<p>I can only speak to last year and regarding my own child’s stats and I assure you the B/K invitation was not based on just EC’s and essays. He had outstanding leadership (not just on campus, but national leadership activities), stats, recommendations, work experience, AP’s, etc. I really do believe they look at the whole package.</p>
<p>Just an update also to B/K from DS. There are students invited from out of state this year. He will be housing those that will be coming alone in his dorm. He will also be on the B/K Q&A panel, conducting dorm tours and mingling all three days. If I can help answer any questions, I will do my best to do so through him.</p>
<p>Don’t freak out if you didn’t get it. There are a ton of other scholarships available. I didn’t get BK but I got what was basically a full ride from all the scholarships I won (from UMD).</p>
<p>that sounds encouraging ^
do you mind me asking what your major was? and what other scholarships you got, and like if you had to apply for them or they automatically gave them to you? …because I’ve heard the engineering school tends to give out money and my major’s engineering so I am hopeful for that…</p>
<p>Some of the students sound incredibly deserving of the B/K. Did they get their applications in by the priority deadline of 11/1? I’m not sure if that is absolutely necessary, but it could be one reason to not be considered.</p>
<p>@paki777
Yeah, that is good news.
I had 2310, 4.00, 4.74 as my stats and the ppl from my school who got it had stats the same as mine. But in the end it probably was that the essay form was messing up and cut off like 50 words off my second essay, although I had already made my point in it.</p>
<p>You did have to apply by the priority deadline to be considered for scholarships, including the B/K. Last year I believe the deadline was Dec 1st, although I heard that this year the deadline was Nov 1st.</p>
<p>It might not have been the essay, but the interview that was the basis of not receiving it.</p>
<p>In the end BK invites are like the Oscars, you may not be the one that wins the scholarship, but to be selected says alot about your abilities and how the school views your future.</p>
<p>My D (out of state) got an invite via snail mail today. It was postmarked on 2/18 and has an RSVP date of 2/15-hmm. She never received an email. Unfortunately she has another scholarship interview that day in CA and I just purchased airline tickets. I hope she can attend another date. I think I read that there is a March 2nd date? We are in PA. Did anyone else recently receive an invite via mail?</p>
<p>Congratulations!! Call them to see about the other dates available. They will also offer to interview by phone if that is the only means possible to interview.</p>
<p>My D is interviewing on the 2nd. She was accepted into the Chemistry LEP, and also passed her piano audition and was accepted into the School of Music, … does anyone know if she can use a B/K at the SoM, … can you be in Honors College AND the SoM? My D has a LOT to think about over the next month or so …</p>
I got $6000 a year from the engineering school. I had to apply online in March/April IIRC. I also got the President’s scholarship (automatic), National Merit (PSAT), and the Maryland Distinguished Scholarship (I applied for this my junior year).</p>
<p>U MD is one of the last to notify re: merit scholarships, and it may well be that until it decides on the B/K scholarships, the Presidential Scholarship cannot be awarded (since, I am assuming, some go to those who do not receive a B/K Scholarship). Does anywone know (a) when that will happen; (b) the typical stats for a recipient; and (c) if you did not receive a B/K interview inviation, does that automatically preclude you from getting a PS? Thanks.</p>
<p>I had an opportunity to speak to a member of the selection committee today who informed me that there were quite a few students with 1600 (M and V) SATs that were not offered B/K scholarships. I asked what was the deciding factor and she said that there were many considerations but the most important was the liklihood that a given student would make a significant contribution to the university.</p>
<p>That said, the average B/K scholar this year has 1500 on the SATs, 4.4 gpa and significant accomplishments outside of high school. Many had conducted research, worked as interns at prestigious institutions, travelled abroad doing community service, and mastered foreign languages.</p>
<p>No, they are talking in regards to being involved, doing research, making UMD a great school. It’s the posh private schools that look for people who will make contribution$. </p>
<p>Thanks for the info Max! How did D’s day go?</p>
<p>I think the selection committee can probably look at the activities outside of high school that a student participated in and get a good feel for whether the student would be prone to “contribute” in the same way at UMD.</p>
<p>astro, Her day went well. I think she’s looking at MD in a whole new light. BTW, our D has an opportunity to teach English in a school in Nepal next year and one of the admins mentioned that she may defer her acceptance and scholarship for a year if she wishes.</p>
<p>WOW, Max! What opportunities lie ahead for her! If she could deal with being so far away right out of high school, the Nepal experience sounds awesome. My husband was trekking there a few years ago, and he found the people of Nepal to be fascinating and extremely friendly. He wants to go back.</p>