UMD Freshman Connection! Hellp

They also do this to keep the GPA of attending students high since FC students gpas are not included in the calculation.

What is the average high school GPA for a student that would be admitted into freshmen connection?

I could not disagree with @Mimigar1963 more - my son got FC (he is a Senior now), he took later classes first semester freshman year. While he was last to pick for 2nd semester freshman year, he got all the classes he needed and had fulfilled so many required courses in Freshman Connection, that he was able to take the next level classes. He applied the end of Freshman year for a highly competitive LEP - Government and Politics - and was accepted. He is graduating on time, with a minor in Sustainability and a straight A average from Freshman Connection through this past semester Senior year. It was by far the BEST thing we ever did was to go into Freshman Connection. It is a wonderful way to transition into College in a less intense environment. There is absolutely no stigma and the transition to being a regular student was seamless.

I do not think that @Mimigar1963 is a legitimate poster. He/she only made the 2 posts above. Nothing before then. Mothing since then.

Does that first semester as FC cost the same for tuition, room board etc…or is there a discount for having to take classes later in the day?

I am not sure, but I think room and board would be the same

My DD got into FC/Spring admit and she has a weighted 4.2 GPA

For all you Freshman Connection admits with that March 1 first-come, first-served registration looming…

S19 just signed up for Discover Maryland Day on February 18. We can’t really afford to wait until Admitted Students Day on March 1 to make this decision.

Here’s the link if anyone else is interested…

https://www.admissions.umd.edu/visit/calendar/discover-maryland?delta=0

@STEM2017 M Be warned that “Discover Maryland” day is a complete mob scene with overpacked facilities. If you need time to talk to people in a certain department, or have an actual tour where you see things and not herded around with a group of 75 people, you may want to pick a different day! Just FYI, it took us over an hour to get from the main entrance into the parking lot at 8:30am last year. If this is the day you go, arrive VERY early!

@STF4717 That’s good color. Thanks for the heads up. We’re Manhattan folks so crowds don’t bother us too much. But your advice is very valuable. Thanks again.

I find it hard to beleieve that other kids in campus do not know why their friend is stuck in evening classes, cannot be in the same sections with them and is not joining them for sprts and other activities. All of the above create stigma. FC benefits the school primarily. I explained to my kid what stigmatization means and why he should never allow himself to be placed in that position.

My daughter is a sophomore right now at UMCP and went through FC last year. She did not feel any stigma at all. She was grateful for chance to attend and has had a terrific experience. She was in a dorm with FC and regular students, her roommate was not FC. No one knows if you are FC and they really don’t care. She slept in, took later classes (smaller and frankly a great way to transition into college), was able to join clubs right away. She just couldn’t join clubs that met in the afternoons/early evenings but this is only for 3 months. FC is business decision for UMCP but I’m glad they have it to give more students the opportunity to be a terp! Stigma is in the eye of the beholder. I was proud to tell everyone my daughter got admitted to spring semester. It’s not a stigma, it’s a blessing.

@Allecto It sounds like you have no interest in Freshman Connection, even though many people with personal experience have argued in its favor. You should move on. For others, its a great option, especially those who may not have had the stats to gain Fall admission but really have their hearts set on UMD.

I disagree with your comment wholeheartedly. But we can take the debate off-line.

We are moving on. I do congratulate you on having time on your hands to engage in debates, be it on or off line. Best wishes.

@Allecto - As @STEM2017 says, it is probably best for you to move on. You are not doing yourself, or your S, any favors by continuing to dispute those who have actual experience with FC. Good wishes to you and your son…

@Allecto When it comes to helping people make better decisions, I have all the time in the world. Best wishes to you.

My son finished his first semester at UMD in FC. FC was a fantastic experience for him. He loved his first semester. I was concerned with the size of UMD and the smaller class sizes were beneficial. I think the advisors were helpful and it helped him transition to a large school. The afternoon/evening class times didn’t bother him. He wasn’t able to join a club because it met in the afternoon but he plans to join this semester. He has friends in FC, honors and scholars. He did not feel a stigma at all. He is proud to attend UMD and I am thankful FC provided the opportunity.

Other schools send you to a different college or campus for first year or fall semester. I recently learned this from talking to other students/parents. NYU and Udel as an example. So FC at UMD is a way better option. At least you’re on campus and a part of the university. I’ve read nothing but great things about this program and everyone on this board has been extremely helpful. My daughter has been telling the kids in her school she’s a spring admit and proud of it. Good luck to everyone!

Our son is Honors, and lives in Ellicott with lots of FC kids. His new college friend group is half FC, half Honors. The Honors kids tend to have more credits so get to register for classes earlier. FC kids get to use the gym when it’s empty during the day. Those are the differences in my son’s eyes. No AC in the dorm - but they’re all in that boat together. FC might be a great motivator to a lot of kids to push to do well and graduate with departmental Honors.

Here’s a question for everyone…

If you were accepted for Spring start and you are considering Freshmen Connection (but not yet committed) when will you get your ‘need-based’ financial aid award information?

Fall-start students get their awards on March 1. If they tell my son he needs to wait until the summer or later for his award, we’ll definitely be moving on. We can’t take the chance of waiting.