I see that the deadline to submit our preferences for the scholars program is in mid February… Does it matter when we submit then before this deadline aka… Is there any benefit (priority of choice for programs) to doing it now as opposed to waiting a little too submit it? Also, how do they determine who gets their first choice program and how hard is it to get your first choice? Thanks!
Is there any reason to hold off?
They choose based on your answers if I recall correctly. So, give them some thought. Some programs are more popular/limited in space such as the business, sts, and I think environmental - could be different these days but it should be noted since you are supposed to select a few in order of preference but can only select one of the “limited”/more competitive programs - at least that’s what I think I recall they did several years ago
Thank you for your response! The only reason I would hold off would be to perfect the short answers (although I have not looked at them yet) to make sure my answers are quality… I like to write and then go back a day or two later and edit anew. Also, how popular are the Public Leadership and International Studies programs? And finally, do most students tend to choose to live in the LLC dorms, and are those dorms primarily freshman? Thank you so much for all of your responses to all of our questions!!
Hmm no clue about those 2 programs - son did sts. I don’t think waiting a day or two to perfect your answers is a problem - I wouldn’t wait too long but a day or two is a non-issue. I think most people did live in the llc dorms, and yes, most were freshman (and sophomores). Best way to find out about scholars is to go to accepted student day - book now because it does fill up fast!
Is Admitted Student Day a something that most students attend? Is is required like Orientation?
Not required, but very, very helpful. Answered a lot of questions, gave a lot of info. Remember, when you go to schools as a prospective student, they are giving you admissions info. Now, you are past that. You are in! Wahoo! Time for meat and potatoes. Stuff that can really help you differentiate between your choices - things that make Maryland special. You’ll be more relaxed and can take that “temperature” - get that real sense of “fit” - really see the student body that attends and talk to them (they really are friendly) - ask all the questions you are posing here and more specifics. You’ll find out about all the little things and the big things. You might even meet a possible roommate! (ok, that’s stretching it - more likely to happen at orientation haha but you never know!)
@maryversity is right on, these short answers are to get a feeling for what you are interested in. Don’t try to tailor them to what you think they want to hear, just answer with whatever comes to mind.
As for admitted student day, not required but a great experience. If you sign up very early you can do the overnight stay program (OSP). The student gets to stay with a current student in the dorm and see what it is like outside of the classroom. I did it and had a great experience.
During the day there will be people there from all different departments to answer questions that you may have before you go to the university. Many people used to tell me that after the admitted student day they wanted to accept their offer immediately.
Good luck!
@mdhelp Where can you sign up for the OSP? We signed up for April 3, but saw no option. We signed up right after the acceptances went out and even called and were told that wasn’t an option. Thanks.
@amaame Sometimes the dates fill up really fast, visit the link below and see if you can register for April 2nd (they are always the night before the admitted students day).
@mdhelp Thx so much!