maryversity and mdhelp - THANK YOU for taking the time to answer so many different questions current and prospective Terps and their parents have about UMD - your insight and guidance is invaluable!!!
Would you recommend visiting UMD outside of Admitted Student days? My S is very interested in ACES and we would love to have the opportunity to explore that in more depth - could we contact the department and see if anything could be arranged? The Feb break is coming up and we could visit…
@takanuva I don’t have nearly the sort of expertise that @maryversity and @mdhelp have, but I think I can share some information on this one. The Admitted Student days have all sorts of special programming for admitted students, so if your son can make it then, it’s a good time to come.Your son would also have the chance to meet a lot of other prospective students, and he may well be able to set up appointments with the ACES folks for the same day.
D2 did her first visit in June. She has specific interests as well, and she contacted the relevant department to set up meetings. Quite a few people were traveling, since it was after the end of Maryland’s spring term, but it was still a great opportunity to learn more about the programs.
My main suggestion would be to try to ensure that your son gets to spend a night in the dorms with the students. When D1 applied to college, that experience really helped her learn more about the schools and their day-to-day culture.
Thanks a lot for the info Arimom2!!
We will keep all this in mind and make arrangements for an overnight stay at dorms as well. We have already signed up for the March Admitted student day.
This Feb trip would be in addition… the truth is that I would not be able to make it in March and I wanted to see the campus and get info about the programs for myself…
Hi,
I am trying to transfer to the University of Maryland, College park from Penn. State University - University Park for the fall 2015 semester; Currently applying as a second semester freshman.
Credits Earned: 12
Because I have less than 30, I’d have to send in my High School transcripts and SAT score. SAT score is 1240/1600;680 Math, 560 Writing and High School GPA was 3.1 unweighted, 3.8 weighted before Senior Year grades, which brought down my GPA quite a bit, but that’s what I’ll be talking about for the essay portion on the application.
Currently taking 18 credits this semester, 6 more than last semester.
Intended Major: Computer Science
I don’t expect to get straight into the Computer Science Department
GPA: 3.0, potentially 3.1675
Courses:
Currently missing my math req. for the application, but I am currently taking Calc. 1 this semester so it’ll show up on my transcript.
Recs:
High School Computer Science teacher who teaches a UMCP Computer Science course to High Schoolers
High School counselor rec.
NASA Professor rec.
EC’s:
Worked as an employee at NASA Goddard in Greenbelt, MD for two summers. Summer of 2012-2013, Summer of 2013-2014. Worked an average of 43 hours a week and have an extensive knowledge of Python, C++, Java, and VTK
Apart of the NASA inspire program 2009-2013
Advanced Computer Programming 3 (Hosted by the University of Maryland, College Park’s, Computer Science Department) – Java
Hope Chinese School Robotics class 1, 2, and 3 (2007-2011)
Graduated from Wootton High School; #2 High School in Maryland
Taken: AP Comp Sci, AP Stat, AP Bio, AP lang, AP Environmental science, AP Psych
Race: Asian
With a strong essay, is there a good chance I’ll get in for early admission at the University of Maryland, College Park fall 2015 semester?
What do they look for in a BK finalist (the 250/450)? For example, somebody who exudes confidence but is humble… in other words, what type of individual do they want to see? do they want you to be extremely successful on day through his ambitious plans, or just somebody who works hard? thanks
@zhou39…can I ask why you want to transfer to UMD from Penn State? Those are my top 2 schools but UMD is my 1st choice.
@collegenj I live pretty close to UMD so I am near family. Being out here makes me feel trapped as I can’t drive anywhere I want to or go the places I want. I feel like im secluded in a small area until a break every 8 weeks. Plus, i’m not really much of a party person.
What percentage of regular decision applicants are admitted? The University of Maryland is my top choice but unfortunately i was unable to complete my application in time for the priority deadline. I’m really worried as I heard most students are admitted in the priority deadline pool. I would be crushed if I was denied simply because I did not apply in time for priority!
When we toured the university last summer we were told by our tour guide that 80% of admissions are taken from those that applied by the priority deadline.
Hey does anyone know how many students join the Honors Program every year at UMD?
[re-posting here from the Honors College thread]
@dudefromnowhere, adding up the numbers on the “Program Comparison” chart that we were using last spring, the numbers were University Honors “approximately” 450 + Gemstone ~200 + ACES ~75 + ILS ~75 + EIP ~75 + Design/Cultures/Creativity ~70 + Honors Humanities ~70 = ~1015, so looks like they were prepared to handle around 1,000 students total in the Honors College.
For this year, (at http://www.honors.umd.edu/, click on the words “Living-Learning Programs” on the right-hand side of the page and that will take you to the current comparison document) the numbers look only a tiny bit different: University Honors ~475 + Gemstone ~150, and then the other 5 are all ~75 [drumroll while I do the numbers] = 1,000.
So the Honors College seems set up for about 1,000 students, looking at the numbers from last year and this year.
I’m a MD resident (HS junior) and going to MD will be a great financial option for me. My parents can pay for both sticker price and room and board.
That being said, how do you apply to the school (when concerning a major/school). I want to definitely to CS or Engineering. Would I have the option to Apply to both the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, or the Clark school of Engineering?Or Do I have to pick just one?
Additionally, what are the typical stats of those who were accepted into Engineering and CS? [GPA/SAT for example]
Thanks a bunch!
@AtharvaLarva I was accepted to UMD recently, so maybe I can help a bit!
When you fill out your application online, under Educational Intent, it will say “Intended Major 1” and then “Alternate Major” - for if you don’t get into your intended major. So you’ll have to choose one as your primary choice, but you can still indicate an alternate.
I don’t know much about the stats for either (sorry!) but it seems that engineering is quite hard to get into (it is an LEP)? I saw people get into the honors college but not into the engineering program - which is bizarre.
@AtharvaLarva
CS is not an LEP so pretty much if you can get into the school you can get into CS. I got into CS with a B average and a 32 ACT.
Also you can change your major at anytime and even if you didnt get into engineering upon admission you can get into it later since so many people give up on engineering after a semester or two.
http://www.lep.umd.edu/engr-lep.pdf
I was recently accepted to UMD but not as a direct admit into the Smith school of business. How difficult is it to internally transfer into the program?
Thank you all for the feedback!
I’ve had some friends who got in and didn’t seem to worried about it, I don’t know exactly how selective they are, but I know that for the most part if you meet the qualifications you have a decent shot.
Scroll down on the page for the qualifications for internal transfers.
@America2468 Transferring to Smith is definitely possible as long as you have taken all the gateway courses AND have a high GPA. It is very competitive. From what I have heard, most students are not admitted without at least a 3.6. I’m sure you can find people that have been accepted with a lower GPA, but for the most part a 3.6 or above gives you a fighting chance. My daughter is in Smith and she knows many students that have gotten in and many that have not. Make sure you have another major as a backup. Many people choose econ, which is not in the business school. Being involved in a business related club would also help your chances for admittance, but the GPA is the most important factor.
Congratulations on your acceptance to UMD and good luck with the business school.
Hello,
I am currently a 2nd semester freshman student at a state university in Maryland. My school is a part of the university of Maryland school system.
Semester one: 3.74 gpa
Winter Intersession: 3.0 gpa
Overall: 3.65 gpa
Semester 2 goal: 3.8gpa
I currently have 19 credits & I am taking 15 more credits.
I have made dean’s list first semester and joined Phi Eta Sigma (Honor society)
I am in the Honor’s program at my school.
I applied for criminal justice with a back up in sociology because it is a LEP.
I did not do so well in high school.
WGPA of 3.2 and 1220 sat
I hope high school does not play a major role.
EAC:
College democrats
Women of color support
Volunteer work
Worked with A sorority I planned on joining
I wrote my essay about coming to america and how important school is to me.
Sent In my resume
Sent in three great letters of recommendation
Essay question was about why UMD and I answered it
I sent my application on time by March 1st,
I took English 101 and a college level math my school offers but UMD does not offer. My advisor says I have high chances of getting in and so does everyone around me but I’m so scared that I might not get in. Is anyone else planning on applying to UMD feel like this too? Let me know
What are my chances of getting into UMD for the fall 2015?
Hi, posted this as a separate question but haven’t received any responses so thought I’d post here. We are out of state and our son was accepted starting fall 2015. We are trying to determine whether it’s possible to save much by living off campus (as of jr yr) over the stated residence hall and meal plan costs. Also, whether living off campus really necessitates a car. Would appreciate feedback of those that have done so! Thanks!