Fear the Turtle? The University of Maryland at College Park, flagship of the university system of the State of Maryland, boasts a sprawling suburban campus, top-tier programs for those looking to enter the fields of business or public service, and recent membership in the Big Ten athletic conference. This turtle is a little fearsome, but more fantastic!

UMD: The Basics

Public

Private

Liberal Arts

Research University

Affiliation: Secular (nonreligious)

The Location (College Park, Maryland):

College Park, Maryland may be the home of the University of Maryland, but the school’s opportunities aren’t limited to one state. With its location on the DC Metro line, students can relax in the suburban college town or hop a quick train to explore the District, broader suburban Maryland, and Northern Virginia.

The Numbers

Admission Rate

 44.7%

Average High School GPA

 4.32

Preferred Standardized Test 

 Either

Average SAT Score 

650-760 Math, 630-720 ERW

Average ACT Score 

 29-33

Accepts ACT Superscore?

 Yes

Application Deadline

 January 20

Accepts Common App?

 Yes

Tuition (Annual)

 $10,779 in-state; $36,891 out of state

Enrollment

30,762 undergraduates

Average Class Size

 <20

You’d Make a Great Terrapin If:

  • You care about sustainability and protecting the planet. Since 2007, UMD has worked towards a climate-neutral campus, with the Office of Sustainability promoting UMD’s place in the Solar Decathlon — a competition in which they’ve consistently placed as a world leader!
  • You dream of working in the State Department or the Foreign Service. UMD is a four-time consecutive leader for most students to win a Boren Scholarship — a government-sponsored intensive language study program designed to lead to a Foreign Service or diplomatic career.
  • You have a love for lacrosse! Both men’s and women’s lacrosse are long-standing top sports at UMD, having won multiple national championships (the women’s team has taken the most national titles of any women’s lacrosse team in America), most recently in 2017.

Fun Fact(s):

Maryland’s terrapin mascot isn’t just a student in a costume on game days. Testudo, the bronze terrapin statue on the central quad, is the subject of a variety of campus traditions. Students even leave him “offerings” of snacks or decorations for luck on the field, or on their exams!

Famous Alumni:

Jim Henson:
Muppets Creator

Connie Chung:
Journalist

Larry David:
Comedian

Kevin Plank:
Under Armour Founder

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