UMD Cuts Computer Science Class by 50%
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Anonymous
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UMD recently changed the CS LEP rules for class entering in 2024. Only 600 slots and virtually no transfers in. "Find another major!" When we were at the open house in the spring they said 9,000 applicants indicated CS. 3,000 of those were admitted. 600 of those were admitted to CS. 450 enrolled. But at that time it wasn't that hard to transfer in. Anyway, crazy numbers for the state flagship. Take everything into account and the admit rate for CS this year will likely be 10-15%. Until this year the total class was 450 direct admits + 1,000 internal/external transfer= 1,450. Now it'll be 600 direct admits + 100 internal/external transfers= 700. If your kid's heart is set on in-state flagship CS, without plausible major substitutions, this could force you to go out of state or private even if you clear the increasingly tough hurdle of getting into UMD. UMBC is the #2 MD state engineering school, but involves a lot of tradeoffs.
From the UMD CS webpage: First Year Applicants | Undergraduate Computer Science at UMD Fall 2024 Computer Science LEP FAQ | Undergraduate Computer Science at UMD The Computer Science major is a limited enrollment program (LEP), and we receive thousands of applications each year. For the Fall 2024 admissions cycle, we expect to have spots for about 600 first year students. As such, direct admission to the Computer Science major as a first-year student is very competitive. If you are accepted to the university but not to Computer Science, you MUST be prepared to pursue an alternative major. While we plan to increase the number of freshmen directly admitted to the Computer Science major by 150 slots (from 450 to 600 enrolled freshmen), the number of slots for new external transfers and internal transfers coming from a different UMD major will be reduced to 100 per year (down from 1,000). |
Anonymous
| U can still take the core CS classes ..just not graduate as a CS major. Employers care about which classes you took and do you know your stuff |
Anonymous
| Wow. When I enrolled in CS in early 90s, they would basically take anyone as long as you passed the math prerequisites. That was before CS salaries took off. |
Anonymous
| That's one way to prop up unpopular majors. You can be a math or physics major and take enough CS classes to be indistinguishable from a CS major |
Anonymous
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It might be actually beneficial to do it that way.. u have a more well rounded resume.. eg a Econ/Business Major with core CS classes
A pure CS degree is only for those that are really committed and have adequate rigor. Many folks dont realize how hard the CS degree is - especially from a school like UMD |
Anonymous
Just like math, 1-2 CS classes are actually required as general requirement at most colleges. It'll be difficult to take beyond that. Seats are limited and CS majors have priorities especially at large state schools. However, you can shoot for a minor. |
Anonymous
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CS is the new Ivy. |
Anonymous
| Did they explain why they are doing this? |
Anonymous
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Yes, value of my CS degree will rise more. |
Anonymous
| You can still do Information Technology and take some CS classes. |
Anonymous
Anyone know if these numbers are in writing somewhere. The 9K number seems high? |
Anonymous
They are not. It was a verbal by the presenter during the open house presentation in April. It would be great if the CS school supplied precise direct admit data. Engineering does it. |
Anonymous
CS is popular and the CS department isn't big enough. They could expand to meet demand, but there are tenured humanities professors who need students |
Anonymous
They keep increasing the enrollment without increasing the department size of its budget. This becomes a problem. Glad to see they're addressing it. |
Anonymous
You're assuming kids can get into the classes. They will prioritize the CS majors and then if you get lucky you MIGHT get in. Good luck! |