Choosing The Right College School Spotlight: University of Maryland Written by Emily Toffelmireon July 6th, 2020 I came to College Coach after working for many years in college admissions and high school counseling. As a school counselor, I assisted students in the college application process and wrote hundreds of letters of recommendation, while also helping them and their families cope with any emotional, social, and academic concerns throughout the year. I transitioned from the high school setting to the admissions office when I joined the University of Southern California as an assistant director, reading freshmen and transfer applications and collaborating on admission decisions for over 150 majors, including the liberal arts, engineering, business, cinema, and the fine and performing arts. I subsequently took on the role of senior assistant director in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, where I coordinated the division's Mork, Stamps, Trustee, Presidential and Dean's merit scholarship selection process, as well as recruitment publications and outreach, and traveled everywhere from Honolulu to Miami presenting to and interviewing hundreds of applicants each year. Learn More About Emily choosing the right college, college lists, There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. And while the media tends to focus on just a handful of schools, we at College Coach encourage students to think outside the box during their college selection process and explore a wide range of colleges. As such, we are highlighting a new college each week in our School Spotlight series. Check out the college below, along with the other posts in our series, and you may just stumble upon your dream school! School Spotlight: University of Maryland College Park, MD The University of Maryland isn’t just a popular option for high school graduates within the state of Maryland. Thousands of students from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania flock to this strong public research university, especially for its outstanding programs in biology, computer science, and mechanical engineering. The university features 12 colleges and more than 90 majors for undergrads to choose from, including unique programs in Ecological Technology Design, Community Health, and Persian Studies. The Honors College provides high-achieving students the chance to join one of six living-learning communities that bring together residents interested in topics like creativity, the life sciences, and even cybersecurity. In addition to receiving priority housing, honors students enjoy access to rigorous, interdisciplinary seminars such as “Political Theater,” “Why Do Things Fail?” and “Fearfully Great Lizards.” There are a whopping 800+ registered clubs and organizations on campus, including Ballet Company M, the Mighty Sounds of Maryland marching band, and Terps Against Hunger. What is a terp? Short for terrapin, a terp is a small, freshwater turtle, and it serves as the university’s mascot. Image Credit: Top, John T. Consoli/University of Maryland Related Resources Read | Posted on March 26th, 2024 California Colleges and Universities: A Treasure Trove of Opportunities Read | Posted on March 5th, 2024 The Top 3 Campus Safety Myths Read | Posted on March 1st, 2024 Celebrating International Women’s Day: Is a Women’s College Right for You?
