Harper
Best thing about UMBC? The opportunity to start as a single student and make big changes. I would like to loosen some of the stricter requirements on maintaining a polished exterior, as I think it stifles student expression in some cases. I think the size (around 10K students) is perfect. "That's in College Park, right?" I spend a great deal of time in The Commons. Arbutus/Catonsville try to be a college town in some cases but they're really not quite there yet. The administration can be frustrating at times but I think that for the most part, it is staffed with people who are open-minded and genuinely interested in the well-being of the students. SAE fraternity getting severely punished over some rumored violations, prompting an inquiry into our student judicial processes. This semester our school pride has really been taking off. Everything about UMBC is unusual: the students, the opportunities to make big things happen, our flagship chess team. If you want to be just one of the crowd don't come to UMBC. I'm always going to remember my experiences with student government and how it helped to empower me to be able to effect change both on our campus and in the world around me. People often complain about the food (sucks), general class requirements (why?), not getting the grades they wanted (hmm), "there's nothing to do" (yeah right!).
Connie
The best thing -- there's green all over campus, which is nice especially in the spring. One thing I'd change -- the institutional-brick architecture. It's like a campus of cardboard boxes (except kind of reddish). Size -- a little big, but then I'm slightly agoraphobic. Spend time on campus -- in class, or walking to class. Living in the dorms means I get a lot of daily exercise. College town -- Arbutus is the only place in walking distance. It's good to make friends with upperclassmen who drive, so you can at least get to Catonsville or Ellicott City. Administration -- paperwork, paperwork, paperwork! But nice people. Recent controversy -- none that I'm aware of, but I don't really pay attention. School pride -- it depends on what group you're in. Memorable experience -- the annual Drag Show last May. Pretty flaming awesome. Hopefully this year's is even better! Most frequent student complaints -- not enough parking/too many cars. Also, people claim the food sucks, but I've had worse. Heck, I've cooked worse.
Avah
It is different than a lot of other colleges. It has only been around for a few years and has the potential to become something great. We need to work on improving the campus attitude as a whole. Many students feel unsatisfied and want it to be more of a college town. Im very satisfied with the size and once i tell people i go to UMBC, they assume I couldnt get into College park and love to study. One of the major problems on our campus is school pride. Students dont seem to be proud of going to UMBC
Benjamin
UMBC's location is one of the greatest things about it. It takes less than 10 minutes to get to downtown Baltimore and only about half an hour to get to Washington D.C. UMBC has its own exit on Route 195 and is immediately accesible from both the Baltimore beltway (695) and the 95 interstate. UMBC also offers a shuttle service that runs downtown, to the Arundel Mills mall and to the neighborhoods surrounding campus on a daily basis.
UMBC is a very liberal school. There are student organizations and groups willing to express and represent any sort of political, religious or philosophical leaning you might have. Tolerance is pretty much the highest virtue.
Students interested in organizations have a great resource through the Office of Student Life. Student organizations can apply for funding from the student government association, are qualified as non-profit organizations for charity purposes, have access to professional sound, video, catering, management, and security personel amoung other perks.
If you have good highschool grades, AP credit and/or good SAT scores, you'll probably get a scholarship from UMBC. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships on campus give out lots and lots of money to lure prospective freshman but if you receive an award, be sure to keep your grades up. Scholarships require a 3.00 or 3.25 cumulative GPA maintenance depending on the award.