I’m a freshmen comp sci major in ACES program, UMD. I’m not sure whether to chose ACES minor or QUEST program as additional experience. Though I am interested in cybersecurity, it feels like my comp sci degree and ACES LLP is enough should I chose cybersecurity path. Any thoughts from alumni? Will QUEST expand my opportunities for internships/ job?
Ask Manny on the fifth floor.
I’m not sure what you mean by “choosing” between ACES and QUEST. QUEST is not a LLP (living learning program) nor available for freshman year. It is an honors fellows program for sophomore thru *senior year, but does not have a residential (LLP) component. It is a highly competitive admission process that you apply for in freshman year for the program which starts in sophomore year. They open up applications typically in late January (if I recall correctly there are info/recruitment meetings starting in late October/early November) but u don’t apply until fall grades are in as only the college gpa is considered, not high school. There is also an interview component among other things. It is a three year program, so yes, you do apply in freshman year, but not yet this year.
FYI, If selected for QUEST, you do not have to give up any honors college/college park program to participate. It is separate/additional. Fwiw, I cannot speak highly enough about the QUEST program!
*to clarify, there are 2 cohorts; one starts in fall of sophomore year and ends spring of junior year while the other starts in spring of sophomore year and ends fall of senior year.
Thank you for your comments. What I mean is I’m in ACES LLP now and have an option to select ACES as a minor in junior/senior years (take additional 16 credits in cybersecurity during junior/senior years). However, I’m leaning toward QUEST (for sophmore, junior, senior) instead of ACES minor because it seems like an interesting program. Is it a mistake ? QUEST has the least amount of comp sci students and I’m trying to understand why.
Ah, gotcha. I don’t think they are mutually exclusive, so u should be able to do both.
As for why QUEST has the least amount of comp sci students, that’s a good question to ask at the info meetings.
I can only imagine the reason may be interest level since the type of problem-solving involved is design/entrepreneurial/business oriented and not as many comp sci students are attracted to that…?
@HeartUMD Actually, I may have a better answer for the “why”…when QUEST started 25 years ago (as Total Quality Management), it was only business and engineering students. CMNS students were only added in to the program in 2001, so the total breakdown that you are seeing on the QUEST information page may represent the percentage over the entire 25 year period, rather than current cohorts. If that’s the case, given less years of CMNS students participating, that explains why the percentage is naturally lower.
The current cohorts actually have 23% students from CMNS (38% Smith (business) and 39% Clark (engineering). Hope that helps to know.
I also realized I didn’t address your question of whether QUEST expands opportunities for internships/jobs…QUEST is the only program that actually has an internship component built in for the capstone course, 490H. Many students do get job offers from the company they work with! QUEST really stands out on a resume not because it’s an honors program per se, but rather because it teaches cross disciplinary teamwork skills and problem solving that companies really value. The networking and connections that you build are truly outstanding.
The QUEST info session dates were just posted:
- Monday, November 6th 7PM - VMH 1212
- Thursday, November 9th 7PM- CSI 1115
- Monday, November 13th 7PM- KIM 1110
Applications will open in mid-December! For more info, visit go.umd.edu/QUESTumd. #applytoQUEST
Here’s an article on the 25th Anniversary Gala from this past weekend that helps describe the program https://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/news/quest-honors-program-celebrates-25-years