University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD, USA

Reviews

University of Maryland-Baltimore County

Roxanne from Glen Burnie, MD

a current student here
18 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I did not expect to learn much due to entering this college with AP credits, but I have still learned many new things due to the immense variety of classes. In my internship, 90% or more of my daily activities were taught.
Am enjoying being here
There is always an activity at UMBC. The gym is open to anyone to exercise and there are many clubs to join. The teachers are encouraging as well.
Bang for the buck
The tuition price is good for instate students, however it is mandatory to have a meal plan if in the dorms. The meal plan price is slightly expensive compared to purchasing and making your own food. Nevertheless, it is easy to earn money by applying for the many internships and jobs due to a website dedicated to their search.
Tips for prospective students
Be sure to meet with your adviser, they seek to help. Also, try not to be involved with too many activities, the grades come first. Without good grades, you will not be at UMBC for long. Remember, it is an honors university; good grades are expected. Not to worry though, there is still plenty of room for mess-ups.
Great for these types of students
Great for students who are goal-setters. Many people can be overwhelmed by the many clubs and activities at UMBC. It is easy to become distracted.

Monet from Mitchellville, MD

a current student here
12 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am learning SO much at UMBC. They really make sure that you are getting a top rate education! I really learned a lot this past semester and I feel like I am learning on a high level. The information they provide is very helpful and applies to our everyday lives. You will always be learning a lot here!
Am enjoying being here
I LOVE UMBC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love school and I love the students there also! They make you feel welcomed right away and there are always events to bring a sense of community to students and to provide opportunities for fun and entertainment! Go Retrievers!
Bang for the buck
UMBC's cost of attendance is actually quite low compared to other Maryland colleges. Also, as a scholarship recipient myself, I can also say that UMBC offers many different scholarships and loans to incoming freshman to ensure that students are taken care of. Also, I must say that UMBC's prices are definitely worth it for the wonderful educational, professional, and extracurricular opportunities it offers!
Tips for prospective students
Never be afraid to ask for help. Professors are there to help you. Make new friends. Try new things. You may be surprised of the things that may spark your interest. Turn in your work on time and get a tutor for hard subjects. Plan ahead. Get to know your roommate. Relax.
Great for these types of students
This school is great for hard-working, determined, goal-oriented, focused, self-reliant, fun-having students.

Emily from Germantown, MD

a current student here
12 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
Lots of information, but if you keep on top of the material, it is pretty easy to pass the exams
Am enjoying being here
My bio teacher tells jokes, my chem teacher is a pyromaniac! excellent environment and activities during the week.
Tips for prospective students
DON'T GET BEHIND ON WORK!!!! too much procrastination and you will find yourself sinking, just like at any college
Great for these types of students
everyone, UMBC is the # 1 up and coming school in the nation and we have one of the most diverse campuses. Everyone belongs here!

Jay from Owings Mills

a current student here
7 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The University of Maryland Baltimore County presents me with many opportunities I previously did not know existed. Most notable is the Shriver Center--the institute in charge of securing internships for students. The university is equipped with fully dedicated staff and degree focused students who know that it's cool to be smart. This feeling has also been transferred to me and is a contributor to my success.
Am enjoying being here
I love being at UMBC. The opportunities available for success are countless. There are tutorial sessions for every course, especial the entry level courses taken by freshmen. In addition, there are discussion sections after lecture. These sessions help to clarify information learned during lecture. There are a variety of events that occur on campus as well. The dormitories also host events to get students active and connected. It's all a very enriching experience.
Bang for the buck
As a student seeking to obtain scholarships, I understand monetary value and I would definitely say UMBC is worth the buck. Although not as expensive as Ivy League school's the university provides network opportunities and facilities of comparable class. The dedication to success fuels both students and faculty and highly contributes to the increasing number of meritorious accomplishments by the school.
Tips for prospective students
Be ready to work, but also be ready to enjoy yourself. The school has a number of activities and clubs to partake in but do understand that the primary focus is education. Some freshman do not tend to notice the strain on academic success as much as upperclassmen do. In addition to enjoying themselves, the general body of students focus on education. This principle, if adopted prior to entry into the university, will greatly contribute to academic success. Also, be sure to develop study groups.
Great for these types of students
UMBC is great for all types of students. For students who fall behind academically, there are a variety of tutorial centers and sessions. For students who are always ahead academically, there are opportunities to work as a tutor. Regardless of academic standing, the general body of students at UMBC are dedicated to academic success. If you know you want to succeed, come to UMBC.

Laura from Odenton, MD

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
UMBC definitely provides a cultivating environment for learning through different cultural and social perspectives. Tolerance of those around you is highly stressed and a core value at the University. There are numerous cultural and social organizations available for students to join that are not exclusive, but inclusive. We want to learn about everyone and everything, so the more different you are the more of an opportunity there is for learning about each other.

I encourage students, especially first-year students, to step out of your comfort zone and keep your mind open to all of the classes available. A class may at first sound boring but you will always be surprised to find yourself interested in the subject matter because our professors encourage thinking about and solving issues presented in the curricula in a non-traditional way. Class discussions are a major focus in many of the first-year seminars which always brings up an opportunity for hearing a different viewpoint or angle that challenges your previously held opinions. This occurred for me in my Sociology 101 lecture and First Year Seminar class on social justice and equality in education.
Am enjoying being here
For the most part the people, both students and faculty, are outstanding and are always willing to go out of their way to help you when asked. There are tons of events going on on the campus during the day and at night ranging from Open Mic Nights - where our talented student body displays their musical skills by rapping, singing, reciting poetry, or playing various instruments - to karaoke and ice cream socials.

There are a few campus parties (some school-sponsored and others thrown by students) but they never cause any serious problems. UMBC is nothing like College Park in terms of a party school which can be a good and bad thing at times but as long as you get out and meet cool people you will always find ways to have fun.

All in all, UMBC has a small-community feel to it and is nice for students that do not want to live too far away from home or feel like just a number among many students. The faculty will get to know you by name and genuinely care about your well-being. I have personally connected with so many faculty members in my first year that I know I will stay in contact with in the future.
Bang for the buck
UMBC is ranked as one of the most affordable institutions of higher learning in Maryland. I know that when I tell my other friends who attend Maryland universities like Stevenson and College Park what I pay for tuition they get jealous. The cost is most affected by whether you commute or live on campus and what residence hall you live in along with your meal plan of choice. The apartment housing can be a bit pricey and most students only live in them if they have a nice scholarship to pay the expenses. Overall, you are truly getting a Harvard education for a public, state university price.
Tips for prospective students
Come visit UMBC for yourself to get a real feel for the University.

Step out of your major periodically and have some fun with your classes! :) I am completing my undergraduate studies in Pre-Medicine but I enjoy taking classes in the social sciences and arts & humanities.

Stay in constant contact with your advisor. They are there to help you and the thousands of questions you may have for them.

Have balance. Prioritize your homework/studying, clubs, and leisure time because you can easily slide into chaos if you do not. Know what you are in school for and surround yourself with people that share your same drive for success.

Seize every opportunity that comes your way and have fun growing and developing YOU!
Great for these types of students
Studious
Open-minded and opinionated (that will change lol)
Chill
Love to learn
Caring
People from all religious, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds

Vanessa from Smithsburg, MD

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
UMBC has an excellent academic atmosphere as well as an amazing president. There are so many different cultures, ethnicities, and perspectives on campus; it offers a rich opportunity to immerse yourself in a new and exciting environment. I would highly recommend this university to anyone who wants an ivy league quality education at an instate price.
Tips for prospective students
I would recommend staying the night here to see what a college student's life is really like. Be sure to try the food and see the dorms! I would also recommend attending a class to see the academic side of the university.
Academic Rigor
UMBC has high quality teaching and therefore the classes are more challenging, but with hard work and effort anything is possible. Not only will you learn about the subject you are taking, you will be actively engaged in class and will retain the information you need to succeed in the next steps of your life.
Dorm Life
I live in Susquehanna and I think this is the best freshman dorm because it has a great sense of community. The other freshman dorms (Potomac, Patapsco, Chesapeake) are also nice. Patapsco was recently renovated and Susquehanna is being renovated this summer. The upper class men housing is also nice with many apartment options on campus.
Food and Dining
The food at UMBC is decent. There is a dining hall which is an all you can eat style and a meal can be used here. UMBC also has the commons which offers a variety of food at small restaurants. They offer Italian, Chinese, Mexican, as well as subs and hamburgers. Meals are also accepted here. There is also a chick-fil-A and a Starbucks on campus. The only problem with the food is the availability on the weekends. The dining hall has limited hours and only one place is open in the commons each year.
What to do for fun
There are plenty of clubs on campus to be involved in to have fun. There are also club sports and intramural sports offered. Some major events are Big Crazy Fun night for freshman and Quadmania which is held every spring.
Bang for the buck
UMBC is tied with Yale for quality of undergraduate education. The teachers here are qualified and do an excellent job of preparing you for your future endeavors.
Great for these types of students
-Academically focused
-STEM majors
-Music majors

Clubs and Activities
UMBC offers a wide range of clubs to be involved in on campus. If the club you want to join doesn't exist it is also possible to create a new club. The activities during the week are great but there are less events held on the weekends.
Greek Life
There is Greek life at UMBC, however there are not fraternity/sorority houses on campus.
Campus Safety
UMBC is a very safe campus. Blue lights are posted all over campus and the police make rounds every night to ensure safety. Escorts can also be requested from the police if needed.

Sarah from Gaithersburg, MD

a current student here
4 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
they have great research opportunities. however, they have large classes. there is also more of a focus on learning than sports or parties.
Tips for prospective students
expect large classes, and sometimes you can really tell that some teachers are there for their research and not for teaching.
Academic Rigor
they have good, challenging science classes. the honors program is also good. they provide interesting topics, and help a student to grow.
Dorm Life
i don't live in on campus, but i hear it's not that lively. although there are people who are trying to change that, and if you have friends, you can always do something with them. umbc provides transit near them, although the schedule can be erratic, it is consistent for the semester and there is even a bus that goes to the nearby mall.
Food and Dining
it's like all campus food, anywhere you go. a small amount for a lot of money. they do try to be healthy and environmentally conservative. and they do have a chick-fil-a, though now everyone wants a chipoltle. a good bit of selection, but it's like anywhere you'll go.
What to do for fun
what you normally do for fun, what else?
Bang for the buck
i think so. it gives me the opportunity to learn, to do research in a lab, to meet professionals in my field (scientific research). it is one of the least expensive colleges in my state (aside from a community college- but i already went to one of those). a good choice if you ask me.
Clubs and Activities
they're pretty active and try to involve people.
Greek Life
they have sororities and fraternities.
Campus Safety
i feel safe on campus. parking is a mess, though. (i don't have a car, so it's all good :)

Jenna from Clarksville, MD

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Every student at UMBC is very dedicated, it is clear that everyone wants to be here for the right reasons.The professors are phenomenal, during lecture some of them can be a little intimidating but if you go to office hours then theyre not as bad as they seem! The size of the campus is perfect, its big enough in the sense that you can meet new people everyday but small enough that you can give yourself 15 min to get to each class
Tips for prospective students
Do well in High School. UMBC is known for its hard classes, but the classes are so much more interesting especially classes specific to your major. The workload is dependent on what kind of classes you are taking but I didn't find the work any more difficult than what I had In High School.
Academic Rigor
UMBC is known for its great STEM program, so those classes are always difficult but very informative and is what sets UMBC apart from other Unuversities. The Arts and Humanities Programs are also very great. I have a lot of friends in the dance program and they have a lot of oppurtunities to perform and go on great trips. The Arts and Humanites also have a lot of sholarships for students going into those majors at UMBC
Dorm Life
I love living in a dorm. I live in Susquehanna and met my best friends there. My floor is like a family and its always fun when we all hang out together. It is also nice to have someone down the hall to ask with help for homework.
Food and Dining
There are many food options on campus. We even have a Chik-fil-a which I love! The only bad thing is that they are not open as late as many students would like but there are two 24/7 convenience stores located at the dining hall and the commons.
What to do for fun
There are so many clubs to join at UMBC. If you cant find one for you, make your own! All you need is a sponsor and 5 friends

Andrew from Stevensville, MD

accepted here and planning to attend soon
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
Hope so at least
Will enjoy being here
Aw yea
Bang for the buck
Rated 1st up and coming schools in America.
Tips for prospective students
Get involved.
Great for these types of students
Smart

Adrienne from Springdale, MD

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
There are so many different subjects being taught here. Almost anything you may be interested in, they have at UMBC. Almost all the classes I've had at this school, I have enjoyed.
Am enjoying being here
I like being at UMBC because there is a lot of diversity in the students. They have loads of things to do on and off campus. They do alot of bus trips to New York City and Philadelphia that are very cheap.
Bang for the buck
One of my favorite things about this school is that they have this concurrent enrollment between their school and other schools in the Maryland area. The great thing about this program is that you can take classes at other schools such as Towson University and Morgan State University that may not be available at UMBC and it is still covered under your UMBC tuition.
Tips for prospective students
I think that if you want to get the real UMBC experience you should live on campus. I also advise becoming active in student groups and organizations.
Great for these types of students
Psychology Students
Sociology Students
Music Students
Science Students
History Students