D got accepted for Spring. If she ends up at UMD, she’ll do FC for Fall.
So, from what we’re reading:
Housing is guaranteed if she applies before May 1
However, classes are "First Come" starting March 1.
Applying and getting classes would involve ~$600 in non-refundable deposits.
She’s still waiting to hear back from several schools (some of which may not notify until as late as April 1), so we’d rather wait to hear from the rest of the schools she applied to before signing up for classes.
Is there a risk in waiting? Do FC classes tend to fill up in that first month or so?
There is definitely some risk waiting, but I’m not sure how long you intend to wait, as that will make a difference. I would contact the school directly to ask as they will have the most accurate advice based on previous year enrollment trends.
A few years back, a student had asked advice on picking classes for FC and held off signing up for them, even though he had put his deposit in to secure his spot. He didn’t get one or maybe two classes he would have liked, but he did get decent alternatives. Unlike regular classes, if a section of foundation class in FC fills up, they do not open additional sections.
I think she wanted to wait until April 1, when she expects to hear back from the rest of the schools she applied to (she applied for Early at MD but regular for another 8 or so, and I guess she won’t hear from any of them until then?).
I’ll have her ask, and give her that info which is very useful.
I am most likely doing FC but also want to apply to the Freshmen Abroad programs. Am I able to sign up for FC on March 1st as I apply to Freshmen Abroad and maybe go through with the Freshmen Abroad program?
My son is in the same situation. Got into FC but wants to wait until at least 3 other schools get back to him in April. We haven’t visited UMD yet. He also wants to wait until Admitted Student Open House later in April. I am trying to convince him to visit earlier and hopefully he will fall in love and commit
I understand that FC classes can fill up. Is there an issue with housing choices if he waits until mid-April lo commit? I am glad he has options but the waiting is very stressful!
Yeah, we were concerned about it as well. Housing says guaranteed until May 1, but I guess choices could get lmited. I think she and her mom are visiting on the 9th. Maybe she’ll decide then. She can at least ask some questions in person, if she’s willing to wait that long.
I would check over the fall 2018 schedule for FC and make up a schedule with alternatives that you would be happy with if you didn’t get your first picks. https://app.testudo.umd.edu/soc/201808
I asked this question because we were concerned about the same thing. I also asked if the FC tuition was discounted since the class times are less desirable. Honestly, being OOS and with no merit money, I’m hard-pressed to believe UMD is worth the cost when he got in at Pitt (in-state) and has merit at UMass and a couple others. In any event, here was the response I received from UMD regarding classes filling and tuition discount:
Certain courses fill before May 1st but we do our best to reserve seats in all classes that are first semester major requirements. A student who enrolls in late April may be waitlisted for certain math and science courses. We have never had a problem creating full-time (12+ credits) schedules for students who enroll even in early May. We do not enroll students in electives; we consider a student’s schedule a success if he/she is fulfilling major and/or outstanding General Education requirements.
Resident (in-state) tuition is usually exactly the same. Non-resident tuition is typically $4,000-$5,000 less (last fall’s non-resident Freshmen Connection tuition was $11,228) than the comparable fall rate.
