University of Maryland-Baltimore County Top Questions

If you asked me what the most popular student groups were here, I honestly couldn't tell you. I know we have a good soccer team which many students support so I suppose I would have to choose that as our most active group. However, I do see many guys and girls walking around with UMBC apparel on supporting our basketball, lacrosse, and swim/dive teams but I have yet to hear much about them. I do see though there are a lot of organizations that do have stands in the breezeway (a walkway by academic row) selling baked goods and raising money for whatever their club supports. Then, depending on which floor of the dorms you live on (whether its the designated quite floor or not), you'll see many people's doors fly open with people going in and out of them all the time. Even at 3 in the morning, the dorms are still lively and you're sure to pass by someone while walking in the hallways. It's also pretty customary for your friends to just let themselves into your room if its unlocked (but only if both the roommates agree because some roommates don't appreciate their bunk mates friends barging into the room unexpectedly). On the weekends here, even though UMBC isn't classified as a "party hardy school," if someone really wanted to go out, they could find a party to go to. There aren't that many off campus so most people have "dorm parties" and invite a bunch of friends over to do many "college associated activities." There is also a club near by called FIsh Bowl that many students go to during the weekends. However, many students go home on the weekend so the remainder that are here either party, or hang out in their room and watch T.V. or do homework. That's honestly pretty much all there is to do.

Most popular student activities include going to parties, game nights, attending basketball and soccer games, karaoke nights in the Commons and study groups (of course)! :) Among different groups people enjoy going to the theater for a play, watching a dance recital, going to Erickson Field to play flag football or extreme frisbee. There are also numerous numbers of sororities and fraternities that people like to join based on their interests or backgrounds. The two biggest events that everyone looks forward to is Quadmania and Homecoming where everyone's school spirit is shining and there are concerts, free food, and fun!

The more popular activities and groups here are the sports clubs and fraternities/sororities. There is a specific type of fraternity/sorority for almost everybody if you look and there are so many different sports teams. The best part is though we have so many activities and groups and if you would like to do something that is not available then you are more than capable of starting the group yourself. Plus as I have said on previous questions, if you want to meet people there are so many ways to do it and so many ways to have fun and make friends.

One of the most popular groups/organizations/club activities at UMBC are joining the sorority or fraternity group. Most students are usually very involved with their group activities with their sisters and brothers after joining them. Students usually never ever leave their doors open in their dorms probably not because it is unsafe to do so, but purely because nobody else does it, and we take other people's privacy and our own privacy very seriously. I love the guest speakers, exhibits, concerts, theatre, shows, dance shows, and all the events that are constantly going on-campus. We have so many different events during the school year that I actually find it utterly impossible to even go to every single on of them! Due to the fact that UMBC is a big commuter school and students live off-campus most of the time, it is not at all a big party school be it during the week, or on weekends. I personally have lived off-campus nearby UMBC and before doing so, I always went back home during the weekends, so I never was really involved with drinking during Saturday nights. For those who do not go back home during the weekends and stays on campus all-year around usually have a part-time job at the nearby grocery stores, Arundel Mills Mall, or dedicate their time doing internships or volunteer work.

Because UMBC is known for the sciences, the biggest campus organization in my opinion would be the Pre-Medical Society. I started when I was getting active when I was a freshman and now I am the Vice President of Student Involvement. We have hundreds of members that come to meetings to hear speakers and to plan events. We have many other organizations on campus that show a variety of interests. We have over 200 organizations that include a boating club, many dance clubs, and religious and cultural organizations. We are very open to anybody and everybody. With the amount of diversity on this campus, each organizations allow students to work with one another. A lot of what organizations focus on is community service. Every week, you can see organizations tabling for a cause or promoting a service project for any student to be a part of. I met my closest friends in my dorm and my study groups. You create bonds that go beyond the classroom. I wouldn't say there is a huge dating scene on campus but people are involved with each other. At 2 am I am usually either studying for an exam or hanging with people on my floor. Although the weekends here are pretty empty on campus, UMBC provides a shuttle to Arundel Mills mall where there is a movie theater and restaurants. There are also many ways to get to downtown Baltimore.

The most popular student groups and organizations are the Greeks. UMBC is full of Greek Organizations(Fraternities and Sororities). There are multiple types of organizations to join here at UMBC

Athletics here on campus are more popular then ever. With the success of the men's soccer team, women's basketball and lacrosse teams, and others, students usually come out in bulk to these events, none being more popular then our men's basketball games. Every weekend there is a movie shown in one of the lecture halls and there is usually something to do on campus. Certain dorms are more social then others because some have people who leave their door's open while other's don't (and some of the dorms don't even have doors you can leave open.) Guest speakers and performers make appearances for special occasions and there are many places off campus you can visit. We're located in Catonsville/Arbutus with Baltimore City and the Inner Harbor no more then ten minutes away. The dating scene is great, I met my girlfriend in my dorm last year which was one of the most social dorms on campus. Frats and sororities are very popular and can be seen around campus a lot.

The UMBC Jazz Big Band performs "Killer Jo…

The Student Government ssocaition really makes an effort to represent every student on campus and to make significant changes for the students. Students in dorms do leave their doors open. Athletic events have recently become more popular. There are always guest speakers such as Al Gore, etc. I meant my closest friends through other friends, you keep meeting people all the time, it's amazing.

Now look; you may be thinking after all of this that UMBC is a fun, laid-back university. This is true, but it also has a reputation for being one of the best colleges in Maryland. It has a lot to offer. So don't get me wrong, there are parties at UMBC. But if your goal when you go to college is to stay out all night drinking and having a great time, think again. UMBC is a great place to party, but it's not the kind of school that has a reputation of "no academics, parties every night." There are a lot of fun things to do around campus: there's an athletic facility open to all students, there are sports events, there are guest speakers, theater productions, movie nights, and game rooms. UMBC is located in Baltimore County, and there are a lot of fun spots to hit near the campus. But UMBC is not ALL about the party. Students do study, and you meet a lot of your best friends in class, not at the party scene. If you're awake at 2am on a Tuesday - yeah, you could be partying. But you might also be having a study session with a couple of friends because of that test tomorrow, or you may just be hanging with a couple friends eating pizza and watching a movie.