University of Maryland
OVERVIEW
University of Maryland, College Park is known as a public university. This university is considered to be a flagship college, which belongs to the University System of Maryland. It is also seen as a public Ivy Institution, enjoy a good reputation nationwide. The college has enrolled 26,876 undergraduate students and 10,719 postgraduates in total.
The university was founded in the year of 1856. It is a typical suburban university, located in the College Park in the state of Maryland. The campus covers an area of 1,250 acres.
UMCP offers all kinds of degrees in many study programs. The degrees include Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate. The vast majority of its students are enrolled as undergraduates pursuing a four-year bachelor’s degree. Students are also encouraged to participate in the combined-degree programs.
The mission of the University of Maryland is:
To educate Architects, Planners, Preservationists, Developers and the many allied stakeholders whose work and scholarship focuses on the quality of the built environment and promotes social justice, cultural value, resource conservation and economic opportunity. We take advantage of our unique location—in a region that features the nation’s capital and the post-industrial City of Baltimore, and links the Appalachian Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean while surrounding the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland’s opportunities and challenges are found in its diverse communities, explosive growth and extensive historic resources.
ACCREDITATION
The university was accredited by the Association of American Universities in the year of 1925. In addition to that, many of the colleges and schools are accredited by a couple of academic organizations.
ACADEMICS
The University of Maryland, College Park comprises six colleges and seven schools:
- College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
- College of Arts and Humanities
- College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
- College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
- College of Education
- College of Information Studies
- Philip Merrill College of Journalism
- School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation
- Robert H. Smith School of Business
- A. James Clark School of Engineering
- The Graduate School
- School of Public Health
- School of Public Policy
The most popular majors and course of study for students are as follows:
- Criminology
- Economics
- Accounting
- Psychology
- Political Science and Government
Based on the statistics provided by U.S News Rankings, UMCP is ranked 55th nationwide. At the same time, it is ranked 17th among public universities.
Students who want to apply for the university need to face fierce competition. In recent years, the admittance to the university has become increasingly selective. It is important for the applicants to be academic-active.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants for the university are required to possess high school diplomas. General Educational Development (GED) is equally effective. It also requires applicants to take standardized tests like SAT or ACT. Among all non-academic factors, student’s talent usually gives the applicant an advantage.
COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID
The tuitions and fees for year 2011-2012 is USD 8,655. Students spend USD 2,268 for life expanses on average and USD 9,677 for accommodation.
The university offers both Need-based scholarship and Non-need-based Scholarships to qualified candidates. For the former one, students are able to receive up to USD 7,766; for the latter one, students are able to get up to USD 6,447. Applicants can apply for more financial aid if they are enrolled in athletic programs.
