University of Maryland-Baltimore County Top Questions

Describe the students at your school.

Alex

UMBC is extremely laid back. There is so much diversity that it's impossible not to fit in. Most students come from Maryland, but since each county is fairly unique, there are many different socioeconomic backgrounds. If you don't know how varied Maryland is, ask someone from PG county what they think of Montgomery county, or ask someone from Anne Arundel county what they think of the eastern shore. Most people here tend to be science majors, but you can easily find arts, humanties, math, and business type majors.

Fred

UMBC is one of the most diverese campus's in the country. There are many different races, religions, economic backgrounds and sexual orientations at UMBC. I don't feel that there would be many people that would feel out of place on campus. The student body here is very accepting ad diverse. There is no pressure to dress or act a certain way while at school. As far as differnt students interacting, I would have to say there is a rather large gap between the athletes and the non athletes. There are some people who try to bridge that gap and it is starting to close. Most studens at UMBC are from Maryland. Students at UMBC are prdominately from the upper middle- to upper classes of society, politically they are center and active and aware in politics. Students do talk about how much they'll earn one day. UMBC is a very science oriented school and therefore the jobs that students will one dy have are likely to have the bigger salaries.

Nico

UMBC is one of the MOST diverse school in America. Any race, religion, ethnicity you can think of, you will probably find here at UMBC. It is a great way to get to know other cultures and learn to understand other perspectives. Walking through the commons during free hour (MWF 12-1pm, when no one has class), you will truly realize the diversity of UMBC.

Aditya

Although the stereotype of the campus being mostly Asian is not true, it does feel that way msot of the time. It is perhaps I am South Asian myself that I tend to notice it more, but either way when the biggest classes offered at the campus, bio and chem courses, are filled up mostly by Asians, heads tend to turn. Otherwise, the campus seems pretty accepting of all races and religions. Most minorities with a sizable body have their own student orgs, which are always having events for peoplet o mingle.

Lexi

Like all campuses, there are students in the left/right/center politically, and those that could care less. For those that care, many of the more outspoken ones are left-leaning. There is a relatively strong GBLTA community, and in general UMBC students are tolerant of cultural, sexual, gender, and other differences.

Maria

The student body is alright, many clicks still exist and once you make friends you usually stick with them for the next four years. Most friends eat lunch and dinner together and go to events together you rarely see different groups hanging out with each other. Also students come from ALL over the world and getting used to the diversity and some students not speaking english as well can be tough.UMBC is politically active and love talking about politics in their free time, most of the campus seems to be very liberal.

Reese

As a lesbian, UMBC is great. Its totally accepting and i have yet to have a bad experience. The others in the Freedom Alliance are very cool, and i have made a lot of friends there. I waited until college to come out , and i can safely say that it was one of my most rewarding experiences, and everyone else i know whom has done the same at UMBC, has said the same.

Dawn

UMBC is a very diverse campus, and no one would feel left out. Most students are dressed casually for class-often in jeans and a tee shirt. However, some dress up sometimes. You can find anything really. Different types of students interact because it is such a diverse campus. Middle class backgrounds are most prevelant, and some students are politically aware/active, but others are not. Students sometimes talk of how much they'll earn one day.

Matt

Student groups attempt to introduce culture to the overall culturally homogeneous student body. Almost all of the students were raised in your typical american suburb, and those that weren't stick out. The student body is, however, accepting, in terms of "alternative lifestyles." In terms of politics, the students may talk about politics, but are not actively engaged in protests, etc.

Alex

UMBC is an open campus with room for expression from every demographic. With that there is an outlet, it seems, for every taste, lifestyle, religious practice, etc.

Michelle

I've actually had a pretty positive experience with other groups on campus. In my experience no one is out to offend anyone else, we're all trying to be openinded. To class, most students wear jeans, hoodies, and flip flops. Students definitely hang out in different groups- athletes, frats/sororities, theatre majors, honors students, math/science scholars, humanities scholars, computer majors- but I personally have friends from many different groups. Most UMBC students are from the area, or at least in-state. I think most students belong to the political left.

Emmerson

UMBC is a very diverse campus so everyone feels like they fit in somewhere.

Thomas

There is practically a group for any racial or religious preference you may have, but I have not joined any per se and they are not so invasive as to make themselves fully known. I did notice some events for the LGT group; most recently a drag show that I didn't feel compelled to check out. Again, a student that seeks parties for them to hop into and a suitmate with a desk covered in booze bottled would have a bit of a time working the situation. Most students are from in state, and many commute, but it seems that demand for on campus housing is on the rise. Middle class is predominant. There is moderate political awareness, but it's rather quite and minor in scale. There is a mix of political orientation, but I'd have to say the majority is apathetic. I must admit, I am too. Students are not pretentious or overly cliquish. Most are general friendly and average. There may be a lack of zesty characters, but one can find enough friendly faces to get situated and seek out those who they can resonate with. There is alot of talk about classes, tests, and projects, but not so much about future careers, parties or future salaries.

Chelsea

The great thing about UMBC is that there is room for all kinds of people. It is one of the most diverse campuses in the country, and you can tell just by looking around as you walk on the main academic row. Whoever you are, whatever you like, you will find a group where you feel welcome. I will say that the campus seems to be a little left wing, but I'd say for the most part there is a good mix.

Tanya

Very smart intelectual people.

Harper

UMBC's student body is largely clique-oriented, with little sense of community. Most prefer to complain that there is nothing to do on campus instead of actually making anything happen. There are a lot of people who sit around hoping that something interesting will happen, and who will gladly take part and join in if something does; however, very few will actively seek out or help promote community involvement.

elle

i feel like they are a clique

Rachel

diverse.

Sandy

My experiences with all of the different races, religions, sexual orientations, SESs and other groups is that all are pretty much tolerated and allowed to be their own selves. There is so much diversity in all of those different aspects here on campus that there is a place for everybody and most groups seem to coexist and sometimes mingle with one another. As far as attire to class for students goes, some wear very casual clothes such as sweat pants, jeans, etc., but others wear more professional attire possibly because they come from work or what not. UMBC students are from all over the world. I would guess that the majority are from Maryland, but there is a large percentage of people from all over the US as well as the rest of the world.

Rob

Everybody is very tolerant of the various social groups represented on campus. There are student groups to represent just about any conceivable ethnicity, religious affiliation, or other distinction. The student body is very diverse.

Jason

1. Typically they've done programs geared towards making middle aged middle class heterosexual white men feel guilty. At least that's my experience of them. 2. Middle class heterosexual white male with little to no athletic ability. 3. Jeans and tee shirts. 4. Not on a large scale. Groups still segregate themselves within the commons while eating and socializing. That part of the campus still has the feel of a high school. But outside of there, especially in residential areas, integration is more prevalent 5. Jocks, Geeks, Blacks/African Americans/Whatever the politically correct term is now, and loners 6. Maryland or New Jersey. 7. Middle class. 8. Everyone's got an opinion, but not everyone is extremely motivated to make anything of it. 9. Left (unfortunately) 10. Nope. We're more worried about simply graduating.

Ryan

I honestly feel that NO ONE would feel out of place at UMBC. It truly is a diverse campus in every sense of the word (i.e., racially, religiously, etc.) So, I think if you are looking for a school where everyone is welcome and accepted regardless of gender, sexual preference, religion, or race, UMBC is the right place. To describe those four tables-none of them would be the same- Financial background- id assume a middle bracket socioecon status students are very politically involved, mostly left leaning (aren't most campuses?) No- I've never engaged in a discussion about future earnings.

timothy

You will find anyone here at UMBC. Any of those groups listed above will be active and for the most part tolerant. As with any schoool there are always some people with bigoted attitudes but UMBC lets groups express thier views. No one would feel too out of place here because there are so many different people, unless you want extreme personal attention or to be lost in the sea of people as a number.

Elizabeth

My experiences with other groups on campus have been fine. I really don't think any student would feel out of place at UMBC because there is such a diverse group of students. Most students dress casual to class, jeans/polo's, t-shirts/sweats, etc. people only really dress up when they have a presentation. Most UMBC students are either foreign of from Maryland.

Kendall

-none -none -casual, jeans and t shirt -yes, UMBC is an extremely diverse school and you meet many races and ethnicities. -Haven't been to the dining hall in a long long time. Used to be groups from the same floor of a dorm would eat together. -Maryland I would guess - in state tuition is great -Idk -idk -I think left, MAryland is a primarily democratic state -Being an engineering major, we talk about making money often.

Nikki

I do not believe many people would feel out of place at UMBC. UMBC is a diverse place that is accepting and welcoming of individuals from many different backgrounds.

Alex

The school is very open to everything and very much wants you to be open and experience cultural different from your own. jeans and a Tee. Yes everyone interacts! Um jocks, random people, interfaith kids, more random people, me, more random people.. its a mix!

Harper

We have so many different groups on campus, I have really been opened to different perspectives as a result of being involved in the campus community. I think just about any student can find what they are looking for at UMBC. But somebody who thinks college is a joke and isn't interested in devoting time to it isn't going to stay here very long. Most students wear whatever they had on the bed when they got up in the morning to class. Different types of students interact all the time because there are so many of them - you can't avoid it! One has nerds talking about online exploits, anime, and webcomics. Another consists of "artsy" students talking about US politics. Some science majors tell bio jokes. A group of roommates laughing. Most UMBC students are from Maryland and are upper-middle class, which reflects the financial background of the state. We struggle with some of the same apathy issues as the rest of the country, but the students who are involved are very involved. It's a college campus, I'd say most people are left. Lots of students talk about where they plan on going/how much they will make after graduation.

Connie

Groups on campus -- I'm on the executive board of the UMBC Freedom Alliance, UMBC's LGBT rights group, and I know for a fact that we're pretty darn awesome. Almost all the other groups I've talked to are pretty welcoming. The martial arts clubs foster a great learning environment, the religious groups are mostly friendly. Each major also has a council of students who organize related events and provide support, connections and resources for students. If someone feels out of place at UMBC, they probably feel out of place everywhere else, too -- there's a niche for everyone. Clothes -- It may seem that anything goes, and technically it does, but a lot of professors poke fun at students who wear, for example, pajamas to class. Dining hall -- there's always someone sitting by themself in a corner. There's a loud table of sports buddies, whose scholarships place them a stone's throw away from the dining hall, in Potomac. Late at night on Thursdays there's usually a gay table. Early in the morning, a few early birds have coffee and breakfast together. Most UMBC students are from Maryland; a reasonably arge number are from other states and some few are international students. Financial background -- middle class. Some are paying for their own education. Students are not nearly as politically active as they should be; the upcoming election has galvanized a lot of people the know more about what's going on. College students today live in a sort of bubble, that's just starting to pop. I don't know a lot of conservatives, but then again I usually sit at the gay table... Earn -- no one really knows. Maybe a grad student could answer that better. I know I'll be making $6-12 an hour, because that's what freelance theatre work pays.

Avah

Students who have grown up in a primarily white community would feel left out. Yes UMBC is known for its diversity but it is an array of cultures put in one environment and shoved down everyones throat. Having many cultures at one location doesnt make you diverse, the come together of cultures and interacting with each other does. SOmething UMBC needs to work towards.

Benjamin

My experience has been that just about every group possible is represented at UMBC. A large computer science program means lots of nerdy kids. Division I athletics provide a fairly large representation of jocks. Lots of preppy kids join fraternities and sorrorities. However, most students at UMBC defy such petty pidgeonholing. You will be sure to meet lots of truly individual people.