The University of Maryland University College
StudentsReview ::
The University of Maryland University College - Extra Detail about the Comment | |||||||||||||||||||
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Educational Quality | C+ | Faculty Accessibility | B- |
Useful Schoolwork | D | Excess Competition | B |
Academic Success | D | Creativity/ Innovation | C |
Individual Value | D- | University Resource Use | D |
Campus Aesthetics/ Beauty | C | Friendliness | C |
Campus Maintenance | C | Social Life | F |
Surrounding City | A | Extra Curriculars | F |
Safety | B | ||
Describes the student body as: ClosemindedDescribes the faculty as: Helpful |
Lowest Rating Social Life | F |
Highest Rating Surrounding City | A |
Major: PreLaw and Legal (This Major's Salary over time)
I'm in my late 20's and have recently come to the realization that I need to finish up my degree if I ever want to find a fulfilling career. I choose UMUC because it's one of the only schools in the area that is both flexible to working adults and affordable. It's also in the University of Maryland System, so even though its open enrollment there is a level of trust that I didn't have with the "for-profit" schools that market towards non-traditional students like myself. I must admit that after the first semester I came very close to transferring. There is no sense of community or belonging within the school. UMUC is the ugly stepchild within the UMD system, and the administration isn't very helpful. Plus, most of my classes were filled with subpar students who belong on the community college level… but after sticking it out through my second semester I'm starting to figure things out. You have to be proactive in seeking help from advisors and counselors. There are just too many students spread out across the world to expect individual attention. But if you go and seek assistance, you can get it. I've also noticed that many of the weaker students seem to get weeded out once you get to the upper level courses. I suppose this is a by product of open enrollment education; those who aren't serious or capable will either drop out or fail out. I'd say a good 50-60% of the new students never finish their degree; some of that is the fault of the school, but in most cases those students were not ready for the type of work college requires.I've taken classes both on-line and on-campus. I've found the level of on-campus instruction to be very good—every professor I've had teaches somewhere within the UMD System. The on-line instruction has tended to be, "hit or miss," depending on the professor; Some are committed to teaching and some are in it for a pay check. If you can tolerate the busy work and stay self motivated, getting an 'A' or 'B' in online classes is pretty easy. The bottom line is that, yes, UMUC has a lot of warts and blemishes… but… if you're committed to making it work, you can get certainly walk away with a quality education and a positive experience. You just have to remember to be proactive and understand this is a non-traditional school.