No studying in this library

This university has one of the top 20 best libraries and the No. 1 athletic facilities, but judging by this institution's high score on the list of schools where "Students Study the Least," the university community appears to be more attracted to Comcast Center than McKeldin Library.

The three scores are among those released last week in The Princeton Review's annual rankings book, The Best 373 Colleges: 2011 Edition, based on survey responses from 122,000 students.

And some of the rankings confirm what some students, such as Era Teshale, a junior electrical engineering major transferring to the university this year, have heard about the school.

"I did hear about it being a party school, but that's not why I applied," Teshale said of the school's No. 19 party ranking. "But I disagree with the students not studying — I hear my program's tough."

But Hafie Yillah, a sophomore communication major, agreed with Princeton Review's No. 16 "Students Study the Least" ranking.

"That's definitely true," Yillah said. "A lot of students use alternative methods to get around studying."

The university's study rating has improved, however; last year, it was No. 2 for not studying — a disparity that is perhaps linked with this university's score on the "Best College Library" list, which jumped to No. 17 this year after being unranked in the 2010 edition of the survey. Students said they were glad to see the library recognized.

"I agree 100 percent — it's the best. It's open nearly 24 hours a day, and you can go anytime," Teshale said, adding that she's studied at McKeldin frequently as a student at Montgomery College.

"We have so many libraries," Yillah added. "The resources are really amazing."

Some students also agreed with the "Financial Aid Not So Great" ranking.

"I know a lot of people whose financial papers were screwed up," Yillah said. "I think we should be higher on the list."

Sarah Bauder, the director of student financial aid, did not return calls for comment.

But Bilal Siddiqi, a senior sociology major, said even though he doesn't receive much financial aid, the school shouldn't have made the list.

"I think there should be separate lists for in-state and out-of-state students," Siddiqi said. "Our in-state tuition is really low compared to other schools."

Many students agreed that the rankings are generally accurate but said big fluctuations in rankings year by year raise their eyebrows.

"They could just have had more surveys from people who studied little and less from those who studied more, or maybe people exaggerated," Siddiqi said. "The rankings are probably flawed," he added.

Seamus Mullarkey, a senior editor for The Best 373 Colleges, said that of the students who posted comments about their school's ratings, 80 percent agreed with how they ranked.

And even if they do question them, Siddiqi and others are proud of some of the rankings.

"Maryland's amazing," Siddiqi said. "I just wish they would give out free sundaes."

vafai at umdbk dot com