Banneker/Key Scholarship

<p>Does anyone know about how many of the semi-finalists go on to recieve the full scholarship?</p>

<p>My son received an invitation to come to campus for Banneker scholarship consideration.</p>

<p>We are wondering if it's worth for him to skip a day at school, drive 5 hours each way to participate in this. We checked the schedule of the day, and it's mostly them selling the school to the candidates, as opposed to thorough evaluation of the candidate's qualification - there is only 20 minute interview for each candidate. So, I assume that the real selection is still based on paper application. We already checked that a phone interview can also be arranged.</p>

<p>I guess I am asking this question because we are not so enthused about UMD. If UMD was high on our list, he would make this trip even for 5 minute interview if that increases his odds. He applied to UMD because UMD with scholarship would be the worst case fall back option. As it turns out, he already got EA from U Chicago, and is waiting for RD decision from HYP, Wharton, etc. So, without a full ride, UMD will never be considered. Even with the full scholarship, the probability is very low that he would go there since he would go to U Chicago if the rest of the RD schools reject him. Money is not a non-issue for us, but it's the sacrifice we are willing to make</p>

<p>My son wants to be an international financier so he does care about reputation and prestige. As for me, I would like to see him in a school with very tough and rigorous intellectual training. He is a naturally gifted kid who never had to sweat or put any effort to get those perfect scores. Everything comes way too easy for him. I would like to see him challenged by other kids who are even more gifted than he. I would like to see him sweat, and perhaps even fail in comparison with others - that will be a good experience for him. This is why I am excited about having U Chicago as a fall back option, because everything I found out about U Chicago tells me that it's a place for thorough intellectual growth and rigor.</p>

<p>I would welcome your feedback on the quality of education at UMD, AND, also how it is regarded by the Wall Street.</p>

<p>(Please, I don't mean any disrespect for UMD, so don't flame me. But, it's also a fact that UMD is not in the same league with HYP, Wharton, etc, or at the same level as Berkeley among public schools. )</p>

<p>I won't spend any time trying to convince you that UMD could be as challenging and rewarding as he wants it to be. If you think he won't attend UMD even with the full banneker/key, why bother? Most of the full b/k winners will also be choosing between schools like U Chicago, HYP, MIT, etc. Each family has to make their own decisions.</p>

<p>astrophysics mom,</p>

<p>I am trying to make sure that we are not dismissing UMD based on faulty understanding of what the school has to offer.</p>

<p>I would love to hear from those who know more about UMD in general, those who are attending as a full ride scholar about the academic rigor, and also those who are working in the financial market regarding whether UMD in general is a great school to get out of and be recruited from.</p>

<p>thanks for your feedback in advance.</p>

<p>Still have received no notification of BK scholarship... Can anyone predict from my stats what I will get? Any opinion would be appreciated. Both on whether there is still a shot at the scholarship and whether or not based on my stats, it is likely.</p>

<p>GPA - 3.87 (4.0 scale) / 3,9 after first semester grades factored in
WGPA - 4.55 (5.0 scale) / 4.6 after first semester grades factored in</p>

<p>ACT - 35 (I got an 8 on the writing though)</p>

<p>SAT subject tests
Math 2 - 800
Physics - 730</p>

<p>APs - US Government - 4, World History - 4, Psychology - 5</p>

<p>EC -
Varsity wrestling (Captain) for first three years
JV Lacrosse freshman year
Varsity Lacrosse sophomore year
260 Hours Community Service
Junior Officer of the National Honor Society junior year, will be President for senior year
Worked as a lifeguard over the 2007 and 2008 summers
During the 2008 summer I was the captain of a community service project that assembles 3000 backpacks for underprivileged students.</p>

<p>Awards -
Certificate of Meritorious Service - 260 hours of community service
AP Scholar
Maryland Distinguished Scholar Honorable Mention</p>

<p>Course load for senior year:</p>

<p>AP Calculus AB
AP Environmental Science
AP Computer Programming 3 (AP Computer Science AB)
AP Comparative Government & Politics
AP Studio Art 2-D Design (Photography)
Honors English 12
Advanced Weight Lifting(Need one gym credit to graduate and still haven't taken gym)</p>

<p>I received A's in all of these classes first semester.</p>

<p>Sounds like you have a very talented kid. I know what that's like ( we have two). Our S is one of those kids that chose UMCP ( and a B/K scholarship) over USNWR top ten universities that identified him as one of their top applicants. At MD he's in a selective honor's program called Honors Humanities. In addition he takes honors seminars and honors versions of other classes. </p>

<p>Our S loves UMCP. He works hard in his classes and is very active in community work, intramural sports and national organizations. He's a pretty social kid and loves the party, sports and music scene available at MD. He also loves the campus and the size of the school. </p>

<p>In all probability our S will be one of those kids that goes to a top graduate school or professional program. </p>

<p>So, for whatever it's worth he is very happy with his choice. Good luck with yours.</p>

<p>If you are replying to me, then thank you!</p>

<p>I was accepted into Gemstone and Honors but have not heard anything back about scholarships. I'm worried that I won't get the B/K...</p>

<p>Poisondart, I read that all of the B/K invites have been mailed out. The other scholarships will be coming out within the next few weeks - hang tight. You have great stats, so I'm sure you'll get merit money.</p>

<p>poisondart90,</p>

<p>All of the invitations for B/K scholarships were mailed out last week. It took almost a week for our son to get his, but he got it a few days ago. Great stats, good luck!</p>

<p>hyeonjlee -</p>

<p>Keep in mind that no matter what school your son goes to, there are going to be students there from all academic levels. My DD has a friend that was accepted to U Chicago and I have to say, given that I am very familiar with her Stats, I am shocked. I know she is a legacy and that must be the only reason.</p>

<p>also, your son is going to be known on Wall Street more for the grad school he attends than he will the UG.</p>

<p>I'm in the same situation as some above
2180 SAT, 4.09 GPA, very solid ECs, etc.
I'm into Honors college + gemstone/honors humanities
but I haven't received an email or a call about B/K
people are saying that they're all mailed out, but is there any definitive source?
the maryland website says very little.
I think I'll call them tomorrow.</p>

<p>same here.
legacy, gemstone/honors, 1500 (M+CR) SAT, 4.71 WGPA...
but no invite. oh well...</p>

<p>i was talking to my friend about this and she got an invite last week. our stats and ECs are pretty much on the same level although my stats are a bit higher overall. i guess it helped that she is a URM. well im glad at least one of us got an invite :]</p>

<p>I can't see legacy mattering when it comes to B/K.</p>

<p>--BtheB44-- I posted earlier on this thread that I personally spoke to the scholarship office and they assured me that ALL B/K invites go out at the same time.</p>

<p>My DD has 2140 SAT/34 ACT and 3.92gpa and 4.94wgpa and he looked at her file and said she had not been invited but would be considered for the next round of scholarships. I assume that means the Dean and President or whatever they have there.</p>

<p>She did receive a letter in the mail from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources yesterday and was awarded $3,500yr, so that was kind of nice. Will certainly help if she gets one of the other $8,000yr scholarships. Still doesn't even come close to our in state school, but every bit helps.</p>

<p>You can sure call if you like. I was on hold for a long, long time.</p>

<p>-usafa2011dad-
Do your D has accept or enroll MD yet?
I heard if you want to get the departmental scholarship. You need to accept to MD first. Since she got $3500/yr from College of Agriculture, it looks like she did not have accepted MD yet.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>no, my D has not accepted to UMD yet.</p>

<p>D selected for B/K scholarship.</p>

<p>SAT 2090
GPA 3.83 uw
23 AP and Honor courses
Nat. Honor Society President
Two sports 4 yrs - Captain senior year
Magnet school
Volunteered at two hospitals. Doing research at Johns Hopkins Medical Center with two doctors.
Church peer leader.</p>

<p>Friends had higher grades/SAT's and didn't get selected. Not sure why. We wonder if non school related EC's might have been the difference. If not that perhaps the JHMC research got their attention.</p>

<p>I didnt get accepted to the honors program so I had absolutely no shot at getting the banneker key but I just dont understand why I wasn't accepted to honors or gemstones
My brother is in honors at UMD and his stats were lower than my stats.</p>

<p>I got into scholars but i think my stats were good enough for honors/gemstones
Also, I answered yes to the research question.</p>

<p>ACT
(34 E, 33, R, 30 M, 29 S)</p>

<p>GPA 4.2 weighted (AP US, AP GOV, AP STAT, AP LIT, AP BIO, AP CALC, AP EURO)</p>

<p>Class Rank top 5% out of about 200 seniors </p>

<p>Leadership Positions:student gov president, county gov vice president, NHS president, Multicultural club president and founder, commisioner of Freshman advisement, CHess club president, peer counselor</p>

<p>Extra-curricular activities: football varsity, track varsity, student gov, fbla (buisness ethics states 1st place out of 21 participants), mulitcultural club, link crew, environment club, nhs, peer counseling, i have 200 total hours of commmunity service including 30 hours overseas durningg an earthquake in south west asia, i also DJ partime</p>

<p>I also felt i was a unique applicant because I have lived in three different countries. </p>

<p>Instate (Western Maryland)</p>

<p>Public School</p>

<p>I just don't understand why I didn't get honors/gemstones</p>

<p>what do you guys think my chances are for scholarships like the presidents or deans?</p>

<p>Because they like being random? I have a friend with lower stats across the board and far fewer activities and leadership roles. He got invited to the Scholars. Did you get Scholars at least?</p>

<p>yea i did get into scholars</p>