Douglas Olsen
The University of Maryland, College Park, is a large, diverse, and highly ranked public university. Founded in 1856, it has a current enrollment of over 30,000 undergraduate students and offers a wide range of academic programs, including highly regarded business, engineering, and political science departments. The university has a strong athletics program, with 47 national championships, and a vibrant campus life, with over 700 student organizations. Students praise the university's academic programs, social life, and diverse and accepting community. They also appreciate the proximity to Washington, D.C., which provides unique opportunities for learning and engagement beyond the classroom.
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What You'll Learn
Student life and social life
The University of Maryland, College Park, is a large university with a diverse student body. Students say that there is a sense of community and that it is easy to fit in and find your people. The social life is reported to be "unsurpassed", with a variety of opportunities for students to get involved in. The campus is described as beautiful, with a 20-minute walk between classes and a motivated 'green' campus. The sports teams, especially the basketball teams, are a source of pride for the students, and the university has one of the nation's most successful athletics programs. There are also 700+ student organizations and BIG 10 sporting events.
The academics are rigorous and challenging, with limited enrollment programs that require acceptance out of high school or meeting gateway course requirements for current students. The engineering school is solid, and the business school is tremendous, with a nationally recognized program. The political science department is great, and the criminology program is top-ranked. The administration is always looking to upgrade facilities, and the campus has a state-of-the-art engineering building and a new computer science building. The university is also committed to sustainability and has a "motivated 'green' campus".
The surrounding area is described as "dicey", with some students expressing concern about crime alerts from the police. Parking regulations are also mentioned as a hassle, with expensive permits and a lack of free parking for visitors. However, the university provides great bus transportation around the campus. The campus dining halls offer good quality food with a great selection and accommodations to meet all needs. There are also several restaurant options within walking distance off-campus. Housing consists of dorms, on-campus suites and apartments, and many close off-campus housing options. Transportation includes campus buses, bike and scooter rentals, and soon a DC Metro Rail stop on campus.
The University of Maryland is committed to inclusivity and has been recognized as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for LGBTQ+. It is also ranked highly for undergraduate entrepreneurship and has been named one of America's Best Workplaces for Diversity. The student experience is highly rated, with students praising the widely diverse opportunities available and the great price for the quality of education received.
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Diversity and inclusivity
The University of Maryland values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful campus for students, faculty, and staff. The university acknowledges and celebrates diversity in race/ethnicity, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical and learning abilities, socioeconomic status, national origin, veteran status, and other areas of difference.
The School of Public Health at the University of Maryland is committed to creating an educational and work environment that is rich in diversity, inclusive, and supportive of all students, faculty, and staff. The school has developed a Strategic Plan for Diversity and Inclusion that reflects this commitment. The school strives to provide every student with an education that incorporates the values of diversity and inclusion and increases students' understanding of public health issues and interventions, developing their cultural competency.
The Division of Student Affairs offers programs and services designed to support and enrich all aspects of student life at the University of Maryland. Their primary goal is to prepare students for the realities of living and thriving in an increasingly diverse global society by integrating in-class and out-of-classroom learning experiences and helping students build their capacities as leaders and citizens. They promote an understanding of leadership that values diversity, fairness, social responsibility, and individual accountability for issues of equity and inclusion.
The university also has an Office of Diversity and Inclusion, which provides leadership and expertise to help the university achieve its diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. All new students, faculty, and staff participate in TerrapinSTRONG onboarding, which welcomes participants to the university, introduces them to its history and traditions, and underscores its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The LGBTQ+ Equity Center, a part of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, works to establish and maintain a safe, inclusive, and welcoming campus environment for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities or expressions.
The University of Maryland has a high racial diversity, with 48% of students being minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The undergraduate student body is diverse, with students from 39 states and 124 countries. However, some students have expressed that the university is diverse but not inclusive, especially for students of color, and that it can be hard to connect with peers. There are also concerns about the low gender diversity at the university, with a significantly lower percentage of female students compared to other US colleges.
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Academic excellence
The University of Maryland (UMD) is recognised for its academic excellence, research enterprise, workplace environment, student experience and commitment to inclusivity. The university's academic excellence is enhanced by its highly qualified faculty. The experienced and accomplished professors are dedicated to providing a comprehensive and challenging educational experience. The university's location in College Park, near the nation's capital, provides students with access to numerous internship and networking opportunities, affording them valuable real-world experience.
UMD is routinely ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, The Princeton Review and others. It has been recognised as a top 20 public university in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, achieving its highest overall ranking at No. 44, and its highest ranking among public universities at No. 17. UMD is also ranked in the top 10 nationally for its learning communities, and in the top 25 among public universities for veterans, undergraduate teaching and innovation.
The School of Engineering earned its highest ranking ever at No. 16, with six programs in the top 25. The Business School is ranked No. 23 overall, with three top 25 programs. UMD is also ranked No. 9 among U.S. public institutions for patents awarded in 2023, and No. 11 among public institutions for research and development spending. The university is committed to environmental sustainability, aiming to become a net carbon-neutral campus by 2025.
The University of Maryland offers a diverse, welcoming campus environment where students can exchange ideas and strengthen connections. Students have access to over 700 active student organisations catering to various interests and hobbies, allowing them to connect with like-minded individuals and develop leadership skills. The university's affordability and financial aid programs make it an attractive choice for prospective students.
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Sports and athletics
The University of Maryland has a strong focus on sports and athletics, with a long history of success in various disciplines. The university's sports teams are known as the "Maryland Terrapins" or simply the "Terps", a nickname coined in 1932 by the then football coach and later university president, Harry C. "Curley" Byrd. The school's colours are red, white, black, and gold, and its mascot is Testudo the turtle.
The university sponsors a large number of varsity athletic teams, with sources giving figures of 19, 20, or 21 teams in total. These include 8 men's teams and 11 or 12 women's teams, competing at the NCAA Division I level. The university has won numerous national championships across a range of sports, with sources citing figures of 19, 32, or 47 championship wins since 2005. Notable successes include the men's lacrosse team, which has won 13 championships, and the women's lacrosse team, which has won 5. Other successful sports include basketball, football, soccer, baseball, and field hockey.
The University of Maryland has a rich tradition of athletic excellence, with a strong following for its teams. Students can attend home games for free and participate in various fan traditions, such as waving a Maryland flag or bringing a copy of the student newspaper to a men's basketball game. The university has also made significant investments in its sports facilities, including upgrades to playing surfaces, lighting, and the construction of new complexes.
In addition to varsity sports, the University of Maryland also offers a wide range of recreational and intramural sports opportunities for students. University Recreation and Wellness, known as RecWell, encourages students to be active and build a community through sports. Students can participate in club sports, fitness classes, adventure trips, personal training, aquatics programs, and more.
The University of Maryland's sports programmes also provide financial support for student-athletes. On average, student-athletes receive around $30,006 in sports-related aid, with men receiving an average of $32,202 and women receiving $27,559. This aid helps to offset the cost of attending the university and allows students to pursue their athletic passions while receiving a solid education.
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Campus facilities and accommodation
The University of Maryland offers a range of campus facilities and accommodation options to its students. The university operates on four campuses: University of Maryland, Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of Maryland, College Park (the main campus); and University of Maryland Global Campus.
On-Campus Accommodation
The University of Maryland provides various on-campus housing options, including traditional, apartment-style, and suite-style accommodation. Single-gender, mixed-gender, and gender-inclusive housing options are available. The on-campus dorm rooms are decently-sized, often with space for a refrigerator, and are furnished, carpeted, and air-conditioned. Students can also enjoy amenities such as a communal kitchen and living space, 24-hour internet access, and laundry services. The average rent for on-campus accommodation is $5,000 per semester, which includes utilities, Wi-Fi, maintenance, security, and shared building amenities.
Off-Campus Accommodation
For those seeking more independence, there are numerous off-campus housing options near the University of Maryland, particularly in College Park, which is just 4 miles from Washington, D.C. These off-campus accommodations offer a wider range of amenities, more privacy, and can be more cost-effective in the long run. The average rent for off-campus rooms is around $550 per month, while apartments closer to campus can cost around $3,200 per month.
Campus Facilities
The University of Maryland's campuses are known for their state-of-the-art facilities, providing an experiential learning environment for students. The main campus in College Park spans 1,340 acres and offers dining halls, cafes, convenience shops, food courts, libraries, and transport facilities, including bus services. Students can also take advantage of campus amenities such as arts and entertainment, athletics, and student unions.
The university is committed to creating and maintaining a physical environment that enables students, faculty, and staff to achieve excellence. With 9 million square feet of campus buildings, the university's facilities management team works tirelessly to address issues such as pest control, air quality, and campus cleanliness. Additionally, the university offers a web-based portal, Facilities Service Central, where students can easily report issues, track requests, and communicate with facilities teams.
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Frequently asked questions
Students say that the University of Maryland is a quintessential large university with a great experience and a variety of opportunities. They also say that the social life at UMD is unsurpassed.
Students say that the academics at the University of Maryland are rigorous and challenging. They also say that the University has a nationally recognized business program, a top-ranked criminology program, and a great political science department.
Students say that the University of Maryland offers a great education at a very cheap price.
Students say that the campus environment at the University of Maryland is very diverse and accepting of different groups. They also say that it is a green campus.
Students say that the University of Maryland is a top 20 public university in the nation. It has also been ranked in the top 10 nationally for its learning communities and in the top 25 among public universities for veterans, undergraduate teaching, and innovation.
