Chances for Priority?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Maryland - College Park
1

Hi, I was interested in University of Maryland, and I wanted to see what my chances would be for priority.

Academics:

  • Full IB Diploma Program Student
  • 4.25 GPA
  • Top 7.5% of the class
  • Mostly IB classes, though I took “three” AP classes (I dropped one due to a change of interest)
  • IB Chem. (HL) - 11th and 12th, IB Math Studies (SL) - 11th and 12th, IB History (HL) - 11th and 12th, IB Language and Literature (HL) - 11th and 12th, IB Spanish (SL) - 11th and 12th, IB Anthropology (SL) - 11th and 12th, AP Comp. Govt. - 10th, AP European History - 12th, AP Computer Science - 11th (the one that I dropped), Theory of Knowledge - 11th and 12th (for two years)

Tests:
-1240 on the “New” SAT - I have retaken it and I believe that I made a good improvement

  • 26 on the ACT
  • 710 on the World History SAT, though I’m not sure if the score is good enough to justify me sending it

Extracurriculars:

  • Archeological volunteer internship program at George Washington’s boyhood home: 11th, 12th
  • I design and build computers: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
  • HTML programming / Website design: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
  • I do international-style power-lifting and bodybuilding: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
  • FBLA: 12th (I probably won’t put this on applications due to the short amount of time that I have participated in it)
  • My parents’ work schedules don’t allow me to stay after school for any extracurriculars (additional details)

Extras:

  • I am out of state (Northern Virginia)
  • I am applying for Priority Action (title says all)
  • Counselor is able to write a very positive recommendation
  • Interest in History and Government

Unknown:

  • Admittedly, I received a minor (that is how the counselor will say it) 5-day suspension for disrespecting a teacher after I received a bad grade in 11th grade; thankfully, the principal has generously agreed to write a letter stating that it shouldn’t be a deciding factor in admissions. It was not violence, academic, or drug-related.

Again, some feedback and tips would be most appreciated - this process has been nerve-wrecking.

2

From Maryland’s website (found at https://www.admissions.umd.edu/apply/freshman.php)

“For the Fall 2016 freshmen class, we received nearly 30,200 applications for a class of 4,075. For students admitted for the Fall 2016 semester, the middle 50% of SAT scores ranged from 1260 to 1420, and 29-33 on the ACT. As a result 25% of the admitted students scored below a 1260 on the SAT and 25% scored above a 1420. Admitted freshmen also earned an average weighted GPA of 4.21.”

3

@maryversity
Does Maryland super score by any chance? Because with it, I will have a score 1340! I made a huge improvement! :slight_smile:

4

Yes, they do superscore, and yay! Good work on the new score!

5

@maryversity
Also, if you don’t mind me asking, how do you know if you applied for priority? I just submitted my app, but I don’t believe I saw an option for priority. Or, is it based on when you applied? (So, any app before Nov. 1 is automatically “Priority”.)

6

@Necrodancer89 if you apply by Nov 1 and your application is fully complete by that date it is considered Priority.

7

@dogsrthebest
Anything else that needs to be done by Nov. 1? I preordered my SAT scores on the day that I got back from the test, and I believe that my recommendations have already been submitted, though what happens if they don’t arrive in time?

8

@Necrodancer89 you should login to your University account and it will tell you if your application is complete. Completed means, application/test scores/recommendations/guidance and school transcript stuff. It will say on the portal if your application is complete.

9

@dogsrthebest
Just one more question, how much time does my documentation and scores have until my app is no longer considered “Priority.” Because my Naviance account says that my Transcript has been submitted and my Letters of Recommendation are “in progress.” This is making me incredibly worried.

10

@dogsrthebest - It can take several days for things to show up. As long as everything is dated today or earlier, you should be OK.