<p>How hard is it for an admitted student to get into the honors program after entering UMD? Also, for those who are in or have gone through the honors program, how much difference does it make?</p>
<p>If it makes any difference, I plan to be a pre-med.</p>
<p>There are two ways. The first is at the end of freshman year, if your gpa is good you can apply. </p>
<p>“Currently enrolled undergraduate students at UM who have exceptional academic records (review begins at a 3.50 GPA minimum) and have completed at least one year of college course work (as fully matriculated/admitted students—Freshman Connection students would have essentially three semesters) may apply to be considered for admission to University Honors. It is the only Honors College living and learning program open to current students. Applicants should note that while a 3.50 minimum GPA is required, we can only admit a small number of students–those with the most rigorous course load and highest GPAs. You are required to submit a transcript from the Records and Registration office that includes all semesters completed prior to the semester for which you plan to begin in University Honors. The committee will consider the overall quality and range of your academic record. Space availability may affect admissions decisions. Applications for fall 2013 are DUE BY Thursday, August 1. You will be notified of a decision by mail.”</p>
<p>There is also an essay portion on the application
“THE ESSAY - This should be a subjective essay of no more than 1,000 words, TYPED, that will let us know something about you that we might not learn from the rest of the application. Address a meaningful experience in your life, a current event or another issue of importance to you. It should be based on personal experience and should not be an impersonal research paper written as an academic assignment. Please include your name, address, UID, and title of the essay, and label it University Honors Application Essay. This essay should not duplicate any essay written during your Admission process to the University.”</p>
<p>Note that “If you are currently enrolled in the College Park Scholars or CIVICUS programs you will need to, upon your Honors admission, withdraw from your current program before joining University Honors.”</p>
<p>The second way is through departmental honors and admission varies from school/major/department (whatever term you prefer). Some programs admit starting sophomore year, but most admit for junior year. </p>
<p><a href=“http://honors.umd.edu/departmentalhonors.php”>http://honors.umd.edu/departmentalhonors.php</a>
"Departmental Honors programs usually involve working closely with a faculty mentor on an independent research project lasting at least 3 semesters and culminating in an honors thesis. Departmental Honors research is a powerful way for a student to experience the thrill of innovative research and discovery in his/her field of interest. In a few Colleges, such as Business, students may choose a thesis option, but there is also a non-thesis option involving upper level coursework and enriching experiences appropriate to the discipline.</p>
<p>Admission to Departmental Honors programs varies by College / Department, but there is typically a minimum GPA requirement, upper level course requirements, and an in-depth research / scholarly endeavor culminating with a thesis [check specific details of individual programs through the web links and contact information below]. Students may do Departmental Honors in addition to any of the Honors College Living-Learning programs. Some Departmental Honors programs are open to first year students, although most students begin Departmental Honors at the end of their second or beginning of their third year on campus. Again, check individual programs for options; be aware that some (such as Business) have firm application dates."</p>
<p>As to your question on being in the honors for helping pre-med admission… the most important things are your gpa and MCAT scores. The fact that departmental honors includes research makes it more valuable for med school admissions than honors college itself. While other honors college programs do include a research component, if you are applying as a current student (and not direct admit as an incoming freshman), those programs are not available to you - only the general university honors program. So, aim for departmental honors instead. Having published research will help make you stand out (along with good gpa and MCATs).</p>