Would I get in???

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Maryland - College Park
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<p>I am a white high school Junior from New Jersey.</p>

<p>I come from a very competitive high school and out of about 230 students, I would say my class rank is in the 70's or 80's. Some grades that may have hurt me is a D in one tri freshman year and an overall C in science for frosh year. I take no AP's but have been in Honors french since soph. year and honors history since this year(junior year) I have received A, A+ in both of those courses. A grade that may hurt me junior year is a C+ in english.</p>

<p>The gpa at my school can be as high as 5.25. The highest each year is usually around 5.0. I had a 3.2 freshman year, 3.8 sophomore year and currently have a 4.2 junior year. Will this progression help?</p>

<p>I do not play any sports but I will have been a 4 year member of 2 language clubs(french, spanish) I will probably be vice prez in french club and some position in spanish club my senior year. I will have played intramural sports 4 years and I will have been part of another club 4 years. I plan on starting another club with a friend senior year.</p>

<p>I have been a member of the french national honor scociety since sophomore year. I have volunteered at a soup kitchen since soph. year and I am a member of my town first aid squad since mid way through junior year which i plan on continuing through senior year.</p>

<p>I have been working every summer since my freshman year as a caddie at a country club. Next year I will have 4 years in every class including history(global studies honors senior year), math(pre-calc. senior year) french 4, physics(3rd year lab science), economics, and english 4, theology.</p>

<p>I have not taken the SAT's yet but will take them May 7th(the NEW sat). I can get pretty good reccomendations from 2 teachers.(1 with a phd in chemistry).</p>

<p>What do you think my chances are? What do you think I need on the SAT's? Does anyone have suggestions for the application? I know they give you 3 options for the essay and you need to answer some other quesitons in paragraphs. Any suggestions?</p>

<p>I plan on applying for the priority admissions on December 1st. Should I include hobbies on my activity list? One of my major hobbies in filmmaking. Do you think it will hurt that I am from out of state? </p>

<p>Any help would be great. Thanks.</p>

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<p>Start studying and plan to take the SAT/ACT plenty of times! Include your hobbies on your application. There are tons of books to read that will help you prepare your application. An AP class in your senior year would help, but just work on keeping the grades up. Show interest in MD via email and visits. Your EC's are ok...make friends with your HS guidence counselor NOW! Good Luck!</p>

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<p>You may want to look up the average stats in one of those college books also. I cant remember what they are. It is harder to get in for out of staters but UMD does take about 30% vs a school like UNC which takes only 17% if I recall..this makes MD more diversified.
One thing that surprised me is they did NOT want any extras..no art slides etc. So you have to make your impression with the packet you send them.
If I recall they asked a number of smaller questions instead of one big essay..
Good luck to you! My D. loves it there.</p>

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<p>How does the gpa system work at your school? Mine is kind of like yours, its weird with this 5 point system but they don't weight grades. Does yours weight the grades and what would be your unweighted one (like B, A, etc)? I think high SATs would really help you get in. What did you get on your PSATs? Definitely study a lot for those SATs. I think you have a chance at getting in, it seems like a match/reach but it depends a lot on your scores and keeping your grades up. I would try to find your hook and develop that. It seems like you like languages a lot so maybe you could try to maximize that angle, a possibility would be learning a unique language although its a little late for that. Also, have you done anything in filmmaking, like made a movie or something? Anything like that could help. Try to find that hook/interest/special thing that will give UMD a reason to want you to go to their school. For the essays you have to write one longer essay (2-3 pages) on one of the three topics they give you, im not sure if its the same as last year and then answer the 3 short answer (paragraph) questions. Definitely excell on those, they're apparently very interested in them. I think it will be harder from out of state, from NY and NJ, especially as its become more competitive. But you have a shot and I would just do the best you can and also look into other schools as well, other matches and safeties especially. Good luck!</p>

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<p>They had a longer essay? I dont remember that. I do remember they asked some mini questions that were geared towards research (which my D. did not want ) which were most likely used for Gemstone selection.</p>

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<p>EVERY aspect of your application is throughly reviewed. Nothing is just glanced over. UMD admissions looks at everything you submit! The essay is 2-3 pages and the topics they give you to choose from are interesting. My d. had the MOST difficulty answering the "mini" questions....they were tough. You can get online from the UMD website to see what the app. looks like and print it out.The books we bought helped her immensely in the application process, that is your first step.</p>

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<p>I will agree with every aspect of the application being reviewed..BUT they do NOT want slides etc. They are very clear on that. They want what they ask for and no extras.</p>

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<p>For the application, does anyone know if there will be a new one for applying for fall 2006 and when it'll be out? I'm wondering if they'll change the questions for the essay topics. I actually think the mini questions look good but thats mostly because I love research even though I seriously doubt I'd get into the Gemstone program.</p>

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<p>What kind of stats do you have Anoel - if you care to share?
Is UMD a first choice for you?
One cool thing about it, is the proximity to DC..my D. and her friends have taken the metro to shopping and dining..lots of fun.</p>

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<p>Well the quick rundown is that my gpa is relatively low, it should be about a B+ unweighted and since our school doesn't weight grades, Im really unsure how it compares to the weighted average. I've taken most honors classes and a few AP's so I think it'd still be in the range. I'm taking the SATs in June but with the studying I plan to do and my previous PSAT scores, I think it'll be around 1400(V/M)/2100(V/M/W) as I'm pretty equally balanced although a bit better on verbal. I'm really interested in psychology, hopefully doing some research/volunteer things in the summer and fall and I'm starting a psych club next year (and hopefully one at UMD as well as I see they sadly dont have one). Other things are I was in Science Olympiad for a few years (a few medals there) and involved in music for a few years but Ive since dropped that as it wasnt for me. A few other miscellaneous clubs as well. </p>

<p>UMD is my first choice right now, it seems like the best fit but I still have to visit it this summer. I really like how its close to DC, thats a big reason why its so high in my choices as I love big cities and museums are fun. My only concern is weather as I hate the cold and its colder than I like during the winter. But I think I could survive and it fits most of my other criteria so its still my current favorite.</p>

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<p>Does OP have a better chance getting in if he/she applies for priority (Dec 1), or by regular deadline? Anyone know?</p>

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<p>Anoel, the campus is really lovely..and HUGE! Be sure to check out the comcast center and the clarice performing arts center. The gym is state of the art my D. says (though I have not seen it). A really incredible campus.
When we went on our walking tour I was impressed with the students we met. They were all so happy to be there!
Right off campus there is a main street with restaurants, a book store and some other places. The town is not very attractive, but my D. is rarely in the town..just goes with friends to main street for dinner or whatnot.
We had a pretty mild winter this year..but yes it can get cold, and you will have a hike depending on where your dorm is to many spots on campus.
I am surprised they dont have a Psych club.. They have TONS of clubs and activities. </p>

<p>Hayden, If I recall correctly..they take more from the priority pool then the regular apps and priority is considered for more things.. I think they even say that somewhere. But its been over a year..my memory could be wrong. I just seem to recall she had to do part of it by Oct and the rest Dec..for priority consideration which included scholarships, honors, etc.
What is OP?</p>

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<p>thanks, angstridden.</p>

<p>"OP" means original poster.</p>

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<p>Hayden, I checked the acceptance rates for the early and regular appliants and they're pretty much about the same although I'm not sure about the number who apply early versus regular. There might be higher quality of applicants in the early action applicants because of the scholarships and honors/gemstone/scholars consideration but I wanted to apply then in case I get one of those. </p>

<p>angstridden, yeah I heard the campus is big and pretty and it certainly looks like it from the pictures/videos I've seen. I really can't wait to visit it, it sounds like its going to be fun. I have heard about gym and performing arts center which is great as I love sports and music. Also heard about the town but I figured about the same thing, that I wouldnt be there much with DC around and all and I'd like to make my own judgement about it anyway. Our winter was pretty mild too but still freezing and unbearable to me so I'm still a bit concerned. I'm willing to try to get through it though, its gotta be better than where I am. I was also surprised at the lack of a psych club but all the more reason for me to start one and if it helps my ap, im cool with it. I do love how they have so many clubs, I'm already excited about joining a bunch, best way to make friends I've heard.</p>

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<p>Gosh Anoel,
Your enthusiasm is great!
Orientation is a great place to meet people also. And the school has dances and other social activities where the students are out to meet and get to know others.
Hey the pool is heated and if I understand correctly has piped in music in the water (will check on that)..
We toured William and Mary and I thought it was nice..but when we saw UMD I was amazed. I am not into sports but that Comcast center is awesome!
I think the reason for the priority app Hayden was mainly for consideration for some nice extras like scholarships, honors etc..but I dont remember..sorry.</p>

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<p>Topic Creator, you said that you caddie.</p>

<p>Do you have to be a golfer in order to caddie, i.e., be able to give tips, etc.?</p>

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<p>Do any of you know how U Md recalculates your gpa ? I have heard that most schools eliminate +'s and -'s, then just count a B as 3, etc. But I see that U of Md lists their average gpa as 3.9. I am thinking that they weight? It seems a little hard to imagine that most of the kids have a straight A average.</p>

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<p>Hmm I am not sure Hayden. Did you check the website? Maybe it says something there. My D. had a high GPA 4.76 weighted and 3.97 unweighted and I dont think most kids would have that - at least I know most kids at her HS didnt and I know a lot who got in..and they did NOT have 3.9 unweighted..so my guess would be weighted ..but not sure.</p>

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<p>Yeah, I'm also wondering about the gpa. I checked the site and am still having a hard time finding anything about gpa's beside their average one which i hear is weighted. I can't find anything on unweighted which my school uses or a general range of gpa either. It's frustrating.</p>

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<p>Where did you see the statistic for the average GPA at 3.9? There is no way that it is that high here. I think I remember it being around 3.1-3.3. There are plenty of classes that can bring your gpa down at umd, just like any other university.</p>

<p>The 3.9 gpa is most likely the average high school gpa of entering freshmen.</p>