The University of Maryland is a fun and lively campus where there is no shortage of school spirit. The superior academics, endless list of clubs, neighboring cities, and great on-campus activities make the university one that you should definitely put high on your college list. After just a day here, you'll love being a Terp!
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
To be a Terp, you have to think like one even when you're in high school. This means that you have to work hard and show what you can do with what you have learned. UMD really puts an emphasis on how you apply your knowledge and skills rather than simply test scores and GPA, so it's very important that you have solid extracurriculars and a great college essay. As far as extracurriculars, however, UMD would rather see you excel in a few than be average and put in little effort into many. Additionally, showing an interest in the school is important to admissions as well. UMD holds several events for prospective students, such as Maryland Marquee day, that are a fun way to see if the university is a good fit for you. Visiting your prospective schools is very important in making your decision, and UMD makes it fun to do so.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
UMD is not one of the top public colleges in the nation for no reason. Some courses are of course harder than others, but they all require effort. So if you're looking to fly by in college, UMD is probably not the right place for you. In several majors, such as mine (Journalism), the faculty are award-winning scholars in their area of expertise. This means that they aren't going to give good marks to students who won't put in the effort that they expect. But what's great about these courses at UMD is that the professors and TA's are almost always there to help you. I have been to office hours for my TA's numerous times for questions, for them to look over my papers, and even just advice. UMD is unlike high school where many of the teachers simply want you to pass. The professors here truly want you to succeed. As long as you show them respect and effort in their classes, the teachers will make sure you are becoming the best student you can be. They don't want to see anyone fail and by contributing to the course and to your own learning as much as you can, you'll learn so much more than you may have expected.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Dorm life is definitely something you don't want to miss in your time at Maryland. Although the idea of public bathrooms and close living quarters can seem scary for all the germaphobes, they are really not a problem unless you happen to live with someone on your floor who is exceptionally dirty. But the faculty does a very good job of cleaning the halls and the bathrooms every morning. What's great about dorm life is that you can make friends on your floor and in your building that you'll keep for the next four years and beyond. In most of the dorms on campus, the hall is split between boys and girls, so you not only get to make more friends, but you'll have a better chance of finding more people interested in doing the same things that you are. The notorious rumors of nightmare RA's at college have no claim at UMD either. The RA's are in fact extremely nice and want to keep a fun atmosphere in the dorms. They plan entertaining activities on your floor to allow you to bond with your floormates and have something to do on weeknights. On my floor, we have had pancake Walking Dead viewing parties, mug painting, facials, and more. Also, the RAâ??s are not quick to get anyone in trouble. They'll only write you up if they see you doing something illegal or if youâ??re making a ruckus in the halls during quiet hours. As long as you stay out of trouble, you'll have a great dorm experience.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Although the thought of college food might make any prospective student a little queasy, the food and dining system at Maryland is quite impressive. The dining hall itself has a lot of variety, including stations for sandwiches and wraps, make-your-own pasta, Korean bbq, quesadillas and cheesesteaks, and one that is much like a Boston Market. The dining halls also have a a full pasta bar with fruit and soup, vegan station, a pastry station, and fridges full of desserts. One of the best parts of the dining hall, in my opinion, is a station called the â??Chefâ??s Specialâ?? where thereâ??s a different choice for lunch and delicious dinner every day to add a little variety to your diet. The dining hall also hosts many different special events that are definitely something to look forward to. Thereâ??s been a Jamaican night, a Big 10 night featuring foods from all of the Big 10 teams, holiday dinners, and â??late night decadenceâ?? that serves unique and delicious desserts for a late night snack. One of my favorite parts of the dining system at UMD, however, is a little place called 251 North that is built into your meal plan once a week. At 251, thereâ??s all-you-can-eat buffets with food that is surprisingly delicious. It has become something my friends and I look forward to every week. What is also great about UMD is that, if you have some extra dining points which many people do, you can go to a restaurant called Adele's. Adele's is an elegant restaurant located in the Stamp Student Union where you can buy a lot of quality dishes using dining points. Some of my favorite things on their menu is the crab dip, New York strip steak, jambalaya, and lava cake. Donâ??t those just make your mouth water? Adele's is an AWESOME treat for UMD students. And between meals youâ??ll need a snack, right? Every semester you get terp bucks that you can spend at the convenient stores, cafes, and the 24 hour shop on campus. The convenient stores and 24 hour shops are lik...
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
One of the great things about UMD is the abundance of activities both on and off campus. Although college is of course known for its parties on the weekends, thereâ??s much more to UMD than that. The Eppley Recreation Center is a great place for students looking to fit. The gym is equipped with an indoor and outdoor pool, weight room, yoga center, racquetball and basketball courts, a smoothie station, an indoor track, and much more. Certified gym trainers also give yoga lessons and other classes to students for free at certain specified times. Additionally, at the Stamp Student Union, you can bowl, play pool, and play other games as well for a small price. Our D1 Big 10 sports teams are also great to go watch during the week as well, and the atmosphere from the student section canâ??t be beat. Thereâ??s usually events held by the school or other campus organizations during the week and on the weekends, but if you want to leave campus, thereâ??s plenty to do as well. Washington D.C. is just a metro ride away and thereâ??s a bus on campus that goes to the Metro every thirty minutes or so. From there, you can take a trip to the National Zoo, China Town, the Washington Monument, and much more. D.C. is always a great place to go because thereâ??s so much to do and you can get there very effortlessly. D.C. also has great events open to students as well, such as the Concert for Valor that was held this year. And if you canâ??t find anything to do on or off campus, you can always get your friends together and play some fun games in either the lounges or your dorms.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
If you look at the â??best buyâ?? colleges online, youâ??ll surely find UMD as one of them. In-state tuition is very affordable as far as college goes at $24,352. If you donâ??t live in Maryland, youâ??ll be paying about $44,045 a year. Although this is definitely a lot, the price tag is not as high as several other colleges with a reputation as good as Marylandâ??s that can run up into the 50 and 60 thousands per year. Whatâ??s unique about Maryland compared to some other universities is that students are admitted into all Big 10 sports games, even the big football matches, for free. In other schools, you can be paying anywhere between $20-$150 for a student ticket. One thing that all UMD students know that we donâ??t have to pay for either is school gear. After only one semester at Maryland, I have received over ten free Maryland t-shirts. As long as you keep your dining points on track, there is little youâ??ll have to pay for on campus while at UMD.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
At UMD, there are several quirky traditions and superstitions that we all have fun participating in. One of the big traditions that has been featured on the news almost every year is the semesterly offerings to the Testudo statue in front of McKeldin Library during finals week. You can donate just about anything in hopes that Testudo will give you Aâ??s on all your finals, but some people really go the extra mile with their offerings. Students have donated tvâ??s, bikes, dorm doors, and even cars. Itâ??s always fun seeing how far students will go to participate in this tradition. Additionally, when you pass any Testudo statue, you have to rub his nose for good luck. Itâ??s also a tradition to go swimming in the pool at McKeldin Mall before you graduate, even though many people do it their first semester. Thereâ??s also a certain spot near the South Campus Diner that looks like an engraved sun dial on the ground. But if you step on the cracks, you wonâ??t graduate on time, or so the superstition holds. At UMD, there is also a frenzie about the squirrels on campus. Students are convinced that the squirrels here are of some new breed because they donâ??t get scared of humans like normal squirrels do. The squirrel â??mythsâ?? are a funny quirk on campus that everyone enjoys.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Fun and outgoing students who have big goals and aspirations for their future. The students who succeed at UMD have great school spirit and pursue their education and future careers with passion. They are respectful and work very hard in school to realize their full potential, while still making time for fun and friends.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
What makes UMD so great is the seemingly infinite range of clubs and activities on campus. Thereâ??s something for everyone, and the phrase â??you canâ??t make a small school big, but you can make a big school smallâ?? truly applies to UMD. There are clubs you can get into involving your major (I am a reporter for several on-campus news productions), or clubs that simply involve your interests. Thereâ??s everything from acapella groups to club sports to even a squirrel watching club. Even if you donâ??t think youâ??ll join a club or activity when you come here, checking out everything UMD has to offer at the First Look Fair will definitely make you change your mind.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek life is big at UMD but a majority of the students are still not involved in fraternities, so whether you participate or not, youâ??ll still find your own friends and activities on campus. What is so great about the Greek system at UMD is that they have several events that are open to everyone, not just members of Greek life. They hold several charity events that all students can participate in that are both fun and impactful. The Greek system raises hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for various charities, and they truly emphasize the idea of brotherhood and sisterhood. The Greek system also emphasizes a strict no hazing policy at UMD, so you donâ??t have to be afraid of being forced to streak around campus during your pledging. I personally am planning on rushing Greek life next semester, but even if I did not, I know I would be perfectly happy on campus without it as well.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Campus safety is something that UMD excels in. You should feel extremely safe on campus, as many students do. UMD takes several measures to ensure this safety. Around campus, there are security poles in which you can press a button and be contacted with campus security instantly 24/7. By pressing this button or calling security, you can report an incident or you can even ask security to walk you to your dorm, which is what several students will do after late night studying at the library. Additionally, the UMD Police Department will send you text and email alerts to let you know of any incidents or crime in the area so you can be aware of the situation immediately. In addition to these, the transportation system at UMD makes sure youâ??re not stranded by yourself alone at night. Shuttle UM provides buses through the late night all throughout campus, route 1, and the apartments. Additionally, Night Ride is a service that you can call if youâ??re stuck and need a ride back to your dorm.
The University of Maryland is a fun and lively campus where there is no shortage of school spirit. The superior academics, endless list of clubs, neighboring cities, and great on-campus activities make the university one that you should definitely put high on your college list. After just a day here, you'll love being a Terp!
To be a Terp, you have to think like one even when you're in high school. This means that you have to work hard and show what you can do with what you have learned. UMD really puts an emphasis on how you apply your knowledge and skills rather than simply test scores and GPA, so it's very important that you have solid extracurriculars and a great college essay. As far as extracurriculars, however, UMD would rather see you excel in a few than be average and put in little effort into many. Additionally, showing an interest in the school is important to admissions as well. UMD holds several events for prospective students, such as Maryland Marquee day, that are a fun way to see if the university is a good fit for you. Visiting your prospective schools is very important in making your decision, and UMD makes it fun to do so.
UMD is not one of the top public colleges in the nation for no reason. Some courses are of course harder than others, but they all require effort. So if you're looking to fly by in college, UMD is probably not the right place for you. In several majors, such as mine (Journalism), the faculty are award-winning scholars in their area of expertise. This means that they aren't going to give good marks to students who won't put in the effort that they expect. But what's great about these courses at UMD is that the professors and TA's are almost always there to help you. I have been to office hours for my TA's numerous times for questions, for them to look over my papers, and even just advice. UMD is unlike high school where many of the teachers simply want you to pass. The professors here truly want you to succeed. As long as you show them respect and effort in their classes, the teachers will make sure you are becoming the best student you can be. They don't want to see anyone fail and by contributing to the course and to your own learning as much as you can, you'll learn so much more than you may have expected.
Dorm life is definitely something you don't want to miss in your time at Maryland. Although the idea of public bathrooms and close living quarters can seem scary for all the germaphobes, they are really not a problem unless you happen to live with someone on your floor who is exceptionally dirty. But the faculty does a very good job of cleaning the halls and the bathrooms every morning. What's great about dorm life is that you can make friends on your floor and in your building that you'll keep for the next four years and beyond. In most of the dorms on campus, the hall is split between boys and girls, so you not only get to make more friends, but you'll have a better chance of finding more people interested in doing the same things that you are. The notorious rumors of nightmare RA's at college have no claim at UMD either. The RA's are in fact extremely nice and want to keep a fun atmosphere in the dorms. They plan entertaining activities on your floor to allow you to bond with your floormates and have something to do on weeknights. On my floor, we have had pancake Walking Dead viewing parties, mug painting, facials, and more. Also, the RAâ??s are not quick to get anyone in trouble. They'll only write you up if they see you doing something illegal or if youâ??re making a ruckus in the halls during quiet hours. As long as you stay out of trouble, you'll have a great dorm experience.
Although the thought of college food might make any prospective student a little queasy, the food and dining system at Maryland is quite impressive. The dining hall itself has a lot of variety, including stations for sandwiches and wraps, make-your-own pasta, Korean bbq, quesadillas and cheesesteaks, and one that is much like a Boston Market. The dining halls also have a a full pasta bar with fruit and soup, vegan station, a pastry station, and fridges full of desserts. One of the best parts of the dining hall, in my opinion, is a station called the â??Chefâ??s Specialâ?? where thereâ??s a different choice for lunch and delicious dinner every day to add a little variety to your diet. The dining hall also hosts many different special events that are definitely something to look forward to. Thereâ??s been a Jamaican night, a Big 10 night featuring foods from all of the Big 10 teams, holiday dinners, and â??late night decadenceâ?? that serves unique and delicious desserts for a late night snack. One of my favorite parts of the dining system at UMD, however, is a little place called 251 North that is built into your meal plan once a week. At 251, thereâ??s all-you-can-eat buffets with food that is surprisingly delicious. It has become something my friends and I look forward to every week. What is also great about UMD is that, if you have some extra dining points which many people do, you can go to a restaurant called Adele's. Adele's is an elegant restaurant located in the Stamp Student Union where you can buy a lot of quality dishes using dining points. Some of my favorite things on their menu is the crab dip, New York strip steak, jambalaya, and lava cake. Donâ??t those just make your mouth water? Adele's is an AWESOME treat for UMD students. And between meals youâ??ll need a snack, right? Every semester you get terp bucks that you can spend at the convenient stores, cafes, and the 24 hour shop on campus. The convenient stores and 24 hour shops are lik...
One of the great things about UMD is the abundance of activities both on and off campus. Although college is of course known for its parties on the weekends, thereâ??s much more to UMD than that. The Eppley Recreation Center is a great place for students looking to fit. The gym is equipped with an indoor and outdoor pool, weight room, yoga center, racquetball and basketball courts, a smoothie station, an indoor track, and much more. Certified gym trainers also give yoga lessons and other classes to students for free at certain specified times. Additionally, at the Stamp Student Union, you can bowl, play pool, and play other games as well for a small price. Our D1 Big 10 sports teams are also great to go watch during the week as well, and the atmosphere from the student section canâ??t be beat. Thereâ??s usually events held by the school or other campus organizations during the week and on the weekends, but if you want to leave campus, thereâ??s plenty to do as well. Washington D.C. is just a metro ride away and thereâ??s a bus on campus that goes to the Metro every thirty minutes or so. From there, you can take a trip to the National Zoo, China Town, the Washington Monument, and much more. D.C. is always a great place to go because thereâ??s so much to do and you can get there very effortlessly. D.C. also has great events open to students as well, such as the Concert for Valor that was held this year. And if you canâ??t find anything to do on or off campus, you can always get your friends together and play some fun games in either the lounges or your dorms.
If you look at the â??best buyâ?? colleges online, youâ??ll surely find UMD as one of them. In-state tuition is very affordable as far as college goes at $24,352. If you donâ??t live in Maryland, youâ??ll be paying about $44,045 a year. Although this is definitely a lot, the price tag is not as high as several other colleges with a reputation as good as Marylandâ??s that can run up into the 50 and 60 thousands per year. Whatâ??s unique about Maryland compared to some other universities is that students are admitted into all Big 10 sports games, even the big football matches, for free. In other schools, you can be paying anywhere between $20-$150 for a student ticket. One thing that all UMD students know that we donâ??t have to pay for either is school gear. After only one semester at Maryland, I have received over ten free Maryland t-shirts. As long as you keep your dining points on track, there is little youâ??ll have to pay for on campus while at UMD.
At UMD, there are several quirky traditions and superstitions that we all have fun participating in. One of the big traditions that has been featured on the news almost every year is the semesterly offerings to the Testudo statue in front of McKeldin Library during finals week. You can donate just about anything in hopes that Testudo will give you Aâ??s on all your finals, but some people really go the extra mile with their offerings. Students have donated tvâ??s, bikes, dorm doors, and even cars. Itâ??s always fun seeing how far students will go to participate in this tradition. Additionally, when you pass any Testudo statue, you have to rub his nose for good luck. Itâ??s also a tradition to go swimming in the pool at McKeldin Mall before you graduate, even though many people do it their first semester. Thereâ??s also a certain spot near the South Campus Diner that looks like an engraved sun dial on the ground. But if you step on the cracks, you wonâ??t graduate on time, or so the superstition holds. At UMD, there is also a frenzie about the squirrels on campus. Students are convinced that the squirrels here are of some new breed because they donâ??t get scared of humans like normal squirrels do. The squirrel â??mythsâ?? are a funny quirk on campus that everyone enjoys.
Fun and outgoing students who have big goals and aspirations for their future. The students who succeed at UMD have great school spirit and pursue their education and future careers with passion. They are respectful and work very hard in school to realize their full potential, while still making time for fun and friends.
What makes UMD so great is the seemingly infinite range of clubs and activities on campus. Thereâ??s something for everyone, and the phrase â??you canâ??t make a small school big, but you can make a big school smallâ?? truly applies to UMD. There are clubs you can get into involving your major (I am a reporter for several on-campus news productions), or clubs that simply involve your interests. Thereâ??s everything from acapella groups to club sports to even a squirrel watching club. Even if you donâ??t think youâ??ll join a club or activity when you come here, checking out everything UMD has to offer at the First Look Fair will definitely make you change your mind.
Greek life is big at UMD but a majority of the students are still not involved in fraternities, so whether you participate or not, youâ??ll still find your own friends and activities on campus. What is so great about the Greek system at UMD is that they have several events that are open to everyone, not just members of Greek life. They hold several charity events that all students can participate in that are both fun and impactful. The Greek system raises hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for various charities, and they truly emphasize the idea of brotherhood and sisterhood. The Greek system also emphasizes a strict no hazing policy at UMD, so you donâ??t have to be afraid of being forced to streak around campus during your pledging. I personally am planning on rushing Greek life next semester, but even if I did not, I know I would be perfectly happy on campus without it as well.
Campus safety is something that UMD excels in. You should feel extremely safe on campus, as many students do. UMD takes several measures to ensure this safety. Around campus, there are security poles in which you can press a button and be contacted with campus security instantly 24/7. By pressing this button or calling security, you can report an incident or you can even ask security to walk you to your dorm, which is what several students will do after late night studying at the library. Additionally, the UMD Police Department will send you text and email alerts to let you know of any incidents or crime in the area so you can be aware of the situation immediately. In addition to these, the transportation system at UMD makes sure youâ??re not stranded by yourself alone at night. Shuttle UM provides buses through the late night all throughout campus, route 1, and the apartments. Additionally, Night Ride is a service that you can call if youâ??re stuck and need a ride back to your dorm.