First off, congrats to everyone accepted to the A. James Clark School of Engineering!
I’m a mom of a recent engineering graduate (Spring 16) and wanted to share info about a special living-learning (LLP) program just for engineers called Flexus for females and Virtus for males:
Females: http://www.wie.umd.edu/undergrad/flexus
Males: http://www.seeds.umd.edu/programs/virtus
Engineering at UMD is awesome because they make such a unique effort to support students. It has all the bells and whistles you need to succeed:
-housing with other engineers so built-in support for classes/studying
-career prep - resumes, elevator speeches, career fair prep
-tutoring/review sessions in your building for first and second year engineering courses
Take a look at the programs and be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page to check out sample syllabi - open for both fall and spring to get a sense of the program.
Can you do this and one of the honors programs too?
What if you are placed in letters and sciences but still wish to pursue these programs?
@perch1024 They give preference to students not already in other programs, but it is possible as long as the honors program you do does not require living in their dorm. The engineering LLPs DO require living in their assigned dorm.
FYI, (honors and) scholars programs do include some career education such as resume prep.
@TheTimbo, unfortunately, the engineering LLP is restricted to students already admitted to engineering.
If you are interested in a LLP, you should check out Carillon Community which is designed for students in Letters and Sciences http://www.carillon.umd.edu/#about
@maryversity – thanks for all your helpful comments on all the various threads … very useful information. Have a question about applying for Flexus.
My DD was accepted to UMD Honors and engineering. She’s trying to decide what honors program to select. She’s chatted with a former classmate who is at UMD now, who did Flexus and University Honors … lived in the Flexus dorm… and highly recommends that. So, that’s the way she’s leaning, IF she decides to go to UMD. That decision is still up in the air (UMD is in her top 2…), but she needs to go on and choose her honors selection, and advice on other threads is to go on and submit the housing form as well. My question is, should she go on and also submit the Flexus application, or should she wait and do that only if she decides to attend UMD?
@ailinsh1 Yes, I would sign up now.
In previous years, the application for Flexus/Virtus was not made available until later. However, this year, the application is online now with a deadline of May 1, so I would think they want to know sooner rather than later to reserve the space in the dorm because Flexus is not listed as a LLP with ResLife when you sign up for housing (see comment below)…if she decides to not commit to Maryland, she can notify them without a problem because it’s easier to remove a spot than it is to add one. So, given that space is limited (at least for the living component of Flexus) I would apply now to secure her spot. From the way a student (who was on the student panel for Q&A at the engineering preview program several years ago) had described it, the WIE program is a great community that is incredibly supportive and she really enjoyed it!
FWIW, here’s what it says: (http://www.wie.umd.edu/undergrad/flexus)
*Flexus is not listed on the University housing agreement as a living and learning option. By applying using our online form, the WIE Program will work with Residence Life to ensure your housing in the Flexus Community.
Contact Information
Please direct any questions about the program to any of the following contacts:
Paige E. Smith, Ph.D.
Director, Women in Engineering Program
Phone: 301-405-3931
Email: pesmith@umd.edu
However, if you would prefer to be sure, then I would contact Dr. Smith directly and ask.
In the meantime, since I am such a cheerleader for engineering at Maryland, thought you might be interested in the following http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Clark-School-Alumna-Jeanette-Epps-Makes-History–and-more-.html?soid=1125606730780&aid=G_lH2YLmBMY
Go Terps!
Thanks! Very helpful. I personally think UMD is going to be it, and she’s almost there, but waiting on $ to seal the deal…
D17 is also accepted into engineering and honors. UMD is her likely school. She really likes Design Cultures & Creativity, but I think she would do well in the Flexus LLC. If she chooses DCC, though, can she still participate in Flexus without living with them?
Well, I will give you a heads up that scholarship money is not as good as at private universities…I know it’s not an easy thing (I am also OOS). My son got a much better scholarship elsewhere, but the bottom line was the difference in $ was not as big as the difference in education and opportunities at Maryland. Maryland won hands down in every other way. He had an incredibly rewarding experience at Maryland in every respect. Hope that helps to know…hope you get good news on the $…
@NerdMom88 Unfortunately, I cannot answer that, as FLEXUS is different than VIRTUS. My son had to choose between scholars and Virtus because of the living requirement for each. However, I believe Flexus may be different. I say this for 2 reasons:
- Flexus is part of WIE, and they have separate and unique programming that I believe is open to all female engineering students. On their site http://www.wie.umd.edu/undergrad/flexus it states “There are two components of the WIE Living and Learning community: one is residential and one is academic.”
- On the same page, in second paragraph of residential community, it states, “Housing is required unless you have housing in another LLC, e.g. College Park Scholars or Honors special living and learning community like ACES or Gemstone”
Fwiw, WIE and Flexus has been around a lot longer than Virtus. The success of the Flexus program was the inspiration for Virtus. I would direct your question to Dr. Smith (see my post #6)
We just have our fingers crossed re: $. We are in-state, which obviously makes it much easier. But she’s got a big scholarship from Auburn, so right now Auburn is less expensive for us than UMD. My DS got some $ from UMD 3 years ago. Her stats are better than his, so we’re hopeful they’ll give her at least as much, hopefully more. We’ll see…
Just wanted to post this for all the female engineering students…http://www.wie.umd.edu/k12/dream-conference
See above for link about the DREAM conference
Special Note: WIE DREAM Conference participants who apply and are accepted to the University of Maryland’s A. James Clark School of Engineering are eligible to apply for a DREAM Scholarship valued at up to $2,500!
When: Saturday, February 25, 2017
9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Where: Adele H. Stamp Student Union
University of Maryland, College Park
Register
Every participant (student, accompanying adult, volunteer) must be pre-registered. Registration is nontransferable.