DCUM Forum

Anonymous

04/14/2026 13:28 Subject: UMD Accepted Students Day March 7

In a similar situation for us, choosing between UVA and UMD for physics. UMD makes so much sense given the overall strength of the department with research opportunities, quantum computing firm on campus, and my kid is offered scholarships and FIRE. But the overall prestige of UVA is very hard to ignore. We toured UMD and really couldn’t find anything that was not good about. Will tour UVA after spring break.

My kid was in FIRE, great for the first 2 semesters, but the last one where everything comes together, budget was cut and program had to be modified. Total bummer. Ask about this, but then again they could say it will run, and then ooops, no more money-sorry.

Anonymous

04/13/2026 16:52 Subject: UMD Accepted Students Day March 7

Anonymous wrote:How was the April 10 accepted day?

It was nicer weather so seems most people loved it.

Anonymous

04/13/2026 16:47 Subject: UMD Accepted Students Day March 7

Anonymous wrote:How was the April 10 accepted day?

Kid skipped April 10, went to UVA and had a good time. They visited UMD today and was happy too. Hard to decide.

Anonymous

04/13/2026 08:28 Subject: UMD Accepted Students Day March 7

How was the April 10 accepted day?

Anonymous

03/12/2026 21:44 Subject: UMD Accepted Students Day March 7

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The swag thing to both me and my husband is all about school pride and spirit. Do kids love their school enough to wear the merch. I know it’s silly, but we found a 100% correlation between kids wearing school merch and the energy level on campus for the schools we visited. Loved going to schools where not only the students, but community members out and about were also wearing the merch. Shows a high level of community support. Just did not see a lot of kids wearing Maryland shirts or sweatshirts. A few, but not the majority. It kind of sets the tone and vibe.

This is a surprise to me. My Terp wears UMD spirit wear almost daily. I see tons of kids wearing it. He and his friends enjoy attending athletic events and love campus life, especially the bars. There is an active Greek culture for those who want it (my kids didn’t). My DD also attended and my niece is currently there. If you’re there early in the day it will be less active than later in the day as kids are sleeping in or in class. Things really get going later in the day/evening as on most college campuses.

That surprises me, too. I haven’t been a student in 25 years and I still wear Terp gear all the time! I wore a Maryland shirt to the gym tonight and am wearing a different one to sleep. 😂

Anonymous

03/11/2026 21:34 Subject: UMD Accepted Students Day March 7

Anonymous wrote:Ugh! So torn. Intellectually, UMD makes so much sense. Really impressed with the engineering program. Love the first year design class and the fact that they have strong professors teaching the 100 level classes. DD has an opportunity for research through the.FIRE program. Access to DC, food was great. Love the unlimited dining. Dorms were fine. School in a major conference and has big time athletics. I truly feel the engineering program is a way better fit for her than Virginia Tech, her other serious option. However, emotionally, the campus was just lacking. Something was just missing. Kids not wearing Maryland swag, overall campus seemed a bit dated and lacked a certain energy. My kid is torn. She wants access to Greek life, athletics and wants a community with school spirit. Virginia Tech takes many boxes, but I have some concerns about the engineering program and she’s not sure she loves the location. We visit Virginia Tech next weekend for an admitted students event, so hopefully things will become more clear.