What a friend would tell you
What Maryland is looking for
Maryland values applicants who will take advantage of the DC corridor. Reference specific programs (the Honors College, Gemstone research program, proximity to federal agencies or labs) rather than generic praise for a 'big school.' Out-of-state applicants need a sharper 'Why Maryland' than in-state students, who benefit from strong yield assumptions.
What students wish they'd known
College Park itself is not an exciting college town; most of the appeal comes from being on the Metro to DC. The commuter culture dilutes campus cohesion, especially on weekends. The 62% four-year graduation rate is concerning for a flagship. Out-of-state tuition is steep for what is ultimately a large public university experience, and merit aid is limited.
Maryland might be a fit if...
- You want a large research university on the DC Metro line with access to federal internships and think tanks
- You are a Maryland resident who wants flagship academics without leaving the state
- You want Big Ten athletics and school spirit at a school ten miles from the US Capitol
Maryland Admissions Strategy
Application Info
Plans: EA, RD
Deadlines: EA November 1 · RD January 20
Deadlines: EA November 1 · RD January 20
Test Policy
Test-optional
You choose whether to send scores. A strong score helps your case; a weak one is better left off.
Demonstrated Interest
Not Tracked
Not tracked. Skip the info-session circuit and put those hours into the application itself.
Interview
Not offered
Yield Rate
37%
Only 37% of admits choose to enroll. The waitlist moves more than you'd think; if you land on it, make your interest loud.
Want the strongest possible application to Maryland, plus better odds and merit offers everywhere else you apply?
Join the free one-hour workshop from two Harvard grads who have helped 3,000+ students get in. Parents welcome.
Cost & Financial Aid at Maryland
$37000 (out-of-state)
Sticker Price
$16,000
In-State Tuition
$10,000
Avg Merit Aid
Need-aware admissions. Meets need: Partial. 60% receive financial aid.
For context: Maryland spends about $16,000 per student per year on instruction and student resources, right around the $15K national average.
What Maryland Graduates Get
$59,000
Avg Starting Salary
91%
Employed or in Grad School
77%
Graduate in 4 Years
The 4-year number is the on-time rate; the 6-year rate (89%) is the one schools usually advertise. A wide gap means many students pay for extra semesters.
Maryland Campus & Culture
The Campus
Maryland's 1,340-acre campus in College Park centers on McKeldin Mall, a wide greenway stretching from the Beaux-Arts McKeldin Library to the neoclassical Memorial Chapel. Red brick Georgian buildings define the older core, while the Brendan Iribe Center for Computer Science (2019) represents the newer glass-and-steel expansion. The campus sits directly on the DC Metro Green Line.
The Social Scene
DC proximity dominates; commuter culture; Big Ten sports; less residential cohesion than peers
Maryland Traditions & Trivia
Testudo Offerings
During finals week, students pile gifts at the bronze Testudo statue near McKeldin Library, a tradition since the early 1990s; the pile of snacks, flowers, and notes grows taller as exams approach.
Flag Drop
After the first quarter of every football game, two halves of the giant Maryland flag unfurl down the student section of SECU Stadium, sending a wave of noise through the stands.
Academics at Maryland
What Maryland is known for
DC proximity; Maryland flagship; strong engineering/CS; Big Ten football; commuter-friendly
Most popular majors at Maryland
Standout programs
Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Physics, Mathematics
How the curriculum works
College-specific; strong general education; engineering core requirements
Recommended high school courses
AP/IB in calculus, physics, chemistry, computer science, English, history
Notable Maryland Alumni
Jim Henson
Created the Muppets, Maryland class of 1960
Sergey Brin
Co-founded Google, Maryland class of 1993
Connie Chung
Pioneering TV journalist, class of 1969
Kevin Plank
Founded Under Armour as a Maryland football player
Boomer Esiason
NFL quarterback, Maryland class of 1984
If you like Maryland, also consider
University of Virginia
Stronger academics, more residential, two hours south
George Washington University
Private DC alternative with urban campus and smaller classes
Penn State University
Comparable Big Ten flagship with stronger campus culture
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Peer public Ivy with better college-town feel
Georgia Institute of Technology
Public STEM powerhouse with Atlanta access