College Park area?? (Baltimore: crime, school, university)

[lpfan921]

Hey everyone, I am considering going to grad school at University of Maryland. How do people like it around there? Is there any crime in the area? It seems like housing costs are through the roof. How is the weather? Humid summers don't really bother me but I hate cold, rainy weather and never getting to see the sun. How about the people, are they nice?

Thanks!!

[manofsteel084]

The University of Maryland is beautiful. However, it does border some shady areas. If you aren't married with Kids and have some flexibility, I would try to live as close to campus or on campus if possible.

Weather is really good. A lot of sun, but the humidity is pretty nasty in the summer.

For the most part people are as nice as anywhere else, it's all relative I suppose. Depends on where you are coming from.

My advice...take a trip there to see the surrounding area and rive for a bit around campus and the immediate area. You'll get the feel pretty quick.

[alachi]

I am an alum of UMCP, and I loved every minute I spent there.

It can get quite windy in the fall, enough to push you around a little. There's a good amount of sun. But when it rains, you often find the umbrella protects your head, but the entire front part of your pants are wet. (Walking from building to building can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on where you are going)

The campus is very hilly, so you get a nice workout walking around campus. People are definitely friendly. There are great bars to meet people and get a bite to eat (Bentleys, Santa Fe, Cornerstone)

Housing cost is really high, but since the university is research-based, you get what you pay for. It is a GREAT school!

[lpfan921]

Thanks to both of you for taking the time, it sounds like a great place.

[psychofan]

Ipfan921, I'm not sure what you're going to grad school for. If it's in the biomedical sciences, I strongly suggest you take a look at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in downtown Baltimore. They have a pretty strong science training program there and it's definitely worth a look.