Maryland outside of UMD

[Anonymous]

Only have money for an in state school and cannot get my kid to be even slightly interested in any state school besides UMD- which is a long shot. We have visited a few (St Mary’s was too isolated, UMBC not enough campus). We still need to visit Towson, Salisbury, and Frostburg but he is so against all of them. His friends seem to feel this too and are leaning toward going out of state which is not an option for us. I so wish Maryland had at least one more large school!

For those who have BTDT and has had a kid land at one of these schools after not wanting to, have they changed their tune? Do they now like them? Help me, wise parents!

[Anonymous]

My son is the same but he is a junior this year. His siblings attended/attend UMD and he spends lots if time on campus. He’d love to go there but won’t get in. He has zero interest in other in-state options but that’s our budget. I’ve known other kids who were happy at Towson so I’d like to think I can get him to reconsider. In the meantime, we’ve learned that tuition varies widely at public colleges in other states and some are more affordable than I realized thanks to merit options. I’ve heard Miami of OH is one of those schools.

[Anonymous]

Maybe your child will feel differently after visiting Towson, etc. Agree with previous poster about schools that offer merit. Louisville, Alabama, Etc.

[Anonymous]

We like Towson. Much better town with lots of walkable restaurants, the Recher Theater for live music, nice campus with a more trees. They are putting a lot of money into improving the campus, includng a beautiful new health sciences building.

[Anonymous]

A friend of mine was shocked that her son really liked Frostburg. It’s where he landed.

They had also looked at several of the MD privates that apparently give decent merit. I think Loyola and MSM and one more.

Lots of MD kids wind up at WVU with merit.

There are also other options in PA and VA. Don’t rule out out of state schools, public or private - you never know what kind of merit aid you might receive.

I think Towson is a really nice school, honestly. Worth serious consideration.

[Anonymous]

Do not rule out privates with merit aid (which some schools offer to almost every kid) They can be in the same range as in state. They know what they are competing with.

Also...don't forget St Mary's...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do not rule out privates with merit aid (which some schools offer to almost every kid) They can be in the same range as in state. They know what they are competing with.

Also...don't forget St Mary's...

Oh you mentioned St Mary's

[Anonymous]

My kid said he wanted big and vibrant and sporty. He’s going to St Mary’s because in the end it had all the other things he needed. In the end he really likes the water sports that are available and the river itself, plus the history of the site (he likes history).

Not suggesting that your kid go to St Mary’s, but just that when it comes down to it he may be able to be practical and choose among the realistic options and be content with one. I think it helps to not hype up college as some magical time where all your desires are met. It’s like buying a house for non rich people - you live within your budget and buy something good enough.

And I echo others on out of state with merit money. My son really liked Slippery Rock, of all places, and their merit even for a B student brought it very close to MD in-state costs.

[Anonymous]

Definitely look at private schools too. My kid is at Loyola which works out to be a few thousand more per year than Towson.

[Anonymous]

In addition to the other suggestions, I know someone who was very immature in HS (not saying that is your DS) had terrible grades, attended two years of CC where he really locked in, and transferred to UMD.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of state schools, especially in the Midwest, that charge in-state tuition to out of state residents who live nearby. They also offer out-of-state merit scholarships that lower the 'out of state cost' to the same as in-state.

I just mention this because you might want to do a bit more googling about some other options that really won't cost that much more than a school in Maryland, if they are looking for a different experience.

[Anonymous]

DD was all in on UMD until she visited Towson and loved it. Ended up there despite getting into UMD.

[Anonymous]

We have a kid at UMD and just toured Towson for the current senior. We were all pleasantly surprised at the campus and surroundings.

[Anonymous]

Op here- you have made me excited to visit Towson. I’m going to try to open his eyes a bit. I know it’s not what he thinks he wants out of college but that doesn’t mean it won’t be exactly what he needs.

[Anonymous]

You just need to be realistic with him that you only have a certain amount of money to spend per year.

Tell him he should apply to Maryland and at least two other Maryland schools.

Then tell him he can apply to other places and if the merit or financial aid works out, he can consider those.

OP, what are his stats and what is your financial situation (HHI, assets etc)? You may be eligible for more aid than you realize