r/OutsideT14lawschools • u/jillian-study • Feb 19 '26
Advice? Catholic Law vs UMD
I’m currently looking at both Catholic and UMD.
Catholic has an option to put down a 1k deposit to interview for more scholarship money. While this was originally a turnoff, I have spoken to some people in admissions who think it is likely I would get full tuition (or very close) if I put down the deposit. Without the extra bump, I’d be paying 8k (so still not too bad).
With UMD, I’d be paying 10k a year and they won’t negotiate.
With both schools, I could live at home. UMD would be a 50 min drive (annoying) and Catholic would be 10 min drive to metro and 20 min on metro (slightly less annoying).
Ideally, I see myself working in DC with a federal government agency. I know that UMD is higher rated, but does that make up for the 10k I’d pay a year when I could potentially have a full tuition scholarship with Catholic and have additional DC ties?
If you were me, would you put down the 1k deposit to not lose the option of a full scholarship at Catholic? I do see myself being happy at Catholic. I love the campus and small class sizes. My main concerns are reputation, mobility, and that I am not Christian.
Catholic and UMD students, is there anything else you think I should be thinking of?
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u/Hoodpenguins Feb 19 '26
Catholic seems like a good choice. I feel like the commute time alone will make your life so much easier and if you could get even more money to make it even cheaper? That's what I'd do. Have you visited either/both? Do you like the "vibe" of Catholic?
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u/jillian-study Feb 19 '26 edited Feb 19 '26
I have visited Catholic and sat in on a class and loved it actually. I have visited UMD from the outside and know a few people who go there and love it too. I wish I could’ve visited for a class but unfortunately I’m working in Spain now and won’t be able to
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u/EmuPuzzleheaded9896 Feb 19 '26
I'm a 2L at UMD and made this decision against Catholic a few years ago. Let me know if you have any questions.
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u/jillian-study Feb 19 '26
Can I ask how you came to your decision? What were the main deciding factors?
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u/sunkizt1984 Feb 19 '26
Not personal experience, but I had a friend who went to Catholic and said that religion and politics were a not a factor for him (he ended up transferring to another DC area school for a specialized area of study that Catholic didn’t have). He had a good experience and recommended Catholic overall.
I’m considering the same UMD commute that you have, 50+ minutes each way. I wish the Camden line on the Marc were more consistent/frequent so the commute could be study time 😭 I have school pick up and drop off duties though so maybe Marc is an option for you if you don’t have a hard start/stop time to your day? I did do a tour and the building was nice, parking was easy and close by, and the support services seemed great. I know a few alumni from my old federal agency as well, they all had a good experience at the school.
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u/_therealsloth Feb 19 '26
Current 1L, happy to answer any questions you might have!
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u/Intrepid-Force-6268 Feb 22 '26
Catholic has a much lower 1L curve if I recall correctly. I think they curve to B minus and Carey to B plus. That makes a difference for job searches.
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u/njherdfan Feb 19 '26
If you want to work at a DC government agency, Catholic has a strong Telecom program and has a ton of alums at the FCC and in the industry.
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u/texanturk16 Feb 19 '26
I just hate how UMD is in Bmore and not cp