graduate school at UMBC (Baltimore, Towson: cheap apartments, hotel, job market)

[GwendolynChen]

Would it be a good idea to attend UMBC for graduate studies, for biology and chemistry majors? How are the research activities there? I really like the city of Baltimore(traveled there last fall) but my gpa/gre is not high enough for jhu... it's high enough for a top80 graduate school, though. So I have been considering whether I should apply to UMBC. Any suggestions?

[emmiesix]

Originally Posted by GwendolynChen

Would it be a good idea to attend UMBC for graduate studies, for biology and chemistry majors? How are the research activities there? I really like the city of Baltimore(traveled there last fall) but my gpa/gre is not high enough for jhu... it's high enough for a top80 graduate school, though. So I have been considering whether I should apply to UMBC. Any suggestions?

For sciences it's the best option outside of JHU, but definitely a big step down. The university is going up in the rankings, though. If you like Baltimore I'd give it a shot. The faculty research is quite good from what I know of it.

[kharing]

Towson University is an excellent option for biology. It is a better value for your dollar than JHU.

http://grad.towson.edu/program/master/biol-ms/

[Infinite_heights77]

My godmother, cousins attended UMBC during the 1980's. One came out of the "once-strong" Africana/Black Studies department, and the other in engineering. Good school!! Strong research facilities. It's a uber-guber, ultra geek school. You'll do fine!

Be a retriever! Lmao..

[Infinite_heights77]

They used to call UMBC (U Must Be Chinese) because of the large Asian population at the school, and how hard and rigorous Asian students are about their studies.

[Hamish Forbes]

Originally Posted by kharing

Towson University is an excellent option for biology. It is a better value for your dollar than JHU.

Biology Master of Science (M.S.) - Towson University

This is terrible advice. Don't even think about Towson -- it's not a research-1 university, and does not offer a PhD in any of the sciences.

[emmiesix]

Originally Posted by Infinite_heights77

They used to call UMBC (U Must Be Chinese) because of the large Asian population at the school, and how hard and rigorous Asian students are about their studies.

Also heard "U Must Be Crazy" and "University of Baltimore, Behind Catonsville"... heh.

I would recommend looking at the US News rankings. They aren't the end-all-be-all, but they should give you an idea. If a school is not ranked, it's bad & you should not go there, frankly.

A second, and very important consideration, is what KIND of research you want to do. I would look up the profiles of all the faculty at the institutes in question and see if you like what they do, because you will wind up working with one of them. You should also talk to them directly, and try to find out what funding is like, what the job market is like after graduation.

I know you think you like Baltimore, but if you are serious about your education, you should be applying nationwide (or even world-wide) and trying to get the best place you can.

Biology is a *tough* field if you want to stay in academia, also. That's why I'd recommend finding a messageboard for biology grad sutdents and post-docs and asking questions. You should know these things going in, because grad school is a long slog of hard work and low pay. (I say this as a PhD Scientist).

[Tinawina]

Originally Posted by emmiesix

I know you think you like Baltimore, but if you are serious about your education, you should be applying nationwide (or even world-wide) and trying to get the best place you can.

I would second that sentiment, and add a caveat... if you are doing a graduate program in the sciences, you will very rarely see the outside of the lab anyway. You could be in Timbuktu for as much as you'll see of whatever city you are in. Seriously. The classrooms, the lab, your advisor's office, your TA cubicle, the library, on campus events with free food, yours and your fellow students' tiny cheap apartments, the occasional conference where 10 of you will crash in one hotel room, whatever store sells the cheapest ramen noodles, and the local bar where everyone goes to gripe. Those are the only places you will ever go. If you don't have a washer/dryer in your building, I would add the laundromat. Heh.

Just pick a good program.

[mpheels]

Originally Posted by kharing

Towson University is an excellent option for biology. It is a better value for your dollar than JHU.

Biology Master of Science (M.S.) - Towson University

If a school is worth attending for graduate studies in the sciences, then they will have funding to cover tuition and a stipend for graduate students. The cost of attendance at JHU is irrelevant - PhD students don't actually pay out of pocket, and really talented Master's student usually don't.

To the OP - if you are truly serious about pursing graduate education in biology, I recommend getting an entry level job as a research assistant in the field (any college/university with a biology dept is a great place to start). A few years of work experience can go a long way toward getting into a better graduate school. If you work for a college/university, you will probably be able to take a few classes for free or very low cost, and you can use that to improve your academic portfolio. It's worth it to take a few extra years if it means attending a better school in the end. The reputation of the school you attend for MS/PhD is far more important that undergraduate reputation.

[kharing]

The OP already said that he/she does NOT have the gpa to get into Hopkins. That's why I recommend Towson, since the chances of getting a free ride are low.