The Other Maryland schools

[Anonymous]

My DD is a sophomore so we are just getting started at thinking about colleges. She is a good student, but not perfect, at a competitive MCPS school. Money wise, I think she will need to stay in state. It sounds like University of Maryland College Park might be too hard to get into. What are the personalities of the other in state schools

She does not know what she wants to major in, but wants the college experience.

Thank you for your help.

[Anonymous]

UMBC, Towson. St. Mary’s college of MD I heard is nice but know nothing about. There is a big gap between UMD and those schools, but have heard UMBC is quite good for STEM. And they are known to give merit, and your kid only has to be better than average (not outstanding) to get merit.

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of Maryland schools, they have different vibes so check out. Don’t forget to include St. Mary’s and Mount St.Mary’s (excellent merit). I will also add that many out of state schools give generous merit that would keep it equivalent to UMCP in state no merit. Plenty of options you will find!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of Maryland schools, they have different vibes so check out. Don’t forget to include St. Mary’s and Mount St.Mary’s (excellent merit). I will also add that many out of state schools give generous merit that would keep it equivalent to UMCP in state no merit. Plenty of options you will find!

Mt. St. Mary's is a private college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of Maryland schools, they have different vibes so check out. Don’t forget to include St. Mary’s and Mount St.Mary’s (excellent merit). I will also add that many out of state schools give generous merit that would keep it equivalent to UMCP in state no merit. Plenty of options you will find!

Mt. St. Mary's is a private college.

Yes, aware. OP said Maryland colleges did not say public. And generous merit at The Mount makes it like public in price. It is just an option

[Anonymous]

I’m the OP. Thank you for your help. I grew up in Florida, and there were several other large universities that still had the full college feel- football, school spirit, etc… As I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida State was a popular option if you couldn’t get into UF. It seems like in Maryland, the other schools are fine, but much smaller and don’t have that big school spirit and atmosphere.

For students who can’t get into Maryland- CP, where do they end up if they still want this kind of experience? Do they go out of state? Or is there a Maryland school that still has that feel?

[Anonymous]

My kid and I both liked St. Mary’s a lot but it’s much more of a small liberal arts college feel. Towson, Frostburg and Salisbury probably have more of what you’re looking for. UMBC maybe also? Not as familiar with that one.

[Anonymous]

Schools like West Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama give substantial merit aid. My good, but not tippy top DC got enough aid at each one to bring it below UMD cost

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. Thank you for your help. I grew up in Florida, and there were several other large universities that still had the full college feel- football, school spirit, etc… As I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida State was a popular option if you couldn’t get into UF. It seems like in Maryland, the other schools are fine, but much smaller and don’t have that big school spirit and atmosphere.

For students who can’t get into Maryland- CP, where do they end up if they still want this kind of experience? Do they go out of state? Or is there a Maryland school that still has that feel?

Towson is a very popular choice.

[Anonymous]

Definitely look at West Virginia and Ohio University. Both offer good merit aid for out of state students with good GPA and test scores. My daughter was offered significant merit aid at Ohio U that makes it cheaper than our in-state Virginia options although she will likely stay in-state for other reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are plenty of Maryland schools, they have different vibes so check out. Don’t forget to include St. Mary’s and Mount St.Mary’s (excellent merit). I will also add that many out of state schools give generous merit that would keep it equivalent to UMCP in state no merit. Plenty of options you will find!

Mt. St. Mary's is a private college.

Yes, aware. OP said Maryland colleges did not say public. And generous merit at The Mount makes it like public in price. It is just an option

It’s clear from OP that she meant public.

-np

[Anonymous]

Maryland is a much smaller state than FL and just doesn't have the huge campuses that FL has.

A lot of kids who want that big college feel and don't get into UMCP end up going out of state. Besides WV, Penn State is popular as is Temple and a variety of NC colleges.

Another thing that is very common is to do a year or two at the community college and transfer to UMCP. They have guaranteed transfer programs.

[Anonymous]

OP here- to clarify, I was asking about in-state public schools. However, I am appreciative of some of the comments about our of state schools that might be brought down to similar costs due to aid. Thank you all!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the OP. Thank you for your help. I grew up in Florida, and there were several other large universities that still had the full college feel- football, school spirit, etc… As I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida State was a popular option if you couldn’t get into UF. It seems like in Maryland, the other schools are fine, but much smaller and don’t have that big school spirit and atmosphere.

For students who can’t get into Maryland- CP, where do they end up if they still want this kind of experience? Do they go out of state? Or is there a Maryland school that still has that feel?

Delaware? (OOS, I realize)

[Anonymous]

A lot of people don't understand that you can get really good merit out of state, making it not much more than in state. I didn't know that myself. Try Miami of Ohio, they gave my kid good merit, and post on their website tiers of merit according to GPA.