<p>My son recieved the nicest hand written personal note from an admissions recuiter who also invited him to come for a visit, meet profs, students and sit in on a class. It all of a sudden raised his interest in UMCP. Anyone else get one of these?</p>
<p>don't be fooled, there is nothing personal about UMCP.
My S. got the same note 2 yrs ago, and so did the majority of her class.
sorry</p>
<p>We're not far from UMCP so my d has visited a number of times. She wrote to the department she was most interested and was invited to stop by. She spent one on one time with an admissions counselor. She was given great advice and really detailed info about the areas she was interested in, along with honors/scholars/gemstone. (This was before submitting an application--she hasn't received the note you mention.)</p>
<p>If your son is interested in UMCP I'd encourage him to come visit. UMCP is a big school but I wouldn't quite agree that there is "nothing personal" about it. Meeting prof/students and sitting in on classes is a great way to learn more about any school. If your son has narrowed down his choices he might want to request this at all his target schools.</p>
<p>The note was quite personal and even referenced his essay. She mentioned that she had just reviewed his "impressive application" and wanted him to visit and learn more about HHMI research opportunities. HHMI research is a truly outstanding plum to be hanging out there.</p>
<p>Some of the research that undergraduates do at UMCP is really cool. When d interviewed she heard about a couple Gemstone projects that were going on--really interesting stuff.</p>
<p>I just got a note that also called my application impressive, referenced my essay, invited me down to visit the campus, meet students and profs, etc., and talked about HHMI research opportunities.</p>
<p>So, basically, I think a lot of people get these. There may be some cut-off point (SAT scores, GPA, etc.) for who they send these too and who they don't. My brother, two years older, had worse SAT and GPA (not by too much, but the GPA was noticeable – he just made some mistakes in choosing classes), and I don't recall him getting one, nor did he say anything when he found out about mine.</p>
<p>Maximus001, out of curiosity, what did your son put as his major? I put Chemistry, and mine was sent by someone having something to do with the College of Chemical & Life Sciences. Perhaps this is something particular to that department?</p>
<p>Adaman, That's exactly the situation. Was it a good sign for you?</p>
<p>The UMD is a very cold school. Each class has over 400 students and you never really get to know the professor. And the professors are never willing to go out of their way to help you out, even if you're .5 away from the next letter grade. </p>
<p>If you're from out of state like me, don't waste your money. You can get the same education(mediocre at best) at another state school.</p>
<p>Maximus001, I'm a high school senior this year, so I don't know, but I'm willing to bet that, yes, it is a good sign. The other day I searched through here and found something from a few years ago. Someone met with Eden Garosi, the woman who wrote my (and I assume your son's) note, over the summer on a visit to UMD, and apparently she's involved with the Honors program and does recruiting for them. So... I guess it means that the people who got the notes are definitely on their radar.</p>
<p>BruinsJEW, that's the reason that I'm only going to seriously consider UMD if I get into the Honors program. Almost every other school I'm applying to is a small liberal arts school or mid-to-small-sized private university. I go to a large (2000 – not huge, but large) high school, so I definitely want a change for college.</p>
<p>I would like to counter BruinsJew's statement that UMD is a very cold school.</p>
<p>I've personally never been in a class that has over 300 students (there are actually only 1 or 2 lecture halls that even hold over 300). And you can get to know the professor, but you have to WANT to. That means sitting in the front, going to OFFICE HOURS (which nobody does--frankly, I say we're not allowed to complain about teachers not knowing us if we don't make the effort), and participating in class regularly. And even if you are in a big lecture hall, there aren't too many classes that sized when you get out of your CORE/general major requirements. None of my classes next semester have more than 30 people (most are 20-25), and I'm only a second semester sophomore. I've had amazing professors who are very fair with their grading--I hate blanket statements like "never willing to help you out." Having talked to professors, they say that they will bump up people if they know the person has put in the effort--that means coming in for help and actively showing an interest in doing better.</p>
<p>Yes, Maryland does puts a lot of responsibility on the student to get what they want/need, but isn't that the point of going away for college? I feel that I have gotten a great education at Maryland. You just have to pick your professors carefully and know your role in your success.</p>
<p>@ Somebodynew,</p>
<p>I can name at least two courses where I showed interest and went to office hours. And I am one of the only students who sits in the front and participates, but in a lecture of 450 students, it's hard to get to know the professor, especially when these professors leave the "dirty business" to the TAs, who #1) can't speak English or #2) are incompetent and know no more than the students. </p>
<p>I went to discussion and my TA was a complete idiot and it took him nearly ten minutes to do a problem that took us five minutes.</p>
<p>MD= Half-fast education, save your $$$!</p>
<p>Well, I guess that just shows the wide variety of experiences at Maryland. Out of curiosity, what major are you?</p>
<p>International Business, Communication</p>
<p>My 2 cents here...you don't go to UMD and think that you are attending a private in your fresh/soph yr. You will get that when you are an upperclassman. My H went there knowing he would be a number. I went to a private college so I wouldn't be a number (if someone sneezed the entire school said Bless You...sarcasm :)) Where did I spend my weekends...driving 2 hrs. ea way and going to UMD. He had a true college experience, gross dorm bathrooms, college football games, a beautiful campus, etc. To this day I have never returned to my college, but my kids have been to UMD several times, even to football games (homecoming ty...what a game) S is applying to UMD and UMiami, along with several others.<br>
BTW Bruins UMiami will not be any different in class size nor will Penn State. If you want one on one as underclassman...got to go private</p>
<p>bulletandpima,</p>
<p>Umm..., being a Florida resident I think I know that UMiami is definitely a private school and much smaller in size than Maryland. Maryland has about
25K+ students where Miami has only 10k. Most of the classes at UMiami have only 25 students. And Miami has that whole warm family feel, and is just as competitive in sports and school-spirited. I drive around South Florida and I never fail to see a Miami Canes license plate or someone sporting a cap or t-shirt.</p>
<p>I'm guessing that you went to a private school like Salisbury(if that's how you spell it) or Loyola or Towson. </p>
<p>Good luck to your son! I definitely would recommend Miami over Maryland anyday to your S.</p>
<p>Uh, Salisbury and Towson aren't private schools...especially the former</p>
<p>Sorry, my bad. I never realized that, because it was not labeled University of Maryland at _________, I always assumed it was private. my bad, :)</p>
<p>Bruins, being a business major myself, I know for a fact that your statement "Each class has over 400 students" is completely false. I'm curious what class you had with 450 students as a business/comm major. My largest was calculus, with 250, and we nearly filled the biggest lecture hall available (in the Physics building). Even if you had ONE class with 400 students, that certainly isn't all of them.</p>
<p>Your other gross generalizations: "The UMD is a very cold school", "you never really get to know the professor", and "the professors are never willing to go out of their way to help you out" -- all of these (in my opinion) reflect the views of students who have never gone out of THEIR way to make their undergrad experience different. Personally, I feel like UMD is an extremely friendly school, especially for its size. I know many of my professors on a professional and/or personal level, because I've taken the time to do so. And because of this, they do help me out, whether its with extra tutoring before an exam on a difficult concept or with a letter of recommendation for something.</p>
<p>Bruins-- just saw in your other post that you're planning on transferring. I think it's a shame that you haven't been able to give UMD a fair chance (trust me, the last few years in the business school, academically, are much better than the first). But ALL of us on this board know how unhappy you are so hopefully you find a school that's a better fit.</p>
<p>Hey JEW, glad to see you're transferring! All Maximus asked was about a letter, so go take your negative Maryland bashing to a different forum!!</p>