<p>There is a much larger faculty at UMD, many of which have extremely strong connections throughout government, etc. “You’ll be in DC” via a 20min metro ride from UMD. The campus feel is apples and oranges–at GW, you’re in the middle of the city, and I believe a much less feeling of a campus “community” than being on campus at UMD. IMO, UMD gives you the best of both worlds…a campus community that is close to the city. I agree with the others who’ve said that it is incorrect to say that GWU is stronger academically. You’ll have the “prestige” of knowing that you went to (at least as recent as 2009) as the most expensive college in the USA. For the difference in price (and there still will be one–OOS at UMD isn’t as much $$ as tuition at GWU) I don’t think the value is there. You are right—you need to go be on each campus and see which one “feels” like where you belong.</p>