According to my sophomore tour guide, most University of Maryland (UMD) students are those who were “very involved” in their high schools. During our tour, she rattled off a long list of her activities and leadership from her Maryland high school and it made our group of counselors’ heads spin. In college, she is pre-med and again involved in many different activities and groups, including Greek life. One of her favorite aspects of University of Maryland is the diversity of the student body, and the percentage of out of state students (about 27%), which she said added to her experience. 

If you’re looking for a traditional big university with a beautiful campus, Greek life, and great sports teams, (including standout men’s lacrosse and football programs), you might want to consider adding UMD to your list. UMD’s proximity to D.C. is a draw for many students. In 2022, a new light rail system will open right on campus to connect students to the Metrorail Red, Green and Orange lines as well as to Amtrak, busses, and MARC commuter trains. Right now you have to take a shuttle to the Metro. This new Purple Line will save students time in getting to D.C. for internships or weekend visits as well as to other Amtrak destinations.

MAKING BIG FEEL SMALL

New, learner-friendly buildings such as the Teaching & Learning Transformation Center (TLTC) make large classes feel smaller. For example, lecture style classrooms in the building feature seats that turn all the way around so all students can interact with one another in class. And several bigger classrooms in the TLTC have circular tables to facilitate group learning. Classes from all different majors meet there.

UNIQUE TRADITIONS

On campus, students present offerings to Testudo, the bronze sculpture of a diamondback turtle that sits overlooking the Mall in front of Mckeldin Library, to give them good luck. These aren’t just your average offerings. On our visit, Testudo had been offered a doorknob, and part of a desk.

FOCUS ON INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 

UMD stands out in its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and creative thinking through several unique initiatives:

• UMD’s Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) has a mission to engage all students in I&E during their educational experience.
• The Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship offers the largest university-run angel investor network.
• Any student can pursue a minor in innovation and entrepreneurship. 
• UMD started the nation’s first living-learning entrepreneurship program. In Hinman CEOs, entrepreneurial students from all technical and non-technical academic disciplines live together and learn about entrepreneurship and ethical leadership. They can also launch new ventures. Any undergraduate can apply for this competitive program.

MOST POPULAR MAJORS

Just as with most large universities, some majors are harder to get into than others. Here’s a list of UMD’s Limited Enrollment Programs:

• Biochemistry
• Biological Sciences
• Business
• Chemistry
• Communication
• Computer Science
• Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Engineering (UMD offers typical engineering majors plus a program in Fire Protection Engineering, as well as minors in niche fields such as nuclear engineering)
• Environmental Science and Policy (ENSP): Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
• Government and Politics
• Journalism
• Neuroscience
• Psychology

INDIVIDUALIZED ACADEMIC PATHS 

For highly independent students who want to pave their own way, Maryland offers an Individual Studies Program https://www.ivsp.umd.edu/overview-ivsp.html where you can create your own major. If you’re an exceptional student, you can also create your own combined BA/MA program.

Merit Scholarships

For out of state students, UMD offers merit scholarships from 2,000 to full tuition.