UMD vs UVA

[Anonymous]

For those in the DMV area, regardless of in state vs OOS tuition, which school would you pick and why?

[Anonymous]

Lol

[Anonymous]

is that really a question? first of all, you HAVE to figure in state if you're in the DMV. I am in VA, so UVA hands down. if I were in MD, I'm sure I'd be all about UMD.

Otherwise, frankly the schools are quite different. Maryland is much larger (double the undergrad pop?) and in a crap city. That being said, it's close to DC for semester internships.

If I were OOS for both, I'd pick UVA. More of a true college exp, college town, more community (less commuters), better ranked.

[Anonymous]

Are you trying to start a fight?

Setting aside COA, I would pick UVA for most majors because it has about half the undergraduate population and Charlottesville is a better college town. For engineering, however, I would probably go UMD

[Anonymous]

STEM UMD
all others UVA

But you knew that.

[Anonymous]

Six or a half dozen

UVA has the Jefferson connection that gives it a good reputation.

Both are good schools.

People who say College Park is crappy have not been in a while. Charlottesville is a few blocks of old-time cuteness and then a bunch shopping plazas.

If you want to attend college among shopping plazas surrounded by cars, go to UVA and enjoy the tiny campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:STEM UMD
all others UVA

But you knew that.

UMD CS, Econ, Math, Criminology, Engineering, Physics
UVA: humanities like French Lit or Poly Sci

UVA has a small edge for business but they seem fairly comparable overall

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Six or a half dozen

UVA has the Jefferson connection that gives it a good reputation.

Both are good schools.

People who say College Park is crappy have not been in a while. Charlottesville is a few blocks of old-time cuteness and then a bunch shopping plazas.

If you want to attend college among shopping plazas surrounded by cars, go to UVA and enjoy the tiny campus.

I don't think you know Charlottesville very well.

OP, there has to be a preference on the kid's side about size/location. We all know they are both excellent schools with great reputations. They need to go where they'll be happiest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you trying to start a fight?

Setting aside COA, I would pick UVA for most majors because it has about half the undergraduate population and Charlottesville is a better college town. For engineering, however, I would probably go UMD

OP here, definitely not trying to start a fight. We are OOS for UVA, and in state for UMD. I did visit in my younger days and it always felt lack luster to me in terms of culture and the college experience. It felt like an extension of Smalltimore.

What about career services and companies that work with both schools? Someone mentioned UMD is good for DC internships, what about in VA? I'm not as familiar with UVA outcomes.

[Anonymous]

What field or major?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those in the DMV area, regardless of in state vs OOS tuition, which school would you pick and why?

In other words, if you removed the most important criterion from consideration, what would you do? Remove the thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you trying to start a fight?

Setting aside COA, I would pick UVA for most majors because it has about half the undergraduate population and Charlottesville is a better college town. For engineering, however, I would probably go UMD

OP here, definitely not trying to start a fight. We are OOS for UVA, and in state for UMD. I did visit in my younger days and it always felt lack luster to me in terms of culture and the college experience. It felt like an extension of Smalltimore.

What about career services and companies that work with both schools? Someone mentioned UMD is good for DC internships, what about in VA? I'm not as familiar with UVA outcomes.

Step one would be getting into one or both. Until then picking one is not really a worthwhile debate for your family. Apply to both if DC likes them both and they are affordable. However, depending on your major, if you are in-state MD as you note, the difference in cost per year will be $46k-$55k depending on DC's major. UVA is the most expensive college in the country for both in-state and out of state students. Tuition + R&B only next year for out of state at the School of Engineering is $82,680.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Step one would be getting into one or both. Until then picking one is not really a worthwhile debate for your family. Apply to both if DC likes them both and they are affordable. However, depending on your major, if you are in-state MD as you note, the difference in cost per year will be $46k-$55k depending on DC's major. UVA is the most expensive college in the country for both in-state and out of state students. Tuition + R&B only next year for out of state at the School of Engineering is $82,680.

Agreed. I'm curious because of the matriculation at private schools in our area, we've seen a major downturn in students heading to UMD.

[Anonymous]

We lived in MD for a decade and I'd have chosen UVA over UMD every time. Thankfully we now live on the West coast and are considering neither.

[Anonymous]

OOS UVA total COA is $90k for engineering. Not sure how this is much of a debate vs. UMD for STEM.