just received scholarship information from UMD and got the dean’s scholarship for $4500 a year for 2 years. i was offered admission into UMD’s scholars program and my friend (we’re both in-state) who was only offered regular admission was offered the presidential scholarship for $20,000 over 4 years.
according to the site the dean’s scholarship is offered to only 400 students each year. if the scholarship is said to be more selective then why does the presidential scholarship offer more?
i was also told that the merit amount if highly dependent on test scores yet this can’t be true considering I have a 1560/1600…
i did some research and some sources say that the student’s major affects the amount rewarded (more competitive the less). im doing computer science so that might be it?
I have been watching these sites for UMD for a few years and I am in state and know a number of students who have gotten scholarships. I think many things are considered. Certainly ECs are important but also from what I see URM status is considered, whether you had a hardship, what high school you came from, what the competition was like at your high school the year you apply and your need all can count. Kids who think they are a sure bet for B/K get a small amount, other kids who look like they couldn’t qualify for a B/K get it. Unless you see someone’s application you really don’t know what they put forward for Maryland to look at. You also have to realize that one person can’t make all of these decisions so there might be a bit of a difference based on who reads your application materials.
I’m fairly certain we couldn’t come up with a formula to predict anything related to undergrad admissions …decisions, merit aid… any ‘but why’ is absolutely futile and frustrating.
The only certainty is that there is no certainty.
IMHO