It sounds like it will be comparable to the Smith Business Transfers. Students will have to exceed the requirements, not just meet them. However, there may be more students who get direct admission, if the transfer process is more restrictive
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I kinda wonder if UMd is making it more exclusive on purpose like what Disney would do years ago with movies - make them scarce then take them out of circulation so people felt they had to buy them. I know UMD is a great school but they seem to be positioning themselves as the next UVA/Michigan/Berkeley and scarcity can be a marketing tool that provides a sense of prestige.
Iām guessing itās more likely a response to complaints from students. There are many UMD CS kids in my area, and I have heard them complain about not being able to get into course sections they want because too many students are vying for the same spots.
They also complained that direct admission vs transferring from L&S was a sham because the gateway requirements were so low a bar as to be virtually non existent.
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I get that they have limited spots now. The question is why. They have had these LEPs for many years. When not hire more faculty? I just wonder if they choose not to respond to the demand to make it elite
The school is only so big. They have other majors that are supporting also. They arenāt just going to keep growing their CS department to meet whatever demand. There is no reason they canāt become more selective and hence more elite, why not? There are other schools available for the students that donāt make it in there. UMBC and other options are available as instate options as well.
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Poli Sci was an LEP BC until recently. Iām sure itās supply / demand.
They may not have funding or space to expand out of LEP status.
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I agree. Computer science has become increasingly popular, and departments canāt endlessly increase enrollment in the major without negatively impacting education quality.
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We will have an incoming freshman CS class of 600 students instead of the usual ~450 for fall 2024.
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Exactly. There is nothing limited about it currently; UMD went LEP for CS 5+ years ago, and the major is LARGER than it was back then due to internal transfers. These new CS LEP gateways are similar to many other Big10 schools and state flagships in terms of what they already do to limit CS majors.
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We do not have any more classrooms/available time slots in which to hold large intro CS nor calc classes. We also do not have any more space to hire/house new faculty in CS.
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Well that pretty much explains it
Curious, based on your use of the āweā pronoun. Do you work for UMDās CS department?
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Latest admissions stats (updated for Fall 2023).
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Interesting - thanks for sharing.
Acceptance rate held flat - but GPA and test both up. Looks like they admitted a few more.
With a 32-35 test, you think wow - but last year they show 55% submitting, so many not.
Given the reported stats, the acceptance rate appears high. But clearly more are applying.
One thing really interesting -their yield doesnāt change. Always 23%.
Itās important to keep in mind these stats are across all majors, and includes both in-state and OOS. Acceptance rates are going to be much lower for their most popular majors and for OOS applicants.
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I wish UMD posted stats by major like UIUC does. Transparency is a good thing!
When D24 put his list together a little over a year ago, we were looking at 2021 stats. He is looking at the business school, and we know itās an LEP, but donāt know admissions stats for business. At that time UMD seemed like a reasonable option.
As of 9 months ago when his counselor was evaluating his prospects, she made a note in Naviance that UMD was a target. (But Iām not sure she has a breakout for business vs the entire school (we are OOS).)
Now, with the continued upward shift in stats, his test scores are just barely in that middle 50% of the 2023 stats. And I noticed in Naviance she no longer has it listed as a target, it says N/A. So all we can do is wait!
Itās particularly frustrating because as the latest stats are coming out ā¦ D24 only has safeties and reaches on his list. Maybe thatās an issue for hot majors in general (direct entry business)? My D22 had similar list building issues for computer science.
I guess this is good news for UMD though! With ever higher stats maybe people will stop calling it a party school. Lol
Agreed. That would definitely help.
UMD is a very popular school in my area (NJ), and to be honest I havenāt heard people call it a party school. In fact, the kids who are in CS, and Engineering find it quite challenging and rigorous.
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Anyone know how they calculate GPA? This average GPA seems really highā¦.are they using a 5 scale for AP, honors, and DE? Core only?
Yes. My oldest is CS there. Itās no joke.
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