CS/Cybersecurity: UMD [55k] vs UVA [50k] - final decision

Compare College Acceptances
1

I’m a CS major interested in cybersecurity and national security (with an interest in music composition, likely as a minor), and I’ve narrowed down my options to two schools:

UMD (ACES - cybersecurity honors college) - 55k

When I was doing my college search in the beginning, I fell in love with UMD on paper. Everything about it seemed perfect. I just visited UMD this Friday, though, and the vibes there aren’t my favorite. It’s honestly pretty ugly, and I can’t see myself there very much, though I could imagine it growing on me. I’d go in with 45 credits, which is nice, and I was admitted to the ACES honors college, which I would absolutely love, based on the interest meeting at least, so it’s a tricky choice. Academically, they have the most opportunities out of any of my options, and they’re one of the best cyber programs in the country. It’s just that I don’t really like the vibes there, and I don’t know if I’d feel at home there.

Also, two thing worth noting about UMD: If I can get accepted into the ACES minor, I’ll have a solid chance at Scholarships for Service: their 2 year full-pay scholarship in exchange for 2 years of government work, which I want to do anyways. Also, I was told by UVA students that their music school is very good, which is important for me.

UVA (in-state) - 50k

I’ve visited twice now, and both times it’s felt like home. Grounds are undeniably pretty, and it just has an atmosphere that I absolutely love. I only have two problems with UVA: one, the preppy white kid stereotype is true, and more obvious than anywhere else I’ve been. I know that as a CS major, I’ll find plenty of people that break that stereotype, but I don’t know how much it’ll effect my life on campus. Even as a somewhat preppy white kid, it doesn’t seem like my kind of crowd. The second problem is of course the relative program weakness. I know that UVA is quite good, especially at cybersecurity, but compared to UMD and ACES in particular, along with accounts of CS students at the university (who gave the impression that a lot of the opportunities there were up to the students to create), it’s not as good. I’d also only go in with 30 credits, instead of 45.

Financially, my parents are willing to pay effectively 40k per year, along with 7k/year in interest-free loans for up to 10 years. The cost difference isn’t really that significant as a result.

Basically the choice comes down to:

Stellar school that I’m not sure I’d be happy at

Pretty good school that I’m pretty sure I’d be happy at

As people who’ve seen others through college, which do you think is a better choice?

1 Like
2

There are lots of professionals working in Cyber who did not major in cyber! They studied math, they studied geology/oceanography/astronomy, they studied electrical engineering. I wouldn’t slice the bologna so thin that you lose sight of what’s important- getting a solid education in a field which is a springboard to Cyber (if in fact, you don’t shift your interests once in college which is very common).

If you felt more at home at UVA, that’s a great reason to choose it.

2 Likes
3

U Maryland deserves serious consideration based on your academic interests.

1 Like
4

You will have no problem getting internships & a job from UVA.

2 Likes
5

UMD

UVA

What’s the question???

Listen, cyber security is changing by the minute and what you think a school does today, they’ll have to be very different tomorrow.

But you’re going to wake up and spend four years on a campus….day after day you’ll be there.

I think you are asking an unnecessary question. Is there an alternative for you to UVA? Maybe - but it’s not UMD, that I know.

PS - lots of kids pick schools on aesthetics. Nothing wrong with that.

Congrats and best of luck.

6

Thank you all for your responses so far! I made a pros and cons list, and I was wondering if anyone thought I was missing anything that might be important.

UVA Pros

- Feels like home

- Really pretty

- Shotokan karate (I’ve wanted to get back into it for a while, since I did it for 3 years before moving)

- Lots of cyber classes

- Very good security club (according to the current president)

UVA Cons

- Frat culture

- Shallow rich preppy kids

- Going in with only 30 AP credits

UMD Pros

- ACES strength

- ACES community/dorm

- Music college strength

- CS/cyber strength

- Near DC

- 45 AP credits

- Potentially 2-year full ride scholarship

- Lots of cyber opportunities

- More cool clubs

UMD Cons

- Mediocre campus

- $6k more

- Doesn’t seem as happy

7

My free advice. Go to college where you can see yourself being happy to be there for four years. Happy students do better than unhappy students.

1 Like
8

You are over analyzing. Define how you will get a full ride scholarship.

UVA has rich kids. UMD has rich kids. UVA meets need OOS so while it’s more in cost, it may have more economic diversity.

UVS says 1/4 are Greek. UMD says 1/6. Neither is Greek dominant.

If you told me there’s a solid chance you get a two year full ride - like great chance - I’d say UMD.

But you clearly prefer UVA.

You are looking for reasons to choose UMD. I don’t see any other than if you want to go there. Sure, having an LLC may be great but UVA has residential colleges.

Your points all say UVA though. If you want UMD, no issue. Your choice.

But both yesterday and today, based on what you write, UVA is the winner and it’s not close.

Ps -

My son (engineering) had 33 or 36 Still took 4 years You need to check the course flow. Having credits doesn’t mean they are usable in all majors my daughter had many that got credit for the same class, etc and don’t assume you can graduate early. Or maybe get a minor or double major. Enjoy your time at school. Don’t minimize it

Good luck.