ALL first year students, regardless of SAT or AP/IB scores, must take the Math Placement Test before coming to New Student Orientation.
Seems odd. I wonder what they’d do if D22 has already earned Math140 and 141 credit through Calc BC AP but does poorly on this test.
I’m also curious how advanced the placement might be. Could she place out of MVC and LA? It would have to go way beyond ALEKS.
Looks like the max testing level of the Math Placement Test is Trig. Seems silly to require AP Calc credit earners to take it.
The math placement test isn’t really that big of a deal. If a student has earned credits from AP Calc courses they should have no issues. If for some reason they do have an issue, perhaps it’s better to find that out early and address it. It’s fair to have everyone take the test. It certainly doesn’t earn you credit for anything though.
At my D’s orientation, students who had not taken the Math Placement Test were not allowed to register for classes. They had to take it then and there causing some delay in registering for classes. As @MarylandJOE says, it’s not a big deal. .
wrong post, sorry
We are a little concerned with the lack of a direct admit as well, even though my son has AP or college credits for two of the three requirements and was admitted direct to major and to honors at all comparable universities. He just got a large presidential merit scholarship so I find this a little bit of a mixed message. He feels unsettled with the “undeclared” major even though it’s said to be a sure thing. On the other hand, UMD has the best programs in the sub-field he is interested in.
Seems like it would make more sense to set the minimum GPA for the program globally at 3.25 vs. all different onramps with different (very low imo) GPA thresholds.
I think the reality is that different entities choose different aspects of the admission. Firstly, students are either admitted to the college or rejected. Then they are admitted to their major or put into Letter’s and Sciences. The fact is there are many strong candidates and not everyone, even a strong candidate will get a direct admit. There’s really no shame in that, it’s more a numbers thing I believe.
Your student got chosen for honors and a merit scholarship. That’s huge and does reflect their hard work and the colleges desire to recognize that and to entice them to attend. Direct admit to their major frankly pales in comparison especially since apparently they only have to complete one gateway course to gain entry.
I wouldn’t necessarily frown upon UMD simply because they didn’t make it directly into their desired major for whatever reason, it’s really not a snub. It sounds like they have many other options outside of UMD also. I’m sure wherever they end up they will do very well.
I wouldn’t be concerned. It is puzzling though. My DS 22 is in the same camp. No direct admit, no honors but highest President’s scholarship ($50k over four years) and an invite to FIRE. Just seems illogical. Gateway requirements seem pretty easy though and his GPA requirement for scholarship is higher than GPA requirement to stay in CS.
Admit Day Question - we are signed up for Mar 11th - saw the agenda - Tour, welcome session and academic program and financial aid.
Where do they cover dorms, dinings etc (is that part of tour)
Although the decisions may seem illogical at first glance, in realty they make more sense if you know the basis for how the decisions are made (which the school doesn’t necessarily publicize btw). I’m pretty sure the freshman merit aid (Presidential and Dean’s) is based primarily on test score and GPA with minimal if any holistic review - except IS vs OOS. I suspect they input the student’s stats in a computer and the computer spits out what type of scholarship (if any) and the amount of the scholarship. However the Living Learning Programs are more holistic based. The HC starts with a review of GPA and test scores, also essay review, and only then they decide whether they really need/want you in their LLP based on your intended major and background -areas that the student has minimal control over. I’m sure the Honors College turns down a much higher percentage of intended CS majors than others since they don’t want an entire dorm full of CS majors.
I think that dorms and dining may be covered in the 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. ET | Terp Experiences; Understanding Your Financial Options portion.
Specifically in the Terp Experiences portion.
You can also get a lot of info from the following links:
https://dsonline2.umd.edu/terrapinexpress/
Freshmen do not get to pick their dorm. They are assigned based on LLPs, or randomly by ResLife. Most freshmen will be in North Campus dorms.
The advice we were given was to pick a lower priced dining plan and add a Terp Express account to it. However, all of the dining plans have changed since my D;s time at UMD.
It also appears that the In-Person Admitted Student Visits are open for registration
What dates are these “Admitted Student Visit Days” happening? Looks like logging-in is required to see the dates (Daily Visits | UMD Undergraduate Admissions).
just realized, they must be “daily”
I cannot see the dates, since I don’t have a login ID. But in the past they were spread out over a few weeks. The same is true of orientation.
From what I recall when my D looked at it - they were mostly on Mondays and Fridays from about mid March through early April.
Best to login and take a look.
Yup, DD got one too!
I’m on DC area chat boards, and quite a few Honors students did not get money. I’m so sorry. Very strange.
Interesting. My DD took the UMD Multivariable Calc final exam through her HS (STEM program connects to UMD and will receive UMD credit for her passing grade. I wonder if they will still require this if she already has UMD MVC credit from their own final exam!
Does anyone know how NMF works w/ UMD? DD received UMD scholarship, but I think there are additional finds through NMSC/UMD that aren’t listed w/ UMD merit. I know she’ll have to list UMD as first choice w/ NMSC, but does this have to be done early (3/1) like some schools, or can she wait until she knows about some RD results? NMSC only needs it by April, but some schools set earlier deadlines or encourage early submission. It is so opaque.