(UMD/UMaryland-College Park) UMCP is a typical state university

How this student rated the school

Educational Quality	B+	Faculty Accessibility	A-
Useful Schoolwork	D	Excess Competition	B-
Academic Success	D	Creativity/ Innovation	B+
Individual Value	B+	University Resource Use	C-
Campus Aesthetics/ Beauty	B	Friendliness	B+
Campus Maintenance	D-	Social Life	C
Surrounding City	F	Extra Curriculars	C+
Safety	D+

Describes the student body as: Arrogant, Violent, Snooty, Closeminded Describes the faculty as: Friendly, Helpful, Condescending

Female

SAT1270

Quite Bright

Lowest Rating Surrounding City	F

Highest Rating Faculty Accessibility	A-

She cares more about Campus Maintenance than the average student.

Date: Jul 31 2003
Major: History/Histories (art history/etc.) (This Major's Salary over time)
UMCP is a typical state university. The academics are, as a whole, just average. If you want to skate by and hardly learn anything, you can. But there are also some excellent programs you can get into if you're a motivated student, and I've seen plenty of challenged and satisfied smart kids. You really will get back as much as you put into it. Socially, this seems to be a big party school, and the student body is huge and diverse, so chances are that no matter what you're into, you'll find friends. But a warning - when you're a part-time or transfer student (I'm both) it's really really hard to make friends here. Maryland is not, in general, a very friendly place. People open up when they are new freshmen together in the dorms, or they stay at home with their parents and keep with their high school friends. So if you arrive late in the game or aren't a native here, you're out of luck. The proximity to DC is helpful, though, and that makes for great opportunities both socially and in terms of internships and the like. The university campus is pretty, but this is a high-crime area of the world and sometimes it spills over on camus, so it isn't entirely safe. The area immediately surrounding the school is particularly ugly and dingy, and you can't go for a walk in College Park any time of day without being approached by beggars. Still, just be smart (don't walk alone at night) and you're okay. Parking is a pain, but it's really not the end of the world. Both the students and the professors around here have the idea that it is some great travesty to have to walk more than 10 feet, and I find that much more exasperating than my far-off parking spot. Overall, I would love to be elsewhere, but this place does give you a good, solid value for the money if you work at it. You can get a good education for what you pay, a bargain compared to private schools, and if you like sports and frat parties, you'll be especially happy on the social side. UMCP is fine - it's just not anything special.

Responses

This review of UMCP reflects a diverse experience, highlighting both the average academic more information environment and the potential for excellence in specific programs. The emphasis on individual effort influencing the learning outcome is notable. Socially, the university's large and diverse student body offers opportunities, but making friends as a part-time or transfer student can be challenging.

Ask a Question or add a response!