>>10925096Thanks my guy, here's the run down. As of right now I'm pursuing an undergraduate genetics & neuroscience degree, so this is going to be my personal experience in that department speaking.
"The good"
There is an absolute overload of possibility on this campus. If you want to do it there is a club for it, as well as an academic department willing to help you out if you find the right person. This also applies to research and personal studies.
Keep in mind, you also have to make a conscious effort to reach out and participate. The size of the school makes it difficult for things to fall into your lap, so at the very least don't spend all your time in your room.
Proximity to Washington DC is also very good, depending on what you're studying. Business and Government kids have a field day with all the internship opportunity, but even for science kids there's NIH nearby and a plethora of other activities that aren't merely academic/work-related.
"The bad"
The school can be obnoxiously political, just as expected for a major institution.
In addition, it's hard to find people who take academics seriously as well as display a healthy social life. UMD is a huge bar school, and as a person who values the face-to-face nature of a good house party, its frustrating to see.
Finally, all the positive traits that come with being a major public institution display a detrimental aspect. Nothing really gets done to help students, as its mostly just bureaucratic nonsense to rake in more state funding. You're just another number to them, which is why it is doubly important to actively seek out professors, advisors, and other students who care about you and what you believe in. While a lot happens here, you won't just get lucky with experience, so if you're inclined to NEETdom either consider another school or brush up on your ability to make eye contact.
Most of the women are stupid too, but that's to be expected.
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