interesting chats have me looking for in-state MD options

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not about the price, it’s about the opportunities. There are no colleges in our state that truly excel at my DD’s major. We paid the high price for an OOS research U. Worth every penny. If you are lucky enough to get a relative bargain in state that works, great. But don’t think I must have wasted my money, because that’s just not true.

for most families, it is about the price and (perceived) opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My chlid wanted a SLAC and gave St Mary's serious consideration. We were not sure where its trajectory would take it though, given enrollment and budget concerns.

Anecdotally, UMDCP just seemed so big that your child will get very little individual attention. That may be true of all large state schools, and I think MD is a strong one. But there are many smaller schools out there that give generous merit aid and help kids make the transition from living home to adulthood. They have lots of caring adults around who notice if someone is falling through the cracks.

+1

My MCPS magnet grads are very happy at at LACs, where we pay about $40K/year after merit scholarships. They were both admitted to UMD-CP but didn't want to attend a large university.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Remember that there are also many options that would cost a bit more than UMD but significantly less than $70K per year. A lot of OOS publics would probably come in around $40-45K if you're more comfortable with that price range.

I've never understood the idea of choosing OOS public if there's a good in-state public.

[Anonymous]

OP, at this point there is nothing, concrete, to compare.

Don't make the mistake of thinking too heavily about this until results are in. At this point you don't know where she'll be admitted of what it will cost. Your/your daughter's energy/focus is better spent completing applications. Of course in-state, several choices should be financial safeties. And emphasize to your daughter that there is no falling in love in any financial reach. All acceptances and final costs have to be known before a decision is reached.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s not about the price, it’s about the opportunities. There are no colleges in our state that truly excel at my DD’s major. We paid the high price for an OOS research U. Worth every penny. If you are lucky enough to get a relative bargain in state that works, great. But don’t think I must have wasted my money, because that’s just not true.

m

What degree is that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My chlid wanted a SLAC and gave St Mary's serious consideration. We were not sure where its trajectory would take it though, given enrollment and budget concerns.

Anecdotally, UMDCP just seemed so big that your child will get very little individual attention. That may be true of all large state schools, and I think MD is a strong one. But there are many smaller schools out there that give generous merit aid and help kids make the transition from living home to adulthood. They have lots of caring adults around who notice if someone is falling through the cracks.

+1

My MCPS magnet grads are very happy at at LACs, where we pay about $40K/year after merit scholarships. They were both admitted to UMD-CP but didn't want to attend a large university.

Could you please give us some examples of Slacs high achieving students such as your children should consider?

[Anonymous]

Loyola Maryland gives very good financial aid if good grades. My daughter did not attend, even though we thought it was a good deal.

They offered her $100,000 off tuition in a merit scholarship over four years. $25,000. All she needed to do was maintain a 2.0 GPA as no gimmicks.

It is a small school with a good donor base and looking to increase rankings so will pay up for kids with good grades

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Loyola Maryland gives very good financial aid if good grades. My daughter did not attend, even though we thought it was a good deal.

They offered her $100,000 off tuition in a merit scholarship over four years. $25,000. All she needed to do was maintain a 2.0 GPA as no gimmicks.

It is a small school with a good donor base and looking to increase rankings so will pay up for kids with good grades

If rising in the rankings is the goal they’re doing a lousy job of it. They’ve been on the regional list forever and haven’t budged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Loyola Maryland gives very good financial aid if good grades. My daughter did not attend, even though we thought it was a good deal.

They offered her $100,000 off tuition in a merit scholarship over four years. $25,000. All she needed to do was maintain a 2.0 GPA as no gimmicks.

It is a small school with a good donor base and looking to increase rankings so will pay up for kids with good grades

On campus COA over 67k/year. Even with 25k token merit, it's over 40k per year. no chump change

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Loyola Maryland gives very good financial aid if good grades. My daughter did not attend, even though we thought it was a good deal.

They offered her $100,000 off tuition in a merit scholarship over four years. $25,000. All she needed to do was maintain a 2.0 GPA as no gimmicks.

It is a small school with a good donor base and looking to increase rankings so will pay up for kids with good grades

On campus COA over 67k/year. Even with 25k token merit, it's over 40k per year. no chump change

For a mediocre school.

[Anonymous]

I've never understood the idea of choosing OOS public if there's a good in-state public.

OOS (NY) Junior with plenty of in-states, but meh is all I can say about them. I found Towson on DCUM last year. DS definitely likes medium sized with urban or at least some type of city center/college town. We don't need to financially choose public but oddly, a few are seem more appealing than those in our state. He's toured privates and is a really good student with good extras. But, we've been doing the research together and both feel that he should have more safeties than match/reach. The crapshoot is daunting.

Any more thoughts on Towson?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I've never understood the idea of choosing OOS public if there's a good in-state public.

OOS (NY) Junior with plenty of in-states, but meh is all I can say about them. I found Towson on DCUM last year. DS definitely likes medium sized with urban or at least some type of city center/college town. We don't need to financially choose public but oddly, a few are seem more appealing than those in our state. He's toured privates and is a really good student with good extras. But, we've been doing the research together and both feel that he should have more safeties than match/reach. The crapshoot is daunting.

Any more thoughts on Towson?

Because you don’t like you in-state publics. Not sure why this is such a mystery to you.

[Anonymous]

I went to St. Mary's College in the early 1980's on a full (academic) scholarship. Small--yes. White--yes. But an incredible academic experience. I went directly to graduate school and was very well prepared. All of my children have applied to SMCM and I have kept up with the academic changes and developments over the 30+ years since my graduation. SMCM is part of the UMD system--however, it has it's own separate board of trustees and can keep the monies from alumni donations. Larry Hogan tried to put an end to that in his first term--he wanted to abolish the independent board of trustees and divert SMCM's funding to the UMD system. The uproar from students, parents and alumni was earthshaking an put an end to that idea. However, the school went through some rough times 2010-2013 when Joseph Urgo came on as president; he fired the long time admissions director. Rich had great relationships with high schools and was key in keeping enrollment numbers solid in a competitive college market. Enrollment suffered, leading to the smallest freshman class in 2013. Those factors along with deferred maintenence, shenanigans from the state (see above) and lack of leadership led to the school's reputation taking an undeserved hit.
My DD graduated from SMCM in May. She was able to work closely with professors, to conduct original research, to present at conferences and has submitted articles for publications. Her experience is not unique. Her classmates are on their way to law schools and medical schools and top graduate programs. She got a remarkable education for a reasonable price.
Whenever I walk around town in SMCM gear I always get shout outs from alumni and parents of current students. The recented edition of Bethesda Magazine featured 6 extraordinary teachers--including one who is a recent graduate of SMCM.
I hope your DC likes the school. I sure did and still do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My chlid wanted a SLAC and gave St Mary's serious consideration. We were not sure where its trajectory would take it though, given enrollment and budget concerns.

Anecdotally, UMDCP just seemed so big that your child will get very little individual attention. That may be true of all large state schools, and I think MD is a strong one. But there are many smaller schools out there that give generous merit aid and help kids make the transition from living home to adulthood. They have lots of caring adults around who notice if someone is falling through the cracks.

+1

My MCPS magnet grads are very happy at at LACs, where we pay about $40K/year after merit scholarships. They were both admitted to UMD-CP but didn't want to attend a large university.

Could you please give us some examples of Slacs high achieving students such as your children should consider?

Examples include e.g. Grinnell, Denison, Kenyon, Ohio Wesleyan, Oberlin, Whitman, Clark, Allegheny, Wooster, St. John's.

WashU in St. Louis and Boston College award merit money, as does Brandeis - but it is so insanely competitive that it's a very long shot for even the highest achiever.

St. Mary's College of Maryland is a solid option as well.

[Anonymous]

‘I had a great experience at school x’ is pointless storytelling. SMCM is struggling and the quality of students it attracts is dwindling. At this point Salisbury has a better crop of students. Read the CDS if you want to know what’s really happening.