University of Maryland-Baltimore County Top Questions

Before UMBC, I had no idea who I was. I was a mash and mix of other people's personalities and stereotypes. I applied to in-state schools because it was what I could afford and decided to go to UMBC by the flip of a coin. I was not incredibly excited to go away, for I would be leaving all of the people who made me who I was. Unlike other schools, the atmosphere at UMBC does not demand that you fit into a category. I was able to delve into many different things, to find what I, not just the forces around me, cared about. I learned that I love writing because of the encouragement I received. I learned that I'm capable of leading a huge group of people to accomplish great things because of the opportunity to join a sorority. I learned that I want to be a nurse, because I now know my passion in life is to help others in the most rudimentary way possible. The most important thing I got out of my college experience was finding out who I am, uniquely- perhaps the most important thing one can take from life.

Positive influences/reinforcement for academic success Diversity fosters open, friendly environment. I have gained a strong group of friends all with varying backgrounds, values, and opinions.

If anything, I have gained world experience from going to college. I have learned everything from how to take care of myself to how to deal with my mistakes when I make them. Like most people my age, going to college was my first real experience without my parents. I didn't have them looking out for me or to them to tell me what to do when I wasn't sure. From going to college, I have learned to make my own decision and more importantly how to live with them when I make the wrong ones. For example, I now I have to fund my own college education because i did not perform up to my parents standards. Instead of crying about the situation, I have accepted the fact that I know need to fund my own college education and I'm now taking steps to do so.

It will be exciting.

During my attendence at UMBC I learned that one needs to learn how to dive the time for things like studying and partying to be successful at what you do and also reminded yourself that is ok to have fun . UMBC has also taught me how to be indenpendent by proving me with an internship which has taught me bussiness skills. Which is great experience to have to perpare you for when it is time for me to search and start your own career after graduation. Here at UMBC they believe inernships are good for all student because it teachs us outside of a classroom and make us think on our own which is a great tool to learn.

UMBC is such a diverse school. I have met so many people who are so different from me. By attending this school I have been introduced to what the real world is really like. UMBC is also a very career oriented school. I have met many people who share the same interests and career aspirations as I do. Also since the courses at UMBC are so demanding, I have learned how to prioritize my assignments and manage my time appropriately.

I have gotten a lot out of my short college experience thus far. As a freshmen, I have already been given my dream job on campus. I get to broadcast basketball and volleyball on the internet and Fox radio and even got to go to Connecticut to cover the conference tournament. Then of course there are the simple things to get out of it. It's a chance to live on your own and grow up a bit. At college your respnsible for yourself and in a way I got a lot out of that because it gave me a chance to do what I wanted and still be respnsible. I also have gotten plenty of new friends that I might've never met had I commuted or not gone to college at all. Some of these people could be friends for a lifetime and I'm grateful to have met them in only my freshmen year. I still have three years left of college and I'm excited at what's to come.

To have started to attend college has been nothing but benificial to me. College to me means a place or institution where I am going to get a degree where I can then in turn become something better do something great and have the life that I want. So one day I'll be able to have a career where I can support myself and a family and beyond. I enjoy every day going to class being able to socialize with other students and to learn and build my education and knowledge. To me knowledge is wealth. Wealth is not only an income it is growth and strength that having a knowledge and trying to accomplish and graduate with a degree gives me a personal wealth with an amazing self esteem as well.

I can sum up the answer to this question in one word. Experience. By meeting an abundance of unique people, throwing myself at new opportunities around campus, and exploring the many courses I can allow myself to take, I've gained so much experience by being at college that the feeling is overwhelming (in a good way!). The value of this experience is priceless. I've aquired so many insights into life, learning, and the people that surround me daily that, to me, every day is a new adventure. From choosing where and what to eat at lunch to choosing which classes I will take for the next semester, each aspect of everyday college life is exciting to me. Without my experience here at UMBC, I would truly be lacking an aspect of my personality that completes me as a whole individual.

From UMBC I have recieved knowledge about the the real world and how difficult one must strive in order to attain focus on the goal trying to be reached. It is not a school where everything is handed on a silver-platter, hard work and time must be placed in order to excel at the "#1Up-and-Coming School." It has been valuable to attend, because even though I may have slipped and failed, I was given a chance to get back up and do better. There are lots of oppurtunities where students can get help, get into research, join or form a club and make friends while doing it. It has been valuable because being a Biology major, the courses and advanced inofrmation taught here can help anyone be well prepared for any graduate school, and in my case, medical school.