<p>My daughter got admitted to Engineering (Bioengineering) for fall 2008. She got the latter on 2/9. But, no mention of honors or even scholars in the letter or online. She has SAT I score of 1460 (all three 2170) WGPA 4.35 from MD (competitive public school). She even got a premier scholarship ($15000/year) from UMBaltimore County. Surprised by not getting any scholars or honors invitation from College Park.</p>
<p>Yea I have a couple friends that have stats similar to your daughter, and were surprised by not getting into honors or scholars. I guess admissions was tough this year.</p>
<p>My D knows a friend of her who has SAT scores and GPA below who got into scholars. That is where this year's decisions are puzzling.</p>
<p>Maybe they weighted the essays more, and didn't just base decisions on GPA and SAT</p>
<p>After getting denied any financial aid form my first choice, Pomona College, and getting merit aid from UMD, I am going to be in Gemstone next year.</p>
<p>What have others turned down for Gemstone?</p>
<p>Four years ago I turned down NYU for Honors and a Gemstone offer (which I declined).</p>
<p>gemstone is a different experience for everyone...you either love it or you hate it. There are about 180 students who start off in the program...but by the end of four years that number is closer to 100. The class that really determines whether or not you stay in the program is gems104...the class you take the spring semester of your freshman year. The class is pretty stupid...you do a mini-research project and submit a group 50-page paper at the end of it. Also, the spring semester is when you make your teams. A lot of students do not end up on the team they want or they find that none of the teams really match with their interests. This year...like most years... there were a lot of technical projects...good for engineers and sci majors. For a business major like myself...i don't really feel that the projects are right for me. Most of the projects ask for business majors so that the projects can be marketed...but marketing is not really what my major is. There are always a lot of save-the-environment projects, so if ur into that..u'll definitely find a project to do when ur in gemstones. right now...i kno that there are a lot of kids debating whether or not to drop the program...me being one of them. i think that gemstone is one of those programs that comes across as really great on the brochure...but its not that amazing. I probably wouldn't reject a really good school just b/c i got into the gems program at md...just keep ur options open =)</p>
<p>@soccer_07</p>
<p>Isn't it just easier to get a professor to do research with than to go through that nonsense?</p>
<p>yes it is</p>
<p>Gemstone is the dumbest thing that is affiliated with a university.</p>
<p>afruff23</p>
<p>yes it is easier</p>
<p>I woud definitely disagree about Gemstone being "the dumbest thing that is affiliated with a university". It's not for everyone, and there are other ways that students can participate and/or lead research as an undergrad at UMD. For the students that stay in Gemstone throughout their undergrad time at UMD, they frequently see their work published as an undergrad, and those who stay with it find it an extremely rewarding experience.</p>
<p>D turned down Gemstone; it wasn't something she could see herself doing. She will seek out her own opportunities (she's already actively involved in a research proj now as a 2nd semester freshman). However, it is incorrect to categorically say that it's a "dumb" program.</p>