UMBC versus UMCP - what's the difference?

silversas
Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:53:02 +0000

I also think we are in a very changing environment, and that UMBC is changing very rapidly. 4 years ago we did NOT consider UMBC for S1, because it seemed like more of a local area school that was a back up to UMCP (where he will be graduating from in May), and who wanted to major in government.

On the other hand, it may wind up being a prime candidate for S2 and we are visiting next week. S2 is interested in majoring in math or physics, and has other interests that are offered in strong departments in UMBC. And as the economy has tanked, and private schools have gotten more competitive, the quality of students at each level of school has gotten better.

Finally, the DC/Baltimore area benefits from the Boston/Cambridge phenomenon – the professors at the non-top schools are often top rate because it is a great place to live and an intellectual, academic, research, good quality of life kind of place… a NYC friend of mine recently did not get a job at UMBC that she super wanted, in the arts… it was a nationally competitive faculty position.

In sum - UMCP: Full, top level state flagship university that has been terrific in most ways for S1; UMBC: Smaller (but still large), state university with excellent departments and much going for it, could be perfect for some students.