UMBC or UMD?

[Anonymous]

I went to UMBC in the late '80s as an immature little brat. Attending classes with people who were already professionals in their field did wonders for my maturity and skill set. I also made a lot of connections there which led to several summer internships and easy employment once I graduated. It's been 25 years since I graduated and I look back on my education from UMBC as a very positive time. UMBC is quite a bit bigger now but it's still smaller than UMCP which will lead to smaller classes. I think the quality of education will be very similar at both schools.

[Anonymous]

UMBC stands for YOU MUST BE CRAZY

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UMBC stands for YOU MUST BE CRAZY

Or University of Maryland, Best Campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UMCP. It's higher ranked, and would be a more fun on campus experience. And now that it's part of the big 10 there will be possibilities to take classes from other schools in the consortia.

The big ten is awesome. You can take classes at all the schools.

How does that work since they really aren't close to each other? My DC goes to one (in the Midwest) and wouldn't even consider taking classes at another one as they are many miles away. In the case of UMD the closest ones would be Rutgers and Penn State and both are about 4 hours away. Really just curious - maybe DC is missing out on something.

I agree, I don't see any advantage. I thought it had to do with athletics which I could care less about.

Well the Big 10 is an athletic conference, and UMD joining it was a big deal. As it turns out they are doing surprisingly well so far. UMD joined it in large part for the money - the BTN generates real money for the schools. It has generated some excitement and school spirit at CP - way more people at football games (and therefore more $) in the fall. My DC goes to a B1G school where people are fanatical about the sports and it generates huge alumni passion and loyalty, which is a plus.

But the class consortium thing is puzzling to me. The B1G are mostly huge universities so it's not clear what they aren't offering that you would take elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to UMBC in the late '80s as an immature little brat. Attending classes with people who were already professionals in their field did wonders for my maturity and skill set. I also made a lot of connections there which led to several summer internships and easy employment once I graduated. It's been 25 years since I graduated and I look back on my education from UMBC as a very positive time. UMBC is quite a bit bigger now but it's still smaller than UMCP which will lead to smaller classes. I think the quality of education will be very similar at both schools.

OP here.
I am reading college confidential and a number of UMBC students end up going to Harvard medical school. I am thinking because the internship opportunities might be better for undergrads at UMBC than at UMD. My DC is very interested in going to med school.

I am hearing really good things about UMBC. The one negative (for my kid) would be that a lot of HS friends are going to UMD (Is this a negative or a positive? I don't know).

Anyways - I am thrilled that as MD residents we have this choice for undergrad. These are solid schools for STEM.

Keep it coming, folks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Solid STEM student. Got in both schools. We will probably do another round of campus visits to reevaluate both campuses/programs/opportunities again. Curious to hear your thoughts? Give me pros and cons.

Based on many years of STEM interns from both places, the only people I see picking UMBC over UMCP are the people that got significant financial aid to UMBC.

[Anonymous]

The info you are getting here is incorrect. UMBC hands down! The President Freeman Habrowski has turned UMBC into a STEM powerhouse! Better opportunities coming out of UMBC and definitely better Ph.D. opportunities.

[Anonymous]

When you graduate where is your degree from on your transcript and diploma? University of Maryland or University of Maryland, College Park/ Baltimore County?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you graduate where is your degree from on your transcript and diploma? University of Maryland or University of Maryland, College Park/ Baltimore County?

UMCP degrees say "university of Maryland" while UMBC is a different school altogether.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When you graduate where is your degree from on your transcript and diploma? University of Maryland or University of Maryland, College Park/ Baltimore County?

UMCP degrees say "university of Maryland" while UMBC is a different school altogether.

That's right. Went to both. UMBC degrees say "Univeristy of Maryland, Baltimore County" while my UMCP degree says just "University of Maryland"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The info you are getting here is incorrect. UMBC hands down! The President Freeman Habrowski has turned UMBC into a STEM powerhouse! Better opportunities coming out of UMBC and definitely better Ph.D. opportunities.

This is the party line from UMBC boosters, but nobody except the people going there believe it. UMBC is a fine school, but it's not in the same league as UMCP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to UMBC in the late '80s as an immature little brat. Attending classes with people who were already professionals in their field did wonders for my maturity and skill set. I also made a lot of connections there which led to several summer internships and easy employment once I graduated. It's been 25 years since I graduated and I look back on my education from UMBC as a very positive time. UMBC is quite a bit bigger now but it's still smaller than UMCP which will lead to smaller classes. I think the quality of education will be very similar at both schools.

OP here.
I am reading college confidential and a number of UMBC students end up going to Harvard medical school. I am thinking because the internship opportunities might be better for undergrads at UMBC than at UMD. My DC is very interested in going to med school.

I am hearing really good things about UMBC. The one negative (for my kid) would be that a lot of HS friends are going to UMD (Is this a negative or a positive? I don't know).

Anyways - I am thrilled that as MD residents we have this choice for undergrad. These are solid schools for STEM.

Keep it coming, folks!

It's almost always a positive to make a break from your high school buds, even if they are the world's greatest peer group. It's never a bad thing to broaden your experience and have to make new friends.

I grew up in Montgomery County, had the same set of friends my whole life. They all went to the UMD together, lived together, joined the same fraternity together, etc. I went away to school and am so grateful I did. I'm still friends with those guys today, but I have a whole different set of friends and experiences, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:State flagship vs. its little brother? UMD hands down.

umbc changing name to get away from that

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:State flagship vs. its little brother? UMD hands down.

umbc changing name to get away from that

What will the new name be?

We know some people at UMBC and they are really enjoying it and happy with their choice. Visit the campuses and talk to students, sit in on some classes to help make a good decision. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:State flagship vs. its little brother? UMD hands down.

umbc changing name to get away from that

What will the new name be?

We know some people at UMBC and they are really enjoying it and happy with their choice. Visit the campuses and talk to students, sit in on some classes to help make a good decision. Good luck!

Univ of Maryland, Big Cheese (UMBC)