@PJW1234, Thanks for your insight on this process, it’s been very helpful. My D2 is scheduled for her interview on March 2. She is wondering about how the young women were dressed for the interview. She’s planning on wearing business interview attire. Would that be appropriate based on your experience?
We’ll be flying in morning of the interview - does anyone know how long and best way to get from BWI to campus? Thanks.
@twinsmom15, it will probably be about 40 minutes or so from BWI to campus at that time of day (could be only 30 minutes in good traffic conditions) – I recommend 295 south, the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, rather than I-95 – and then you exit at 193 to head towards campus. If you keep going straight on 193, it turns into “University Boulevard”, curving around the west side of the UMd campus (with an entrance into the campus near the stadium which I think they had us use for the interviews – can’t actually remember where they wanted us to park).
As for attire, last year D1 was in standard business attire. I seem to remember that most guys were wearing slacks and ties. Remember that if you sign up for the college tour and lunch, it will be a long day and there is a LOT of walking. IMHO I would recommend that you keep in mind that it is a college setting so you won’t wow people wearing the power suit. Being comfortable is probably more important. Of course jeans and a t-shirt won’t cut it either.
@itllbeok, thank you for the directions. I ended up finding even cheaper flights into DCA and now we can just take the Metro. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates!
Twinsmom15, I remember last year during the interviews, a student had flown in from out of the country. When the interviews were canceled due to snow, they just let her interview a day later. Hopefully it won’t be an issue. Are you still flying in the same day? Also, the College Park metro station is about 1 mile from campus. There are buses for students, but you might want to look into that part of your trip, too.
I’m terribly disappointed. No invite here. My son is #1 in his class of 425 with a 100 average, SAT: M760, V800, W730, ACT 35, Bio SAT 800. I was hoping that was enough. I have to presume that average EC’s have hurt his chances for any of the good scholarships out there.
@twinsmom15, there are UMd shuttles every 5 to 7 minutes from the metro station that will drop you off at the Regents Parking Garage (closest point to the Stamp Student Union, which is your first stop on Banneker-Key day, I’m pretty sure) as well as other points on campus. The shuttles can be used by candidates and their family members (basically anyone who has a relationship with the University of Maryland), but you have to contact them ahead of time. Here is the official scoop from the UMd transportation webpage at
http://www.dots.umd.edu/schedules.html#
“Visiting scholars, family members, or event attendees without a university ID may request a letter of permission to ride Shuttle-UM routes or use Shuttle-UM services that do require a UMD ID. A letter on DOTS letterhead will serve as a temporary identification and must be shown to the bus driver upon boarding. Visitors may contact the DOTS Office in person or by phone at 301-405-1222 during business hours to request a letter of permission.”
^There might also be a $4 fee associated with that permit.
I should mention that my son (who used the shuttle before he was officially admitted or had a UMd ID) says that they never asked him (or anyone) for an ID. That being said, however, it’s definitely easier for an 18-year-old to slide onto the shuttle looking like he’s an authorized user than, for example, his 50-something mother…
@Disneydad, I know that feeling because that’s how exactly I felt. But I think I moved on. I applied to UMD because of the scholarship. Now I have the admission without scholarship. I’m not too concerned about anything related to UMD anymore. I’m hoping for other schools. Good luck everyone and have fun at UMD.
@Disneydad, we’re in the same boat. My son has a similar profile and no B/K invite. However, I called UMD this morning and asked if all B/K invites have now gone out and was told “no.” So there is still a chance. Best of luck to you and your son.
@Putterer , thanks that is good news. I guess I will keep watching the mailbox.
@putterer @disneydad I’m wishing both of your kids good luck with the B/K although I’m skeptical about any more invites being sent out. I don’t understand why colleges handle these invites so poorly - especially colleges who claim bragging rights to a great computer science department. Send an email to the student, tell them to check their portal and there will be the BK invite. It worked that way for the admissions announcement, why not for the B/K? Conversely, if you check your portal and don’t see a B/K invite then the suspense is over and you and your kid can get closure and move on.
@need2learn Thanks for the support. I decided that since I was fretting, I should call admissions. I was told that all finalists have received e-mails. I’m sad. but he still has some good choices. And maybe Maryland is still in the running anyway.
@disneydad I’m glad you called, but I’m sad that you didn’t get the answer you hoped for.
Well, the President’s Scholarship, which is $2-12K/year is still a possibility.
When will people be informed of the president’s scholarship? does anyone know?
web site says early March for all other scholarships.
My husband was told the same thing yesterday when talking to admissions. I wonder if they re-offer B/K that are turned down. I feel bad for these kids who have done everything possible to be tops of their class and then don’t get selected. Seems like a crap shoot.
I have the same question too, if they have any waitlist for BK.
No and No they don’t re-offer B/K and no wait list…but understand there are other scholarships yet to be awarded at the end of next month. I’m afraid this thread is giving the impression as if B/K is the one and only merit recognition scholarship. It isn’t. There really is more to Maryland than the B/K scholarship.