<p>Well its already March 8 and I have not heard from them. I guess that means no chance :(</p>
<p>Maybe I will get one of those other merit scholarships...</p>
<p>Stats: 800M 670CR 720W 2190Total
800Math2, 780Chem, 730BiologyE</p>
<p>3.96Unweighted 4.71 Weighted</p>
<p>We were at the interview event yesterday with 1/3 of the of B/K scholars. There are two more interview days but I believe all the recipients have been notified and scheduled.</p>
<p>Aside from the weather, it was a very nice day. All the students we met were incredibly happy at UMCP. Our son really enjoyed the interview. They asked questions about his essay and ECs and why he felt MD was a good fit.</p>
<p>During the event last Friday, it was announced that students will receive an iPod Touch for a new initiative joined by Apple and UMCP. My little boy already started the crusade to drag his sister to attend UMCP so that he could get the iPod. </p>
<p>I think UMCP has been doing great job and aggressively pursuing students. The event and their slideshow was great. We felt we were really welcome and it made a good impression. </p>
<p>My D was interviewed by the admission director who was very nice and the interview went well. </p>
<p>It was mentioned 60% of interviewed students would get the full ride. And those 390 invited to be interviewed represents about 1.4% of all applicants this year. </p>
<p>The book allowance ($1,050) will be given to all BK students (full or partial). </p>
<p>All students are teated equally among who do and do not receive the full ride. Their status are kept confidential. This is a wise move. </p>
<p>In addition to the free food, you get free parking along with really nice ice cream served by great students.</p>
<p>Do you know anything about this "new initiative joined by Apple and UMCP". Does it involve internships at Apple?</p>
<p>A select few schools are involved and I got the impression they were trying to evaluate the effectiveness of "the touch" in promoting academic success.</p>
<p>UMCP looks pretty enticing from a lot of levels, especially for the chosen Honors students.</p>
<p>What did you specifically like at UMCP?</p>
<p>Is the iPod Touch initiative just for the B/K students or a more general program?</p>
<p>very nice. I have to say, that's pretty enticing. </p>
<p>By the way, what is the decorum for bringing additional materials, like art/published writing to the interview?</p>
<p>The I-touch is a nice idea. Funny thing, we gave our s one for the holidays thinking that he'd be able to use it to keep his calender and access his email on the run while at college. It was a surprise something and not really such a big deal compared to all the other benifits associated with the B/K awards.</p>
<p>The vast majority of the B/K finalists are MD Distinguished Scholars also, so those that don't get the full ride will still have an additional $3,000/yr to go towards room and board. As kftwn mentioned all the finalists are B/K scholars which has a certain cache and respectability associated with the honor itself.</p>
<p>The entire honors program is very special and provides an intimate connection to the very best professors along with incredible research and internship opportunities for the motivated students.</p>
<p>IMHO, the campus is beautiful! The kids seem to love it there and school spirit is very strong. The surrounding area of College Park is nothing special but being so close to DC, Annapolis and Baltimore is a real plus.</p>
<p>The programs in journalism, criminology, physics, applied mathematics, CS, engineering, and business are all very highly rated. They have a new life science building with state of the art technology, a first rate nanotechnology center etc. etc. </p>
<p>Graduates of the honors program end up at top universities including: Harvard, Yale, Penn, Stanford, Brown, Chicago. etc. Any student who feels MD is a good fit and is invited to the honors program and awarded the B/K scholarship has a lot to be happy about. Our son is passing up acceptances at Duke, WashU, UNC (honors) and possibly two Ivies for UMCP.</p>
<p>I didn't notice anyone bringing materials for the interview. I think they just want to get to know the person behind the data. My son had a great time just chatting and felt great after the interview.</p>
<p>Maximus -- glad your son liked UMD honors so much :) It was definitely a major factor in me coming here, and has since taken a backseat to my activities in QUEST and the business school; still, it always makes me happy when incoming students and their families appreciate the qualities of such a great program!! </p>
<p>By they way, since he already has one, I'll gladly take your son's new B/K iPod touch off his hands!!</p>
<p>LOL, his sister has dibs on the old one. The new one has special software for their study.</p>
<p>hmmm...wonder if current B/K kids get them too....?!!!!</p>
<p>I had my interview today. The questions I got were pretty general like what do you do for fun? What is your proudest accomplishment?etc.</p>
<p>The presentation at the beginning of the day was nice. They talked about the i-touch briefly and also mentioned something about it being able to be upgraded into i-phone (not really sure about this one because I was a little too into my food). Also, I'm not sure it has been mentioned yet in this thread, but starting this year all b/k scholars will have guranteed four year housing.</p>
<p>I ended the day with a campus tour and learned some interesting trivia about the campus.</p>
<p>I stopped in because I knew interview days = free ice cream. I talked to Dr. Thorne--apparently they just worked out a deal with Apple to get a small discount on them, and that they are eventually looking at giving entire classes iPods (for future years) if they get a good deal. </p>
<p>That said, I'm completely jealous.</p>
<p>Maximus,
We know kids who have turned down similar schools to take the B/K and have been very happy. The honors advisors are great about getting B/K kids into accelerated courses if they want them and helping to navigate the red tape and bureaucracy that is sometimes part of a big school. UMD is also very generous with AP credit and placement testing. Congrats to your S and good luck making a decision!</p>
<p>I heard that letters will go out this week or maybe early next week re: B/K awards.</p>
<p>really? wow I wasn't expecting it so soon! At the luncheon the lady said they would send them out on April 1st</p>
<p>flowersunshine, you may be right. I have now heard that they'll be announced around April 1st. I guess patience is a virtue.</p>
<p>I got my letter today!!!! I got the full scholarship...GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATS TO OTHERS!!!! YESSSSS!! THANK YOU JESUS!</p>