<p>I have a 3.83 unweighted and a 4.28 weighted gpa. I got a 28 on the act and I'm in the top 10% of my class (by the way my class has 2 kids with 2400 on the sat). My grade is very competitive and I have taken 1 ap (ap macroeconomics) and 3 this year (ap physics ap micro and ap calc ab). I am in national honor society and Italian honor society. I am also on the varsity track team and I am the Vice President of fbla (future business leaders of America). I live in new jersey so I don't know if that hurts or helps. Im hoping to study engineering. I have visited the campus. I applied early action. And for what it's worth, I'm black.</p>
<p>Sorry if there are any grammar errors, I'm on an iPhone</p>
<p>Despite NJ residency (which is not helpful), assuming good letters of rec and essays, I think you will be admitted to the University without a problem. You have an excellent unweighted gpa and your ACT is in range.</p>
<p>As for engineering, which is a LEP (limited enrollment program), it’s hard to call as confidently. Engineering in particular is very competitive, and while your gpa says yes, your ACT is on the low side for engineering. Absolutely fine for the University, but engineering averages are higher. The best “minority” to be in engineering is gender-based, so if you are a female, you are in. If you are male, I’d say 50/50. </p>
<p>Here is the “2012 Freshman Class Profile Quality and Diversity” (from accepted students day - in engineering session)
Applications 5,000
Admitted 1625
% Women 28%
% Minority 15%
F11 enrolled 769 (assuming F11 is Freshman 2011 admits)</p>
<p>So what does it mean if you are admitted to the University but don’t get into Clark? Well, your advising college is then Letters and Sciences. You take what are called “gateway” courses which are basically what all engineers have to take anyway, and re-apply to Clark as “in-school transfer.” Just a hiccup. </p>
<p>IF that is what happens, DON’T let it discourage you from deciding to attend Maryland versus another school that gives you “direct” admission to their engineering department/school. </p>
<p>In the meantime, keep thinking positive thoughts!</p>
<p>If you can choose it as a backup on your app, it’s not a LEP. You can’t select another LEP as a second choice to the LEP you want (I think it gives you a pop up message if I remember correctly).</p>
<p>So, computer science should be fine, and it is also a great major! </p>
<p>Really, please don’t sweat what I said about possibly not being admitted directly to engineering. There is a good chance you will get a direct admission. I’m just a mom of a freshman engineer, and the only “chance” that counts is the one that comes directly from the school! I just wanted to put that info out there so you are aware of that possibility. I know of several kids that got admitted to Honors or Scholars (so strong students) but didn’t get direct admission to engineering. So, they are taking the route I was talking about. It’s honestly not a big deal. </p>
<p>Maryland has an awesome engineering school, and you in particular, with your background in business, would really thrive at Maryland. There is a great program for upperclassmen called Hinman CEO’s that does not require you to be a business major, but is an unparalleled opportunity for training entrepreneurs - most notable Hinman alum is Kevin Plank, the founder of UnderArmour! A lot of engineers do Hinman’s so they can learn how to launch the technology they design.</p>
<p>Even though this was almost a year ago I thought I would give an update. I got in to UMDCP and the honors college, even though I did not choose to go there your predictions were right. Thanks for chancing me when I was a nervous applicant</p>
<p>@jibler yeah I was very surprised I got into the honors college too. Especially since I know a lot if people more qualified than me that didn’t. But then again getting into Princeton was a big surprise too.</p>