<p>Gender: Male
Ethnicity: White
State of Residence: PA</p>
<p>Class of 2009</p>
<p>Academic Background
Weighted GPA: 4.23
SAT Critical Reading: 660
SAT Math: 690
SAT Writing: 680
Combined SAT: 2030
ACT Composite: N/A (taking in February)</p>
<p>I am currently a junior at a highly competitive high school in PA. I have basically taken all AP and honors courses that I have had the opportunity to take (almost), which is 4 APs and 8 honors courses including my current junior year. I plan to take several AP and honors courses senior year as well. I play soccer and run track for my high school and I am also involved in several ECAs.</p>
<p>High School Background</p>
<p>HS Type: Independent Private College Preparatory High School
Class Rank: School doesn't give out class rank but I'm guessing at least top 10% out of 285 students</p>
<p>SAT II Subject Tests: N/A (taking in June)</p>
<p>So what do you think my chances are at being accepted into UMCP or any other colleges in general (average, competitive, very competitive)? I've only taken the SATs once and my math potential is probably in the high 700s (i aced the first 2 sections, but did not manage my time well enough on the third section). Also, I'm sure I can improve my verbal and writing section scores as well. I know I still have some time before applying to colleges but I just want to get a feel for where I'm at i guess.</p>
<p>Well, I've been looking into UVA, Villanova, UPenn, Penn State, Johns Hopkins, Drexel, and UMCP. These are just colleges I'm interested in. I'm not 100% sure I am going to apply to all them considering some of them are a bit of a reach (UPenn, JHU), but I'm hoping with some improved SAT scores and ACT score I will have a shot.</p>
<p>I know. I can go to Penn State for dirt cheap. Currently I pay 13k for my high school and I believe Penn State in-state is about 12k a year? Anyways, Penn State does have a really good engineering school, but so does UMCP. So we'll see. And did you attend UMCP at one point or something to know that their academics are so terrible? Haha, thanks though.</p>
<p>Really? Are your courses just not challenging or are your professors not good or something? Oh, and are you transferring since you mentioned Penn State haha?</p>
<p>AKittka- please feel free to ask others on this board for input. UMD's engineering school is amazing. I have a lot of friends in the program, and they've learned a lot in classes, co-ops, etc.</p>
<p>AKittka, DO NOT LISTEN TO JEW! he is totally biased against Maryland-i have heard nothing but good things about the school, however Penn State is an excellent choice as well, perhaps the only one on your list that is better!</p>
<p>I know their engineering school is amazing that's why I'm going to apply to UMD. BruinsJew's comments certainly aren't going to change my mind haha. And yeah, I like Penn State a lot too so we'll see. Thanks!</p>
<p>Choose Penn State. Ha, I will admit that I am biased. I go to Penn State University Park. Honeslty, both UMD and PSU are great schools. You can't really go wrong with those choices. You will love Penn State if you decide to go, but that could be true of many places. If you haven't already, you definitely should plan a trip to visit the campus (preferably on a football weekend). Happy Valley is a special place. Alright, best of luck.</p>
<p>im sure you'll get in to the school at large... as for engineering, you can probably get in with those scores. i would still try to break 700 for math, most of the people ive spoken to (all freshman) had in the lower 700s there. </p>
<p>regardless, bruinsjew had a bad experience at maryland. i also go there, and while i do have one class that is was around 200, all of my other classes were small in number. the engineering class has about 40 students, but you break off into 4 groups of 10 and really only spend time with the team,the TF (undergrad TA) and professor. after that i actually know that professor pretty well, and she's highly regarded in her field. so, there's an account from a recent first semester freshman, who likes maryland. o, and my roommate is a freshman engineer from PA who picked umd over psu btw. so you wouldn't be alone.</p>
<p>i am in QUEST and i LOVE it! i just finished my senior practicum this past semester. it's been such a great experience and i've met some amazing people. i know i've written a bit about it on here if you want to search for those threads, or PM me with your screen name and i can help you out.</p>