Is UMCP too big?

Colleges & Universities University of Maryland - College Park
1

<p>My D loves MD and plans to attend in Fall 2012. While on spring break we visited some small LACs they she really liked. At first she was not interested in a small colleges. One particular LAC in Pennsylvania was very strong in biology, her intended major. So my D went from not considering a LAC at all, to including 2 LACs with her current first choice of MD. She enjoyed the personal attention she received from students and faculty on her college visits. They continually told her that she would not just be a number. LACs tend to support students with tutoring and with advisers. One college we looked at has 2 advisers per student. </p>

<p>How supportive is MD of its students?</p>

<p>Do professors reach out to students or are they on their own?</p>

2

<p>I came from a high school of under 500 students, and I thought it would take me a while to adjust to such a large university. But I surprisingly have never felt overwhelmed by either the size of campus, the size of classes, or the amount of students around. I’ve never met with a professor yet, but that’s not because I didn’t think they were available for me. All my professors and TA’s have made office hours and contact info clear, and no one has seemed unapproachable. Several encourage meetings and e-mailing them with any concerns or questions. Every time I’ve emailed a teacher they’ve always been very prompt and helpful in responding. Some professors also send out e-mails to everyone in the class every so often, to make announcements or clarify an assignment. My advising has also been very helpful. Basically, I’ve never felt like I was on my own or couldn’t find the help I needed.</p>

3

<p>:) This is where I pull out my “UMD is as big or small as you want it to be” soapbox speech!</p>

<p>In both of D’s cases, every professor that they cared about (majors, great classes in general, etc.) knew them by name. They either attended prof’s office hours to introduce themselves, ask questions, etc. or were very active in class. This was the case for small classes and also for big classes with several TAs. As a TA, my older D was required to have office hours, and it usually wasn’t until about the last 3 weeks of the semester before anyone showed up. She also can attest that people who may have been “between” grades would get the benefit of the doubt if they showed up and participated in section classes and if the professor knew who they were (and knew it was someone who cared about class). </p>

<p>Each D, from the end of their first semester of Freshman year, had professors who went to bat for them, wrote letters of recommendation, and were available after the class was over if they ever needed anything, and who continue to know them (and obviously spread good word in their major departments). This requires work on the student’s part…the professors won’t necessarily “reach out” to students, but if a student shows interest in the class, etc. they are almost always really happy to see that, especially in the first couple of years. Both landed internships in the beginning of their sophomore years that were directly related to their majors. D1’s “mentor” is a prof she had in her first semester at UMD, has taken 4 of his classes, done independent research with for 2 years, been a TA for one of his classes, and will be defending her honors thesis (with him as her advisor) next week. </p>

<p>Both D’s also had required classes they took (or professors they didn’t particularly like) that they chose to be anonymous in. The thing is, it was their choice.</p>

<p>D2 is very active in several on-campus activities, causes, clubs, and through work. She has profs and staff people say hi to her (by name) on campus that she doesn’t remember meeting. We can’t walk across campus with her that she doesn’t see people she knows. </p>

<p>So, yes, a student can make UMD a “smaller” school through involvement in activities, programs like Honors or Scholars or one of the LLCs, and through their initiative with their professors (and obviously by getting good grades…)</p>

4

<p>MDDAD - is your d a junior planning to apply next year? Or is she going in as a freshman in fall 2011? I’ve seen a few of your posts and it seems definite she plans to attend UMD, so I was wondering.</p>

5

<p>My D was accepted to CP Scholars, and will go into a living and learning community in the fall. If your child goes into Honors or Scholars, they can go into a designated dormitory and reap the numerous benefits, both social and academic, of immediately being part of a smaller community within the very big university. My D already knows what dorm she will be in, and some interests of those who will be living nearby. Advisors have offices/hold office hours right in the Scholars dorms, which will be a plus.</p>

6

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<p>She is a junior who could graduate this year, if she didn’t have one more year of English. She has all other required courses completed. So she may be attending in Fall 2012. We have visited about 10 colleges. She just seems to click with MD. </p>

<p>We will be at Maryland Day on Saturday. Can’t wait.</p>

<p>Thanks for other replies Bornin92, astrophysicsmom, and kbiresearch. Really good info… I will pass this along to my D.</p>