What Students Say
Likes
- Huge campus size enables meeting more people
- Extracurricular opportunities including student clubs and legislature
- Proximity to Washington D.C.
Dislikes
- Unpredictable weather in the DMV area is not for everyone
- More focus on Big 4 recruitment instead of investment banks
- Smaller alumni base in high-finance role, but it is getting better as newer classes are breaking into these industries
Course Curriculum
8
- The courses in economics are made to be challenging, with heavy focus on calculus and statistics. Programs such as Stata, R, and Python are routinely used as part of the curriculum, and there are assignments that require students to demonstrate proficiency in these softwares. Finance, on the other hand, is easier compared to economics. Most tests are a blend of theory and numerical questions, with hands-on experience in Bloomberg Terminal provided.
- The positive aspects of economics and finance would be that it provides real-world experience demanded by companies. Paired with the clubs and organizations on campus, it prepares people better for real-world cases in the job force. In my personal opinion, teaching economic theory is a little outdated but I can understand why it is essential to know the past which shapes the present and the future.
Admission Experience
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In the US:
Applied: University of Maryland, Ohio State University, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Penn State, and Iowa State UniversityAdmitted: University of Maryland, Ohio State University, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Penn State, and Iowa State University
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In UK:
Applied: University of Bristol, University of Nottingham, University of Birmingham, University of LeedsAccepted: University of Bristol, University of Nottingham, University of Birmingham, University of Leeds
- No rejections anywhere
- University of Maryland is a public ivy with solid economics and finance programs. Faculty teaching this major have immense experience in investment management and have several accreditations and papers to their name, which makes for a stellar learning experience. Additionally, it is about 25-30 minutes away from Washington D.C., which provides connectivity into the cultural and art hub of the United States. Additionally, it was the best university from the ones I had applied to.
- The admission process is on Common App, similar to most universities in the US. If I remember correctly, submission of SAT score was optional but highly recommended. There was no threshold but a quick google search shows that current students came in with a minimum SAT score of 1400. Nearly 45% of students are accepted, which makes the school fairly competitive. I also submitted my IELTS score to show proof of proficiency in English.
- I did not face any obstacles which applying and during my admission. The virtual orientation and registration for classes were smooth as well. In fact, the undergraduate admissions office is very helpful and is able to address most questions via email or on the phone.
- I applied Regular Decision and the factors mentioned in a previous answer were influential in my decision. University of Maryland is a public ivy with solid economics and finance programs. Faculty teaching this major have immense experience in investment management and have several accreditations and papers to their name, which makes for a stellar learning experience. Additionally, it is about 25-30 minutes away from Washington D.C., which provides connectivity into the cultural and art hub of the United States. Additionally, it was the best university from the ones I had applied to. I did not hear back from UMD for a while because my IELTS score was mixed up in the process by the admissions department, so I temporarily accepted admission at the Ohio State University. But once the admissions offer from UMD came through, I accepted it right away.
- The entire process took about four months. I applied in December and heard back in March.
Class Schedule
8
- The timings of classes really depend on the course structure. A day could start at 9 am or 12 pm or even 4 pm; it all relies on what courses you choose to take in a given semester and at what times. Most courses have more than one section at different times, which allows for flexibility.
- The number of students also varies according to the course size. Most upper level 4xx courses usually run smaller batches with a maximum of 30-40 students. The lower level 2xx and 3xx courses could have 100-300 students divided into multiple sections; it all depends on how popular that course is and whether it is a weed-out one.
- It is mostly Asians and Whites who take economics and finance, with a healthy percentage of Indians as well, probably sitting in the 10-15% mark. There are usually American-born Indians (Indian-Americans).
- Most Indian or Indian-American students opt for STEM-heavy majors such as engineering or computer science, in which case their representation goes as high as 70%.
Faculty
8
- Faculty-to-student ratio as listed above differs on what course you are choosing. Courses with larger number of students are taught by 2-3 instructors, while the ones with merely 30-40 students are taught by one professor. In any case, I did not realize any differences in asking questions and seeking clarification from the faculty. It all depends on how outgoing one is and how inclined one is to ask for assistance when needed.
- Most instructors would prepare students well for securing a job in the desired field, however, again it depends on what industry one wants to work in. I can speak to the economics curriculum; it is preparing me well to understand the broader global and domestic macroenvironment and how economic indicators affect equities, commodities, and fixed income. However, most courses have little applicability to investment banking, the field I am interested in. They are really beneficial for someone looking to make a career in economics or data science, working at the World Bank, IMF, or the Fed. In this situation, finance courses are more relevant for investment banking, investment management, quant trading, or equity research. It is more so that being a part of investment clubs on campus and networking with alumni or other professionals in the industry that better prepares you for such roles.
- This really is a factor of you get what you ask for. I can recollect countless occasions in which I have asked a professor that I would love to learn more about a field, and if he would be open to facilitating any introductions. As a college student, faculty and alumni are more than eager to help out, as long as the request is made politely.
- I would say Professor Terrence O'Brien, Michael Padhi, Ken Fuller, and Joe Perfetti have been the best finance professors that I have come across. They have been very helpful in both learning course curriculum as well as encouraging us to think out of the box during case competitions. They have an enormous sea of knowledge to offer, and anyone would be privileged to learn under their guidance. Same goes for Luminita Stevens and Martina Copelman in the economics department, who have extensive prior experience in the industry. They are always open to helping and providing clarification.
Campus Life
8
- My college, University of Maryland, has a main campus called University of Maryland-College Park. Other campuses such as Global Campus, Baltimore County, and Shady Grove are affiliates of UMD but not the main school itself.
- There are three libraries: McKeldin, Hornbake, and STEM Library. We have numerous sports facilities including an outdoor bouldering and climbing wall, an indoor climbing wall, an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor natatorium, several basketball, volleyball, squash, badminton, racquetball, tennis, and pickleball courts. We also have two gym facilities, one at Eppley Recreational Center and the other at Ritchie Coliseum with multiple levels and several machines and dumbbells. Additionally, at the Student Stamp Union, one can find numerous billiard tables, bowling alleys, and gaming televisions. Recently, gaming rooms have also opened at Ritchie Coliseum for e-sports.
- There is also the University Health Center, which is the first point of contact in case of an emergency, and utilizes the insurance that is mandatory for all students. Our university also provides several mental health and distress-relief options including the Mental Coalition Club, counseling center with professional therapy, and survivor support.
- Major campus events include Maryland Day, Homecoming, First Look Fair, Second Look Fair, and gameday tailgates for football and basketball. Popular events for the Indian community include Mock Shaadi, Blackout Bhangra, Diwali, and Holi celebrations.
- Extracurricular activities cannot be summarized in a list. Because we are proud of our enormous student body, there is a club for every interest out there. And if there is not, it is very easy to form a club by finding other like-minded members.
Part Time Jobs
- Seeking any of the above mentioned positions is through direct application or contacting the instructor for the specific course. Every start of the semester, the department releases an interest form which asks a few questions about why the applicant wants to become a TA. Research Assistant positions are obtained by having a good relationship with the professor and is conditional on whether they are currently undertaking research.
- The pay range is usually the minimum wage in Maryland about $15-16 per hour, and one can work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week as stipulated by the F1 student visa.
- There are numerous on-campus jobs available including at cafes, libraries, student union, recreational centers, and sports officials. It is competitive as mainly graduate students try out for these positions, but usually a strong hunger to learn and a nice, polite attitude is sufficient to be employed at these places.
- Students earn minimum wage, usually about $15-16 per hour. Some positions such as climbing staff, adventure program staff, and intramural sports allow for promotions which raises wages to $17-17.5 per hour. Research assistants are typically paid $17-20, all dependent on type of work done and the field in which research is being conducted. Juggling academics and part-time work is possible, as there are several students who do this on the daily.
- It teaches financial independence, responsibility, and dutifulness from an early age. It also cultivates an attitude of respect and humility which is greatly valued at the workplace. The typical application process depends on where the person is applying for the part-time job, but it usually includes a screening application including resume and answers to a few questions, followed by 1-2 interview rounds.
Placement
6
- The way the financial services industry is structured is that the student competes against students from their university and other universities across the United States for an intern position at their desired bank. They intern in their junior year at the investment bank, which contingent on performance and likability, could lead to a return offer for the full-time analyst position after graduation. The internship is over the summer (Jun-Aug in junior year) and the full time position starts in August in the year of graduation.
- In my chosen industry (investment banking), the annual base salary is $110,000, with a top bucket analyst being able to earn up to $170,000, including the bonus. In two years, people usually exit to private equity, venture capital, or an MBA program, or could choose to stay and get promoted to an associate which usually results in a $250,000 total salary.
- The best way to find a job is to attend semesterly career fairs by the department you are in. Each department has their own career fair and there is a STEM-wide and non-STEM-wide career fair as well every semester. Speaking with recruiters, networking among teams, and securing a referral would be the best way to secure an interview. Of course, applying to the position online is a given, but there are additional official resources such as Handshake which have embedded applications provided by recruiters.
- There is no specific "placement process" in the US, which really shocks a lot of students coming in. Companies might come to career fairs to collect resumes and information, but following up after meeting recruiters and professionals is what makes the difference. In the US, jobseeking is a highly relationship-based segment, and it is important to build these relationships with alumni, mentors, and professors who could vouch for your candidacy and make a strong referral to HR about your application.
- Three of the students from India have obtained internships for the 2025 summer at Google and Uber. These are for software engineering intern roles, so it is completely different from my program. I am starting an investment banking summer analyst position at J.P. Morgan this summer in their NYC office. Based on my performance, I would have the opportunity to potentially receive a return offer for a full-time analyst position.
- In my program, the Big Four (KPMG, EY, PwC, and Deloitte), MBB (McKinsey, Bain, and BCG), RSM, Morgan Stanley, CohnReznick, Crowe, and T. Rowe Price employ the most students. There are no employers that attend career fairs for investment banking and equity research. The onus is on students to reach out to alumni and people on LinkedIn for a coffee chat and potentially obtain a referral.
Accommodation
Off Campus
8
- I spoke with upper classmen to understand accommodation and visited all apartments to see what would fit right in my budget.
- My monthly rent is $650 including any utilities (water, electricity, WiFi, and trash). There are several facilities including a pool room, swimming pool, gym, and a bike storage room. I don't have a pet but they have a pet shower and spa room as well. They also include spacious parking spaces on two levels.
- One challenge I encountered was that most apartments in College Park are very pricy. They usually range from $1000-1100 for nice apartments, while the ones charging $500 are uninhabitable. Thankfully the apartment I have been living at for the last two years is in a good location with an excellent management and amenities. Based on my experience, I would recommend students to look into housing at the $1000 range. It is worth spending a little extra if it means that you are able to focus on your academics.
- My accommodation is about a 5 minute walk to the north side of the campus and a 15 minute walk to the south side of the campus where the business school is located. Most Indians are scattered all across the apartments but several live in my current accommodation. The grad students typically live in Graduate Hills, which is somewhat far from campus.
Exams
- When I applied in 2020, SAT score and essay were both optional. The Common App essay was optional as well, but I provided all of these. My IELTS score was also required as proof of proficiency in English. TOEFL is another alternative that could have worked instead, but I went ahead with the IELTS exam.
- There are no SOPs required but LORs need to be sent by a high school professor and the counselor via Common App, which students do not have access to see.
- There were no interviews as part of the application process.
Fees
- Fees are charged in a mix of credit-based and semester-wise basis. Taking lower than 12 credits makes a student part-time, while there is a flat rate for 12+ credits. According to the Undergraduate Tuition & Fees website, the total tuition and mandatory fees for a semester total to $20,593. The mandatory fees include the costs of athletics, shuttle bus, student union, student activities, recreation services, student sustainability, and student counseling center. If enrolled in a Limited Enrollment Program (LEP) such as Business, Engineering, and Computer Science, students pay an additional $1,545.30, bringing the total fees per semester to $22,138.30.
- Monthly expenses are highly variable as it is contingent on standards of living that a student wishes to maintain. Rent ranges from $650-1400 per month depending on whether you have a shared room or a personal room and the total number of bedrooms in the apartment. Additionally, spending time with friends, going to DC, and going on dates could cost higher. If you are living on campus (which is mandatory as a freshman and optional and limited for later years), you are required to purchase a full dining plan, which currently costs $2,426.09 for a semester. There are also block meal options, allowing you to purchase 25, 50, 100, and 150 meals which cost lower. In my experience, I spend around $1000-1200 a month which included rent, utilities, meal plan, and miscellaneous expenses, which results in a total cost of $27,000 per semester. The cost of a flight to and back from India has not been included, which usually costs about $1600 for a round trip, again contingent on when the flight is being booked.
Scholarship
- Because it is a state school, most scholarships are need-based and for domestic students. However, department-specific scholarships are available in the range of $500 - $ 2000. For example, I received the Robert H. Smith Undergraduate Scholarship (BN46) Award for the 2024-25 Academic Year. This is merit-based, and I was awarded $10,000 for the full academic year by the Smith School of Business. You have to be a declared major in this school to be eligible to apply. I am estimating that I will get another iteration of this scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year.
- For the class of 2026, no other international student from India has received a scholarship.
- I am not fully sure how many students receive this scholarship, but an educated guess would say about 10-15 at max.
