About

See what students say:

Academics

The University of Maryland-College Park is a grand mix of "twenty-minute walks to class across one of the country's most beautiful campuses, [an introduction] to high-level courses taught by the nation's top researchers, [and] a motivated 'green' campus" as well as "crowded, smelly frat parties, [and] living-learning communities that can make the gigantic campus much smaller." Students are quick to boast about sports, too, especially the men's and women's basketball teams. In short, it's a quintessential large university, offering "a great experience with a variety of opportunities that are what you make of them." Students crow about Maryland's "nationally recognized business program," a "top-ranked criminology program," a solid engineering school, a great political science department that capitalizes on the school's proximity to Washington, D.C., and the "top-notch honors program." Most of all, they love the "great price. This school gives you a great education for a really cheap price." Low cost doesn't translate to budget accommodations. On the contrary, "the administration shows a desire to always upgrade facilities, as can be witnessed by the tremendous business school and the brand new engineering building." In conclusion, students applaud "the widely diverse opportunities available at UMD. You can never get bored because there is always something to do."

Student Body

"The University of Maryland is a very large school," so "there is no 'typical' student here. Everyone will find that they can fit in somewhere." Better still, "different groups are very accepting of other groups. Students in Greek life are just as accepting of students in nonGreek life. Athletes blend in with non-athletes. UMD provides a great environment for students to meet people they would normally not know and helps to provide great connections with these people." UMD is "an especially diverse school," and this makes people "more tolerant and accepting of people from different backgrounds and cultures." A student from New Jersey explains it this way: "Coming from a very diverse area, I thought it was going to be hard to find a school that had that same representation of minority and atypical students until I found Maryland. I don't think I have ever learned so much about different religions, cultures, orientations, or lifestyles. All of them are accepted and even celebrated" at UMD.

Campus Life

"Life at UMD is awesome," with "a good mix of fun activities" including "school-sponsored parties, games," a "campus recreation center that has virtually everything you could wish for, including pools, an extensive gym, a rock wall, squash courts, an indoor track," and a student union "loaded with fun places like the arcade area, bowling alley," and "tons of places to eat as well." In addition, "there are always open games of soccer, football, or ultimate Frisbee being played on the mall and elsewhere." There are bars close to campus, and "students are always having parties," especially along College Park's raucous Frat Row. Terrapin sports are a passion for many. If all that isn't enough, "the proximity to D.C. makes clubbing, nights out on the town, and general visits to D.C. frequent." With all this going on, no wonder students say that "the social life at UMD is unsurpassed." Some warn the surrounding area is dicey; "It's pretty annoying and scary to get crime alerts from the police informing us of incidents close to campus," one student explains. Undergrads also warn that parking regulations are brutal. "Bus transportation around campus provided by the university is great, but for students and visitors with cars, it's a huge hassle. Permits are expensive, and free parking for visitors is impossible to find. School officials are strict with violations, and tickets are $75. They are hard to refute and very costly."

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Undergraduate Admissions

Address
Mitchell Building
College Park, MD 20742

Phone
3013148385


Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Adele H. Stamp Student Union
Eppley Recreation Center
Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium
Comcast Center
6. Memorial Chapel 7. Riggs Alumni Center

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Washington DC attractions
Baltimore's Inner Harbor
Historic Annapolis

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday and Saturday
8:00am-5:00pm and 9:00am-3:00pm
3013148385

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: No
Dates: Year-round
Times: Call in advance for current schedule
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
No

Information Sessions
Available

Times
M - F

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly

Advance Notice
Other

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Available

Arrangements
Other

Limitations
Available during open house programs; call 301-314-4255

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Baltimore-Washington International Airport is 25 miles from campus. MARC trains (800-325-7245) and airport shuttles are available for the trip from the airport to the campus. Washington National Airport is 15 miles from campus. Metrorail trains (202-637-7000) are available for the trip from the airport to the campus. Amtrak and Greyhound are available to Washington, D.C. Switch to Metrorail at Union Station and take it to College Park. University shuttle buses (301-314-2255) provide transportation from the College Park MARC and Metrorail stations to campus.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From Baltimore and the north, take I-95 S. to the Capital Beltway (I-495 around Washington, DC); follow signs to College Park. At Exit 25, take U.S. 1 S. for approximately 2 miles, then turn right into campus at the Visitor's Center. From the west, follow the preceding directions from the Capital Beltway (I-495). From the east, take U.S. 50 W. to the Capital Beltway (I-495); head north on I-495 to College Park. At Exit 25, take U.S. 1 S. for 2 miles and turn right into campus. From Washington, DC, take New Hampshire Ave. (U.S. 29) or Riggs Road (N. Capitol St. in DC, Maryland Rte. 212) north to the East-West Highway (Maryland Rte. 410); turn right onto Rte. 410 and proceed to U.S. 1 and turn left on it. Continue on U.S. 1 to the campus, turning left at the Visitor's Center.

Local Accommodations
Nearby: The Cambria Hotel College Park is within walking distance of the campus (301-595-2600). Slightly less expensive is Econo Lodge (9624 Baltimore Ave.; 301-474-0003. Holiday Inn has two properties on Baltimore Avenue: The Holiday Inn Express & Suites (800-315-2621), about a mile from campus, and the Holiday Inn (10000 Baltimore Blvd.; 301-345-6700). The College Park Marriott Inn and Conference Center at 3501 University Blvd. E, Hyattsville, is adjacent to the campus (301-985-7300). There is an even fancier Marriott, the Marriott Greenbelt (6400 Ivy Lane, Greenbelt; 301-441-3700), 15 minutes away. There is also a Red Roof Inn (9137 Baltimore Avenue) and a Days Inn by Wyndham (9113 Baltimore Avenue, 240-542-9546).

Admissions

Applicants: 56,637
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average HS GPA: 4.43







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