Anonymous
07/30/2025 17:23
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
Anonymous wrote:I find UMD kind of impersonal and College Park somewhat unappealing. But, UMD is still a solid school and especially strong for certain majors. It’s certainly not a bad option, but there are probably schools where your student would get a more personalized experience.
Yep UMD is not for shrinking violets. It's for tougher kids. Look at the genius alumni impact on the country and world. You come out a lot tougher and more resilient.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 17:22
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
Anonymous wrote:UMD is not a target for anyone. It's hard to get into.
It’s a clear target for a high stats valedictorian from LI.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 17:21
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
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
Yes
Anonymous
07/30/2025 17:19
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
I find UMD kind of impersonal and College Park somewhat unappealing. But, UMD is still a solid school and especially strong for certain majors. It’s certainly not a bad option, but there are probably schools where your student would get a more personalized experience.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 17:02
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A friend's daughter is going there. She is OOS and got merit to bring it in under in state (Penn State). Her stats were not anywhere near the stats of the OP.
Pitt is an option of a larger school that appears small. Pitt will give merit. I bet OP will get decent merit form Case Western too if OP shows interest.
Thanks! I have heard CWRU is a good choice for pre-med, I will talk to DC about it.
DD toured CWRU - if your kid is pre med and ok with an urban setting it seemed like a really good option given the network with the hospital there.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 15:49
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
My kids go there and don't complain about it being big. There is a large NY/NJ population so they may know people they see unlike other out of staters. Great school for Engineering and CS.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 15:27
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
It's Big Ten and has become really hard to get into since being asked to join. It's a coast to coast research giant which is the Big Ten profile.
The VA schools are smaller and in the quainter ACC and not much further if she wants a downscaled environment
The VA schools are smaller and in the quainter ACC and not much further if she wants a downscaled environment
Anonymous
07/30/2025 15:27
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
Anonymous wrote: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!
My kid is a rising junior at UMD from junior. He loves it there. Never given us the impression that the school is "too large". He received some merit which makes the cost comparable to the two most expensive in-state schools. Did the honors college thing for a year. Active in club sport and academic club. Moving off campus to a "new-ish" high within walking distance. Hes a CS major which falls into the school of natural sciences and mathematics. College Park is a little rough, but there's a little downtown next to campus which is quite popular. Fake IDs are plentiful! Campus is nice. Can't say enough good things other than perhaps beltway traffic to get there.
**My kid is a rising junior at UMD from VIRGINIA**
Anonymous
07/30/2025 15:25
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
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!
My kid is a rising junior at UMD from junior. He loves it there. Never given us the impression that the school is "too large". He received some merit which makes the cost comparable to the two most expensive in-state schools. Did the honors college thing for a year. Active in club sport and academic club. Moving off campus to a "new-ish" high within walking distance. Hes a CS major which falls into the school of natural sciences and mathematics. College Park is a little rough, but there's a little downtown next to campus which is quite popular. Fake IDs are plentiful! Campus is nice. Can't say enough good things other than perhaps beltway traffic to get there.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 15:24
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
Any larger University can seem big. I know for me, when I attended UMD (many years ago 
)
joining clubs and a Fraternity helped it seem so much smaller. I think the same applies to any larger university. The key is to make it smaller for yourself.
)
joining clubs and a Fraternity helped it seem so much smaller. I think the same applies to any larger university. The key is to make it smaller for yourself.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 15:23
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
PP had a good suggestion re. Pitt/Case Western. Both are smaller than UMD. I'd add all three to your list. We are in-state to UMD and all 3 of my kids went to UMD Honors Program. Classes are larger in intro classes, not unlike any other big state Unis. but much manageable after that. One of my kids just finished medical school and started residency. Pre-med advising office is pretty okay but not much held holding. Your kid will have to be a self-driven kid.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 15:20
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
Look at UConn. My daughter got significant merit that made it cheaper than in state for us. It’s a big school that doesn’t feel nearly as big as UMd.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 15:15
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
Anonymous wrote:A friend's daughter is going there. She is OOS and got merit to bring it in under in state (Penn State). Her stats were not anywhere near the stats of the OP.
Pitt is an option of a larger school that appears small. Pitt will give merit. I bet OP will get decent merit form Case Western too if OP shows interest.
Thanks! I have heard CWRU is a good choice for pre-med, I will talk to DC about it.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 15:12
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
A friend's daughter is going there. She is OOS and got merit to bring it in under in state (Penn State). Her stats were not anywhere near the stats of the OP.
Pitt is an option of a larger school that appears small. Pitt will give merit. I bet OP will get decent merit form Case Western too if OP shows interest.
Pitt is an option of a larger school that appears small. Pitt will give merit. I bet OP will get decent merit form Case Western too if OP shows interest.
Anonymous
07/30/2025 15:12
Subject: Should DC apply to UMD? (and does it feel very "big")
Anonymous wrote: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.
For most majors, yes it is. For some more technicals ones UMD is better. But if your kid is going to med school anyway then either will do.