Vctory you are right, it’s all about who you surround yourself with. You made the point I was making that it isn’t the program, it’s the people. There is nothing stopping you from sitting with those people and getting to know them.
Like I said, I think prospective parents and students believe if your not in honors you failed and will not be able to get good classes or jobs and that isn’t the case. Get involved with groups and clubs related to the profession you want, it will have a larger impact whether you are or are not in a living and learning program.
Ultimately it is a great resource, but if you have no internships and no experience, the programs aren’t going to help you get that job. And Latin honors are much more highly regarded than departmental honors.
I just read your new edit and I completely disagree on nearly everything. I don’t know what year you are but there are maybe 3 440 kid lectures, nearly all in the first year or so. Econ, bio, and maybe one or two others. Honors kids do not have “opportunities” handed to them. If the things you did that were handed to you make you think you will seperate yourselves you are wrong.
Once you finish your 4 years you let me know works hardest, the kids who didn’t get into the programs and had to work their hardest to meet their goals (including transfer students) or the ones who get the things handed to them.
Also ourumd hasn’t been updated in years. Take those GPA numbers with a grain of salt.
@mdhelp Not to push in on the current conversation (argument??) that is happening in this exhilarating thread, but I wanted to interject with a quick question about financial aid/scholarships.
In your experience, have you seen (on a regular basis) in-state students get better financial aid packages/scholarship funds than OOS? Also, are these packages typically (relatively) generous or are they rather minimal. Finally, will UMD consider upping the amount of money given if another school has offered you more?
@mdhelp and @Vctory My point was just what mdhelp just said. My daughter is in honors college but she still had to work very hard to get in Smith business honors. And perhaps more importantly, like I also said, her friend started out as a freshman connection student and also is in business honors. Neither had anything “handed” to them. Both worked very hard and landed paid internships after their freshman year as well as having around 3.9 GPA’s. They started UMD in different places, but through hard work and seeking out opportunities, they are now in the same place. I want other students that may be disappointed that they weren’t invited to honors/scholars, or perhaps were offered freshman connection to know that they can succeed like everyone that is in a special program.
@terpmom7 That is exactly the point I want to make, honors, scholars and all the other living and learning programs are great, but you can still be extremely successful even if you are not in them. Hard work pays off, even if you are freshman connection you can have many of the same experiences as students who are Bannaker-Key, gemstone, ACES, or any of the other programs.
@Thuddaez1 and everyone else, I know that chances threads are very popular on here, but neither I nor an admissions counselor could even venture a guess if you would be admitted or not. All I can say is that it looks competitive, I have seen people that have been admitted with similar things and plenty of people who have not.
So much depends on what your actual transcript looks like (did you do well in easy classes and struggle in harder ones, did you start off strong and finish poorly, did you struggle in the beginning and then finish with all AP courses, etc).
Without seeing your story, recommendations, or essay all I can say is there are probably 100+ other students that are very similar looking on paper. You have to convince the school why you should be the one, consider that when writing essays, short answer, etc.
I am sure this isn’t exactly what you were looking for, but look at it from the school’s perspective, they see 25,000 applications, and most look very similar. Trying to determine between students is hard, do everything in your power to separate yourself by the time you apply!
Good luck! If you have any other questions I’ll be more than happy to answer.
@Aychai as a direct admit I am really not sure. But keep in mind while biological sciences are an LEP, they are not what would be described as a “competitive LEP” (only Smith would meet that requirement right now). What that means is that even if you are not directly admitted, if you complete the gateway requirements successfully you WILL be in the program. Its very black and white (see http://lep.umd.edu ) to see what those are.
If your child wants to do biological science at UMD and is capable, they will leave the school with that degree. It will simply be up to them to perform in the courses, the same as it would be for someone who is directly admitted.
I have mentioned it before, but the student will have plenty of experiences outside the classroom to enhance their experience. Encourage the student to come to the admitted student day, speak with the department (who will tell them the same thing about getting in) and see how they feel about the school. Maryland isn’t perfect for everyone, but don’t let not getting into honors be the reason the student doesn’t attend!
Our daughter just got accepted for fall 2015. After reading about housing, it looks like its not guaranteed for the 4 years (though there are some exceptions, but none of which she would qualify for) . We are OOS, so housing on campus for the whole 4 years would be ideal. Do most upper class students receive housing if requested early enough the previous semester? The “no guarantee” housing could be a deciding factor.
I think we all just made the same point. Those who are starting in honors/scholars have an advantage, but if any student works hard they will succeed. Specifically the advantages I was talking about were the ease of networking/access to the honors listserv where Dean Hebert posts a ton of opportunities. It’s an aggregate for opportunities around campus given to honors kids, while non-honors students would have to seek them out on their own. The honors students still have to work hard, they just start with a bit of an advantage.
The 440 lecture was Macro.
Ignoring alumni networks/interview topics, honors helps students get their foot in the door with research/getting to know professors. They still have to work, but they’re given the opportunity (through Honors seminars and networking events) to get closer to their professors. At least I was, and I credit that to the honors program.
You can still do all of this without being in honors, you’ll just have to be more proactive in seeking out these opportunities and build your network a bit larger. I fwd opportunities from the listserv to friends in FC/scholars/non-program that I think they would find interesting (ex: screening of The Act of Killing and Q/A w/ the director to my friend who’s doing research on genocide, something about forming a music program with a professor to my friend in Arts Scholars, etc. etc.). They probably wouldn’t have known about those events if I didn’t forward it to them, and I wouldn’t’ve known about them if I weren’t in honors.
However, this isn’t meant to discourage anyone who’s son/daughter didn’t get into honors. I only mean to defend the program, because I (and many of my peers) do find it worthwhile, and appreciate the opportunities its given us.
I didn’t mean to imply she didn’t work hard at all. I’m sure she did. But she could have had a few extra opportunities through her program if she wanted them, and she probably receives the same daily email I do from Dean Hebert with internship opportunities/opportunities around campus to network/research/apply for certain positions/etc. That’s what I was talking about when I mentioned that opportunities were handed to honors students; we’re sent an email detailing various on-campus opportunities. I probably should’ve said that we don’t have to look nearly as hard as others in finding these opportunities, not that we’re “handed” them.
@tedysmom - The newest housing policies (see www.reslife/umd/edu ) give priority to freshman and sophomores. There is a lottery system for juniors and I think juniors have a good shot at on-campus housing (just my opinion). Seniors are last in line, but I think that a lot of seniors actually want to transition to apartment living. There are 2 apartment complexes on Route 1 adjacent to the campus, which is connected by a bridge, I think there may be a small creek there … not sure. But students dont even have to cross a street from those apartments to get on campus. I see even more apartments being built on Route 1. My D is a freshman and I know that she and her friends are considering an apartment junior year. There are 2 apartment complexes on campus. If you go to one of the Admitted Student days, you will be able to attend a ResLife session and ask questions.
@Pianissimo1 The larger $ amount scholarships (besides Banneker-Key) are for OOS students. With that being said I don’t ever remember feeling that in-state or OOS students got better packages for merit aid. Financial aid packages are based upon the FAFSA and to be honest Maryland already is relatively low price compared to peer institutions (in state and OOS). Keep in mind when I say peer I mean Big 10/ACC schools and other top 60 public institutions.
As for reconsidering, I can tell you, and probably plenty of others that there was absolutely no way they would compare offers between schools and compete on that. One they cannot verify if you did actually get that, and remember that funding for these schools come from the state with all different amounts and strings. So I am sure a school here or there may offer $1k or $10k more, but there was nothing Maryland would do, trust me plenty of people tried ;).
I understand that obviously finances are a huge part of the decision, but take everything into consideration when comparing schools. The program, job prospects, location, etc should all come into play. If you have gotten into other good schools and can go for significantly less, it may be best to go there. You don’t want to graduate with $70,000 in loans when you could go for free.
@tedysmom
I was OOS, students will have no trouble with housing. It changed recently, but I know at least students are guaranteed for at least 2 years for res life housing. It is really just a matter of language, I know people who have stayed for 5 years and lived on campus in dorms the entire time. They simply say its not guaranteed in case everybody requested it and they couldn’t provide it. Most years nearly everyone that request it in time are able to get it.
They amount of housing being built on campus and near campus is amazing. At least 3 huge apartment buildings have opened up within the last 6 years and they are building 3 more right now. Many students decide to move to these places (walkable to campus and buses running to them till 3am on weekends) after the first year or two. There are also plenty of houses, privately owned apartments, and what I did (on campus apartments known as Commons and Courtyards) available to students once they are there.
Housing at UMD is evolving into more apartment based, but I always recommend students that have the ability to live on campus for the first year or two, and then move into these places. Do not be tempted by all the features they advertise and skip out living on campus because you will have a basic room. It is much harder to meet people at those apartment complexes, and trust me you will want an RA when you have a final the next day and the people above you are having a party at 1am on a Tuesday.
similar question here. My son selected for Global Communities. Previous posts say this is for international students. We are not international. Others have said it is selective…any insight?
@pmmontes No first hand knowledge, however, my understanding is that they offer it to students with an interest in public service. It is offered through the BSOS (Behavioral and Social Sciences) and like the other living and learning problems it is focused on allowing students who have similar interest to live together for at least the first year. Usually students with interest in government and politics, criminal justice, etc are they ones who are offered it. Keep in mind that those don’t have to be your major, but if they get the feeling you have interest in it they will offer that to you.
@cbpmom That is a very unique and in my opinion awesome program. Its essentially an opportunity for students to live with both domestic and international students. I have heard nothing but good things about that program, it is a much different experience than the other programs and is a much smaller community.
Both of you should definitely consider attending one of the admitted student days that are offered, where you will be able to speak to representatives from each of those programs. You will leave that day with a much better idea of what the students will get to experience, as well as the rest of the opportunities the school has to offer.
Wish we’d messaged you months ago. My daughter has great credentials but was rejected. I know she’ll end up somewhere she will love-@ this point probably a big rival of UMd, ironically-but as of now she’s really taking the rejection hard. I doubt she will want to when the time comes, but what are your thoughts on attrition rate, transfer acceptance, and admittance process as an “I’m back again!” applicant? She’s out-of-state, which prob won’t change, her activities/involvement are terrific as were her recommendations, and her grades are excellent (she’s driven to continue that level of achievement into college). She even thought she’d consider continuing sports @ UMd-she’s a terrific runner. I’m sure her SATs were a factor in her having been turned down. Should she re-take SATs before she graduates, in case she wants to transfer? Any other ideas? If not-does anyone want to buy the maryland sportswear we refuse to wear now ? Thanks!
@alexeles Sorry about the rejection, I am going to make a post (in a new thread) about why trying to chance anybody, is such a difficult task and why somebody that is virtually the same may get accepted with honors and another rejected.
Every year it was hard to talk to people who really wanted to go to Maryland but didn’t get accepted. I know its hard to keep an open mind but it isn’t usually the student who lacked anything, its just that with 25,000 applicants hard decisions have to be made to get a class of about 4000.
As for taking the SATs again, its not really necessary if you follow the schools advice and apply to transfer after you complete 30 credits. After 30 credits they no longer consider HS records or SAT/ACT scores. For some people that is a huge advantage since they perform extremely well at a CC or another school.
Hi I’m from California and just got accepted. I’m really considering attending but want to get the feel before I make a final decision. Being from California I will not have the opportunity to have any friends attend with me because very few people in my state apply to Maryland. Since a majority of students are in state and Maryland is a small state does this mean a ton of people will already know each other and put me in a position where I’ll be one of the few students where I won’t know anybody coming in?
Thanks
