I spent a wonderful four years at McDaniel College (then called Western Maryland College) in the mid-nineties. The intimate campus, wonderful professors, and small classes really made all the difference to a young, sheltered teen like myself. Even in my largest class -- freshman biology -- there were no more than sixty students, and no class was ever taught by a TA. By my junior and senior year, the average class size was a minute five to eight students.
I was fortunate to have earned a generous full tuition scholarship; otherwise, I'd never have been able to afford the tuition. The internal political situation that lead to the ousting of the previous president and the renaming of the school was quite ugly and shrouded in secrecy. The administrators like to keep their opinions to themselves, rather than listening to the student body, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. I was also disappointed to find my professors "pushed" graduate school and a PhD program when it was not the right fit for me; they seemed more interested in making me over into their own image than presenting multiple career options without bias.
Nevertheless, McDaniel College gave me the critical thinking skills necessary for me to be successful, well-rounded, and on a wonderful career path ten years later.
Fabulous school where you were always made to feel welcome. The minute I walked onto campus for the first time, I felt like I was home. The faculty went out of their way to help you succeed. Although it was called Western Maryland College when I attended, I'm sure McDaniel has the same warm, wonderful atmosphere.
