My DC got into UMD Honors (GPA 3.9999 unweigheted, 4.65 or more weighted) - not her first choice but fine.
DC wrote essay as required to get to dorms - LLC.
They gave DC 5th choice - University Honors!
DC is in tears. It sounds that we are going to skip dorms and Honors program all together if will chose UMD at all.
Is there a way to change that assignment and move from 5th choice…?
You could try calling to see if there are any options.
Phone: 301.405.6771
University Honors is a great program, and they’re making it more specialized and getting new dorms. I know of one student who transferred into ACES after one year in UH. I wouldn’t count on that though
New dorms in 2021. By that time will be out of dorm. Issue is not the dorm.
The problem is not good fit for the program at all. Not interested in courses or tracks listed at all. Was just required to put 5 choice out of 6 possible on application, so did it.
Then how about you take @SoofDad’s helpful advice and call to see if they can transfer her to whichever LLP you’re thinking of? (You still haven’t indicated which LLP was your daughter’s first choice.) If they can’t or won’t change it, and your daughter ultimately decides to attend UMD, then she doesn’t have to do University Honors (or any other LLP) if she doesn’t want to.
Also got into UH. It was listed as a third choice not my 5th as in your case. Honestly getting my first choice LLC would have made a difference in choosing UMD as my first choice school. I have yet to hear any benefits of UH.
I have to think that changing from one honors LLC to another is difficult. BUT how about changing from an honors LLC to a scholars LLC? What is the process and how long does it take to find out if I receive that request? There might be some scholars programs that fit my needs more than UH.
You seem to be really upset with this decision. I’m sorry you feel this way, but it might help to know how LLP admissions work. The application would have first been passed on to the top choice. That LLP will review the application and decide whether the student is passionate enough/good fit to be admitted. If not, and they think the second choice is a good fit, they pass it on to that honors LLP. More often than not though, if a student doesn’t get into their top choice, they get placed into UH because of how flexible it is. The best strategy to get into a specific LLP is to be wholeheartedly passionate about that ONE. For example, I’m in ACES. In my essay, I described how passionate I was about ACES and why the other LLPs would pale in comparison. My friend basically said he would not attend unless he was in ACES. The point is, it’s not like UMD admissions was looking at your daughter’s application and said “whelp let’s be terrible people and give her the 5th choice. We don’t want her anyway”. They clearly wanted her here because of the Honors invite which is way more than most people can say. Most likely, her second and third choice had other students who cared more about those programs who preferenced those as their first.
Called UMD Honors today but there were no officials only students today due to some scholarship event. Was told there is appeal but it usually doesn’t work.
That’s too bad. Good luck. I hope your daughter gets her desired LLP.
First choice was Design, second Aces, 3rd Life Science, 4th Humanities Honors, 5th University Honors, 6th Gemstone.
@momsearcheng Yes today was evidently the first of three days for Banneker Key interviews on campus. My daughter is finishing up her 2nd year in University Honors and is very happy that she picked this LLP as her first choice. She was concerned that the smaller programs would be too much of a time commitment while completing her engineering degree. She also liked the flexibility of the program compared to others and University Honors was recommended to her by current students for these specific reasons. I can also tell you for a fact that she is having a much easier time fulfilling her Gen Ed requirements through this program which would definitely not be the case with the other Honors LLP’s. However, there are major changes to the University Honors program and course structure starting this upcoming semester. From what I can tell, the program will be much more structured with less flexibility regarding course options and fulfilling GenEd’s. I’m not sure if this is a good or bad change in the program and we probably won’t know for a couple of years.
Yep, and the tracks that were created absolutely do not fit interests of my DC…
Revolution? War and Piece? etc… My DC hates politics and debates. Will avoid both at any expense. DC is artsy engineer who likes drawing and theater. Does not look good at all.
Just called. No guarantee of switching. May happen after May 1st , after all people will commit. Not good sign.
Also learned for this LLP you do not need to leave in particular dorm or any dorm.
Can take these “honors” classes and get "honors " on transcript if any one cares without much participation. Sounds like can drop from it and loose nothing.
@momsearcheng These tracks will be general enough that they will appeal to all types of students. For example, Revolution will talk about the political side of the word, but it will also discuss scientific revolutions. It’s all about change. I avoid politics too, but I try to expand my horizons even if it is uncomfortable for me. If you really hate UH, then don’t participate in the Honors College. I have lots of friends in UH who were originally upset they were placed there and now love it. But if you and your daughter are so confident that you’re not happy in this situation, don’t come here. It’s also not a good look for you to be calling on the behalf of your daughter whether she can be switched to a different LLP. It doesn’t show any passion from her side. I bet she’d have a better chance switching if she personally, like an adult, wrote a well written email to DCC about why she really hopes that they’d reconsider her.
I called, since DC is in school and can’t call during school day.
DC is going to write email, not me…
We just had to find out what is the process and possibilities.
Actually person who answered phone was very nice and understanding.
I can help with this one – I was placed into my 3rd choice LLP and was able to switch into my 2nd choice LLP by emailing the director of the particular honors program. That shows the LLP that you’re sincerely interested in their program. It’s much easier than going through the Honors College because the director of each LLP has a lot of pull over who gets to be in their program. Try doing that for the top 2 or 3 LLPs and see if it works.
Thanks! That what I was looking for - successful experience from the past.
DC just got scholarship, so we really want UMD to work out.
@momsearcheng Warning- ACES and ILS are extremely popular. I met Banneker Key scholars who got turned down for ILS. I’m pretty sure that you need to have a 5 in AP bio in order to be admitted. I would try DCC and Honors Humanities.
@momsearcheng’s daughter’s first choice is DCC.