Well, fwiw, I am an alum, but I took my son to both general university admissions sessions AND engineering info sessions. We learned different things at each one.
Even if you don’t have any specific questions of your own to pose, listening to the questions of others and the school’s response is really helpful. Given the change in Maryland’s application from their own to the Coalition App this year for the first time, I think it would be very useful to hear if the school will be approaching the admissions process differently.
So, yes, I would def recommend attending Smith Fridays. Looks like there are only 2 left for this summer, so I would try to schedule as soon as possible.
@maryversity, your post certainly has caught my attention! My DD high school class of 2018 wants to visit and this post has convinced me! Look forward to seeing it and I will certainly reach out when we have a plan!! Thank you!
@tpcrd66 I am so glad you found this thread helpful!
Since your daughter has time, while it is too late for this summer, you might want to consider this program for next summer…http://oes.umd.edu/young-scholars/terp-young-scholars
I sent both my kids and it was the best investment I could have made. Not only do kids get 3 college credits (and yes, they do transfer to other schools, so the credits are not good for just Maryland, but all over), but the whole idea of “college” is just a concept that a lot of kids understandably don’t fully understand. That’s why you see a lot of students apply to 15-20 schools, because they have no idea of what they want in a school (and I am not even talking about knowing what to major in).
My kids applied to less than 5 each because they knew what they wanted - my son knew he wanted a school in or near a big city (loved access to DC), so that narrowed his college search and eliminated a lot of options, which is helpful. My daughter learned that she actually wanted a bigger school experience than I would have guessed.
Spending three weeks at Maryland, they get a taste of independence, living in dorms, balancing assignments with social opportunities and generally get a firsthand experience of how much fun college is. As an added bonus, they get a trial experience of the application process. While not as intense as an undergrad app, the summer program does require they get letters of rec, so they learned how to start that conversation with their teachers.
Best of luck in the college search! Enjoy the process and try not to get overwhelmed…
My daughter is starting her sophomore year at College Park. I asked her what 3 things she loved about UMD. Her first answer is BASKETBALL. Being part of the student section at the Xfinity Center is electrifying. Her second response, as so many others have mentioned, is the beautiful campus. If you did a visit over this summer, it may not have been so beautiful, as there was a lot of construction going on. It really is lovely. And third, she loves the fact that there is something for everyone at the University of Maryland. There isn’t one vibe, of hipster, artsy, frat boy, etc. She has become involved in things she never knew existed. She joined the chorus of the Gamers Symphony Orchestra, a student-run group that puts on a fabulous show of nothing but music from video games, old and new. She is also a member of the ballroom dancing team. She is so excited that they get to travel on the athletic team buses, just like the football and lacrosse teams. And being a part of the marching band for a Big 10 team is the best. She says she can’t imagine going anywhere else.
I don’t like Maryland at least the suburban part it is boring ( state not college), but there so much traffic and when you pass the bay bridge they have confederate flags ever where. But UMD has a nice campus and golf course, there grass is green and divots are always filled, and they have good food. ( if you don’t want to pay for a meal plan and a good meal, Ikea has an excellent variety of options. Also, panda express is good, DON’T GO THERE IF THERE BUSY, they will cheat you of your full scoop. The good malls are Annapolis, Bethesda, or Tyson corner. Honestly, you will get robbed if you are clothed in anything UMD or any other college apparel at Prince Georges mall. Maryland is conservative so no liquor is sold after a certain time, unless it is wine. For hair cuts you have to go somewhere generic, it also depends on your hair texture, but i think haircutter will cut everyone. Sports clips is a good place for men, a haircut, shoulder massage, shampoo, and hot of cold towel are all include for under $22 and they use luxury shampoos and conditions. For diner it is all generic as well, But if you go to California Pizza kitchen make sure to be specify in what size pizza you want–I order a regular because I’m over 12 and they though wanted I kids size. Over all college park is nice, and they have heart of campus apartments, JUST DON’T GO DEEP PAST IT. UMD is nice and the campus is very crisp and clean. But, College park is not a college town, they don’t care about college student and will take your money even if you look 12.
This paragraph was all over the place, and will like not be grammatically correct. This paragraph was not made in the intent to disrespect or insult anyone or any organization. These are simple my opinions on the topic, they in no way define or completely affect the experience Maryland has to offer. hat being said please don’t roast me, but if you do that is your opinion and you are entitled to it.
For anyone looking at data, here is where you can find all of UMDCP’s “rankings.” I take these things with a grain of salt as methodology used may or may not be relevant to you personally. However, it is always nice to see that Maryland is listed among the “top” schools in many different reviews…http://www.umdrightnow.umd.edu/university-maryland-rankings.
I just returned from UMD’s new student orientation and was very impressed. It doesn’t feel like a huge state school at all (we are from a state with a very small & sparse population). The amount of available help for all kinds of situations is remarkable, which was reassuring to me as a parent who will be so far away. And of course, the education is top-notch.
One funny story, years ago a friend of my son left a “Fear the Turtle” t-shirt at our house- I think his sister at some point, oddly enough, visited Maryland. Like most kids, he had so many t-shirts his mom told me, “just keep it”. A few days after my son go to UMD (he was really torn between it and Georgia Tech), I discovered the t-shirt at the bottom of a drawer at our vacation home- just in time for him to wear it on senior college t-shirt day. It was and is the only college t-shirt he has ever owned!
He joked to me in his best Russian-sounding voice, “At Maryland, you don’t find the college, the college finds YOU!”
That t-shirt turned up again in the Principal’s address at graduation, when he mentioned my son, his penchant for jokes, and Fear the Turtle!