@amNotarobot I’m also a Maryland student. I chose not to apply to UMBC because personally I felt that I would get a more traditional college experience at UMD and UMD is ranked a lot higher for my intended major. If OP’s parents are paying for their college then I say UMD is a good choice and they most likely have more resources like clubs or internships than UMBC. If they aren’t then that really sucks and I’m sorry OP. My friend is actually dealing with the same situation but opposite. She wishes to attend UMD but her parents want her to go to UMBC because they believe that she wouldn’t be successful at UMD (She is in the top 6% of a class of 400 students)