Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")

[Anonymous]

DC is from Long Island. High stats, probably valedictorian. ECs are strong but no national competitions or anything. Wants to be a doctor.

I want her to be a comfortable driving distance away (under 7-8 hrs). She has plenty of reaches-for-all on her list. Lots of NE schools- she loves cooler weather and I love that they're not that far. She doesn't have strong opinions on the size of the school other than small LACs do not appeal to her, and mid-size sounds good.

I think she would be fine with the relatively larger size of UMD... I also think the size on paper doesn't always match how one experiences a campus.

For those whose kids attend(ed)- did it feel very big?
And just more generally... Do you think DC should add UMD to her list as a Target? If your kid went OOS (or was accepted), was merit aid offered? Thank you!

[Anonymous]

There are so many better options for a girl with those stats within 8 hours of Long Island.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are so many better options for a girl with those stats within 8 hours of Long Island.

Forgive my ignorance. I have a friend who loved her time at UMD so that's why I thought of it. Please give me some suggestions- I really appreciate it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many better options for a girl with those stats within 8 hours of Long Island.

Forgive my ignorance. I have a friend who loved her time at UMD so that's why I thought of it. Please give me some suggestions- I really appreciate it.

For starters, the Virginia state schools aren't much further away, are much better, and are smaller. UVA and William & Mary are both probably targets for a LI valedictorian. They're expensive though, and don't give a lot of merit aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many better options for a girl with those stats within 8 hours of Long Island.

Forgive my ignorance. I have a friend who loved her time at UMD so that's why I thought of it. Please give me some suggestions- I really appreciate it.

For starters, the Virginia state schools aren't much further away, are much better, and are smaller. UVA and William & Mary are both probably targets for a LI valedictorian. They're expensive though, and don't give a lot of merit aid.

Yes, I am mentioned, I am also looking at merit aid. -OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many better options for a girl with those stats within 8 hours of Long Island.

Forgive my ignorance. I have a friend who loved her time at UMD so that's why I thought of it. Please give me some suggestions- I really appreciate it.

For starters, the Virginia state schools aren't much further away, are much better, and are smaller. UVA and William & Mary are both probably targets for a LI valedictorian. They're expensive though, and don't give a lot of merit aid.

Not trying to start a whole thing here, but is W&M much better than UMD? -OP

[Anonymous]

UMD is not a target for anyone. It's hard to get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many better options for a girl with those stats within 8 hours of Long Island.

Forgive my ignorance. I have a friend who loved her time at UMD so that's why I thought of it. Please give me some suggestions- I really appreciate it.

For starters, the Virginia state schools aren't much further away, are much better, and are smaller. UVA and William & Mary are both probably targets for a LI valedictorian. They're expensive though, and don't give a lot of merit aid.

Not trying to start a whole thing here, but is W&M much better than UMD? -OP

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many better options for a girl with those stats within 8 hours of Long Island.

Forgive my ignorance. I have a friend who loved her time at UMD so that's why I thought of it. Please give me some suggestions- I really appreciate it.

For starters, the Virginia state schools aren't much further away, are much better, and are smaller. UVA and William & Mary are both probably targets for a LI valedictorian. They're expensive though, and don't give a lot of merit aid.

😂 I see someone is trying to make this a VA vs MD thing. So obvious! First, UVA, William and Mary, and UMD are 3 very different schools...different but all great schools nonetheless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many better options for a girl with those stats within 8 hours of Long Island.

Forgive my ignorance. I have a friend who loved her time at UMD so that's why I thought of it. Please give me some suggestions- I really appreciate it.

For starters, the Virginia state schools aren't much further away, are much better, and are smaller. UVA and William & Mary are both probably targets for a LI valedictorian. They're expensive though, and don't give a lot of merit aid.

😂 I see someone is trying to make this a VA vs MD thing. So obvious! First, UVA, William and Mary, and UMD are 3 very different schools...different but all great schools nonetheless.

Yep

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is from Long Island. High stats, probably valedictorian. ECs are strong but no national competitions or anything. Wants to be a doctor.

I want her to be a comfortable driving distance away (under 7-8 hrs). She has plenty of reaches-for-all on her list. Lots of NE schools- she loves cooler weather and I love that they're not that far. She doesn't have strong opinions on the size of the school other than small LACs do not appeal to her, and mid-size sounds good.

I think she would be fine with the relatively larger size of UMD... I also think the size on paper doesn't always match how one experiences a campus.

For those whose kids attend(ed)- did it feel very big?
And just more generally... Do you think DC should add UMD to her list as a Target? If your kid went OOS (or was accepted), was merit aid offered? Thank you!

I think she should! Yes it's a big school but tons of clubs to make it feel smaller. It's not an easy school to get into but if her stats are high then I'd say target Note that there are some limited enrollment programs like business and CS that would make admission to those programs more competitive.

[Anonymous]

Why? Why? Why?

Stony brook and Bing are excellent in-state schools. Why paying OOS tuition?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why? Why? Why?

Stony brook and Bing are excellent in-state schools. Why paying OOS tuition?

Stonybrook is too close. She wants to leave LI. Bing is on the list (and not THAT cheap!).

[Anonymous]

UMD can feel smaller if you are in a Living Learning Program (LLP). My one kid was in College Park Scholars and loved it. It’s a 2-year program and all the kids (about 80?) within the same class live in one dorm and take one class together during each of the four semesters of the program. Definitely made the school feel smaller. There are lots of LLPs, some one year, some 2 years, some four years. We are MD residents so I can’t speak to the out of state merit question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UMD can feel smaller if you are in a Living Learning Program (LLP). My one kid was in College Park Scholars and loved it. It’s a 2-year program and all the kids (about 80?) within the same class live in one dorm and take one class together during each of the four semesters of the program. Definitely made the school feel smaller. There are lots of LLPs, some one year, some 2 years, some four years. We are MD residents so I can’t speak to the out of state merit question.

This is so helpful- thank you.