<p>I am trying to decide which Honor program to enroll in but I have one problem. I am going to be community for all four years and it takes me a good 35-50 min. drive depending on traffic. I heard that for some honors programs that it is very difficult to communt and do well and that people who live there usually form their own “cliques”. I am also doing bioengineering, which is hard from what I heard. So does anyone know which program would be best for communters? Or it doesn’t really make a difference. Thanks</p>
<p>Commuting is hard no matter what program you are in, because people do form “cliques” based on where they live (not just honors kids, but any freshmen). When your friends on your floor are deciding what to do, oftentimes they forget to call the person who is off campus and not “right there.” (Not out of any dislike, but just because it is easier to forget them when they are not your next door neighbor!)</p>
<p>I would choose the honors program that interests you most, because I sincerely doubt one is more cliquey than another…</p>
<p>Also, be sure to be active in clubs. At MD that can be hard because some clubs are HUGE and intimidating. But being active in a club can help you form friends as well.</p>
<p>Is there no way you can live on campus, if only for your first year? If you are already taking out big loans that’s one thing. But I think it really helps you to adjust to live in a dorm at least 1 semester or 2.</p>
<p>im doing bioengineering/commuting too, and my commute is about the same length also. I would assume that commuting doesn’t make a difference…Im not too sure thougb</p>
<p>collegebound, how’s your experience as a commuter been so far?</p>
<p>i have a friend who commuted his freshman year, it is really difficult to socialize that way and he basically has no friends.</p>
<p>datnewnew - Stinks for your friend, but it isn’t that way for everyone who commutes. A buddy of mine commuted his first semester and has plenty of friends at UMD. In fact, my dad went to UMD back in the 80s and commuted his whole freshman year and he was fine.</p>
<p>If you don’t put yourself out there, you won’t make friends. This is true for commuters and for kids who live on campus.</p>
<p>I do realize that everyone has to make his/her own decision based on factors important to that person. If there is any way, though, that you could live on campus I strongly recommend it. I think it is a significant part of the college experience – which is basically a once in a lifetime experience. Just a thought…look at the numbers carefully (I assume cost would be the factor holding you back from living on campus). Good luck!</p>
<p>I’d love to live on campus, but my parents would have issue paying the tuition as it is. Living on campus would be a major burden Ugh being poor sucks</p>
<p>Take out loans. Get a job. Something. Anything! Commuting is not worth it.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that being an RA is a possibility. I believe they get either free or reduced housing (can’t remember which for UMD at the moment). You can’t do it freshman year obviously, but after that year it could be worth looking into.</p>
<p>"Take out loans. Get a job. Something. Anything! Commuting is not worth it. "</p>
<p>Not knowing how great the OP’s financial burden is, we really cannot make this statement at all…</p>
<p>Let’s not scare him, ok? </p>
<p>It’s BETTER to live on campus, yes, but then some may say it’s better to go to Harvard - and who can afford /that/? ;). It is most important to live on campus freshmen year and being an RA you can have a different relationships with your floormates than just any 'ol resident. So, if you’ve looked at the finaid options and commuting is most feasible, just look towards what’s possible…</p>
<p>And the truth is a lot is possible Get involved with honors, work hard for scholarships, join clubs, chat with people in your classes/in the student union/etc., form study groups, blahblah. Get involved with campus activism/student government. There are also free breakfasts for commuters occassionally where you might meet some people. If you put some extra effort into it, you could even have a more rewarding experience than a student who lives in a dorm but expects it all to fall it his lap.</p>
<p>I lived in a dorm and really only met a few close friends who I’m sorta losing touch with. I didn’t meet anyone in clubs/classes/etc. So, that speaks to the importance of dorm life for me, but also speaks to its limitations. Since you HAVE to broaden out and work harder, you are likely to be more satisfied with what you end up with.</p>
<p>Good luck :)</p>