<p>We live in Ohio but will be on vacation in the Chesapeake Bay area in 10 days and are planning to visit UMD. My daughter would like to attend an out of state school on the East Coast. We would prefer that she stay in state because of tuition cost since she is planning on graduate school or professional school as well. However, we want her to have the experience of looking at different colleges so that can compare to her in-state choices. </p>
<p>We do not qualify for any need-based financial aid but what are the chances of being awarded a merit scholarship to UMD with the following stats?</p>
<p>4.15 weighted gpa, 3.91 unweighted
3 AP courses
2 IB courses
30 ACT,
4 years Varsity field hockey,
4 years lacrosse (2 on Varsity)
2 years school magazine staff writer
National Honor Society
National and state journalism awards
Hospital emergency department volunteer
Girl Scout camp counselor
Field hockey camp instructor
Freshman mentor</p>
<p>Thank you for any insight into this!</p>
<p>This year, I had a 32 ACT with multiple subject tests and very good extracurriculars like your daughter. However, I only received $8000 total for four years. I also got admitted into the Honors College, so it was a bit disappointing not receiving so much (did not qualify for need-based either). </p>
<p>Some students are given a couple extra thousand through their department (mainly Engineering), but the College of Computer, Natural, and Mathematical Science doesn’t quite do that. </p>
<p>Large merit scholarships for OOS students is not the norm for state flagships. Outside of a handful of schools (typically lower ranked) with automatic scholarships, large merit for OOS is usually very competitive. You need to be a top candidate, way above the average student for that school. Your daughter has done very well, but for a school like Maryland, she is not way above average. I have a feeling you will be using that UMD visit to realize just how good your in-state choices are. You’re fortunate to have schools like OSU and (especially) Miami for under $20k. If grad school is in the plans, don’t overspend for undergrad. </p>
<p>My D is OOS, 30 act 4.2GPA IB diploma, varsity sports. Got accepted into Honors College at Maryland, but zero money. Still she took the deal. Great school highly ranked in many academic areas, and proximity to Washington DC was the deal-doer (internships).</p>
<p>OP - I think your D has done well but UMD is not a good option for OOS students looking for merit. I am not sure if your D’s stats are high enough for anything significant. If she wants to apply, however, make sure to send in App by Nov 1. My two cents. Good luck. </p>
<p>Yes, I realize that there are kids with way higher stats and appreciate the honest insight. Jibler, the fact that you only received $8000 total with a 32 ACT tells me all I need to know! Chardo, you hit the nail on the head – it is our goal to show our daughter different schools and how they compare to our instate options. Our son will be a junior at Miami of Ohio and has a very positive experience with lots of hands-on research opportunities. My daughter would be eligible for some very nice merit aid there and we told her that if she attends Miami, she can take advantage of a semester abroad at the Miami campus in Luxembourg. OSU is a very good school but we live in Columbus, so neither of my kids were interested in applying there – too big, too urban, too close to home – but the kids that go there love the diversity and the plethora of things to do on the weekends! We will likely do a drive-by/ on our own walking tour at UMD since it will be sort of on our way home!</p>
<p>Again, I appreciate everyone’s insight!</p>
<p>You might want to consider east coast private schools with large endowments. UMD gave my son 12,000 OOS where JHU met full need totaling 37,000. Good luck to your daughter.</p>
<p>@bonee26 - assume that means your son chose JHU?</p>
<p>S1 is at UMD and S2 did chose JHU but not for money. He liked the CS facility and smaller school atmosphere. It was a better fit for him and his personality.</p>
<p>@bonee26 -That’s awesome that the school that was the better fit for him was able to come through financially. I wish him all the best. And it’s pretty convenient for you to have both sons attend school in the same state! Hopefully, their breaks will coordinate…well, at least Turkey break will be the same so they can come home together!</p>
<p>Thank You Mary, the wife and I are ecstatic for the reasons you mentioned above. </p>