@PhilaSkiMom in same boat as you- UMD prob would have been the one if BK worked out- now we have to wait and see if anything else comes through.
Well, besides the prestige thing, getting the half BK is only barely better than receiving the max Presidential, so it’s about the same, and you all may still get the 12K. We also won’t consider it unless there is close to that amount, since Purdue has also offered honors and 10k. No $ from UMD does make the decision process easier, although S is really interested in the school. I’m not making travel arrangements (we’d have to fly) until we hear about other scholarships in early March. Hopefully we will all get good news in a couple of weeks.
My friend also didn’t get an email; her brother is a BK Scholar who didn’t get an email first, so who knows, maybe there’s hope. I’m the oldest in my family so we don’t have experience with any of this yet.
I can’t decide which Honors College to select - do we really have to do it tonight? Leaning toward Gemstone. Also got a nice email from Pomona tonight so I’m feeling better. 
Just numerically, it would surprise me if all notifications had been received on CC - currently BK has fewer people posting that they got it than YES-W (Yale LL), but the numbers would suggest that three times as many people get BK invites overall vs. YES-W.
However, BK is extremely competitive, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it doesn’t happen for us. My DS was not invited to apply for the Pitt full-ride scholarship either, for example. I think the UMD and Pitt applications gave fewer chances for the extra essays, recommendations, etc., that can help a kid on the “bubble”.
And, (does anyone know if this matters) we’re out of state, so probably that makes BK even harder to win.
But for those who heard good news, you should feel amazing, and congratulations!! UMD is a top school and that is a tremendous honor.
I got the email to look for something in the mail. Best of luck to everyone!
When did you get the email, was it few days back?
Got the package in the mail today!! Does anyone know what the interview will be like?
^I think if you search for last year’s thread there were several pretty good posts about the interview process.
Were the emails that were sent just for BK or also for other merit scholarships like the Presidential?
@pntbttr are you OOS? Congratulations to everyone who has received the invite.
My son just got the packet and the interview is scheduled for February 23rd. In addition to the interview there is an optional college session in the morning, a luncheon and the opportunity to talk to current Honors students and staff. Thank you to all who have sent congratulations. Hopefully more will get the packet even though the email didn’t arrive, and if not, there will be other wonderful options out there for you!
We got the invitation to interview in today’s mail!
s16s18s21s25 Purdue is a great school my other daughter is a sophmore there. UMD is my younger daughter’s first pick.
@safireonfire thank you for the information you gave us in advance, my son will have the interview on the 23rd. I’d like to ask you which other options (school acceptances) you had to reject when you chose to go to UMD with the Banneker Key? Also, do you think there are more in-state or out-of-state BK scholars in your class?
@ReminiscingDad No problem! I got into Stanford, Caltech, UNC, and a bunch of others, but UMD was both close to home and the best option financially (I didn’t want to be a burden on my parents, and I have 3 younger siblings). I’d say there are definitely more instate BK scholars than out of state, but that would also describe the UMD undergrad population in general. It’s also a little difficult to find out whether students are BK, but out of the ~20 people I know are definitely banneker key scholars, only 1 is not from Maryland.
Also, just a tip for your son, but have him be prepared to not only answer why he would choose UMD, but also what he can contribute to the university and why he “deserves” the BK scholarship, ie why he stands out. The interview itself only lasted about 10 min for me, but I tried my best to let my passion and interest rub off on the two interviewees.
Best of luck!
Anybody else going on the 29th?
I have my interview on the 23rd! Hope to see some of you guys there!
Cool, I’d really love to meet you guys in person and share how awesome UMD is 
What’s the program like this year? Is there an icecream social too?
@safireonfire thanks so much for the information and those tips for the interview. Congratulations on all those prestigious acceptances, and how considerate you were to your parents and siblings. You made a great choice. My son is a little nervous about the interview. To your question, this year the letter doesn’t mention an ice cream social. It says there is a luncheon after the college information session and a tour of the campus and Honors residence halls. They don’t mention the time of the interview (only the date), I guess that he’ll know after he confirms his attendance by February 15.