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“Our students — particularly the freshmen — are looking for an institution that focuses on the life of the mind,” he said. “Our students aren’t looking for football.”
In its 40-year history, UMBC, located in southwest Baltimore County, has built a reputation as a strong science and technology school. The Meyerhoff Scholarship Program, which seeks to train minorities in the sciences, is nationally acclaimed, recently earning praise from the New York Times.
To be sure, one of Hrabowski’s main goals as a college president is to boost minority achievement. In 2006, about 40 percent of UMBC’s 12,000 students were minorities, making it one of the most diverse colleges in the state.
“UMBC can proudly talk about its role in American higher education as an example of inclusiveness and excellence,” Hrabowski said.
The average SAT score for incoming freshman is about 1,200, and UMBC is still within reach of many Marylanders. The acceptance rate for Maryland undergraduates was about 73 percent in 2005, according to the University System of Maryland.
“I don’t get the feedback, ‘It’s out of reach,’ or ‘I am not going to bother,’ but we tend to have good candidates,” said Judy Klinger, supervisor of guidance for Carroll County’s public schools.
About 35 percent of UMBC’s students are transfers. “A large number of students will go away to school, then want to come home,” Hrabowski said. “Often, they will come here for a semester and realize, quite frankly, we are a lot more rigorous than they ever thought.”
Students at UMBC agree the atmosphere is serious, but they say getting involved in one of the school’s clubs and activities can make it more social.
“It’s an honors university, and I think a lot of people do treat it as such,” said UMBC engineering student Nick Demianovich, 23. “A lot of people really do try to study hard.”
mmcilroy@baltimoreexaminer.com



Comments from Examiner Readers
8:44 AM MST on Fri., May. 23, 2008 re: "For many women, this school is a perfect fit"
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10:19 AM MST on Sun., Mar. 23, 2008
re: "Be in demand; become a nurse"
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7:54 PM MST on Mon., Nov. 5, 2007
re: "Be in demand; become a nurse"
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7:53 PM MST on Mon., Nov. 5, 2007
re: "Be in demand; become a nurse"
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11:52 AM MST on Mon., Nov. 5, 2007
re: "Be in demand; become a nurse"
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2:53 PM MST on Sun., Oct. 28, 2007
re: "Promises aside, read the contract"
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1:19 PM MST on Mon., Oct. 22, 2007
re: "Join up, go to war, get a degree"
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6:15 PM MST on Mon., Oct. 15, 2007
re: "Loyola teaches with outside service"
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5:53 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 10, 2007
re: "UMES is a model of diversity"
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6:00 AM MST on Mon., Jul. 9, 2007
re: "A passion for ‘more education’ is key"
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2:29 PM MST on Mon., Jun. 4, 2007
re: "McDaniel College: Real-world learning"
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2:12 PM MST on Mon., May. 21, 2007
re: "Campus growth is Coppin’s focus"
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9:58 AM MST on Mon., May. 21, 2007
re: "Campus growth is Coppin’s focus"
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10:10 AM MST on Mon., Apr. 23, 2007
re: "Love to read? This college is for you"
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Examiner Reader said:
The institution is a fraud. They treat employees unfairly and they have forgotten the roots of the institution- the undergraduate women and the communal attitude. The school has become driven by profit and has turn into an old boys club. Higher-ups chum it up with each other while "lesser" staff are walked all over. The students enjoy their time, but with limited resources and budget- the school is having a hard time providing for their campus members.
8 agree | 8 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
my question is at the end of your statement you said that you don't want the most quilfied nurse to take care of you. why that just don't make sense. I just retired from the military and am looking to become a nurse and if I was some old person laying bed I would like to know that there was someone that was well quilified to take care of me. thank you for your time in reading this note
8 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Maryland State Board of Nursing should let LPN's do the MD degrees not just BSN on line... The Associates On-line degree program is only 12-18 months long to complete, compared to 18-24 months for the MD. And it costs half as much to acquire....Some of our dedicated nurses are moving to other states to complete MD programs. Many don't come back to Maryland to work.I like it that way. And I promise not to delete anyone else's comment ever again
183 agree | 192 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Maryland State Board of Nursing should let LPN's do the MD degrees not just BSN on line... The Associates On-line degree program is only 12-18 months long to complete, compared to 18-24 months for the MD. And it costs half as much to acquire....Some of our dedicated nurses are moving to other states to complete MD programs. Many don't come back to Maryland to work.I like it that way. And I promise not to delete anyone else's comment ever again
191 agree | 192 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
The Maryland State Board of Nursing should let LPN's do the RN Associates degrees not just BSN on line... The Associates On-line degree program is only 12-18 months long to complete. Compared to 18-24 months for BSN. And it costs half as much to acquire....Some of our dedicated nurses are moving to other states to complete programs. Many don't come back to Maryland to work.
180 agree | 188 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If the military truly wanted to have potential recruits understand the enlistment contract it would simply reduce the entire bogus contract to the following infamous 40 words from Section C, Paragraph 9: "Laws and regulations that govern military personnel may change without notice to me. Such changes may affect my status, pay, allowances, benefits, and responsibilities as a member of the Armed Forces regardless of the provisions of this enlistment/reenlistment document." - Pat Elder
176 agree | 203 disagree
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Don said:
I tried to join up they told me I was too old. I'm 64 I think I'll file papers for age discrimination.
225 agree | 198 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Any plans in the works to overthrow the Vatican again or is that something you can't talk about?
212 agree | 187 disagree
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Diversity? said:
What diversity? The article talks only about blacks.
361 agree | 218 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Great article...My 2 kids went there and it was the best 8 yrs anyone could ask for. Both have since gone on to great jobs and both value their days at SMCM.
430 agree | 277 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Glad to see you acknowledge McDaniel College. I am a grad ( Class of "61 ) and a Trustee--and very proud to be both. George Varga
479 agree | 307 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Over the last 20 years or more "Baltimore City School System," has been under the microscope of Judge Garbish (Special Education). Morgan, Johns Hopkin, Coppin, all have had opportunities as research institutions to address this major educational problem and the poverty rate, un-employment, single mothers crime. Coppin has had its misfortunes, and attracted low quality of instructors whom are not concerned with the social economical, educational, problems that plague the Urban Inner City youth. Poverty is a key element in Baltimore City. Politicians does not give a hoot of the demographics nor the incidents of poverty across the city. The fourth count census 2000 is a clear in measuring how people live. African Americans are left out of the loop "Johns Hopkins are the main architect to disenfranchise the poor, disadvantaged. They are the major research institution in Maryland from all indications the African American community is ignored by the major players.
268 agree | 313 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Coppin State should be proud that it focuses on academics and not sports. Who cares if the baseball team lost 44 games in a year. The students who earn a degree will have more power than any hitter on a baseball diamond.
454 agree | 310 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Excellent and informative series that parents and students can use to decide on a Maryland college or university. Thanks!
514 agree | 361 disagree
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