The Philosophy

Large (30,100) public universe in a large city
1856 founded. 75% Maryland residents

The Classes

Less than 10% have over 100 students
Some classes set up around round tables that hold 4 students
Discuss sessions of 20-30 students offered for classes over 100, to review lectures
18:1 student to faculty ratio

The Path

RD Priority Application Nov 1
RD Jan 20, notified April 1
Rolling notification begin Jan 31
Financial Aid Priority Jan 1

Limited enrollment programs
Leader in Living and Learning program. Common living communities. EA are automatically reviewed for these communities and merit scholarship
26 factors considered in the admissions decision|
Super score ACT, SAT
Most students admitted with EA
Admissions is major blind, with second review for major. If you get into school put not major, can apply second yr
90 majors
Create your own major

The People

Students are BOLD, FUN, KIND,CURIOUS, SMART
300,000 + alumni, 60 alumni organizations
50% students of color
48% faculty of color
48% female faculty

The Aid

Financial aid can be used while studying abroad
52% first years receive some kind of financial aid

The name says Maryland, but the location says Washington, D.C. Students in College Park can jump on the Metro just as they do at American or Georgetown. Maryland, the state’s flagship campus, is nothing if not big, and savvy students will look to programs such as the Honors College and living/learning communities for some personal attention.

For good luck on exams, University of Maryland students rub the nose of Testudo, the school’s terrapin mascot. But even without touching the storied statue, most students here feel lucky to be at a diverse school that offers a multitude of programs, from living/learning communities to special opportunities for freshmen, that make it feel smaller and more personal, despite its daunting size. “With hundreds of different student organizations,” says a senior, “students will always be able to find their niche.”

Maryland’s 1,335-acre campus embraces an array of architectural styles, including the Georgian brick buildings ringing the oak-lined mall at the heart of the campus. The 17,950-seat Xfinity Center hosts Terrapin basketball games and special university events. The $152 million Iribe Center for Computer Science and Engineering, featuring six floors of specialized, high-tech labs, and the St. John Teaching and Learning Center are among the newest additions to campus.

Maryland, which dates to 1856, has earned a strong reputation for its engineering and computer science departments, as well as the Smith School of Business and Merrill College of Journalism. The most popular majors are economics, computer science, biological sciences, criminology and criminal justice, and mechanical engineering. Newer undergraduate majors include information science and public policy. General education requirements entail a number of distribution areas, including professional writing, oral communication, diversity, and others. Students must also take an “i-Series” course that emphasizes “broad, analytical thinking about significant issues.” For students at the extremes of the academic spectrum, there are departmental honors programs and the Honors College, as well as an intensive educational development and tutoring program. Students participating in individual studies can combine established majors and create their own programs.

Maryland’s academic climate is “more collaborative than competitive,” according to one student. Lower-level courses tend to be large and impersonal (“easy to hide in, even easier to skip”), but the corresponding weekly discussion sections led by teaching assistants offer personal attention. The situation improves by junior year, when classes of 20 to 40 students become the norm. “Professors are clearly well versed in their fields,” says a biochemistry major, “but there is some expectation for students to teach themselves material.” The university is putting more emphasis on helping students make timely progress toward their degrees. A two-day orientation, seminars, and course clusters are offered for freshmen, and 60 percent of freshmen participate in nearly 20 living/learning programs that provide experiential learning opportunities in more intimate settings. The First-Year Innovation and Research Experience (FIRE) program allows qualified freshmen to join faculty-led research groups for research and mentorship experiences. One participant comments, “The FIRE program has really sparked and encouraged my interest in research.” Internships in nearby Washington, D.C., and Baltimore are plentiful, and 22 percent of undergrads study abroad in dozens of countries, such as Costa Rica, Israel, and Sweden.

Seventy-three percent of undergraduates are Maryland natives, while New York and New Jersey are also well represented; 4 percent hail from foreign nations. Diversity is more than just a buzzword: 11 percent of students are African American, 9 percent are Hispanic, 18 percent are Asian American, and 5 percent are multiracial. Major social and political issues on campus revolve around greater awareness of racial and LGBTQ+ issues. Qualified undergrads receive merit awards averaging $7,000, and athletes vie for more than 430 scholarships in 19 sports.

Thirty-nine percent of students live on campus in single-sex or co-ed dorms; freshmen are guaranteed housing. While many juniors and seniors seek off-campus accommodations, those who stay on campus all four years will find that their digs improve as they gain seniority-upperclassmen have the option of on-campus apartments and suites. Freshmen generally live in high-rises or low-rises; South Campus is said to be more relaxing than the louder North Campus. “Dorms are great and an essential part of the freshman experience,” one senior says. Campus safety features include triple locks on dorm-room doors and walking and riding escort services to transport students after dark. “The area has its rough spots but it is constantly becoming safer,” a sophomore says.

The university’s reputation as a haven for those who prefer partying to studying is changing as students with better credentials apply, but there is still always something happening in the dorms and at local pubs. Students enjoy frequent school-sponsored concerts, movies, speakers, and Terp After Dark events, as well as the traditional fraternity parties and football and basketball games. “Social life is epic here,” raves one history and education double major. Fourteen percent of men and 19 percent of women go Greek, but they don’t dominate the tone of campus life. As for drinking, “They say no tolerance and in recent years, there have been crackdowns. As a result, policies have increased in effectiveness,” says one student. Art Attack is a favorite annual event in which local artists share their crafts and national touring artists perform an evening concert. Other popular events include Maryland Day and homecoming. When Maryland’s suburban campus feels too small, a few bucks and a few minutes on the Metro (Washington’s subway system) brings Terrapins into downtown D.C. at a hare’s pace; downtown Baltimore is a 40-minute drive.

Division I sports are a big deal here, and, in a gesture to the importance of television revenue, the Terrapins compete in the predominately Midwestern, 14-member Big Ten Conference. The university drew national attention in 2018 following the heatstroke-related death of a sophomore football player, resulting in the firing of the football coach, the retirement of the university president, and a period of soul-searching about the culture of Maryland’s athletics program. Despite the football team’s disappointing record on the Big Ten stage, the Terrapins continue to achieve success: women’s lacrosse and men’s soccer are recent national champions, while men’s and women’s basketball and field hockey have claimed conference titles. Basketball fans are intrepid and not always civilized, turning out en masse to disparage opponents. “Students here have a lot of school spirit,” a junior says. “Terrapin pride runs rampant around here.” A handful of intramurals and 45 club sports draw roughly a third of the students.

The University of Maryland’s overwhelming size is both a blessing and a curse for the increasingly capable undergraduates here. On one hand, “the diversity of the student body and the opportunities afforded are infinite,” a sophomore says. On the other, largeness can translate into crowded dorms, big classes, parking problems, and other hassles. Still, most students agree that the university’s range of academic programs, advantageous location near the nation’s capital, and persistent school spirit make the Maryland experience worthwhile.

-Fiske Guide