sgreen

Neither backpacks nor messenger bags look "professional," so really it's all about which you like more. I guess a briefcase would be professional. I thought about this issue a bit and got myself a backpack because I like to bike, and a backpack won't slide around. Plus, you can get backpacks with padded laptop pockets and still have room for more books. Of course, all of that will kill your back. I think the grad student cultures at most universities do not require grad students to dress up, with a few exceptions.

I'll be starting at College Park in the fall as an MLS student. I've lived in Silver Spring before--the downtown area is very convenient to grocery stores, restaurants, Metro, a few bars, etc. It sprawls beyond that and ranges from sketchy to okay. I'm actually looking to live closer to campus---maybe Hyattsville or Adelphi, though I've heard the housing is a bit dumpier.

You could try asking the school if they would be willing to hold your place later than the date they originally gave to you so that you could hear from schools about financial aid packages.

College Park is not that great, not that terrible. It has a lot of chain restaurants as well as independents; the "book exchange" shop is disappointing, there are a few independent bars and shops; it's not very pedestrian friendly. There's a UMD shuttle to various transportation hubs, I think. Also, if you drive, it gets reeeeaaally congested. I do like the College Park campus, though. I've never lived in the College Park area, just worked there, so I can't really speak for where the "good neighborhoods" are to live in. I've heard good things about Hyattsville, I think (?? somebody else can chime in here). It's probably best to compare prices of rental housing on craigslist, figure out what the cheapest areas are, then make a point not to live in those areas.

I've been accepted to Catholic U's MSLS program. Just waiting to hear from Maryland. -Sarah