Stay at home? Go away?

College Life
1

<p>I’m really not sure what to do next year. Money is a big factor in my decision-making. I am fortunate enough to have received full-ride scholarships from two schools. I am pretty much debating on the two.</p>

<p>Frostburg State University
I live in Frostburg. If I go here, I would live at home. It’s a small town (8,000 people or so) in a rural area. It is not near as good in the academics department as UMBC (the other school). Probably would major in International Studies.
Average SAT: 1000
12% had h.s. GPA of 3.75 and higher
9% had h.s. GPA between 3.5 and 3.74
13% had h.s. GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
18% had h.s. GPA between 3.0 and 3.24
35% had h.s. GPA between 2.5 and 2.99
13% had h.s. GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 </p>

<p>University of Maryland: Baltimore County
Naturally, would go away and live on-campus. Much better than FSU in academics. Would either major in Political Science (international affairs concentration) or economics.
Average SAT: 1220
37% had h.s. GPA of 3.75 and higher
16% had h.s. GPA between 3.5 and 3.74
16% had h.s. GPA between 3.25 and 3.49
15% had h.s. GPA between 3.0 and 3.24
14% had h.s. GPA between 2.5 and 2.99
2% had h.s. GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 </p>

<p>Goals: I want to become a Marine Corps officer after graduation. Only other possibility would be an ATF or DEA agent.</p>

<p>Personality: I am not a partier. I don’t drink, smoke, or do drugs. Since I live in the heart of the college town, I know that FSU is a major party school. I have heard the UMBC is just the opposite. I am very close to my family. One of the big reasons I am considering FSU is to be close to them. If everything goes as planned, I won’t be seeing them too much after graduation (USMC officer). </p>

<p>Also, I can see myself trying to graduate early at FSU, maybe 3 years.</p>

<p>I am simply asking for any insight/advice on this situation.</p>

<p>I appreciate any help. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>UMBC is not the opposite.</p>

<p>Anyway, I would definetely go to UMBC over Frostburg. Also, you should try to transfer to UMCP if you can; it’s even better.</p>

3

<p>Well, one thing is for sure, and that’s that UMBC is ugly (one big parking lot)! It’s also a commuter school and is a lot of times dead on the weekends, or so some friends of mine who go there say. The academics however are quite good. But if you think UMBC is a good match for you, UMCP might be, too. I think that if you are going to live away from home UMCP would be the better choice because there there is a more traditional college atmosphere (I don’t mean lots of partying, I mean more school spirit, more community).</p>

<p>I don’t know much about Frostburg so I can’t say.</p>

<p>If you want to a Marine Corps officer have you considered applying to military schools?</p>

4

<p>if you want to go into the marines, why aren’t you looking at rotc? it would pay the cost (or a big part of it) at schools with a program.</p>