<p>Came across this school on a search and was impressed. Was curious to find out more information on the school. Any information would be great!</p>
<p>[The</a> University of Maryland](<a href=“The University of Maryland | A Preeminent Public Research University”>http://www.umd.edu/) </p>
<p>Great place! Peruse to your heart’s content, and come back if you have any specific questions…there are lots of people on this thread willing to address any questions, are knowledgeable about specific programs/majors, etc.</p>
<p>This is just anecdotal, but my cousin’s kid decided not to go to Maryland, because in the end, she felt that the area where the college was located was a bit “sketchy”. She went to Indiana University instead. </p>
<p>That being said, I would say that the school certainly has a good reputation.</p>
<p>My son is a senior at Univ. of MD, and my husband and I both graduated from there. The school is extremely safe; it is more of a concern if a student is the type who will be out drinking late at night off campus. At any school, students should walk with at least one other person at night, but most students don’t pay attention to this caution at Univ. of MD. I know my son walks by himself at night even though I’ve asked him not to. If I had a daughter, I would hope she had better sense. There are escort services and shuttle buses at night. You just have to take advantage of them. </p>
<p>There are very few instances of on-campus crimes committed by non-students, and I would guess the rate of petty theft by other students from unlocked dorm rooms is no different than it is on any other campus. In any dorm in any college, students should lock dorm rooms when they are not present.</p>
<p>There are so many activities going on every day on campus that the vast majority of students feel no need to head into Washington, D.C. for amusement. That is an important factor to consider when looking at schools. Encourage your student to get involved in on-campus activities. Univ. of MD has something for everybody, which is one of the biggest bonuses of a large university.</p>
<p>I really wouldn’t worry. Certainly, it would be safer to attend a school located in the middle of miles and miles of cornfields, but otherwise, Univ. of MD is a perfect combination of a beautiful, suburban campus located near the incredible opportunities the nearby DC-Baltimore area offers.</p>
<p>Thank you! I appreciate the feedback. Maybe if I told you a little about myself could you tell if the school would be a good fit for me? </p>
<p>I want major in Biology and hopefully take that to med school. Does the school have a strong program in that that area and what is the typical class size?</p>
<p>I am looking for a balance in a school. As in great academics but not too overwhelming to take over the social life. Does Maryland fit this statement? </p>
<p>Do the students love their school? As in good school spirit and sense of community. </p>
<p>These are probably main things that I look for in a school. I know I could find this info on a website but I think it would be better to hear from the experts. </p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>I don’t know the reputation of the Biology department, but I know there are loads of premed students just like there are anywhere. Every large lecture class at the school is required to have a small discussion class with a TA once a week. If the class is lecture style and you sit up front, you don’t even notice how many people are behind you. The discussion class will give you plenty of opportunities to ask questions. </p>
<p>University of Maryland has a lot of programs that provide very small, discussion-based courses. Check out this link: [University</a> of Maryland - Special Academic Programs](<a href=“http://www.admissions.umd.edu/admissions/academics/specprograms.asp]University”>http://www.admissions.umd.edu/admissions/academics/specprograms.asp)
for descriptions of these programs. A very high percentage of students are able to participate in these programs. </p>
<p>Social life will be very rich even if you are premed. You’d be amazed at how much the students are involved in.</p>