by Sarah Mosisa ’13

As Sherwood students begin exploring potential universities and colleges, perhaps the biggest deal breaker that filters their list of choices is money. Scholarship money is the most widely sought-after alternative for which students. However, the more reliable source of tuition cuts is also the most accessible—in-state discounts. Everyone knows about it, so awareness isn’t the issue. The problem is that many students don’t realize the benefits that we Maryland students are being handed. The cost of in-state schools alone is less than half than that of out-of-state tuition, but the best part is still to come. University of Maryland, College Park currently places eighth in the top 100 best valued state universities, joined by four other Maryland public institutions. So by pure stats alone, it seems that Maryland students are entitled to a marvelous blessing. So when deciding on a college, Sherwood students should consider listing the pros and cons of all their choices because while everywhere may have its drawbacks, Maryland schools might out-weigh the competition.