University of Maryland-College Park Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

Regina

The best thing about this school is the diversity. All of my friends are of different races and we all participate in various club activities ranging from martial arts to music. If I could change anything it would be to add another diner to the campus. The campus is beautifully large and for it's size it would nice to be have more dining places that are close to classes or dormitories. My shcool size is perfect. When I first came to Maryland I thought that it would be too large but discussions make classes more personal and the campus is gorgeous so walking around is never a burden. I personally enjoy exercising and the walk along with our amizing gym is wonderful. I do Chinese martial arts and in between practice days I always find myself at the gym, which is one of the best facilities on campus. In addition to the gym, students show a lot of pride for this school. Football games are loud, crazy, and filled with red and white and the soccer games are just as exciting.

Brittany

The best thing about Maryland is the huge amount of clubs and organizations. There is honestly no reason for any student to be bored while attending the university. The one thing I would change is the food in the diners. Excluding the newest diner, 251North, I dread going to get something to eat. I think my school is too large only when I have to register for classes and the wait list are over 50 people. There is a ton of school pride, and its contagious! Overall, every place has its ups and down, but I love UMD.

Alyssa

I love Maryland!!! There is always some activity or event going on. There are countless organizations and groups to join. If you’re interested in community service, religion, music, comedy, sports, or any other number of things, there is something here for you. When I applied to Maryland, I was worried that it was going to be too big. However, when I got here I made friends with many different groups of people, so I never felt lost in the crowd. I actually see going to a big school as a positive because I am always meeting new people and making new friends. Academically, Maryland has many top ranked programs and opportunities for research. There is also a great career center to help you land that internship or job after graduation. If I had to choose one negative thing about Maryland, I would say the amount of crime. On the other hand, I feel safe walking across campus. If you need to walk somewhere late at night, make sure to walk with another person, or call a nite ride bus to take you where you need to go.

Mishal

The best thing about this school is the mall and the fact that it is so close to DC.The only thing I would change is to make sure that off-campus housing was cheaper. The size of the school is just right.

Nicholas

The best thing about this school is the diversity of the student body. One thing I would change is the range of majors offered here at College Park. I think that although the school is large, it is perfect for me because I have found my niche here. People react positively, and have a lot of spirit and passion for the MD Terrapins. I spend most of my time at Stamp Student Union because it is the hub of student activities, and offers a great place to eat, study, or relax in between classes. This is mostly a college town; most people living in College Park are students or are involved with the university in some way. I think the administration here is very effective, and I respect the work that they do. The biggest recent controversy on campus was probably the Duke riot two years ago. There is definitely a ton of school spirit; students have so much spirit and pride for their Terrapins. One experience that I will always remember is moving into the residence halls as a freshman, because it was one of the most exciting times of my life. Some student complaints include that advising can sometimes be unhelpful or vague, and that prices for things such as meal plans and textbooks can be very high.

Carly

University of Maryland, College Park is an extremely diverse college. Campus life is constantly booming with new activities and clubs that help to shape our campus into what it is today. Maryland students are innovative and hard working. The best thing about this school would be its accepting environment. No matter what cultural background or lifestyle you come from, Maryland will always have a spot for you. As a student, you will find your place easily because the campus is so large. Being a part of a large school definitely has its benefits. There are a wide variety of classes to choose from compared to a smaller school. Take it from me personally; I attended Towson University my freshman year of college, and felt as if I did not have a wide variety of Gen. Ed. classes to choose from. When I tell people that I attend the University of Maryland, College Park, their immediate reaction is, "Oh wow, you must be smart!" Another reaction may be, "It must be fun to attend the sporting events!" Both of these responses are positive. Every single time I have told someone that I attend the University of Maryland, College Park, I am confident in myself and feel accomplished as a student. Having that proud feeling inside of you, because you attend Maryland, is something amazing. I am not involved in a sorority, so I spend most of my time with my friends on campus. My friends and I will go to spots such as, the student union, or the library. SInce the campus is so huge, there are many other spots that students can relax at that are more secluded. The school's administration is beyond caring. I can tell you from personal experience because I transferred from Towson University. At the University of Maryland, College Park, administration seems to come to me. At Towson, I always felt as if I was bothering administration when I came to them with questions. Maryland has a sense of urgency that makes me feel secure. When I have an issue that I need addressed by administration, they will answer me in a short amount of time and in a professional manner. Route one is the hot spot for college students. If you are over the age of 21 there are a couple bars on this road. There are also an endless amount of restaurants for students to access, that are in a walkable distance from campus. Route one has everything from Domino's to Chinese Buffets. There are also plenty of healthy options such as Jason's Deli and Yogi Berry (a frozen yogurt chain). Maryland has so much pride it's leaking out of our veins...okay maybe not that much pride, but it is surely close to that. You can sense our pride the most by attending a basketball or football game. These games are filled with excitement and student unity. Even though we have such a large school, students are able to realize that they are also part of a close knit community. We are Terps, and we are one! I'll never forget the time that I went into the library during finals week. I thought to myself, "I'll never find a spot here. There are way too many people." However, I looked around and saw that one girl was sitting on the ground. I am a self conscious person to begin with, so I couldn't imagine sitting on the library floor letting hundreds of students stare at me. Somehow I told myself, "Who cares what anyone thinks." I sat down on the ground, put my headphones in, and began to study my notecards. No matter how cheesy this sounds, I learned a valuable lesson. At college there a wide variety of people on campus. Sometimes you have to tell yourself that it is okay to do what you want. When comparing high school to college, there is a huge difference. At college, people tend to judge you less. Individuals can express themselves in any way they want without feeling as if they are "weird" or too marginal from society. I sat down on the floor and didn't feel weird; I actually liked it!

Sophie

I love UMD. I love going to a big school, where you can meet someone new every day. Most of my professors are approachable, students are friendly, and the environment is alot of fun. I also really appreciate that Maryland excels at and is well-ranked in many disciplines, including Engineering, Business, Computer Science, and many others.

Abigail

Without a doubt UMD College Park is an amazing school! The campus is the perfect size; it is certainly large but not at all too big. It can be a pain if you have a class on the complete opposite side of campus, but the walk will allow you to see different parts of campus and different people along the way. -When others ask me what college I attend and I respond University of Maryland College Park, people are impressed. I have met a significant number of people who attended UMD themselves and are very familiar with CP. The reputation that UMD has built truly carries a long way; I am confident that when I apply for a professional career later in life that the employer will have heard great things about UMD and be impressed. Even those who never attended UMD are familiar with the intense school spirit and many support the sports teams. -In my opinion, the best part about CP is the night life and greek life! Although I am not yet a member of a sorority (as I am a freshman) I have met tons of people who are part of the greek scene...they are awesome and love to party! From the frat parties to the clubs in DC (easy to access by metro) to the bars (Corner Stone (C-Stone), Bentley's, and The Barking Dog) there is always something to do! I would not call CP a "college town" simply because of the close proximity to D.C., and also because we are not isolated from other areas/separate towns. Despite this, there is a definite "college-town" feeling throughout campus and on Route 1 (the main strip through CP with resturants, bars, etc) that is present all year round. -If i had the ability to do so, I would change the transportation routes of the UMD shuttle buses. When they are running the buses are great...but for those students who live off campus like me, it can be difficult to get to your class that's across campus when they are not running. Generally the buses are on time and come frequently...but I would add additional stops to the routes and make sure that a greater portion of the on- and off-campus location were serviced by the buses. -I spend most of my time on campus in my classes, because I live off-campus. My apartment building has its own study rooms and business center so I do not frequently go to the library or other places to study on campus, but they are great places to study with friends. -Wallace Loh, the president of UMDCP, has truly made a presence amongst students here on campus. He created a video message that is delivered as a welcome to newly accepted students, as well as the yearly Christmas card that was sent to all of the students. He frequently sends out informational emails and I feel that he does a great job here at UMD. -The experience that first comes to mind when considering something I'll always remember about UMD was the first time that I ever saw the Mighty Maryland marching band perform at a football game. Their sound is incredible and their performance truly inspired my Maryland school spirit that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Overall, I would recommend attending UMD at anyone as it is a diverse environment that has something to offer for everyone.

Brendan

Without a doubt, the best thing about the University of Maryland is it's students. University of Maryland students are very involved in their campus and local communities. I always find it extremely interesting to see what students are working on in their respective fields. My friends within Student Government Association are always discussing their ideas to make the University of Maryland more involved with local businesses and school within the greater College Park community. My science buddies are always discussing their latest research endeavors under the supervision of some top-notch mentors. My friends in government and politics discuss their work on Capitol hill, and their internships with high ranking public officials (I was offered an internship in Steny Hoyer's office, but had to decline because of scheduling conflicts). My friends in the Smith business school tell me about their experiences with major financial firms. Yet, despite their achievements and ambitions, I would rarely describe University of Maryland students as arrogant or haughty. They are mostly down-to-earth students looking to make a difference in the world. The one area that could some some improvement is the charisma of the lecturers. While the University of Maryland is full of top-notch research professors, the teaching prowess of it's professors leaves more to be desired. This is largely a major-specific issue. Some institutions have a more talented teaching core, while others... not so much.

Lana

I love my school. One of the slogans for a club I am in is, "Student now, Terp forever," and that can really sum up my overall positive experience here. There isn't one thing I can label as "the best" or even one experience I can pinpoint that I'll always remember. Everyday here is an experience and these four years are ones that I will never forget! In my opinion, Maryland is not too large or too small of a school. It is definitely a large university, but for me is just right. I enjoy being apart of a school with a vast student body and would rather it be bigger than smaller. Its size and notoriety is in part of one of the best things about Maryland. People hear, "Oh you go to Maryland?!" and are really impressed by it - as they should be! You don't hear many complaints from students about our school. Except for diehard fans who are still lamenting our most recent football season, there isn't any issue or problem that needs to be addressed. Crime rates are average as in all large college towns so people just tend to take caution at night, which is something people should always do anyway.

Michelle

As a large state school, Maryland may seem intimidating to students that are accustomed to growing up with the same group of friends in the same town. However, Maryland features so many different niches of opportunity, that it is easy to create a small community of friends within campus. Yet, you are never short of a chance to meet a new friend. As is the same with most colleges, the experience is what you make of it. Maryland has an incredible variety of experiences available to its students, with your imagination and chosen schedule being the only limit! It IS possible to double major while engaging in a service fraternity and tutoring middle schoolers on the side, with time to spare to head to that men's soccer game on Friday night. School pride at Maryland runs deep, and no matter who you meet, there's a good chance that they love being here as much as you do. The proximity of the University Maryland to Washington D.C. is one of my favorite parts about the school. I appreciate having a college campus to call my home, and I certainly prefer it over a college situated in a city, where it runs the risk of lacking any semblance of a campus environment. However, a short metro ride will take you right into downtown D.C., where you can explore the Smithsonian museums to your heart's content without spending a penny on admission. Besides the usual tour of the monuments, other parts of the city including U Street, Dupont Circle, and Adams Morgan are great hang out spots to catch lunch, see some guerrilla street poetry slams, or get in on a drum circle. And no matter how crazy your day in the city was, you can always return to College Park and spend a more low key day hanging out on McKeldin Mall.

Zahir

The best thing about Maryland is the campus--which is beautiful--the access to prestigious professors and opportunity to contribute to their research, and proximity to Washington DC. When people hear I'm a student at Maryland, the response is typically positive. Its a great, old institution which is grows infinitely faster than it ages. There are constant new developments, and many major projects that students beginning 2014 will benefit from. We are also very well known internationally, and attract a large base of international students. Our prestige as a research institution and proximity to DC, I believe, is responsible for this. The school is very large. Are you used to being a number among many? It's a great place for someone that is comfortable being part of a large population. You will make great lifelong friends, and meet tons of great people throughout your time here. Your academic and extracurricular associations will make Maryland a smaller, more personal place. I eventually recognized more than half the people I see when out at nights. There is a lot of school pride, regardless of whether teams are performing well or not. University of Maryland is famous (infamous?) for their fashion sense and school pride being inseparable. Everyone wears Maryland-branded apparel all the time. Generally comfort trumps looking good when it comes to fashion sense, and I think it highlights the priorities of the student body. Down to earth, friendly people, rarely caught up in material things. College Park is absolutely a college town, where our lives and lifestyles are heavily directed by goings on here in our zip code. Despite its proximity to DC, most students spend most of their time here in College Park. This is in reference to professional and social life. There are reasons for this: in College Park, you can hang out and party on the cheap. Everything is significantly cheaper in College Park than in DC. Additionally, DC is 30 minutes away, more expensive, and you have to return home within Metro transit hours. Still, it's there and accessible to those who want to visit. Its an incredible city with its museums, architecture, historical landmarks, awesome nightlife and international crowd. I do it every weekend!

Zahir

The best thing about Maryland is the campus--which is beautiful--the access to prestigious professors and opportunity to contribute to their research, and proximity to Washington DC. When people hear I'm a student at Maryland, the response is typically positive. Its a great, old institution which is grows infinitely faster than it ages. There are constant new developments, and many major projects that students beginning 2014 will benefit from. We are also very well known internationally, and attract a large base of international students. Our prestige as a research institution and proximity to DC, I believe, is responsible for this. The school is very large. Are you used to being a number among many? It's a great place for someone that is comfortable being part of a large population. You will make great lifelong friends, and meet tons of great people throughout your time here. Your academic and extracurricular associations will make Maryland a smaller, more personal place. I eventually recognized more than half the people I see when out at nights. There is a lot of school pride, regardless of whether teams are performing well or not. University of Maryland is famous (infamous?) for their fashion sense and school pride being inseparable. Everyone wears Maryland-branded apparel all the time. Generally comfort trumps looking good when it comes to fashion sense, and I think it highlights the priorities of the student body. Down to earth, friendly people, rarely caught up in material things. College Park is absolutely a college town, where our lives and lifestyles are heavily directed by goings on here in our zip code. Despite its proximity to DC, most students spend most of their time here in College Park. This is in reference to professional and social life. There are reasons for this: in College Park, you can hang out and party on the cheap. Everything is significantly cheaper in College Park than in DC. Additionally, DC is 30 minutes away, more expensive, and you have to return home within Metro transit hours. Still, it's there and accessible to those who want to visit. Its an incredible city with its museums, architecture, historical landmarks, awesome nightlife and international crowd. I do it every weekend!

Zahir

The best thing about Maryland is the campus--which is beautiful--the access to prestigious professors and opportunity to contribute to their research, and proximity to Washington DC. When people hear I'm a student at Maryland, the response is typically positive. Its a great, old institution which is grows infinitely faster than it ages. There are constant new developments, and many major projects that students beginning 2014 will benefit from. We are also very well known internationally, and attract a large base of international students. Our prestige as a research institution and proximity to DC, I believe, is responsible for this. The school is very large. Are you used to being a number among many? It's a great place for someone that is comfortable being part of a large population. You will make great lifelong friends, and meet tons of great people throughout your time here. Your academic and extracurricular associations will make Maryland a smaller, more personal place. I eventually recognized more than half the people I see when out at nights. There is a lot of school pride, regardless of whether teams are performing well or not. University of Maryland is famous (infamous?) for their fashion sense and school pride being inseparable. Everyone wears Maryland-branded apparel all the time. Generally comfort trumps looking good when it comes to fashion sense, and I think it highlights the priorities of the student body. Down to earth, friendly people, rarely caught up in material things. College Park is absolutely a college town, where our lives and lifestyles are heavily directed by goings on here in our zip code. Despite its proximity to DC, most students spend most of their time here in College Park. This is in reference to professional and social life. There are reasons for this: in College Park, you can hang out and party on the cheap. Everything is significantly cheaper in College Park than in DC. Additionally, DC is 30 minutes away, more expensive, and you have to return home within Metro transit hours. Still, it's there and accessible to those who want to visit. Its an incredible city with its museums, architecture, historical landmarks, awesome nightlife and international crowd. I do it every weekend!

Zahir

The best thing about Maryland is the campus--which is beautiful--the access to prestigious professors and opportunity to contribute to their research, and proximity to Washington DC. When people hear I'm a student at Maryland, the response is typically positive. Its a great, old institution which is grows infinitely faster than it ages. There are constant new developments, and many major projects that students beginning 2014 will benefit from. We are also very well known internationally, and attract a large base of international students. Our prestige as a research institution and proximity to DC, I believe, is responsible for this. The school is very large. Are you used to being a number among many? It's a great place for someone that is comfortable being part of a large population. You will make great lifelong friends, and meet tons of great people throughout your time here. Your academic and extracurricular associations will make Maryland a smaller, more personal place. I eventually recognized more than half the people I see when out at nights. There is a lot of school pride, regardless of whether teams are performing well or not. University of Maryland is famous (infamous?) for their fashion sense and school pride being inseparable. Everyone wears Maryland-branded apparel all the time. Generally comfort trumps looking good when it comes to fashion sense, and I think it highlights the priorities of the student body. Down to earth, friendly people, rarely caught up in material things. College Park is absolutely a college town, where our lives and lifestyles are heavily directed by goings on here in our zip code. Despite its proximity to DC, most students spend most of their time here in College Park. This is in reference to professional and social life. There are reasons for this: in College Park, you can hang out and party on the cheap. Everything is significantly cheaper in College Park than in DC. Additionally, DC is 30 minutes away, more expensive, and you have to return home within Metro transit hours. Still, it's there and accessible to those who want to visit. Its an incredible city with its museums, architecture, historical landmarks, awesome nightlife and international crowd. I do it every weekend!

Alexandra

I love being a Terp! People are great, I learn a lot, sports are fun. It's an all around great school to be a part of!

Chineme

The University of Maryland is a great school that provides numerous opportunities and benefits for its students. I love the diverse population, outstanding faculty, and great location (We are very close to D.C. and have our own metro stop). Before attending the university, I had been intimidated by the large size of the campus and population. However, the university has a strong sense of community and school spirit, similar to the camaraderie found in smaller schools.

Chineme

The University of Maryland is a great school that provides numerous opportunities and benefits for its students. I love the diverse population, outstanding faculty, and great location (We are very close to D.C. and have our own metro stop). Before attending the university, I had been intimidated by the large size of the campus and population. However, the university has a strong sense of community and school spirit, similar to the camaraderie found in smaller schools.

Stephanie

I absolutely love this school!! We are ranked amongst the best universities both regionally and nationally, in fact we are the 17th best public school of the United States. What I love about my school is that there is a niche for everyone. I didn't even think it was possible to have so many clubs and organization for every taste and passion. I also love the fact that we have such a wide variety in the student body, you are just as likely to find the coolest person ever there as you are to find the person that is kind of weird but doesn't care at all and you respect them for it. It is indeed a big school, but like I said before it is definitely possible to find your niche, JOIN A CLUB and get involve you are sure to make this school seem a lot smaller with the right people around you. As for the town around the campus, well College Park was built around student needs, from the bars, the Chinese place that seems to never close, to the numerous restaurants that accommodate student's budget. Also I have nothing bad to say about the administration. The Diamondback, our newspaper, keeps us informed on all the major decisions concerning the school, and there is always a way to have your voice heard on any decision, whether it be as a member of the Student Senate or at a open forum organized by the school. Now school pride, well we are terrapin which are tiny turtles, and yet our slogan is "Fear the turtle", plus Testudo can roar like a lion. How awesome is that? There are a lot of good hang out space too, Stamp is home to all the commuters, and you often see them catching up on some Z's there. As for me, I like to hang out at the farm, and yes we do have an on-campus farm with real animals. I am an Animal Science major so I guess that kind of explains it.

Stephanie

I absolutely love this school!! We are ranked amongst the best universities both regionally and nationally, in fact we are the 17th best public school of the United States. What I love about my school is that there is a niche for everyone. I didn't even think it was possible to have so many clubs and organization for every taste and passion. I also love the fact that we have such a wide variety in the student body, you are just as likely to find the coolest person ever there as you are to find the person that is kind of weird but doesn't care at all and you respect them for it. It is indeed a big school, but like I said before it is definitely possible to find your niche, JOIN A CLUB and get involve you are sure to make this school seem a lot smaller with the right people around you. As for the town around the campus, well College Park was built around student needs, from the bars, the Chinese place that seems to never close, to the numerous restaurants that accommodate student's budget. Also I have nothing bad to say about the administration. The Diamondback, our newspaper, keeps us informed on all the major decisions concerning the school, and there is always a way to have your voice heard on any decision, whether it be as a member of the Student Senate or at a open forum organized by the school. Now school pride, well we are terrapin which are tiny turtles, and yet our slogan is "Fear the turtle", plus Testudo can roar like a lion. How awesome is that? There are a lot of good hang out space too, Stamp is home to all the commuters, and you often see them catching up on some Z's there. As for me, I like to hang out at the farm, and yes we do have an on-campus farm with real animals. I am an Animal Science major so I guess that kind of explains it.

Stephanie

I absolutely love this school!! We are ranked amongst the best universities both regionally and nationally, in fact we are the 17th best public school of the United States. What I love about my school is that there is a niche for everyone. I didn't even think it was possible to have so many clubs and organization for every taste and passion. I also love the fact that we have such a wide variety in the student body, you are just as likely to find the coolest person ever there as you are to find the person that is kind of weird but doesn't care at all and you respect them for it. It is indeed a big school, but like I said before it is definitely possible to find your niche, JOIN A CLUB and get involve you are sure to make this school seem a lot smaller with the right people around you. As for the town around the campus, well College Park was built around student needs, from the bars, the Chinese place that seems to never close, to the numerous restaurants that accommodate student's budget. Also I have nothing bad to say about the administration. The Diamondback, our newspaper, keeps you informed of the decision being made, and there is always a way to have your voice heard on any decision, whether it be as a member of the Student Senate or at a forum.

Carleigh

I really believe there is something for everyone to get involved with at the University of Maryland. There is a club for anything you can think of, and if, by chance, the club you are looking for does not exist, it only requires 8 members to start a new Student Government-approved organization. Going to Maryland, I have met so many new friends different from myself and would recommend the University to anyone who is looking to expand his or her horizons.

Emily

I honestly think the best thing about Maryland is the people here. Even in a 200 person lecture hall, where your teacher doesn't know you from the guy next to you, the students are friendly and the teachers and TAs are absolutely willing to make time to help you understand any and every concept if you are willing to put in the time and effort to learn and reach out to them. That being said, if I had to pick one thing to change, I would make the larger courses, such as general Chemistries, Biologies, and Physics, standardized. It can be really frustrating to get stuck with the one Phyisics teacher who has four exams and that is your grade, while watching a friend in the same course with a different teacher have 40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of their grade from homework that is graded on effort. I spend most of my time on campus in classes and in the buildings where I have my classes. I love that in EVERY building on campus there is a great place to sit and plugs for your laptop. That way, if I have 20 minutes between class or if I get there 10 minutes early I don't have to just stand and wait around, I can sit and do some reading, work, or jump on Facebook. College Park is definitely a college town, there are no two ways about it. There is a TON of school pride. I do not know one single person who works here, studies here, or lives in this town, that isn't a Maryland FANATIC! In fact, one thing from my school career that I will always remember is during Maryland's Snowpocalype in 2010, when Maryland basketball was playing UNC at home - the athletics department offered free tickets to anyone who could come and show school ID. Even though we had to trudge through two feet of snow all the way across campus to get there, there wasn't a single open seat in the entire place! I would have to say the most frequent complaint I have heard is how difficult it is to have a question answered. The advisers are assigned randomly within each college, so even though I am Pre-Vet I had an adviser for three years who knew nothing about vet school and only cared about beef cattle. HOWEVER, if you have classes with a teacher in the topic that you want to have a career in after college, they are definitely willing to give you advice and help you out, even though they are not your real adviser.

Rory

The best thing about UMD is the amount of opportunities: internships, classes, extracurriculars... I wish there was more time in college- less required classes and more credits to be able to do your own thing. It's tough to go abroad because you have to pick somewhere where you can get your classes done in order to graduate on time. There's so many interesting classes. I love how big the school is. It's big enough that you can see no one you know on campus one day, and then walk across the mall and see five people you know. It's a perfect balance. There isn't much of a college town. It's really just Route 1, but the metro is accessible and Route 1 does it's function just right. TONS of school pride. I went from cheering for the Rams in Elementary, then the Bears in High School to... the turle. I never thought I'd be able to do it... but it's unbelieveable. I love sports and the one experience I will never forget is my first Maryland Men's Basketball Game. I definately picked the right school.

Robin

I loved that I had the option to create my own major and that there were a huge number of courses to choose from. The quality definitely varied but you could find the really rigorous engaging courses hidden amongst the rest. Same went for the student population - yeah it's a huge school, but you find your kindred spirits somehow. And places to hang out - again, the trend continues - the selection isn't huge but there were definitely some great spots on and around campus, and the joys of DC are not too far away, especially if you have a car.

Ryan

The best thing about UMD might be its proximity to Washington DC and the Metro-connection from College Park. I spent most of my time at the Food Co-op, which was a great little crunch community of spelt and quinoa lovers, wand which made the enormity of UMD feel a bit smaller and more manageable. The jock/sport/frat culture was totally alienating to me, as I wanted to be at a small liberal arts college from the beginning and wasn't amused by the "riot if we lose; riot if we win" student body. Once I found my friends, I spent most of my time off campus at their apartments and houses, which was a nice way to cope with the impersonal feeling of the towering freshman dorms. There are a lot of nice off-campus housing options in nearby Berwyn Heights and in the neighborhood right by the Metro. There's also a beautiful, wooded, older neighborhood nearby called University Park that served as a great escape and was really nice to walk around in.

Naomi

Good things about UMD: the physics department--professors and extremely approachable and enthusiastic; proximity to washington dc--very fun city for young people; large size means anything you're looking for, you can find;

Devin

UMD is best known for its school spirit. The entire school comes out on Saturday to cheer the team (although sometimes the Terps dont win). Last homegame of 2007, students stormed the feel. Housing is a huge problem on campus. Only freshman and sophomores are able to live on campus. Juniors and higher are thrown off. While the school seems big, you will recognize one or two people from each of your classes at the bar; the professors do not know your name. Many people join frats and sororities, mostly out of insecurity. People spend most of their time either in the student union which was renovated recently, in their dorms or at the bars. Def. not a college town. It has been rated as the most dangerous campus in America for many years now. Several incidents every weekend. The school is more focussed on getting more money than offering students the services that they want or need.

KJ

Maryland is a big school with TONS of opportunities. If you're the kind of person who is going to sit in your dorm-room and not explore the campus community then Maryland is not for you. It's easy to sit around and not make much of your experience if you lack energy. However, if you are someone who is willing and excited to see what's really out there, you will quickly and easily find many different things that interest you. Sports, clubs, faith-based groups, Greek Life, performing arts, etc. It's all here! The campus itself is BEAUTIFUL with tons of facilities and open space. It has a great "camp" feel that creates a great sense of community.

Ryan

One of the best things about Maryland are the living and learning programs. They make a University of over 30,000 undergrads seem like a small community. It makes it easier not to get lost in the shuffle. I would change the structure of the Student Government Association and how they allocate funds. The size of the school can be overwhelming at times but its great going to such a big university because there is always something to do, a new activity to get involved with, or meeting new people. College Park, despite the name is NOT a college town. There are about 5 bars on Rte. 1 and thats it. There also is some animosity between the university and the city of College Park. Crime is an issue here. The Administration (especially the Diversity Provost) is awesome. He's very accessible, easy to talk to and always willing to help with student initiatives. Biggest controversy--a noose was hung outside of the black student union in Fall 07 MD students have a ton of school spirit, which is one of my favorite things about Maryland. We're "terpaholics"

Beth

The best thing about UMD is that it is so big! The campus is beautiful. The student body is huge and so diverse in so many ways: politically, socially, racially, ethnically, that you will easily find friends for life. There are so many opportunities to get involved in every way possible on campus and off in student activities and organizations. You can have you're own community on campus of friends, of advisers, mentors, and student organizations, that sometimes it feels so small. College Park isn't much of a college town, but DC is a simple metro ride away, and the campus is big enough with enough great events, concerts, speakers that come that theres little reason to leave.

Lee

The best thing about Maryland is that there is always something to do or always some event going on. I would change the condition of some of the buildings, they're pretty old. I think the school is just right. When I tell people I go to Maryland they usually don't know where it is. I spend most of my time in the Bioresearch Building. What college town? I never really interact with the administration or hear much from them so I don't really have an opinion of them. Housing and the building of the Purple Metro Line were the two recent controversial issues. There is a lot of school pride. We have a lot of statues of Testudo - our mascot. I will always remember my freshman year walking around campus at night and then deciding to jump into one of the water fountains. Where I live, I always hear people complain about how far they are from their classes.

Becky

It's a big school, but with a big school comes many, many opportunities. From clubs to fun activities to research, there is always something great you can find out about UMD. When I tell people I go to UMD, the responses range from, "Wow, what a great institution" to "Isn't that a party school?" and in my experience the former has always been more true. I spend a lot of my time on campus involved in my extra curricular activities and in my dorm doing work or just relaxing with friends. DC is really accessible by public transportation and is a lot of fun to explore in free time. College Park is an odd sort of college town, mainly because most of the city is so dominated by the campus itself, that the residents seem to feel kind of ignored, but to the best of my knowledge the current administration and students are working to make the city into more of a so-called "College town." There is a ton of school pride. Everyone has a UMD sweatshirt or gear of some kind, and we're some of the rowdiest fans around. Football games and Men's soccer are full of intense cheering from the stands for the home team. The most common student complaints, especially in my year is the lack of on-campus housing. It's troublesome that as a sophomore who wanted to live on campus for my junior year, I am being forced to move off campus do to our housing crisis. Plans are in the works to fix this, but currently it's not being handled well.

Allison

I love that it is a big school and there are a lot of opportunities to get involved with so many different things. There is a lot of school pride at UMD which I think is awesome. I don't really have anything that I would change. Maybe I would make the parking spaces bigger in lot 11. They are so narrow that even my car which isn't that big has a hard time getting out if you don't pull all the way through to the other side. Also, I would feel more comfortable if there was no asbestos in the dorms (that they warned us about.. its not a health problem I just don't like the idea of having that health risk.) I think the size of the school is just right because there are so many people to meet and so many people with different interests that make the school have more opportunities. Within your department there aren't as many people so you get to know people instead of only meeting new people everyday. Also, you can walk pretty much anywhere on campus. It might be a little bit of a hike but its not a problem, plus they have busses that go everywhere. People are impressed that I go to UMD. Especially since I am in honors here. A lot of my friends that are still in highschool say they are jealous because they say they could never get in there. I spend a lot of time studying in the KIM Engineering building. They have a really nice lounge that is not too crowded or loud. Since I live off campus, I haven't really experienced the "college town" yet but, it seems like there is a nice variety of things to do off campus. Although, the campus is pretty big so there are so many events going on and D.C. is really close by. I haven't had a problem with the administration so I have no complaints. I haven't really come in too much contact though. I'm not sure of the biggest recent controversy on campus. Like I said before there is a lot of school pride. Which I find to be a very good quality in a school. UMD is unusual because it accels in so many different areas from research to athletics. I just started going here so I'm sure I'll have lots of more meaningful experiences but I would have to say that just being on campus and meeting new people is something that I will always remember. I really don't hear too many complaints but sometimes the engineering students complain about too much work, but you are going to expect that from a difficult field.

lisa

1. The Mall 2. Parking, Department of Transportation 3. TOO big, no room for housing 4. No surprise, since I am an instate student 5. Work or my room in Commons 6. Weak attempt to be a college town 7. Disorganized and difficult to get one task done in one department, often will have to be transfered to numerous places before one answer is given. Advisers often do not even know the basic requirements for graduation and they are replaced so quickly it is not even worth it to consult them. 8. Campus safety, i.e. Noose at stamp, many crime reports, shootings, etc. 9. Varies, I think the school is either incredibly devoted or incredibly apathetic 10. Not really. 11. Studying abroad in London 12. Parking, lack thereof. Also the poor quality of apartments/suites/dorms, and/or the overpricing of them.

Rene

The best thing about UMD is the number of different types of people, and the number of opportunities there are for one to join an activity. But even though there are different types of people I feel that this school is still segregated. I feel that this school is just right for me. The reaction that I get from people when I say that i go to UMD is always the same. At first they look shocked, but then they say congratulations. I feel that a big part of that has to do with that I am Latino. Even though this controversy happened last semester I still think its the biggest one was the noose incident. I think it was real shocking and it was also during the Jena Six incident. This school has a lot of pride. Lately the students and even I have been complaining about the housing situation, where most upperclassmen will not or may not receive housing on campus.

Jess

The best thing about Maryland is its size and diversity. There really is something for everyone. Even though the university is big, the individual schools (majors) make students feel like they're part of a community. When I was on campus, I spent most of my time in the Journalism building and the library doing work or killing time between classes. During the spring and fall, it was great to do work on the mall. One of the main complaints about College Park is the actual town could use some revitalization. When I graduated, there were only three bars (now four), no movie theater and minimal shopping options within walking distance of campus. Despite that, there is an enormous amount of school pride, especially when it comes to athletics. Maryland alum stay fans of the school for life and that is a pretty neat thing.

Tom

The school is too big, and sometimes its hard to be just a number. People are usually impressed when I tell them I go to UMD. This is definately a college town, "College Park", MD. There is a lot of school pride, especially during sporting events.

Dan

it's great. Big school million people. Town is so-so but D.C. is metro ride away. Party scene is there if you want it. Greek life is small but around if you want it. Enough extracurriculars that you can probably find something you're into. A lot of cool programs.

Sam

I like the atmosphere of this school. It's not a perfect university, but I'd never regret coming here. The campus is huge and you can walk around and be completely anonymous, but head to an area where everyone will know who you are. Maryland itself is very historic and beautiful. Outside of campus can get shady, though. Safety is a concern of mine, but there are services that students can utilize, like the shuttles and police escorts. Things should get better once the local developments start up. College Park will be the best place to be in ten years. For now, we have class here and go out in DC. At least the metro stop comes here. That's convenient, especially for those of us who don't have cars.

Hunter

Best thing: the size is great. There are plenty of resources to help you out, and it's more likely that there's some niche here for you to fill. The campus is beautiful. I'd change the location. College Park kind of sucks. There's nothing to do, and it's not really the safest place. How people react: Men's basketball team not doing so well, huh? Spend most of my time in my room hanging out/studying/sleeping, or at work, or in class. Administration is pretty good; listens to students, or at least pretends to. Housing is awful, though. There's no where near enough to meet demand. That was a pretty big controversy last year, when they kicked the rising seniors off campus. And now it's not looking to good for rising juniors (me!). LOTS OF SCHOOL PRIDE! Lots of Terp gear. *uck Duke!