<p>On 3/15 we visited UMBC. We did not have a formal campus tour, but the admissions office gave us maps and information sheets so we could see whatever we wanted before the Transfer Information Session. We found the current theater building and a student there introduced the techies to the costumier who gave them a mini-tour. A new building is under construction which should be open before any of my car-load would transfer in. We saw plans for the new building but not the construction site itself.</p>
<p>About 45% of the UMBC students live on campus. Housing is not guaranteed for Transfer students, but applying early will make a difference in your position on the housing list. UMBC has bus service to some nearby apartment developments so off-campus housing is not impossible to find. All students can bring a car to campus and parking fees are included in the general student fees. There are priority dates for application, but students are accepted until much later in the year. Transfers are admitted to the university, rather than to a particular department. Once admitted, students need to have their previous records reviewed by the individual departments to find out which courses they will need to take at UMBC.</p>
<p>On 3/16 we visited Towson U. It is about twice the size of UMBC. Housing is not guaranteed for transfer students, but early application gets them on the waitlist. There are many private apartment complexes near Towson, and most have shuttle buses to campus if they aren’t in walking distance. Freshman usually can’t get parking permits, but as they are guaranteed on-campus housing it isn’t such a problem for them. Towson is walking distance to shopping, movies, etc. which the techies liked a lot better than UMBC’s location.</p>
<p>We took a general campus tour, and saw the inside of the Fine Arts building. The techies approved of it, as well as the looks of the dining facilities on campus. Students who complete an AA in Maryland are automatic admits, and although there are priority application dates, both freshman and transfer students can be accepted later in the year “as long as there is space”.</p>
<p>The techies like Towson, and want to go back another day to meet people in the department. But, the Baltimore Beltway is just as horrifying as I’ve been told, so I may send them up by commuter rail!</p>