Stupid question…how are Banneker key semifinalists notified? Is it included with the admissions decision or is it separate at a later date? Thank you.
Semifinalists are notified at a later date.
Does UMD let priority decision applicants know if they are in the running in January?
I don’t think the students find out anything about B-K in January. They reportedly get an email telling them to check the portal, where they find out about admissions and whether they’ve been invited to participate in the Honors program. Last year, semi-finalists apparently received an email around February 10th telling them that something special was in the mail. The B-K packets were mailed that day with the information for semi-finalists. Best of luck to all. (D1 didn’t apply to Maryland, so I’m repeating info from other posters, rather than from personal experience. YMMV.)
Thanks Arlmom2. D1 is in Honors College right now (junior), but her stats were not high enough for BK. I remember she got the email about logging into the portal towards the end of January. D2 is a junior in HS. Her stats are high enough for BK, so I am trying to learn more. Thanks.
Thank you all
A follow up question…I know that Banneker-key scholars are automatically admitted to the honors college. Does one have to already be admitted to the honors colleges in order to be a possible candidate for the Banneker-key scholarship?
Also @MDdad2012 I’m curious since I can’t find anything online…what stats are high enough to be considered?
I went to their Marquee Day back in September where they had an information session about their honors college. You have to be admitted to honors to be considered for the Banneker-Key scholarship. They choose the semi-finalists for that scholarship from those already admitted to honors.
There aren’t any hard numbers on acceptance, but it is generally thought to be SATs (CR/Math) over 1450 and a GPA of close to 4.0 (unweighted). They also factor in a challenging course load, as well as extracurricular activities.
So, what is the timeline regarding finding out about the other merit awards, like presidential scholarships in relation to the B/K??
Anyone know when notifications come out? UMD is basically out for me if I don’t get the B/K scholarship.
@indianboy2400 Last year, students received an email on February 10th telling them to look for something special in the mail. It was the invitation to interview for B-K. Best of luck!
Can anyone chance me for B/K
GPA: 3.96 (UW) 4.57 (W)
ACT: 32
AP’s: Physics B (5), Calc BC (5), English Lang/ Comp (5), World History (5), Human Geo. (4), Physics C, Psychology
Honors Classes: Calculus 3, Differential Equations, Physics 1, Physics 2, Chemistry 1, Chemistry 2, Biology, English 9, English 10, Algebra 2, Pre calculus
EC’s:
Technology Student Association
Boy Scouts of America
National Honor Society
Lacrosse
Lockheed Martin Engineering Explorer Post
Leadership:
Boy Scouts - 2year leader
TSA- 1 year leader, chapter officer
Lacrosse- 1 year leader, team captain
Service Hours:
Boy Scouts- 283 hrs
NHS- 80 hrs
Hooks:
Internship at SEAKR engineering
CSWA (CAD certification)
top US high school
OOS (CO)
@NickThalken, were you admitted to the honors program? Because candidates for B-K are selected (only) from the pool of students admitted to the Honors College (the invitation to the Honors College is noted on your initial acceptance portal announcement/snail-mail admissions letter).
Other than that, it’s really hard to parse out the B-K criteria – high stats are good, certainly, but beyond that there have been many discussions on this board RE why one person was chosen over another…
@itllbeok I was admitted to honors college, I just learned about this scholarship since I’m OOS in Colorado, I don’t know if that has any impact on decision for this scholarship
@NickThalken They give B-K to both instate and OOS students. Best of luck!!
There is a misconception that all Banneker/Key students need to be an honor student. That is False. All honor students are automatically considered for the Banneker/Key Scholarship, however, you do not need to be in honors to get a Banneker/Key scholarship. There are many factors that are associated with receiving this scholarship.
@twinker may be correct. From http://www.bannekerkey.umd.edu/:
“All freshman applicants to the University of Maryland who are admitted to the Honors College are considered for nomination to the Banneker/Key Scholarship.”
It doesn’t say “ONLY freshman applicants … who are admitted to the Honors College are considered”, so it is possible that, in addition to Honors College invitees, other admitted students are considered for the B/K.
@NickThalken, I know at least one current B-K scholar is an out-of-stater. Of course, he was also an Intel winner, classically trained pianist, admitted to at least one Ivy (but chose UMd! Go Terps!), etc.; i.e., one of those Really High Achievers, but still. So – who knows what weight is given to in-state vs. OOS in the decision-making, but it is possible!
If you look at the Banneker - Key home page, the top right corner specifically says, “Maryland’s most prestigious merit scholarship for academically talented Honors College students.” Plus, when my son (who is in the Honors College) did not receive a B/K nomination last year, his guidance counselor called and asked for the criteria. Of course, there are so many qualified students and so many factors that go into the decision, that there was no clear answer to this question. The only thing that is a definitive factor is that the student must have been admitted to the Honors College. She even pointed out that an application for the Banneker - Key scholarship does not exist, as it is not something for which one can apply - it’s an automatic nomination based on Honors College admission only.
Got this email:
Me thinks its the Banneker/Key Scholarship Notification 
Indianboy2400, Congrats! This sounds very promising! My son received Banneker Key last year and the wording sounds familiar. Good luck!