCP."</p>
<p>Although I wouldn’t call the surrounding area quaint like Happy Valley (Penn State), there is a lot to do around campus, and good places to eat right off campus…and with DC a quick metro ride away, you have access to a whole different level of dining, entertainment and sightseeing.</p>
<p>When you say “solid aid” package - are you talking financial or merit? Two different animals. Maryland is a public, state school so they don’t have a big endowment to offer big money. Financial aid is determined by your FAFSA. Merit money is offered only to the top students, so you have to be at the top of the median accepted range in stats or above. VERY IMPORTANT: the ONLY way to be considered for merit aid is to apply by the November 1st “priority deadline.” Don’t worry, it’s NOT a commitment like early decision. However, it’s the only way to be eligible for merit aid, special programs, etc. </p>
<p>Do you know what you are planning to study?</p>
<p>@maryversity Wow thank you for all that’ but sadly, merit…
And probably a combination of Econ/finance/comp sci</p>
<p>Well, Maryland happens to have an outstanding comp sci program <a href=“Top 25 Computer Science Programs With The Best Return On Investment (ROI) | BestValueSchools”>http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/computer-science-degrees-best-roi/</a> (#15 of top 25)</p>
<p>You might be interested to know that one of Google’s founders, Sergey Brin, is a Maryland alum…</p>
<p>Maryland is actually one of the more affordable public universities, believe it or not. It’s number 5 in the top 10 best public college values <a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T014-S001-10-best-public-college-values-2013/index.html?si=1”>http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T014-S001-10-best-public-college-values-2013/index.html?si=1</a></p>
<p>and #10 of top 10 for out-of-state students <a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T014-S001-10-best-values-in-public-colleges-for-out-of-state/index.html”>http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/college/T014-S001-10-best-values-in-public-colleges-for-out-of-state/index.html</a></p>
<p>In general, college tuition is painful no matter how you slice it…I am OOS also…</p>
<p>FYI, while I don’t know what your stats are, the average median accepted student for 2014 is described this way on their website:</p>
<p>For students admitted to the University of Maryland for the Fall 2014 semester, the middle 50% of SAT scores ranged from 1260 to 1410, and 28-32 on the ACT. As a result 25% of the admitted students scored below a 1260 on the SAT and 25% scored above a 1410.</p>
<p>So, if you have close to/slightly below 1400 on SAT (CR +M only) or around 31/32 or better on ACT, my personal opinion (as a parent) is that you have a strong chance of getting merit money (assuming good gpa also)…no guarantees of course…</p>
<p>“So, if you have close to/slightly below 1400 on SAT (CR +M only) or around 31 or better on ACT, my personal opinion (as a parent) is that you have a strong chance of getting merit money…no guarantees of course…”</p>
<p>No guarantees at all. My DD and one of her close friends, whose scores were in the top 25% were offered absolutely nothing by UMD. But as @maryve said, you will have a strong chance if your scores are high.</p>
<p>Maryland does have a beautiful campus.</p>
<p>(Alumnus)
Maryland is beautiful. It’s a large land grant state research university, plenty of open spaces, yet located inside the DC beltway. Look at it on satellite photos and maps, note the scale, compare to other schools. College Park (bars, restaurants) is walking distance, right off campus, and has a suburb feel. They also have a free (for students) local bus service running from campus to all around the area, and a Metro station (probably outside walking distance for most people) if you want to the Green Line downtown and see the museums and monuments on the National Mall.</p>
<p>@maryversity I got a 33 on the ACT and I’m like 5 of 537 in my class</p>
<p>@Phillyy15 , I think your chances are very good for the honors college as well as a Presidential Scholarship. My daughter had a 33 ACT, 1/400+, 4.0/4.6 GPA with 12 AP classes. She was admitted to Smith and honors college along with the Presidential Scholarship.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input! @terpmom7</p>
<p>I agree with @terpmom7 - great stats! :)</p>
<p>Also, you mentioned a possible interest in finance as a major, which falls under the Smith School of Business. I know it’s very good and very competitive to get into Smith (you’ll be fine)…if you have questions about all that Smith has to offer, terpmom7 is a good resource for that. </p>
<p>Note that econ falls under a different deparment, which is not a LEP (limited enrollment program)<a href=“http://www.lep.umd.edu/”>http://www.lep.umd.edu/</a>. </p>
<p>While comp sci is an outstanding program, it is not a LEP at this point. All the engineering programs are LEP, but comp sci is part of the CMNS (Computer, Math, Natural Science) department. So, if you are not sure which direction you want to go, I personally would recommend applying to Smith (business school) as an incoming freshman since that is the only LEP you are looking at. It is competitive as an incoming freshman, but even more so as an internal transfer (admitted student looking to change majors is referred to as an internal transfer). </p>
<p>The really cool thing about Maryland is not just a beautiful campus with a great location (proximity to the heart of the nation), but they have really unique programs. If you chose finance or comp sci, you would be eligible to apply to the QUEST honors program. It’s a 3 year program that you apply for during your freshman year. It takes business, engineering and CMNS students and teams them up to tackle problem solving for businesses. The capstone of the program is that teams are matched (senior year) with big businesses/corporations. They are given actual problems that business is having, and are challenged to find a solution. It’s kind of like an internship. Not only do students make good connections, but many are given job offers based on their participation in this program. <a href=“http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/programs/undergraduate-programs/academics/fellows-special-programs/quest”>http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/programs/undergraduate-programs/academics/fellows-special-programs/quest</a></p>
<p>If you have any interest in entrepreneurship, there is a program called Hinman CEO’s that is open to all majors to apply, but is competitive to get into. Kevin Plank, founder of UnderArmour, and Anthony Casalena, founder of SquareSpace, are just a few of the alum of this program. <a href=“http://www.hinmanceos.umd.edu/”>http://www.hinmanceos.umd.edu/</a></p>
<p>Yes, I’m a huge fan of Maryland - full disclosure: not only a mom of a current engineering student, but also an alum. You will find that Maryland has a lot of school spirit/pride, even with us old folk.</p>
<p>I’m an incoming freshman and I’m going to be majoring in finance. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me. I’ll be happy to help you out and give you advice.</p>
<p>If you get in to honors, there’s also the Entrepreneurship and Innovation program, which is a 2 year program. You live with other EIPers in La Plata and you go to class together. </p>
<p>As for finance, and the business school in general, it’s highly respected. I remember from the admitted students day, one of the presenters was speaking about internships. She said, “You should find no issues when looking for an internship. If you cannot get an internship, there’s a problem.” Smith students are extremely marketable, and get many perks. There are employers daily in the building trying to attract potential interns/employees. They’ll most always have food or apparel to give away. </p>