@whenyoubelieve so sorry! Didn’t realize you were already responding!
Also, to all those above, ACES also offers a minor, which gives students the same experience they would get in the LLP, plus more!
@whenyoubelieve my son is already a designated cybersecurity MAJOR, so he would need this as a minor also? And then with the minor, they don’t live with the folks in ACES, is that correct?
@NowTerp The ACES minor and cybersecurity specialization (there is no cybersecurity major. It’s a computer science degree with a specialization in cybersecurity, thus it’s denotation as CS-cybersecurity) focus on two different aspects of cyber. The minor does NOT live in Prince Frederick Hall, but, as a junior and senior, I don’t know whether you’d still want to live on campus.
This is what people who have experienced both has to say on the matter (pulled from another website):
- "The Cybersecurity specialization here, as with most CS programs, is characterized by VERY low-level classes and a defensive focus. You can lookup the fill cyber specialization track online, but it includes classes such as compilers and OS, courses that won't help you too much if offensive cyber is your interest. However, if you're interested in very low-level processes and truly getting an understanding for many cyber practices, you'll enjoy it.
As others have noted, specializations don’t mean all that much - the value of your degree won’t be impacted much at all, and having ACES or minors on your resume will do a lot more for you.
ACES is a bit different - they give you a wholistic approach to cyber, so you learn about it from more than just the technical side. You still get technical training of course, and can choose to focus your time on the technical aspects if that’s what you’re interested in. Another note, ACES LLP does not ‘gaurentee’ a minor - the Livings Learning Program gets you an honors citation and if you do well, you can apply for the minor once you’ve finished. Also, it would definitely not be redundant with the CS specialization. ACES won’t come close to the low-level CS heavy focus of the specialization, and CS won’t come close to the hands-on higher level security training you’ll get with ACES. They’re not mutually exclusive in any way, and some ACES students choose to do both for a more complete cyber experience."
- "There are a lot of other options to partake in cybersecurity related activities on campus, despite not being a part of ACES. The cybersecurity club is open to anyone who is interested in learning anything cyber related (CTF, RE, pwn, forensics, etc). More information is on the site as well (http://csec.umd.edu/). There is also a competition team that is heavily involved in CTFs and has lately been doing extremely well. With a little prior knowledge, dedication, and willingness to learn, you could easily be a great fit for the club.
Don’t let not being in ACES retract from your experience at UMD with cybersecurty. If you’re still not satisfied enough with this option, there is always undergrad research and summer internship opportunities available in the area."
- "the ACES Honors Program (Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students), which offers a lot of coursework in security taught by industry professionals (reverse engineering and offensive security taught by NSA reps, big data class, intro security classes, etc). ACES also has a Cybersecurity club with lots of resources and weekly meetings. UMD also has a student run Cybersecurity club that meets weekly with exercises. CMSC414 is pretty good as far as usable security goes for CS students, and UMD has a bunch of CTFs throughout the year (see Metropolis). CS's build it break it is also a fun way to show off security skills. CS lobby days also bring in security companies (Cyberpoint, Ciphertech, etc), for internship opportunities in security."
- "Specializing in cybersecurity is doable without ACES, though from my understanding, students in the ACES LLP learn some of the security topics in their seminars whereas normal students will only be able to learn them from their 400 level CS courses. From my experience, this shouldn't prevent you from picking up cybersecurity on the side, as long as you are willing to dedicate time to it (all of my teammates including myself aren't in ACES). The professors who do research in security are fantastic, and there are ample opportunities to get involved with what they are doing. The Cybersecurity Club hosts a lot of events where you can network with companies, learn useful skills, and compete in CTFs. Our CTF team is going out soon to compete in an on-site competition by HackEd, and we're partnering with Booz Allen Hamilton to host their on-site Kaizen CTF next Friday. If you're interested in cybersecurity, don't let any program or curriculum define what you're able to learn here at UMD! CMSC414 covers basically all of the topics you'd typically see in a CTF, and would probably be a good supplement to your expeirence. CMSC456/498R goes deep into the mathematical foundations for cryptography, how it works and what happens when it isn't implemented correctly. At one point I was thinking about doing the ACES minor, and realized that a lot of the classes they offer are already 400 level courses, so there wasn't as much an argument for me to do it, besides having ACES written on my diploma. Without the minor, there are plenty of opportunities to learn about security. I definitely recommend UMD if you're interested in learning about cybersecurity."
Hope this helps! (I haven’t read into depth on any of them recently, but I definitely read into them when I first applied to UMD).
@momoftwoboys , DCC is Honors.
@whenyoubelieve Thank you so much for all of the additional information, which I am sharing with my son. I did realize that cybersecurity is his specialuzation within his major. Somehow, we thought that selecting a specialization would actually have bearing on the ACES placement. I am sure he will be interested in the ACES minor if that is his only option. At this point, the question would be, how manageable is that going to be with the requirements of the honors llp he was placed in? This, and several other q’s are things we will explore with someone at the honors college office to determine if he will even accept the llp placement at all. Thank you, again for all of this info!
I reaaallly wanted to get into ILS or at least UH so I could reapply to ILS sophomore year. I got into gemstone, my third choice. What are some things to love about gemstone (to pull me out of this depression)? Also how can gemstone help me get into medical school besides the research? Thanks so much guys I’m worried.
Is it possible that putting in your preference later might’ve been beneficial (i.e. they read those at the top of the “stack” first)? I submitted my form a day after the deadline due to technical issues and I still got my first choice of DCC. Do they weight your stats or the 1500 character statement heavily?
There is a spot in Humanities up for grabs - declined UMD.
@alwaysnervous - you would stand out more with gemstone as all med school hopefuls look alike on paper when they do things they think med schools want. Med schools admit engineers and other fields as well to increase the diversity of student population.
@Fukuro I don’t think so. My DD applied rght away can and got her first choice. It seems like they place people where they feel they fit well.
@NowTerp Most LLPs have curriculum designed around two years and the ACES minor is designed to take two years as well, so I think it would be pretty manageable. It would depend on the classes he ends up taking at UMD, if he ever needs to retake a class, among other factors. So, although I can’t say for sure, I would say, for a good amount of students, it’s doable.
I signed into my son’s coalition account, and see that he was placed in his fourth choice for his Honors LLP. He is at work tonight, and is going to be devastated to find this out. He is a Computer Science / Cyber security major, and ACES is his first choice program. He literally turned in his preferencing form the very night he was accepted into the Honors College on January 26th. This is the whole reason he wants to go to UMD. Deposit is paid. He would have even been happy with his 2nd choice, DCC,but 4th choice? Everything I heard from all of the students in these programs was to get your preference in right away, as that makes a difference. It obviously does not! If those who are currently placed in his top 2 choice programs do not end up attending UMD, then spots become available, correct? Is there a reconsideration process to fill those spots, and if so, someone please advise. I believe somewhere on this thread is an honors student that is in the ACES program. If this comment could be directed to them, or if any other student or parent has insight on this, please let me know. Thank you!
I signed into my son’s coalition account, and see that he was placed in his fourth choice for his Honors LLP. He is at work tonight, and is going to be devastated to find this out. He is a Computer Science / Cyber security major, and ACES is his first choice program. He literally turned in his preferencing form the very night he was accepted into the Honors College on January 26th. This is the whole reason he wants to go to UMD. Deposit is paid. He would have even been happy with his 2nd choice, DCC,but 4th choice? Everything I heard from all of the students in these programs was to get your preference in right away, as that makes a difference. It obviously does not! If those who are currently placed in his top 2 choice programs do not end up attending UMD, then spots become available, correct? Is there a reconsideration process to fill those spots, and if so, someone please advise. I believe somewhere on this thread is an honors student that is in the ACES program. If this comment could be directed to them, or if any other student or parent has insight on this, please let me know. Thank you!
So, my post from Tuesday has been duplicated on here twice this morning?? Sorry, everyone ! I did not post anything here today! Very bizarre. @whenyoubelieve , thank you for the additional info 
Did anyone join the parent honors chat? I was stuck in a meeting. Any good information to share?
Hi @pickledginger I joined – not much new. Merit aid will be announced mid-march. Everyone was notified of their LLC on Monday if they applied by 2/1. There are going to be 4 honors orientation dates – June 13/14, 20/21, 28/29, and July 11/12. Full schedule is at http://orientation.umd.edu/dates.html Housing will be announced in June or July I think. Most of the other stuff is available on the website.
They did seem flexible about changing LLCs. Said that they were all in meeting yesterday so haven’t responded to emails yet. You can change into University Honors, but can’t change from UH into smaller ones without approval, and spaces are limited.
Thanks, @klbmom18!!
Good news here - my son was just emailed that he got the Presidential Scholarship, $12K/year. OOS, Honors, Communications Major, no B/K invite, top 5%, 1590 SAT, 4.4ish weighted (not sure how they calculate it), lots of rigor, decent ECs.
The email is titled, “Hey Terp, News You’ve Been Waiting For” and was emailed from the Office of Undergrad Admissions.
My son received his scholarship e-mail today as well. Presidential Scholarship - $8,000/year.