<p>Hello, I am currently a student at a Maryland CC. I have a 4.0 and plan on transferring to a 4 year college next year. I have a problem though...I was originally planning on transferring to UMDCP, but I ended up having to retake 2 gateway courses. I now am technically disqualified by the rules stated on the UMD webpage which are posted below.</p>
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<p>Admission Requirements or Criteria</p>
<p>Both external (outside UMCP) and internal transfers (meaning current UMCP students whose major is NOT engineering) will be admitted to the Clark School if they meet the following admission requirements:</p>
<p>-Completion of the Fundamental Studies English requirement*
-Completion of MATH 141 with minimum grade of C- or better (Applicants for Spring 2014 and forward will be required to have a B- or better.)*
-Completion of PHYS 161 with a minimum grade of C- or better (Applicants for Spring 2014 and forward will be required to have a B- or better.)*
-Completion of CHEM 135, CHEM 113, OR CHEM271 with a minimum grade of C- or better*
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all college level coursework
-Completion of at least one Distributive Studies course from the humanities or social sciences.(Must have one of the following codes: HA, HL, HO, SB, SH, DSHS, or DSHU)
-Students in other Engineering majors or Engineering undecided who wish to be a BIOE major must complete BIOE 120 with a grade of B-.</p>
<ul>
<li>Only one 'gateway' or performance review course may be repeated to earn the required grade and that course may only be repeated once. A "W" counts as a repeat.</li>
</ul>
<p>So, what are my options now? What are some other engineering schools in the area that would accept me? Could I somehow still attend UMDCP? Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you do?</p>
<p>Well two things. If you’re repeating courses but are pulling straight A’s now, there is clearly more to your academic story. A more complete picture will likely get higher quality feedback.</p>
<p>That said, assuming you get into the university but not the engineering program, there is an internal process in place that would allow you to appeal to the clark school directly. That said, you have to make a good case and you would lose up to a year of degree progress even if successful. </p>
<p>Unless you’re majoring in aerospace, restricted to local schools and the only abet accredited programs in the area are UMD, GWU (technically mechE) and Capitol College. It’s not pretty, but it’s worth the fight to get into Maryland.</p>
<p>I understand that ABET is more important for other engineering fields than say computer science. I mentioned CS because UMCP’s CS program is non-accredited (CS is part of engineering at UMBC, JHU, etc) and UMCP CS grads do well in the area. Now out-of-state?..I cannot comment on.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses everyone! More background info: I am a nontraditional student, almost 33 years old, and prior military. I attended college about 8 years ago and didn’t do well. I ended up dropping out and one of the classes I dropped out of was Chemistry. I am now back in school again and have decided to pursue Engineering (Mechanical hopefully). </p>
<p>I have no prior classes or experience with chemistry, mathematics, or physics. Geometry was the highest math and basic chemistry was the highest science that I took in high school. I asked if there were any prep classes for physics (like those offered for chemistry, mathematics, english, etc.) I was informed that there were, but that they were not part of the Engineering program and that the cost of the courses would not be covered. So, I decided to go ahead and take the physics course. Well, I quickly realized that I was in over my head! I decided that I would have to withdraw from the course and take the prep physics classes instead. When I went to withdraw (one week after the classes had started) I was informed that the withdrawal would be counted against me and be listed on my transcript. I was pretty shocked about this and was informed that this was the policy for attending classes during the summer term. That if I had only attended one day of class and then decided to withdraw that it would still be counted against me during the summer term. </p>
<p>So here I am now, I’ve retaken Chemistry and am finishing up the Physics prep courses. Though now it looks like I am out of luck for UMD. </p>
<p>The chem gateway applies only to chemistry for engineers or general chemistry 102. If the course you dropped was chem 101 equivalent, then it wouldn’t count against your gateway. Either way like GT said, let Maryland have to figure it out, but I’ll add, be aware that you may not get directly admitted to the engineering program (instead placed in letters & sciences). </p>
<p>Not getting directly admitted doesn’t mean you’re forever doomed, it means if you really want to get into the clark school, you’ll have to apply internally after at least one semester and, upon likely getting denied again due to policy, appeal the decision. The large turnaround (especially if it is sustained) plus the ancient history make for a good case. </p>
<p>It could be worse. I’ve been holding a 4.0 going on 67 credit hours now, but I jacked around so much my first go around over a decade ago my overall gpa is around 2.6-2.7. The associate dean of the clark school (the person who makes decisions on engineering appeals) said to my face “I will go to bat for you, but I’m afraid admissions is probably not going to let you into the university.” How messed up is that?</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply and the information about your own dilemma da6onet! I’m really sorry to hear about your situation! I wish you the best of luck!</p>