What is there to do off campus? No college town?

[red8]

We are from California, my son was admitted and had a question about what’s near the campus? We had a VERY brief visit to UMD (several hours), loved the campus but didn’t have any time to see if there is anything around the campus in walking distance? I know there is a subway and DC isn’t too far, do most students who live on campus just stay on campus most of the time? What/where is there to go?

[DadOfJerseyGirl]

You may want to ask on this thread:

Current CS Senior at UMD - ask me anything

Hello! A few years ago, I posted the thread I internally transferred to CS - ask me anything. Since that thread is quite old now, I did want to open up a new one for any questions about CS at UMD. For background, I am an out-of-state student originally from Pennsylvania, and I enrolled as a math major in Fall 2019. I was also admitted to the ACES LLP and have since completed my honors citation. After enrolling as a freshman, I decided that I would like to double major in CS, so I completed my gateway requirements and applied to add CS as a double major. I was automatically accepted as is true for everyone who first completes the gateway requirements and then applies. First of all, I want to say CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who has been admitted to the class of 2027!! It has not been an easy application cycle, and this is truly an accomplishment. Definitely take some time to celebrate and come visit the campus! Soon, you’ll be making your decision on whether you will enroll. I want to h…

@sl4122 is super helpful.

[twoinanddone]

As with any big college campus, the campus becomes the town. It has little shopping areas, movie theaters, coffee shops. Plenty to do on campus (concerts, theater performances, sports, gyms, libraries) and nearby. CP is close to DC and to Baltimore to do the museums, professional sports, restaurants. It is easy to get to water for sailing, rowing, boat trips.

My daughter went to a small college in a small town. She could walk to shops and even to a golf course, but if she wanted something special, she had to make an effort to go to the mall or the beach or a specific restaurant. If she wanted ‘more’ she had to travel an hour to a city, airport, professional sports, big concert.

[SoofDad]

I know that there have been a lot of changes since my D graduated in 2018, but there are still bars, restaurants and shops along Route 1 across from the Campus.

There are also scheduled performances at the Clarice
https://theclarice.umd.edu/seasons/2022-23

And there are student entertainment events at Stamp

SEE UMD

Students do go to DC because there is a ton of things to see and do. They may take the Metro and/or Uber/Lyft, depending on what there plans are. All of the Smithsonian Museums are free and they are well worth visiting. Lots of great restaurants, and plays. In a Biology class that my D took, the Professor required all the students to visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and take a selfie at a particular location to prove that they went. Trips to DC are usually done on weekends as far as I know.

There are also parties on campus, many at fraternities and sororities, some in dorms or apartments.

[red8]

Thank you I really appreciate the responses. Ya, it sounds like there’s plenty to do. I think he was concerned it was going be like he’s stuck on an academic cruise for 4 years and his only options were on the cruise ship (campus). I agree, that these college towns in some places might at first glance seem to offer a lot, but being away from a city can be isolating & limiting. I’d also expect that UMD has an advantage w/ internships and jobs being so close to the metro areas. thanks again.